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NEW BAY CLEANUP STRATEGY ON THE HORIZON
Governor Wes Moore announced a major strategy shift in Maryland's efforts to improve water quality in the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays. The new approach will embrace the latest scientific guidance to improve our land and clean our waterways.
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NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT UPDATE
Based on feedback from a series of regional listening sessions, MDA and the University of Maryland have decided to reevaluate and reframe the free nutrient management plan-writing program offered by Extension advisors. The announcement was made at the July 17 Nutrient Management Summit. Other program changes include overhauling the NuMan Pro software program and creating a 30-member farmer task force.
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CALLING ALL FARMERS!
MDA is looking for farmers to serve on a new task force that will provide guidance on ways to improve the Nutrient Management plan-writing program. Committee members will be selected from all regions of the state and will represent a broad range of commodities. Small and urban farm managers are encouraged to apply.
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MDA ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR URBAN WATER & POWER GRANTS
Does your urban farm or community garden have access to water and electricity? If not, we can help. MDA’s Small Farm and Urban Agriculture Program is now accepting applications for its new Urban Agriculture Water and Power Infrastructure Grant Program. Urban growers can use our grants to purchase irrigation equipment and connect to water and power sources.
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Learn how this veteran-led non-profit is transforming vacant land into green space in the Oliver neighborhood of East Baltimore.
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TOP TEN FINISH!
A group of students from Maryland's North Harford High School finished 10th at the NCF-Envirothon competition held in New Brunswick, Canada last month. The weeklong environmental competition featured 49 teams from the United States, Canada, China, and Singapore. The Maryland team's impressive stats included the second highest forestry score at the competition. Way to go, team!
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GIVE YOUR LAWN A BREAK
MDA reminds homeowners to allow established lawns to go dormant during the hot, dry summer months. Applying fertilizer to force a lawn to turn green during its dormancy period can harm the grass and impact the Bay.
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SO LONG, AND GOOD LUCK
Kevin Antoszewski, MDA's Healthy Soils Program Specialist, has left the department to pursue other opportunities. He will be missed!
MEET ME AT THE FAIR!
This year's Maryland State Fair is scheduled to run for three long weekends: August 24-27, August 31-September 4, and September 7-10. Please stop by the Cow Palace to visit MDA's model dairy farm created by our own Dwight Dotterer. More info here.
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For additional information on MDA conservation programs, please contact your local soil conservation district.
Photo credits: Shutterstock, Edwin Remsberg, 6th Branch, MDA, Shutterstock, the Maryland Envirothon, iStock, and MDA.
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