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JANUARY 2023

REPORTING FORMS DUE MARCH 1 
Farmers and turfgrass professionals have until March 1 to submit annual reporting forms outlining nutrient/fertilizer applications made in calendar year 2022 to the department. An electronic reporting option is available through Maryland OneStop. Paper reports will still be accepted. Click the links for more information.

$2 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
An additional $2 million in conservation assistance is now available to help livestock farmers improve their manure management.  Farmers in the following counties may apply for this special funding opportunity by January 20th: Allegany, Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, and Washington. 

THE GRASSED WATERWAY: OUR MOST POPULAR CONSERVATION PRACTICE

Do gullies or eroded channels form in your crop fields after heavy rains? If so, we have a solution. Year after year, the reliable grassed waterway is among our most popular conservation practices for soil erosion. It carries water safely across fields and down steep slopes. What's more, MDA offers up to 100% cost-share for this go-to conservation practice.

NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT EXAM SET FOR FEBRUARY 7th
The Maryland Nutrient Management Certification Exam will be offered Tuesday,  February 7th in Annapolis. Individuals who want to develop MDA-approved nutrient management plans for farmers are encouraged to take the exam. 

NURSERY/GREENHOUSE OPERATOR TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION  
Do you want to become certified to write a nutrient management plan for the  nursery, greenhouse, or controlled environment that you manage? Training begins February 23rd. Participants will have about 5 weeks to study the Training Manual and develop their plans. 

DIG DEEPER 
Frederick and neighboring county producers are invited to attend a new workshop titled, Digging Deeper into Soil Health. Presented by Jim Hoorman of Hoorman Health Services and hosted by the 
Catoctin and Frederick Soil Conservation Districts and Frederick County Farm Bureau, the event offers 4 Nutrient Management continuing education credits.

2023 TURFGRASS CERTIFICATION TEST DATES RELEASED
MDA's Turfgrass Nutrient Management Program has released its 2023 certification and exam schedule for lawn care pros who want to become certified to apply fertilizer to lawns that they manage. The first exam will be held February 13th in Annapolis. For additional dates and registration information, please click the button.

GET A TASTE OF MARYLAND AGRICULTURE
The 53rd annual Taste of Maryland Celebration will take place Thursday, February 2nd at Live! Casino & Hotel at Arundel Mills in Hanover. The event promotes agriculture and educates lawmakers about its importance to the citizens of Maryland. Tickets are $100- $130. The Early Bird registration deadline is January 13th at midnight. 

TRAINING CALENDAR & DATES TO REMEMBER

January 12 – UME Carroll County Mid-Winter Meeting

January 12-14  – Future Harvest Conference

January 17-18 – The Maryland Arborist Association's  Annual Safety and Pesticide Recertification Seminar 

January 17 –  Southern Maryland Forage Conference

January 18  – Western Maryland Hay and Pasture Conference 

January 18 – Wednesday Water Webinar - Smart Use of Deicing Salts

January 19 – Central Maryland Forage Conference

January 22 – Urban Farmer Winter Meeting

January 24 – Lower Shore Agronomy Day

January 26 – Cecil County Winter Agronomy Meeting

January 26 – Central Maryland Vegetable Day

Available Anytime – Nutrient Management Learn and Earn CEUs

REMINDERS:

March 1 – Ag Annual Implementation Reports and Turfgrass Fertilizer Reports due

March 3 – Last day to apply for MDA's New Healthy Soils Competitive Fund grants 

NEWS AND NOTES

NEW HIRES:

Savannah Dobbins, agricultural resource conservation specialist, St. Mary’s SCD
Brandon Dudrow, soil conservation associate, Talbot SCD
Joshua Fitzgerald, soil conservation associate, Cecil SCD
Lauren Gilbert, soil conservation associate, Cecil SCD 
Kaitlyn Fuss, agricultural resource conservation specialist, Frederick SCD 
Daniel Kirby, soil conservation associate, Washington County SCD
Jillian Wood, agricultural resource conservation specialist, Garrett SCD

ON THE MOVE..
Nathan Hoffman, soil conservation associate, has transferred to the Caroline SCD 
Tara Krick now works in the Caroline SCD as an agricultural resource conservation specialist
Broderick Pascual, soil conservation associate, has transferred to the Calvert SCD 
James Wells, agricultural resource conservation specialist, now works for the Wicomico SCD

WANT TO WORK FOR MDA? 
Check out the latest job openings throughout the department on our website.

For additional information on MDA conservation programs, please contact your local soil conservation district.

Photo credits: Edwin Remsberg Photographs, MDA, and Shutterstock.

Pictured: A Baltimore County Dairy Farm.