Queenstown, Maryland (April 12, 2023) – Safety for you, your family, and your farm is one of our top priorities. The Maryland Grain Producers and other agriculture organizations across the state are funding a number of grain bin safety tubes and trainings on how to use these tubes. Currently, the state of Maryland has 38 tubes across the state. You can view the location of grain bin safety tubes if needed here. If you would like to nominate your local fire department, do so by April 30th here.
If you have grain bins, be sure to establish safe grain bin entry procedures and practice with your team. Since 1977 there have been 504 documented entrapments. Nearly 1 in 8 entrapments involve youth under the age of 20 years.
“Our board knows that farms across the state are continuously adding grain bin storage and we want to make sure they are practicing safety and our fire departments are equipped for emergencies,” said Utilization Board President Steve Ernst. “With check-off dollars, we are honored to fund four tubes and trainings for the safety of our farmers, their families, and their co-workers.”
If you are aware of any other grain bin safety tubes, please contact our team at jenell.mdag@gmail.com. We will keep an updated list on our website. You are welcome to print the list and keep it with you. It has come to our attention that not all dispatchers are aware of the closest safety tube, and we are working on providing that awareness.
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Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board was established in 1991 to administer the Maryland Grain Checkoff Program. Grain producers in Maryland voted to institute this voluntary checkoff program, which is funded by participating growers donating 0.5% of each Maryland bushel sold. With this funding, the board can fulfill its mission to increase the profitability of Maryland grain production and to improve public understanding of agriculture through promotion, education, and research. Learn more about the organization here.
Queenstown, Maryland (March 22, 2023) – The Maryland Grain Producers encourages you to sign-up for one of the three new on-farm research trials for the 2023 growing season! Maryland grain check-off dollars are funding technical assistance through the University of Maryland and compensation to you, for this year’s on-farm research. Conducting this applied research on farms will lead to meaningful agronomic production data across the state at the field scale.
The three different trials are listed below. Full protocols can be found online at https://go.umd.edu/3n39mzm.
Nitrogen Rate – the study is evaluating corn yield response to a range of nitrogen application rates.
Biological Product Evaluation – the study is going to determine the impact of biological fertilizer enhancement products on corn yield.
Potassium Rate – the study will evaluate corn yield response to potassium fertilizer to determine the agronomic critical level and adjust land-grant fertilizer recommendations.
The University of Maryland has been funded by check-off dollars to benefit the future of Maryland grain production, by doing on-farm research. Dr. Nicole Fiorellino and Gene Hahn, the On-Farms Trials Coordinator, will be working directly with you to provide hands-on assistance throughout the entirety of the trial. Compensation is available to participating growers who complete the protocols on their farms.
Findings will be aggregated with no identifying information or location and shared for other farmers to see and learn from. Contact Dr. Nicole Fiorellino directly at 443-446-4275 or at nfiorell@umd.edu to enroll today!
Gene Hahn is a Maryland native with over a decade of experiments performing applied agronomic research. He recently coordinated on-farm agronomic research at the University of Kentucky, including study design and layout, creating prescription maps and managing data in RTK-GIS systems, in-season treatment applications, and equipment troubleshooting. Gene’s research background and familiarity with Maryland ensures he will be able to hit the ground running for the 2023 field season.
Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board was established in 1991 to administer the Maryland Grain Checkoff Program. Grain producers in Maryland voted to institute this voluntary checkoff program, which is funded by participating growers donating 0.5% of each Maryland bushel sold. With this funding, the board can fulfill its mission to increase the profitability of Maryland grain production and to improve public understanding of agriculture through promotion, education, and research. Learn more about the organization here.
Queenstown, Maryland (March 1, 2023) – Understanding the new challenges of acquiring Maryland’s new Class A Commercial Driver’s License process, the Maryland Grain Producers is offering a grant opportunity to farmers across the state. The new required class to obtain a CDL is challenging for farmers due to the time commitment of attending class and cost. The Maryland Grain Producers recognizes these challenges and is here to support farmers and their employees through their first-ever CDL grant. This year, the Grain Producers are offering two grants in the amount of $1,500.
To apply for the new grant, please complete the online application by May 5th. Applications will be reviewed by the selection committee with all personal information redacted. Winners will be announced at the 2023 Maryland Commodity Classic on July 27th. Eligible candidates include Maryland Grain Producers Association members, or employees of.
