Category: Uncategorized (Page 5 of 8)

Queenstown, Maryland (January 29, 2021) – For students working towards a degree in an agriculture-related field, the Maryland Grain Producers is currently accepting scholarship applications for the 2021 and 2022 school year.

Mitch Debnam, 2020 Scholarship Recipient, said, “this scholarship means that I can continue to follow my goal of completing my ag technician education and ultimately pursue my dream of becoming a full-time farmer.”

The Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board (MGPUB) is honored to contribute to one’s secondary education goals and give back to four farm families across our state. The Maryland Grain Producers Association (MGPA) utilizes checkoff dollars from the MGPUB to support our future generation.

Student Eligibility:

• Enrolled in or accepted to a 2-year or a 4-year institution studying agriculture or a related field.
• Applicate or immediate family member must be involved in grain production and a member of the MGPA.
• Members should not have received a checkoff refund in the past 12 months.
• Currently residing in Maryland, but can attend school outside of the state.

Students are eligible to receive one of the four $2,500 scholarships being offered. Scholarships are to be awarded during the annual Commodity Classic held Thursday, July 22, 2021, at the Queen Anne’s County 4-H Park on Rt. 18 between Queenstown and Centreville.

The Maryland Grain Producers Scholarship Committee will select the recipients from applications with all identifying information redacted. An electronic version of the application and more information can be found online here. MGPA must have received your application by April 30th for consideration. Applications are accepted by mail or email. If you have any questions, please call 443-262-8491.

Grasonville, Maryland (Monday, January 18th) – Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board members met January 7-8, 2021 to consider 34 grant proposals covering research, education, and market development for funding. Check-off dollars from corn, wheat, barley, oats, and sorghum are used to support grants approved by the Utilization Board. The board is composed of grain farmers representing all regions of the state along with advisory members from the Maryland Department of Agriculture, University of Maryland, agriculture industry representatives, and the Maryland Agriculture Commission.

For the 2021 funding cycle, 29 grants were funded totaling $860,580 reinvested into the profitability of Maryland’s grain farmers. Grants include funding for MPT’s highly successful television show Maryland Farm and Harvest, LEAD Maryland, the My Maryland Farmers campaign, and many educational programs through Extension. Overall, 12 research projects were funded investigating wheat and barley varieties, critical nutrient levels in major crops, and the efficacy of pesticide and fungicides in Maryland conditions. These check-off funded projects seek to return the farmers’ investment to grain producers across the state. To see the grantee breakdown, click here.

Newly-elected Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board President, John Bruning said, “Funding projects to improve public understanding of agriculture, the development and maintenance of markets for grain, and learning more about managing the grains we produce, is crucial to the future success of Maryland’s grain farmers.”

The Maryland Grain Producers is grateful to have received strong proposals for funding, despite the unknowns 2021 holds, and appreciate the agriculture community’s work to advance our mission for producers across the state.

Queenstown, Maryland (Thursday, December 17th) – Thanks to modern technology, the Maryland House of Delegates Environment and Transportation Committee met with agricultural stakeholders and Maryland farmers for a virtual farm tour on Wednesday. Normally, our agricultural organizations host tours in the fall. Chairman Kumar Barve (District – 17)  expressed that while virtual is not the same as being on the farms, the virtual tour was very informative, and hopes to get back out to rural Maryland soon. The tour hosted 25 live attendees and 45 live streamers, the committee saw 2020 corn harvest and cover crop planting in action, toured a poultry operation, and learned about organic grain farming and a direct-to-consumer produce market. The agriculture tour was developed by the Maryland Grain Producers in partnership with the Delmarva Chicken Association and Mid-Atlantic Farm Credit, which can be viewed online here.

Thank you to our producers for their time and dedication to showcase the work that goes into growing our food! John Bruning, a farmer from Worcester County works with his Uncle Bill to produce corn, barley, soybeans, and wheat. John showed the committee the difference no-till and cover crops can make to improve soil health. Located in Hurlock, Maryland, Jason Scott grows grain with his parents and sells Pioneer Seed. Jason took the committee on a combine ride and shares about nutrient management. Nearby, Mary Lou Brown and her daughter Ashely, raise broilers in six houses for a contract company. The tour ends in Ruthsburg at an organic grain farm, Mason’s Heritage which also has a produce stand for local consumers. Bill Mason alongside Kate and Stephan Kraszewski run the farm and produce operation.

