Uncategorized

Our Board of Supervisor meetings include a training session. In May, the Supervisors took some time to learn about Hugh Hammond Bennett, who is credited as the founder of the U.S. Soil Conservation Districts. This video explores Mr. Bennett's life and impact on natural resource conservation as well as the story of how USDA NRCS came to be.

The Anne Arundel Soil Conservation District was proud to partner again with the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation, Maryland Department of Agriculture, and USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service for the Leadership Anne Arundel Agriculture tour. Leadership Anne Arundel is an intense curriculum of civic information and leadership skills development. Each class includes 25 to 40 individuals who are selected for a multi-disciplinary study of Anne Arundel County. During the agriculture tour, fellows visit farms in Anne Arundel County to learn about their business and agricultural management practices. This year's tour included five stops in Southern Anne Arundel County: Zehner Farm – Patuxent River Road, Davidsonville Owner – Martin Zehner. Grain and Vegetable Farm This 57-acre farm was bought in 1936 by Martin Zehner’s father, a German immigrant. Formally a tobacco farm, the Zehners now grow corn, soybeans, and vegetables. Mr. Zehner was very instrumental in establishing the Riva Road Farmers market and continues to sell vegetables there with his wife, Hilda. Holiday Memories Farm – Muddy Creek Road, Churchton Owner – Gary Palmer Jr. Christmas trees, sunflowers and blueberries This 22.6-acre farm was purchased in 2014. It is established as a sustainable Christmas tree operation with over 3,600 trees of differing varieties. In 2015, Gary’s field of sunflowers was featured in a national photography magazine. The farm plans to add blueberries to their production. Holiday memories is a FSCAP Certified Steward. Obligation Farm – Solomon’s Island Road, Harwood Owner – Chris Wilson. Compost En-Tice-Ment Farm Raised Meats and En-Tice- Ment Stables Owner – Joe, Jay, and Deana Tice Horses, cattle, and poultry. The Tice family is 4th generation farmers. Involvement in 4-H encouraged the Tice’s to start in the livestock business. En-Tice-Ment Farm Raised Meats continues to grow. Their animals are given plenty of space to roam and are fed quality feed, from local feed mills or farmers. Greenstreet Growers – Bay Front Road, Lothian Owners – Ray and Stacy Greenstreet. Nursery Operation This 55-acre farm started out as a small “root station” to grow plants for wholesale. As the years passed, the business flourished. In 2000, Greenstreet expanded their operation into a full service, retail and wholesale nursery with the latest technology to grow and ship their plants. Thanksgiving Farm – Harwood Road, Harwood Owners – Doug and Maureen Heimbuch. Vineyard and Winery Thanksgiving farm is approximately 58 acres in size and was once part of a 332 acre farm called Richland. In 1954, 58 acres were sold and renamed to Thanksgiving Farm. In 1996, the Heimbuchs purchased the property and in 1998 the vineyards were planted. Thanksgiving Farm is under the Agriculture Land Preservation Program.

Weed to Watch: Poison Hemlock

by Kelly Nichols, Agriculture Agent Associate University of Maryland Extension, Frederick County From University of Maryland Extension Agronomy News May 2018 Poison hemlock is a concern for both human and livestock health, and it is important to know how to identify and control it. It is typically seen along roadsides, fallow areas, fence rows, pastures, and creeks. Native to Europe, this weed is a biennial, completing its lifecycle in two years. In its first year, it will produce a rosette of leaves close to the ground. In the second year, it will bolt; this means that it will send up a stem, producing more leaves, flowers, and many seeds . Poison hemlock is in the in carrot/parsley family. It does look similar to wild carrot (Queen Anne’s Lace); however, it is a larger plant, growing 4 to 6 feet tall when mature. Another key identifying feature of poison hemlock are the stems, which have purple spots and are hollow and hairless. The whole plant also has a musty smell. Touching this plant has caused skin irritation. But it is also toxic if ingested by humans or livestock. It can take as little as 0.25% or 0.5% of a horse or cow’s weight, respectively, to cause poisoning and severe damage to the nervous system. That’s only 2.5 to 5 pounds of fresh material per 1,000 pounds of animal weight. If too much is ingested, it can cause death. Therefore, it is important to eradicate this weed in areas where livestock and humans could come into contact with it. When working to control poison hemlock, always wear the correct personal protective equipment, including long sleeves, gloves, long pants, socks, and closed-toed shoes. Poison hemlock can be pulled out by hand if there are only a few plants. Mowing would slow growth and prevent seed production; however, this may not be the best option, as mowing would spread the plant material around. Using a herbicide to control poison hemlock is best done in the spring before it bolts. Herbicides such as 2,4-D plus Banvel/Clarity, Crossbow (2,4-D + triclopyr), or glyphosate as a spot treatment will provide good control. Get more Agronomy News here.