“As the world continues to change, the Maryland Grain Producers strives to assist producers across the state as they adapt to the new rules and regulations,” said President Justin Brendel. “Your membership dollars are important to allow grain farmers to have a voice at a table in the conversations that impact our business. Be sure to sign-up or renew your membership to support this work.”
Lastly, recipients will be awarded the grant funds, once a CDL A has been obtained. If you have any questions, please contact our team at Jenell.mdag@gmail.com or by calling 443-262-6969.
Queenstown, Maryland (February 22, 2023) – Each year, the Maryland Grain Producers sends an annual report called the “Grain Store” to producers across the state. The 2022-2023 report will be in mailboxes in the coming days! Be sure to read about Maryland grain check-off funded projects, hear from the Utilization Board President, and save the date for the annual Maryland Commodity Classic being held on July 27th, with keynote speaker “The Cow Guy!” Anyone can check out an online version as well as MarylandGrain.org.
In 2022, Maryland grain farmers harvested 62.7 million bushels of corn, 13.2 million bushels of wheat, and 1.3 million bushels of barley. Throughout the year, over 250 people attended the 24th annual Maryland Commodity Classic and congratulated five student scholarship recipients and our 2022 Dr. Miller Awardee, Mr. Mark Fuchs.
The Utilization Board considered a number of grant proposals in January and is very honored to fund 46 grants furthering the mission of improving the profitability of grain farming in Maryland! Grants are used to educate the public about agriculture, build markets for grain, and research top grower priorities. These programs can be read in depth in the Grain Store or on our website.
Lastly, thank you to our 2022 sponsors, we appreciate your support! If you do not receive a copy of the annual report, please contact our team and we would be more than happy to send one your way.
Here is to a prosperous 2023 year for all farmers across the state!
Maryland (January 19, 2023) – Maryland Grain Producer Association, Executive Director, Lindsay Thompson chats with newly appointed Maryland Secretary of Agriculture, Kevin Atticks. Kevin was appointed by Governor Wes Moore earlier this week. In 2015, Kevin Atticks founded Grow & Fortify to support value-added agricultural organizations and the businesses they represent. Mr. Atticks launched his career publishing books about the local wine industry but soon led the industry by hiring talented staff, building new events and promotional programs, and guiding government affairs initiatives. He serves on the University of Maryland College of Agriculture’s Global Leadership Council, the board of Future Harvest, and the board of the Maryland Tourism Coalition where he previously served as chair. He is the past president of the Maryland Agricultural Resource Council, and past chair of the WineAmerica State & Regional Associations Advisory Council. In addition to serving as Executive Director of the Maryland Wineries Association for 20 years, Mr. Atticks also serves as the Executive Director of the Brewers Association of Maryland and the Maryland Distillers Guild. During his tenure, he has advanced major policy initiatives, clearing age-old laws and regulations, while bringing business growth, new jobs, and new tax revenue to the state. Mr. Atticks holds a bachelor’s in journalism from Loyola University Maryland, a master’s in environmental journalism from CU-Boulder, and a doctorate in communications design from the University of Baltimore. He holds a faculty position in communication at Loyola University Maryland.
Thompson: What are you hoping to achieve in your first 90 days as Secretary of Agriculture?
Atticks: My first objective is to listen and learn from the agency and the agriculture community. My goal is to get to know every sub-agency and department within MDA and speak with every agricultural organization. I am really interested in doing a full agriculture industry assessment including every sector. We have a real opportunity from the Moore administration to make agriculture a priority. Agriculture contributes so much to the state and it is time to make the state work for agriculture.
Thompson: What opportunities do you see for agriculture to help the Moore administration achieve their climate goals?
Atticks: The first thing everyone needs to understand is that farmers are the original environmentalists. No one cares more about the environment than farmers. Period. I want the administration to work with every facet of the industry to support agriculture in leading and assisting the state in meeting their climate goals. The industry can bring forward many ideas and I am confident that through meetings with farmers, we can find ways to work together.
Thompson: How do you plan to work with all types of agricultural producers?