After the virtual tour, legislatures and farmers had the opportunity to discuss important topics. The committee was interested in no-till farming, especially in an organic operation. Steve Kraszewski with Masons Heritage in Ruthsburg, MD did a great job explaining how tillage is used for weed control in their organic corn and how they’re growing no-till organic soybeans. John Bruning who farms near the Chincoteague Bay discussed how no-till allows him to conserve moisture and increase organic matter in his sandy soils.

Delegate David Fraser-Hidalgo (District-15) wanted to learn more about pest management. Jason Scott of Walnut Hill Farm explained he uses integrated pest management including; scouting, genetically modified seed, as well as the timing of planting and pesticides when necessary to control pests in his crop fields.

When it comes to producing row crops across the state, yield monitors are a popular technology. Delegate Regina T. Boyce (District-43) reacted, “This is high tech! Impressive.” Delegate Sheila Ruth (District-44B)  was interested in how this information is used by farmers. Jason Scott shared that his family has utilized monitoring and mapping technology since 2000. These maps allow him to implement variable rate seeding and nutrient application.

As we all know, 2020 was an interesting year. The pandemic has changed operations and markets across the world. Legislators heard from farmers how COVID-19 impacted their families. For grain farmers in Maryland, the commodity prices were very low at the beginning of the year as a result of COVID-19 and international trade. At the beginning of August, China purchased a large amount of U.S. crops due to the drought in South America. Between international purchases and the Derecho storm in the Midwest, prices increased during harvest 2020, which was much appreciated by farmers. Jenell Eck, employee with Maryland Grain Producers who also owns a direct-to-consumer beef operation, stated they have seen a large increase in sales due to grocery store shelves going empty creating an increase in local demand. Lastly, from the local chicken industry aspect, Mary Lou Brown from Dorchester County believes the poultry industry has figured out the kinks in the processing plants and distribution and that the processing employees now “feel safer going to work than almost anywhere else.”

Rural broadband continues to be a challenge and the committee wanted to know how they can better serve the rural and agricultural community. Mary Lou Brown utilizes the internet to view her six poultry house controllers to see how her house environment and chicken well-being is when off the farm and coverage can be unreliable. Lindsay Thompson added that Maryland is less competitive for federal grants for broadband infrastructure due to the percentage of internet coverage in Maryland as a whole compared to other, more rural states.

The virtual tour ended with a strong discussion on producing and selling more local foods to our communities. Delegate David Fraser-Hidalgo asked about programs that support local production and sale of food. Holly Porter with Delmarva Chicken Association pointed out that Maryland is fortunate in that the chicken they buy at the grocery store is local.  Mason Farms Produce spoke about how federal grants allowed them to install high tunnels to extend their growing season. For a direct to consumer beef operation, Jenell Eck pointed out the need for more processing capacity and inspection. Bill Mason finalizes the conversation by encouraging support of the Maryland Department of Agriculture, specifically the Maryland Best Program, as well as the local soil conservation districts to continue best management practices on all operations. 

Thank you to all those who tuned in during the event as Maryland’s number one industry was discussed with our policymakers. You can view the live stream here. 

Maryland (December 17, 2020) – The Maryland Phosphorus Management Tool (PMT) Advisory Committee met Monday, December 14, 2020, to discuss the possibility of a one-year delay in full implementation scheduled for July of 2021. Ultimately, the committee voted 11-3 not to recommend a one-year delay before full-implementation of the PMT. Although Delmarva Chicken Association (DCA), Maryland Farm Bureau (MFB), and Maryland Grain Producers (MGPA) may have been on different sides of the issue as members of the PMT Advisory Committee; we are very much united in continuing to work towards solutions to ensure a smooth transition to the PMT for our members.

Maryland Farm Bureau has policy supporting the delay of full implementation of the PMT until the science behind the tool is validated. The PMT Advisory Committee was informed that the University of Maryland is conducting this field-level PMT research to be completed over 5 years. Understanding that the regulations do not allow for a delay of that tenure, DCA, MFB, and MGPA are committed to working with the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) to ensure that programs and resources are in place to assist farmers with efficiently and effectively implementing the PMT.

