Centreville, Maryland (July 30, 2024) – With good rain across the state last week for the first time since May, Maryland Farmers and others were excited to gather at the 26th Maryland Commodity Classic. On Thursday, 426 people gathered at the Queen Anne’s County 4-H Park for a busy and great event! The Maryland Grain Producers and Maryland Soybean Board welcomed farmers, check-off funded grantees, legislators, agribusinesses, and sponsors.
Bright and early at 8:00 AM, farmers, firefighters, and EMS from surrounding counties attended a check-off funded Grain Bin Rescue Tube training taught by Dan Neenan, Director of NECAS in Partnership with Nationwide. The training and demonstration was to showcase how to utilize grain bin rescue tubes. Grain Producers Executive Director, Lindsay Thompson volunteered to help train Preston Volunteer Fire Department. The Maryland Grain Producers has funded a number of tubes across the state, find your local rescue tube here.
While the demonstration was taking place, Classic attendees were able to learn more about two check-off funded research projects; Development and Evaluation of High-Yielding Resilient Wheat Cultivars for Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic Region and Grid Soil Sampling for Variable Rate Application. Vijay’s journey of the Maryland wheat breeding program began in 2020 with speed breeding. This summer he is working to license four wheat cultivars, two barley cultivars, and a public cultivar for release. Our board will keep you posted on this progress.
During lunch, attendees visited the 65 research and sponsor booths to network and catch up. While others tasted local spirit and cocktails for the Maryland’s Best Cocktail Competition. During the business meeting, Joanne Clendining announced that McClintock Distilling took home first place with their Free State Gold Rush. New this year, Maryland Grain Producers and Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Maryland’s Best program worked together for the cocktail competition and whiskey competition. The whiskey competition took place at the Department of Agriculture on July 15th with a blind competition and McClintock Distilling’s Old Etzler Straight Rye Whiskey was awarded as the 2024 Maryland’s Best Farmer’s Choice Award.
Also, during the business meeting which was emceed by Maryland Farm & Harvest Host, Joanne Clendining, the Maryland Grain Producers presented the 2024 Maryland Grain Producers Scholarship Recipients and CDL Grant awardees. Josh Appenzeller with the Maryland Soybean Board shared a few words, followed by Justin Brendel, Maryland Grain Producers Association President providing a 2024 legislative up-date showcasing membership dollars at work. Joanne Clendining presented the 2024 Dr. Miller Award to Eugene “Gene” Boyle. New this year, the Maryland Grain Producers Association created the Lawrence E. Meeks Farmer Lifetime of Service Award which was proudly presented to Drew Stabler. Congratulations to Gene Boyle and Drew Stabler!
The meeting ended with our Keynote Speaker, Jim Weisemeyer. Since 1978, Jim has reported frequently on and interviewed senior government officials, including Presidents Reagan and Carter, as well as USDA Secretaries since Dr. Earl Butz. He has traveled extensively in his assignments and is a frequent speaker on farm policy and trade issues. Now Jim contributes daily to Pro Farmer’s online website at FarmJournalPro.com, providing members with the latest information on agricultural policy and trade developments. He also is a twice-weekly participant in Farm Journal’s Agri-Talk radio program and serves as a Washington analyst for Pro Farmer.
The day ended with the traditional crab feast and BBQ, catered by Sisters By Chance. Attendees enjoyed delicious food while being able to catch up with many old friends.
Thank you to everyone for coming out for a good time! We look forward to seeing you next year on July 24th for the 27th Annual Maryland Commodity Classic.
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