Atticks: The reality is that none of the segments of the agriculture industry is truly isolated. Every segment is interconnected. I have seen the silo-ing over the years and different types of farmers not talking with each other which has allowed external groups to shape the conversation. Agriculture is under pressure from a lot of different interests. We have to speak with a unified agriculture voice from value-added to commodity, conventional to organic, and small to large. We need to unify common goals and priorities. Each segment may have their own priorities but there are certain things that are good for all of agriculture. When you zoom out and look at all of Maryland and see common themes like development pressure, environmental needs, issues with poverty, and food insecurity – agriculture has a huge role in solving many of these issues. It may seem foreign to a grain and soybean farmer on the Eastern Shore or hemp farmer in southern Maryland but, farmers have the opportunity to make a big difference in the overall well-being of Marylanders.
Thompson: How can farmers help you be the best Secretary of Agriculture you can be?
Atticks: Know that I am ready, willing, and excited to speak with and hear from anyone in the industry. So, make use of that opportunity. I want to hear from you. Please invite me out and I will bring the team out including MDA but also other cabinet secretaries. This is an extremely collaborative administration. Ag will be working with the Department of Environment, Natural Resources, Labor and Health. We need to be working together from the start.
Queenstown, Maryland (January 11, 2023) – The Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board Funding Committee met earlier this month to hear a number of proposal presentations and voted to fund 46 grants. Check-off funded grants fulfill the Grain Producers’ mission to increase the profitability of Maryland grain production and to improve public understanding of agriculture through promotion, education, and research.
The Utilization Board is made up of grain farmers from across the state, representing our six regions. These farmers are dedicating their time and knowledge to the future of Maryland Grain Production by keeping their neighbors profitability in mind while considering each proposal. There was great discussion around triticale, plant timing of wheat, the image of Maryland farmers, road safety, and biologicals!
Newly elected President, Steve Ernst said, “this year the board was very dedicated to educating our youth, keeping our farmers safe, staying involved nationally, and investigating new crop management strategies. It was great to see the Queen Anne’s County FFA Chapter in person, standing strong in their blue jackets, showcasing a positive image for the future of agriculture.”
Funding is provided by Maryland grain farmers through the state check-off program voted on every five years. Grain elevators collect check-off on each bushel of corn, wheat, barley, oats, sorghum, canola, and rye produced and sold in Maryland.
Summaries on every grant will be spotlighted on our website and bi-weekly to our listserv. For 2022 summaries and findings, be sure to keep an eye out for our annual Grain Store! If you would be interested in receiving email updates, please contact our team.
Queenstown, Maryland (October 17, 2022) – The Maryland Grain Producers Association (MGPA) is providing three different opportunities with seven scholarships, totaling $15,000. The three different opportunities are now open and broken down below:
Three $3,000 scholarships to MGPA members studying for a 2 or 4-year degree.
Two $2,000 scholarships to MGPA members studying for a 2 or 4-year degree.
Two $1,000 scholarships for non-MGPA members studying agriculture in a 2 or 4-year program.
Scholarships are funded by the Maryland Grain Checkoff program and approved by the Utilization Board each year. “We value our grain members and adding the Grain Member Scholarship offers another member benefit for our producer families.” Says MGPA President, Melvin Baile Jr. “The board also recognizes and accepts those interested in agriculture but didn’t have the opportunity to be raised on a grain farm, with the Grain Production Scholarship.”
Applications for the three different scholarships are available online and are due January 31st. Those who apply for the Maryland Grain Honoree Scholarship are also eligible for the National Corn Growers Scholarship. For more information, visit marylandgrain.org. Please contact our office with any questions.
Queenstown, Maryland (October 12, 2022) – The Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board is seeking proposals from universities, organizations, and individuals to help fulfill its mission to increase the profitability of Maryland grain production and to improve the public understanding of agriculture.
President, John Bruning
Each year, third parties are eligible to submit grant proposals for the upcoming year covering education, market development, or research from checkoff collected grains – corn, wheat, barley, sorghum, and rapeseed/canola. The utilization board, made up of industry representatives, university staff, and grain farmers from across the state, reviews proposals and hear from applicants before selecting 2023 recipients.
“Our board values the grant number of proposals each year. Seeing the new ideas being brought to the table showcases how forward-thinking our industry is” says President, John Bruning. “We are excited to see what is to come this next calendar year.”