Each organization has communicated with the PMT Advisory Committee and MDA about programs and resources needed. We collectively request that MDA implement and report out the following working toward full implementation of the PMT in July:

• Allow manure storage structures on non-poultry producing farms to be eligible for the Maryland Agricultural Cost Share (MACS). These structures would allow end-users to receive and store litter throughout the year to avoid the logjam of transport need in the spring.
• Maintain funding for the Manure Transport Program and increase the mileage cap to allow farmers in central and southern Maryland to utilize the program.
• Expand the Income Tax Subtraction Modification for Conservation Equipment to manure hauling (trucks and trailers) and spreading equipment.
• Move forward with regional aggregation sites for poultry litter including Maryland Environmental Service sites and others. Ensure farmers will not be charged a tipping fee to send litter.
• Continue to work closely with the University of Maryland and commodity groups to identify farmers throughout the state who can utilize and are interested in purchasing poultry litter as fertilizer.
• Work to collect 2021 soils data as required by the PMT as soon as possible to validate acres available for manure application.
• Validate that fertilizer distributors on the lower eastern shore have adequate storage, delivery, and application capacity to accommodate the increase in the commercial Nitrogen need as farmers transition from poultry litter as their nutrient source.
• Continue efforts to explore transporting litter by railroad.
• Convene the PMT advisory committee at-least bi-annually to offer updates and receive feedback on implementation.

Maryland farms and agribusinesses are leaders in conservation and environmental stewardship, consistently adopting new methods, inputs, and equipment to aid in those efforts. However, being ahead of the curve in this manner means that as our members are being asked to think outside the box and alter their farming practices according to new rules and regulations, so too should our state agency partners like MDA and the Maryland Department of the Environment. Swift and persistent action on the recommendations above and continued dialogue as the PMT is fully implemented will be critical to ensure minimal economic disruptions to Maryland’s farm families as they continue their leadership in conservation. 

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Delmarva Chicken Association is the Delmarva chicken industry’s voice as the premier membership association focusing on advocacy, education, and member relations. For more information, visit dcachicken.com.

Maryland Farm Bureau is the voice of Maryland’s rural and agricultural communities. We promote and protect Maryland agriculture and rural life with the support of our passionate membership, ensuring the future of our natural resources, food supply, and rural heritage that are all part of what makes Maryland our home. Learn more about the organization here.

Maryland Grain Producers Association is a membership organization of grain producers across the state. The organization’s major role is to act as a vote for grain farmers, mostly through its legislative activities both at the state and federal level. Members stay informed through a bi-weekly newsletter, social media, and the Maryland Commodity Classic. Learn more about the organization here.

Queenstown, Maryland (November 4, 2020) – This spring threw a number of curveballs to all! The stay-at-home order in Maryland as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic took effect on March 30th. Marylanders stocked their homes with toilet paper, canned goods, protein, and many other essential items unsure what the future looked like. Grain producers across Maryland, quarantined in equipment preparing seed beds and planting their annual crop without knowing what market prices may look like in the coming months.

Today combines travel across Maryland’s country-side and harvest corn and sorghum row-by-row. Grain in Maryland is primarily used to feed our local chickens, but also has a number of other uses to benefit our consumers directly. One half of one percent of the value of each bushel of corn and other grains produced and sol in Maryland is remitted to the Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board’s statutory Check-Off Program. The Utilization Board uses these farmer’s dollars to fulfill its mission to increase the profitability of Maryland grain farming through market development, education, and research.

Each year, organizations, universities, and others submit proposals for the board to review. In 2020, 33 proposals were approved to complete research on corn hybrids and fusarium head blight, educational programs such as MAEF, Farm and Harvest, and LEAD Maryland were funded lastly, building markets through ethanol and national grain organizations. Furthermore, check-off dollars are shared with the Maryland Grain Producers Association, who keeps grain members updated, organize the Maryland Commodity classic, provide student scholarships, share valuable information on social media and the website, and many more tasks to support producers across the state.

Every check-off dollar provided to the Maryland Grain Producers is used to improve our grain industry and markets for years to come.

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The 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.

Queenstown, Maryland (October 27, 2020) – The Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board (MGPUB) participated in the United States Grain Council’s Virtual Grain Exchange this October. Over 1,200 registrants, from 54 countries tuned in online to hear from agriculture industry professionals and farmers during the two-day event. Attendees included International buyers, end-users of coarse grains and co-products, and members of the U.S. grain export value chain.

MGPUB Executive Director Lindsay Thompson, alongside Jenell Eck (MGPUB Public Relations and Program Director), Jason Scott (MGPUB Board Member and Farmer), and Chad Nagel with Nagel Farm Service, met with buyers from the UK, Ireland, Spain, and Portugal. Lindsay and the team were able to showcase Jason’s family operation during corn harvest through a virtual tour. Jason talked about Maryland’s cover crop program, his nutrient management plan, pesticide application, and much more. Once the grain leaves Jason’s operation, it travels to a nearby mill, similar to Nagel’s. Chad Nagel showed participants how they test each farmer’s harvest, store grain, and sell grain through the port of Baltimore and other avenues. The virtual attendees were interested in the combine’s technology and how much of Maryland’s corn is exported. According to the U.S. Grains Council, Maryland corn exports total $46.3 million and $100,000 for barley. You can view our recorded tour here.

