|
New! MD Farm Bureau's 2024 Day in Annapolis February 7th
The 2024 Day in Annapolis to be held on Wednesday, February 7, 2024. The Young Farmers’ and the Women’s Leadership committees will jointly sponsor Day-in-Annapolis. This day of briefings and grassroots advocacy will give you the opportunity to weigh-in on important issues that may impact your farm for years to come.
Day-in-Annapolis is at a very critical time during the 90-day session – a time when committees are beginning to make decisions on pending bills.
Register and read more on the BCFB site.
| |
|
New! MD Farm Bureau's Board of Directors Meets with Governor
Wes Moore
On December 20th, the Board of Directors of the Maryland Farm Bureau convened at the Maryland State House for a productive meeting with Governor Wes Moore. Accompanied by MDA Secretary Kevin Atticks, the discussions centered around key agricultural policy matters and potential legislation that could impact the farming industry. Read more
| |
|
This Weekend! Exploring New Frontiers at the 2024 AFBF Convention
The 2024 American Farm Bureau Convention is this weekend, January 19-24, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. In a recent Zipline article, Zippy Duvall wrote "The 2024 AFBF Convention will provide the tools and inspiration to continue to drive us forward together as we gather experts, leaders and businesses who are helping blaze the trail to new frontiers in agriculture." Read more
| |
|
Updated! MD Farm Bureau Announces $10,000 in Scholarships for 2024-2025 Academic Year
Maryland Farm Bureau is delighted to announce the availability of five $2,000 scholarships for the upcoming academic year 2024-2025. These scholarships aim to support the educational pursuits of our dedicated young members committed to making a difference in agricultural related disciplines.
To be eligible for consideration, applicants must be current high school seniors with plans to embark on their college journey in Fall 2024 or already be enrolled as full-time students at any accredited community college or four-year institution. Additionally, applicants or their parents/guardians must be members of the Maryland Farm Bureau.
Read more and apply for scholarships.
| |
|
Updated! MDFB Fall Webinar Series
Webinar Four: Life Insurance
Wednesday, February 28th | 6:30 PM
Life insurance has become a critical tool used by farming and ranching families to help protect their financial wellbeing. Learn about each type of coverage and how they can help protect your family in our 30-minute webinar.
Register for Webinar 4: Life Insurance
| |
|
Women's
Leadership Program
Check out the American Farm Bureau Women's Leadership Program, which is designed to empower women to become powerful advocates for agriculture. Women are essential to agriculture, as leaders on and off the farm, from running a farm or ranch business to advocating on Capitol Hill. The American Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership program provides women with opportunities for growth and development to sharpen their skills and strengthen their ability to inspire change. Read more
| |
|
Time to Travel with MD Farm Bureau and Ohio Farm Bureau
Amazing 2024 travel opportunities to Panama, Holland, South Dakota, and Italy EXCLUSIVELY for Maryland Farm Bureau and Ohio Farm Bureau members. Visit the website for more details.
| |
|
New! The Maryland Horse Foundation Launches Winter Clothes Drive to Benefit
Young Equestrians
On January 2nd, the Maryland Horse Foundation will kicked off the new year with a clothing drive to collect warm winter clothing and riding attire that will be distributed to young equestrians in need this winter season. The clothing drive will run from January 2nd until the end of March 2024. Inquiries about donations or clothing distribution can be directed to Jeanne Schnell via email jeanne@marylandthoroughbred.com or (410) 252 – 2100 extension 113. Read more
| |
|
Next Week! Central Maryland Vegetable Growers Meeting
The Central Maryland Vegetable Growers meeting will be held next Thursday, January 25, 2024 at Summit Manor (510 Monkton Rd., Monkton, MD 21111) from 8am-Noon. Lunch will be served after presentations. Learn about the latest production information and research. Cost: $20.00 if you pre-register or $25.00 at the door. Bring Cash, Check, or Register Online.
If you have any questions, please email Erika Crowl.
| |
|
The Baltimore County Extension
Advisory Council FB Page
The BCEAC now has a Facebook page! Here they share programming and educational materials while providing a public presence. Take a moment to give them a follow, and see what info they are sharing that pertains to you and/or your business and community. Please also make recommendations to BCEAC of which pages that would be beneficial for them to interact with.
| |
|
Updated! Taste of Maryland Agriculture
Plans for a fun and exciting evening are well underway for the 54th Taste of Maryland Agriculture at the Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland on Thursday, February 1st! Sponsors and food donors are lining up.
New! Get your overnight room with our discounted room block and share with your friends!