Proposals will be accepted until November 18, 2022, and funded grants will be announced in February 2023. To view 2022 recipients, check out our website here. For more information and to apply, please email Maryland Grain Producers Administrator, Marguerite Guare at marguerite.mdag@gmail.com.
Centreville, Maryland (July 29, 2022) – The twenty-forth annual Maryland Commodity Classic was held in person on Thursday, July 28th at the Queen Anne’s County 4-H Park. Over 280 farmers, sponsors, and allied agribusiness representatives enjoyed the event and the networking opportunities it provided. The Maryland Grain Producers Association (MGPA), Maryland Soybean Board (MSB), Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board (MGPUB), and the Mid-Atlantic Soybean Association (MASA) co-sponsor and host the annual event.
The day began at 9:00 AM with a research presentation by Dr. Vijay Tiwari’s research assistant, Adam Schoen on the wheat and barley research and variety trials at the University of Maryland funded by the Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board. Participants also enjoyed presentations by Andy Kness (University of Maryland) and Jarrod Miller (University of Delaware). To end the morning session, Ryan Krabill from Medius Ag educated farmers on how to access the variety trial research that is being funded through MGPUB. Throughout the park, event sponsors, MGPUB and MSB funded grantees, and farmers networked and enjoyed catching up. A local 4-H club served lunch while the Queen Anne’s County FFA Chapter sold snow cones!
At 1:30 PM the business meeting began with updates from MGPUB President John Bruning, MSB Chair Josh Appenzeller, and MGPA President Melvin Baile. Baile emphasized the importance of farmers having relationships with their legislators and being able to reach out to them when legislation impacting their farms is being considered. Anne Thompson with the National Corn Growers Association gave a policy update on E-15, 2023 farm bill reauthorization, and current bills regarding glyphosate. Steve Mercer of U.S. Wheat Associates provided a trade update. Mercer stated that last year the United States exports were up 1 billion tons, although over the past 5 years the world has produced less wheat. The meeting ended with Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Dr. Jewel H. Bronaugh, who discussed the efforts that are being made to expand broadband access in rural areas. She ended by thanking Maryland farmers for their hard work and dedication and stating “American farmers are the best in the world.” To finish the annual event, all enjoyed chicken and pork BBQ prepared by Sisters by Chance catering and a Crab Feast by Harris’ Seafood.
We would like to thank all of the sponsors for the support and attendees for making this a great event.
During the annual event, the Maryland Grain Producers Association awarded the Dr. James R. Miller award to a deserving individual. This year’s honoree is Mark Fuchs. Read more about our annual award and Mark here.
To support the next generation in agriculture, the Maryland Grain Producers awarded five scholarships in the amount of $3,000 each to association members. This year’s recipients were Alexis Langenfelder of Worton, Parker Miller of Kennedyville, Caroline Wilson of East New Market, Chad Patterson of Chestertown, and Makenzie Hereth of Woodbine. Read more about our annual scholarship program and our 2022 recipients here.
Queenstown, Maryland (July 6, 2022) – Starting in fall of 2022, the University of Maryland College Park (UMCP) is having its first opportunity for students in agronomy to explore careers and build relationships with mentors. Professor Dr. Bill Pillips has worked closely with a number of agriculture organizations to find a diverse group of mentors to work closely with students in the UMCP agronomy program.
Six career mentors in the agronomy field will speak during normal lecture hours on their daily duties and be given the opportunity for discussion. Each student will then be paired with one mentor in their desired career area. The mentors will assist students by passing along knowledge gained through years in agronomy. This will allow students to gain experience in this field and build relationships across the industry.
“Agronomy covers a broad spectrum of careers,” says John Bruning, President of Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board. “Working closely with students to showcase career opportunities will build their profile and better prepare them for the career field.”
The Maryland Grain Producers and Mid-Atlantic Certified Crop Advisers are working closely with Dr. Bill Phillips to find mentors willing to work with students. Mentors that are being considered include a grain farmer, a broiler farmer, an equipment dealership manager, a certified crop adviser, a communications director, and an agribusiness professional.
If you would be interested in speaking at this course and mentoring students, please contact Jenell McHenry at jenell.mdag@gmail.com or by calling the office at 443-262-8491.