“Although Maryland Grain farmers are fortunate to have the poultry industry as our #1 customer, trade is important for all farmers’ bottom line. We are thankful to be able to make these overseas connections virtually,” said Jason Scott, farmer.

During the two-day conference, attendees were able to take part in a virtual exhibit hall where they could learn about new advances in technology, crop production, and the various businesses that make up the farm-to-freight chain. MGPUB had a booth allowing participants to interact with staff online and learn more about our organization.

Maryland Grain looks forward to building connections with out international buyers in-person and online in the coming future, thank you to the U.S. Grains Council for this experience.

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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.

Queenstown, Maryland (September 24, 2020) – Fall harvest season has officially begun across Maryland. USDA reports that 7% of Maryland Corn has been harvested for grain, 14% less than 2019 harvest progress this same time last year.

During harvest season, it is important to raise awareness about a number of safety topics; road safety, grain bin safety, and equipment safety. In 1944, President Roosevelt proclaimed the third week of September to be National farm Safety and Health Week. According to the 2018 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, working in agriculture is one of the most dangerous jobs in America. Keeping the people who produce our food, fuel, and fiber safe is important!

For those traveling in Maryland, please keep an eye out for our farmers on the road. Slow moving equipment will have an orange reflective sign, also known as a slow moving vehicle sign. Prepare to slow down and pass with care when safe to do so. It only takes 8 seconds to close a gap the length of a football field when traveling 30 mph more than slow moving vehicle in front of you. We understand some of these vehicles are large and hard to see around, we ask that you wait for a safe passing zone before passing farm equipment. If you smile and wave, we’re sure they’ll wave back if safe to do so!

For our farmers, please be sure your slow moving signs are on all pieces of equipment traveling 25 mph or under and that signs are properly positioned. When traveling on the road ensure your four-way flashers are on and use blinkers as appropriate, especially when making a left turn. When traveling at night, be sure to have running lights on.

It is also important to recognize grain bin safety for those filling bins this fall. Before adding a new crop, ensure the previous crop is loaded out and the floor, ducts, and fans are cleaned. As the new crop is augered in, please make sure all employees are aware of the lock out/tag out system. Furthermore, with colder weather ensure all clothes fit snug to your body and we ask that you stay a safe distance from the Power Take-Off (PTO) shaft. It only takes one second for one to be entangled.

Lastly, to keep you safe in the field be sure to look over your equipment to check for dust build-up, bird nests, and other fire hazards. We encourage you take the extra step to look over ad blow off your equipment. Finally, ensure all pieces of equipment have proper fire extinguishers for emergencies as well. It is recommended to have a 10 pound dry chemical, multi-purpose ABC extinguisher in tractors and a 2.5 gallon pressurized water extinguisher in combines. 2020 has already thrown a handful of curveballs, the last thing any farmer needs right now is to be caught in a dangerous situation.

We care about you, your family, and your farming operation and know that farming isn’t always easy, especially right now. In case you ever need someone to talk to please use the Farm Aid Hotline at 800-327-6243 or the Farm Crisis Hotline at 866-586-6746.

Happy Harvest Season! As you travel row by row, share a photo on Social Media and be sure to tag one of our pages or post with #MDGrain and #Harvest20. You can stay up-to-date with us on Facebook, follow along on Instagram, or like our Twitter account.

The Delmarva Poultry Industry partnered with Jenell Eck of Maryland Grain Producers to tell this story of how #chickensteppedup.

To produce food, fuel, and fiber for all, farmers have a number of expenses, including land, equipment, labor, seed, and other inputs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, farmers are concerned, like many others, about paying these bills. Thankfully, in Delmarva’s agricultural community, lenders stepped up to help.

MidAtlantic Farm Credit works hand in glove with customers in order to tailor any changes and ensure the best possible outcomes. Committed to keeping food production humming once the pandemic’s effects began to be felt, Farm Credit began suspending any new foreclosure actions and waiving wire fees. Borrowers could pay interest-only or defer payments all together through an easy, streamlined three-month deferral program (with an option for an additional three months). On MidAtlantic Farm Credit’s website, members could stay up-to-date on COVID-19 resources, including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a forgivable government loan to keep employees on the payroll full-time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Farm Credit administered over 300 loans, totaling over $16 million, through PPP. Lastly, Farm Credit distributed over $17 million in patronage, or dividends, back to its members in April.