Register for 2024 Taste of Maryland Agriculture
| |
|
Member Alert - DHS and DOL Announce Availability of Additional H-2B Visas for Fiscal Year 2024
On November 16th, The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) published a temporary final rule that makes available 64,716 additional H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for fiscal year (FY) 2024.
The supplemental H-2B visas have been divided into the following allocations:
- 20,000 for the entirety of FY 2024
- 20, 716 immediately available for the first half of FY 2024
- 19,000 visas for the early second half of FY 2024 (Apr. 1 to May 14)
- 5,000 visas for the late second half of FY 2024 (May 15 to Sept. 30)
View the full CIS press release.
| |
|
MDA Highlights
January 2024
New! Six New Members Named to Maryland Horse Industry Board On January 6th, MDA announced the appointment of six new members to the Maryland Horse Industry Board. Two current members have been reappointed to serve. Each member appointed will serve a four-year term on the board. Read more
New! Maryland Horse Industry Board Awards $30k in Grants for 2024 On January 4th, The Maryland Horse Industry Board, a program within the Maryland Department of Agriculture, has awarded $30,000 in grants to 35 organizations and equestrian operations that represent a variety of equine groups and disciplines across the state. The committee selected projects from a pool of 60 applicants. Read more
New! 2024 Healthy Soils Grants Open January 3 On January 3rd, the MDA announced they will accept Fiscal Year 2024 grant applications for its Healthy Soils Competitive Fund beginning January 3, 2024. This program provides financial assistance to eligible farmers and organizations to adopt conservation practices that benefit the climate, soil, and water. Regardless of farm size, Maryland farmers and organizations with innovative conservation ideas are encouraged to apply for these grants. Successful applicants will receive up to $50,000 to support 3 years of enhanced soil health practices. Read more
Winter Ban on Spreading Manure Began December 16 On December 6th, MDA reminded farmers that the winter ban on spreading manure and other nutrient sources on cropland, including food processing residuals (FPRs) begins December 16, 2023. 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. Read more
| |
|
Farm Stress Management Online Course
University of Maryland Extension Presents an Online Farm Stress Management Course. This online self-paced training is designed for Agriculture Service Providers to equip them with the skills and knowledge to support farms and farm families in times of distress. The training was developed by the University of Maryland Extension Farm Stress Management Team. The goals include: identify signs of distress, develop skills to communicate with those experiencing stress, and provide resources both locally and nationally. To access the course visit the online portal. For more information on the Farm Stress Management program visit the website.
| |
|
New! Baltimore County Extension's 'Ag Insight'
Are you receiving the University of Maryland Extension's Agricultural newsletter for Baltimore County: Ag Insight?
In the January Edition, you'll find:
- Central Maryland Vegetable Growers Meeting
- Upcoming 2024 Forage Conference
- Women in Agriculture Conference
- Urban Farmer Winter Meeting
- MANTS 2024
- And much more!
To receive the newsletter directly, email Erika Crowl.
Visit the UMD Extension website for past newsletters.
| |
|
Maryland
Risk Management Education Blog
The College of Agriculture & Natural Resources' Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics has a blog that is focused on issues related to agricultural policy, crop insurance, and agricultural law.
The most recent blog from January 16, 2024 titled Upcoming Food Safety Trainings can be viewed here. Earlier blogs can be accessed here on the college's website.
| |
|
BCFB Membership Signs
BCFB has partnered with Ad Art Signs & Graphics to provide an exciting member benefit for existing and new BCFB members.
Signs may be purchased with either aluminum or dibond* materials and are offered in two sizes. Signs may be hung via hanging sign bracket or attached to a post. Ad Art will punch hanging holes to your preference. Choose between a rounded or squared top sign.
*dibond is aluminum outsides with a solid plastic core
To claim your $60 rebate, provide proof of purchase to the BCFB via email. Questions? Please contact BCFB at 410-823-1789 or email
To order your sign, please contact:
Ad Art Signs & Graphics
410-620-9180 www.adartsignsinc.com
| |
|
Follow BCFB on Social Media
Did you know that in addition to a Facebook page, BCFB also has an Instagram account? Add BCFB to your regular scroll, and effortlessly keep up to date on all things Farm Bureau!
| |
|
Maryland's Best Producer Registration
Would you like to have your nursery featured on Maryland's Best's website? Maryland’s Best is a program managed by the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Marketing and Agribusiness Development section. Our mission is to link Maryland farmers with consumers through this Web site, promotions and advertising. Register here to be featured on the website at no cost. Learn more about Maryland's Best.
| |
Baltimore County Farm Bureau | 410-823-1789 | Email | Website | | | | |
