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YOU'RE INVITED: 2024 SOIL HEALTH MEETING AND BREAKFAST
Please join ShoreRivers and MDA on January 23 for a Soil Health Meeting & Breakfast to learn about building healthy soils. MDA Secretary Kevin Atticks will open the meeting which will include updates on soil health funding, drainage water management, Maryland's 2031 climate pathway, and more.
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2024 HEALTHY SOILS GRANTS OPEN JANUARY 3
MDA's Healthy Soils Competitive Fund will accept grant applications for Fiscal Year 2024 beginning January 3. If you have an innovative conservation idea for your farm, this program is for you! We offer financial assistance to qualifying farmers who want to adopt various soil health or agroforestry practices. The maximum project award for this grant is $50,000 to support 3 years of enhanced soil health practices.
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David and Belinda Burrier of Union Bridge were presented with the 2023 Maryland Leopold Conservation Award for their work to prevent soil erosion and compaction at Burrier's Liganore Farm. The award, given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, was presented at the 2023 Maryland Farm Bureau Convention on December 4, 2023.
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NEW TURFGRASS CERTIFICATION CLASSES ANNOUNCED
MDA's Turfgrass Nutrient Management Program has released its 2024 certification and exam schedule for lawn care pros who want to become certified to apply fertilizer to lawns that they manage. The first exam is set for February 6 in Annapolis. Click the button for additional dates.
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WINTER BAN ON SPREADING MANURE NOW IN EFFECT
MDA reminds farmers that the winter ban on spreading manure and other nutrient sources on cropland, including food processing residuals, is now in effect. Farmers may resume spreading on March 1, 2024, based on their nutrient management plan recommendations as long as fields are not saturated, snow-covered, or hard-frozen.
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25TH ANNUAL FUTURE HARVEST CONFERENCE COMING IN JANUARY
MDA is pleased to be a sponsor of the 25th Annual Future Harvest Conference set for January 18-20 in College Park. MDA Secretary Kevin Atticks will be the keynote speaker at this year's event. He will lead a farmer discussion on ways farming can tackle a range of environmental challenges including water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, climate change, energy solutions, and food security. Please stop by MDA's exhibit for info on conservation grant opportunities for small and urban farms and our new Certified Local Farm and Fish Program.
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REGISTER NOW FOR MARYLAND'S BEST EXPO 2024
The 2024 Maryland's Best Expo will take place January 9 at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. The popular event connects farmers, seafood producers, and processors with local, regional, and national buyers, including grocery retailers, restaurants, schools, food distributors, and other venues.
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HELLO AND WELCOME!
Jessica Boyles is the new environmental specialist for MDA's Spotted Lanternfly Program. She can be reached at jessica.boyles@maryland.gov.
The Talbot Soil Conservation district welcomes Yohel Valazquez as an NRCS Soil Conservationist and Heather Beaven, as an NRCS Resource Conservationist.
WANT TO WORK FOR MDA?
Check out the latest job openings throughout the department on our website.
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For additional information on MDA conservation programs, please contact your local soil conservation district.
Photo credits: ShoreRivers, Edwin Remsberg Photographs, Shutterstock, YouTube, and Future Harvest.
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