One of Delmarva’s large broiler growers took advantage of the PPP loans to keep his full-time employee paid. Since 2015, Brian Kunkowski has raised chickens in four houses, producing six million pounds of meat each year. In 2016, Brian and M&T Bank began a strong relationship with a great fixed-rate loan. With M&T’s customer service, Brian and his wife had an easy PPP application process and were able to ensure all bills were paid while his birds were in the houses 10 days longer than normal, requiring more energy, feed, and water and pushing back his settlement paycheck.

“Being proactive is important when it comes to finances,” said Brian. When the pandemic began, Brian was unsure if he would get paid or when because of all the unknowns. Through M&T’s business, Brian was able to receive the appropriate resources to keep his stress comfortable. “Today, we still don’t know how things will be in 6 months,” Brian said, but he has also taken advantage of M&T’s line of credit to keep the farm operating, as well as M&T’s customized reward business credit card. Brian summed up: “Without institutions like M&T, we wouldn’t have the farms to produce the food. It all works together.”

Queenstown, Maryland (August 5, 2020) – Past U.S. Grains Council (USGC) chairman and local 10th generation farmer, Chip Councell (Cordova, MD) assumes the president role of MAIZALL the international maize alliance. Chip has served on the Maryland Grain Producers board as a regional and USGC representative for over a decade.

MAIZALL was established in 2013 by leaders from USGC, the National Corn Growers Association, ABRAMILHO (Brazilian Association of Corn Producers), and MAIZER (the Argentine corn and sorghum federation). The coalition of maize associations from the U.S., Brazil, and Argentina work together to share expertise and information to address trade barriers to agricultural innovation. Growers from the three countries work together to resolve shared problems with non-tariff barriers in global markets, primarily related to agricultural biotechnology, plant breeding innovation, and crop protection. In today’s global economy and with quickly changing agricultural technology, the work of MAIZALL is more important than ever.

Councell said, “We are operating in a changing world, but MAIZALL is at the forefront of discussions surrounding agricultural innovation. I am especially excited to work with MAIZALL directors from the United States, Brazil, and Argentina to deliver our shared message through both new platforms and traditional messaging.”

Chip’s history of farming in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, with strict environmental regulations, allows him to provide personal experiences on using biotechnology and crop protection to help meet environmental standards.

Chip began work with the Council in 2008 as the Maryland delegate. Since then, Chip has served on the Trade Policy Advisory Team, corn sector chair, and USGC officer.

The Maryland Grain Producers is honored to have Chip on their team!

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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.

Queenstown, Maryland (July 30, 2020) – The Maryland Grain Producers teamed up with Maryland Farm Bureau and Delmarva Poultry Industry to remind our members, consumers, legislators, and all others how “local” the chicken in your grocery store is.

Maryland farm families produce local, safe, and affordable food for Marylanders. Grain producers across the state work hard to grow the 427,000 bushels of wheat and 89 million bushels of corn used annually to feed chickens on the Delmarva peninsula. The family farmers, poultry companies, and allied businesses that make up DPI’s 1,700 members work tirelessly to provide a high quality protein source to consumers.

Annually, Delmarva’s $3.5 billion poultry industry produces 4.3 billion pounds of chicken on the Delmarva. Chicken is a strong source of protein, providing all nine essential amino acids, magnesium, potassium, iron, and vitamins A, D, E, and C. You can buy local chicken at any grocery store in Delaware, Maryland, or Virginia.

When the coronavirus pandemic began, farmers across the Delmarva and the nation were #StillFarming to ensure that you would be able to eat, not only during the pandemic but for years to come. The corn planted in May 2020, during the stay-at-home order, will be used for chicken feed in 2021.

If you would be interested in sharing our Local Campaign through a 18″ by 24″ sign or a 3″ by 4″ window cling, complete this online form!

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Maryland Grain Producers Association is a membership organization of grain producers across the state. The organization’s major role is to act as a voice for grain farmers, mostly through its legislative activities both at the state, and federal level. Members stay informed through a bi-weekly newsletter, social media, and the Maryland Commodity Classic. Learn more about the organization here.

Maryland Farm Bureau is the voice of Maryland’s rural and agricultural communities. We promote and protect Maryland agriculture and rural life with the support of our passionate membership, ensuring the future of our natural resources, food supply, and rural heritage that are all part of what makes Maryland our home. Learn more about the organization here.

Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc. is the Delmarva chicken industry’s voice as the premier membership association focusing on advocacy, education, and member relations. For more information, visit dpichicken.org; like DPI on Facebook; and follow us on Twitter.

Press release respectively submitted by Jenell Eck, Programs and Public Relations Director for the Maryland Grain Producers.