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HAVE YOU PLANTED YOUR FALL COVER CROP?
Farmers who signed up to plant fall cover crops should be aware of some important planting deadlines. Eligible fields enrolled in MDA's Cover Crop Program must be planted by October 10, 2025 to receive bonus payments ranging from $10 to $15/acre, depending on the application method. The final planting deadline for cereal grains is November 5, 2025. Questions? Contact your local soil conservation district.
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EARN 6 CEUs AT FREE NUTRIENT MGMT TRAINING
Nutrient Management Consultants: Stay on top of the latest practices and earn 6 CEUs by attending the Practical Experiences in Nutrient Management training course on October 14. The free program focuses on Forage Yield Measurement & Manure Spreader Calibration. it runs from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Wye Angus Conference Center in Queenstown, MD.
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Richardson Farms in White Marsh is one of the largest growers of kale in Maryland, which is why the Diamondback Moth, one of the world’s most notorious crop killers, loves their fields. Instead of conventional pesticides, Brian Richardson calls in Kirk Floyd and son William “Bugg” Floyd of Kdrones to air drop hundreds of thousands of parasitic wasps onto his crops. The wasps will lay their eggs in the diamondback during their caterpillar stage, where the larvae will eat them from the inside out.
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THIS LOAD'S FOR YOU
MDA would like to remind farmers that cost-share funding is available for hauling all types of manure to fall-planted crop fields with acceptable soil phosphorus levels. Additionally, we offer grants to help cover the costs of injecting liquid manure into the soil, which helps prevent nutrient runoff and reduces odors. Please note that all fall manure transport and injection projects must be completed by December 15.
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UMES ANNUAL SMALL FARM CONFERENCE SET FOR OCTOBER 24-25
Learn tools and strategies to increase farm profitability and promote farm sustainability at UMES Extension's Small Farm Conference 2025. The overall conference will consist of three tracks: non-traditional agriculture, business and marketing, and ag research and trending topics. Demonstrations and tours will round out the conference.
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MEET YOU AT THE 5-STAR
October is Horse Month in Maryland, featuring a variety of activities throughout the state. Horse enthusiasts attending the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill from October 16 to 19 are encouraged to visit the MDA's education booth located in the entryway. There, you can find helpful conservation tips, information on conservation grants for horse farms of all sizes, and free resources to help you cultivate greener pastures, cleaner streams, and healthier horses.
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FALL MIGRATION RAISES RISK OF AVIAN INFLUENZA
With the fall migration underway, the Maryland Department of Agriculture is urging all poultry farmers to review and implement enhanced biosecurity plans. This comes after the confirmation of HPAI in a backyard flock in Anne Arundel County, marking the first such case since spring of 2025.
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APPLY NOW FOR KEEP MARYLAND BEAUTIFUL GRANTS
Applications are now open for the next round of Keep Maryland Beautiful Grants. This program offers up to $50,000 to nonprofits to plant trees on agricultural land. This initiative supports Maryland’s goal of planting 5 million trees by 2031 and is funded by the Maryland Environmental Trust, MDA, and the Maryland Department of Transportation. The application deadline is December 1.
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NEED HELP WITH A CONSERVATION PROJECT?
Please contact your local soil conservation district for additional information on MDA conservation programs, grants, and services.
Photo courtesy Jim Ensor, Baltimore County Soil Conservation District
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