August 2019

Local Governments • U.S. Department of Agriculture Coopera ng

The University of Maryland Extension programs are open to all ci zens and will not discriminate against anyone because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orienta on, physical or mental

disability, religion, ancestry, na onal origin, marital status, gene c informa on, poli cal affilia on, and gender iden ty or expression. The informa on given herein is supplied with the

understanding that no discrimina on is intended and no endorsement by University of Maryland Extension is implied.

www.extension.umd.edu/baltimore-county

IN THIS ISSUE

2 Farm Employer Audits

2 Sulfoxaflor Registered for New Uses

3 2019 Maryland Horse Forum

4 Maryland Tax Credit Pilot Program

4 Maryland Pasture Field Day

5 2019 Dairy Field Day

5 FSMA Training for Human Foods Rule

5 WMREC Horticultural Twilight Tour

6 Calendar of Events

1 Giant Hogweed

BALTIMORE COUNTY OFFICE • 1114 Shawan Road, Suite 2, Cockeysville, MD 21030 • 410-887-8090 FAX 410-785-5950

Educa ng People To Help Themselves

Giant Hogweed: An Invasive Plant in Baltimore County

By Erika Crowl, UMD-Extension, Baltimore County

Many have heard by now that Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) has been spot-ted in Baltimore County in the recent summer weeks. While this giant perennial plant is not on the state-wide noxious species list, it is in fact on the federal noxious weed list because of its potential hazard to public health. Giant Hogweed contains a chemical, furocoumarin, with-in the sap which can cause severe irritations, blistering, and burns to human skin when ex-posed to the plant sap and then sunlight. The chemical eliminates our skin’s natural protec-tion from the sun’s ultraviolet rays which leads to the increased sensitivity to sunlight.

Giant Hogweed is an ornamental plant that was introduced in the United States as a garden curiosity and possibly brought here for its fruit, which is used in Iranian cooking. This plant is native to the Caucasus Mountains of western Asia and is related to carrots and parsley. It can be easily confused with its cousins, cow parsnip, poison hemlock, and Queen Anne’s lace. Some of these plants also contains toxins, but none are as potent as Giant Hogweed.

The hogweed may colonize in a variety of habitats, but it is most common in moist, rich soils of floodplains, streambanks, and along roadsides. Giant Hogweed flowers mid- May through July with numerous white flower clusters that are shaped like an umbrella (up to 2.5 feet in diameter). As its name indicates, it is characterized by its size and may grow to 15 or 20 feet in height. Giant Hogweed is further distinguished by a stout dark reddish purple stem and spotted leaf stalks that are hollow and produce sturdy bristles. Stem size varies from 2-4 inches in diameter and produces flattened, 3/8 inch long, oval, dry fruits that have a broadly rounded base and broad marginal ridges.

If you think you see this plant, avoid contact with sap and report it to the Maryland Depart-ment of Agriculture Weed Control office at 410-841-5920.

Photos by: Leslie Merhoff

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Sulfoxaflor Registered for New Uses

USDA Press Release

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has just issued a long-term approval for the insecticide sulfoxaflor, which the Agency has characterized as “an effective tool to control challenging pests with fewer environmental impacts.” The following information is from today’s EPA OPP Update. “After conducting an extensive risk analysis, including the review of one of the agency’s largest datasets on the effects of a pesticide on bees, EPA is approving the use of sulfoxaflor on alfalfa, corn, cacao, grains (millet, oats), pineapple, sorghum, teff, teosinte, tree plantations, citrus, cotton, cucurbits (squash, cucumbers, watermelons, some gourds), soybeans, and strawberries. EPA is providing long-term certainty for U.S. growers to use an important tool to protect crops and avoid potentially significant economic losses, while maintaining strong protection for pollinators,” said Alexandra Dapolito Dunn, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. “Today’s decision shows the agency’s commitment to making decisions that are based on sound science.”

Sulfoxaflor is an important and highly effective tool for growers that targets difficult pests such as sugarcane aphids and tarnished plant bugs, also known as lygus. These pests can damage crops and cause significant economic loss. Additionally, there are few viable alternatives for sulfoxaflor for these pests. In many cases, alternative insecticides may be effective only if applied repeatedly or in a tank mix, whereas sulfoxaflor often requires fewer applications, resulting in less risk to aquatic and terrestrial wildlife. EPA’s registration also includes updated requirements for product labels, which will include crop-specific restrictions and pollinator protection language. *Background* In 2016, following a 2015 decision of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals vacating the registration of sulfoxaflor citing inadequate data on the effects on bees, EPA reevaluated the data and approved registrations that did not include crops that attract bees. The 2016 registration allowed fewer uses than the initial registration and included additional interim restrictions on application while new data on bees were being obtained. Today’s action, adding new uses, restoring previous uses, and removing certain application restrictions is backed by substantial data supporting the use of sulfoxaflor. For additional information, please visit the EPA website.

ATTENTION FARM EMPLOYERS! In the past 12 months, inspectors from the U.S. Dept. of Labor, Wage and Hour Division have been conducting inspections on farms and nurseries in Maryland. These inspections have focused on employers with H-2A workers and have required employers to produce years of required records. Following the inspections, severe fines and penalties have been issued to employers. After hearing about these inspections, ALEI partnered with the Maryland Department of Labor and Licensing Regulation and created some resources to help better prepare farm employers for these inspections. The first is a self-audit worksheet to help employers do an internal review of operations and recordkeeping related to both H-2A and non-H2A employees. The second is a recorded webinar on this subject that is available for download. Remember: If you have migrant or seasonal workers (non H-2A) you are subject to the federal Migrant and Seasonal Worker Protection Act (MSPA). For more information on this law and what is required check out this publication and for more information, please contact the Agriculture Law Education Initiative (410-706-7377). It is very likely these inspections will continue to occur throughout Maryland in the near future. If you have H-2A, migrant and/or seasonal laborers at your operation please take advantage of the resources above and make sure your operation is in legal compliance prior to an inspection. If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Everhart at SEverhart@law.umaryland.edu

2019 Maryland Horse Forum Maryland Department of Agriculture The 2019 Maryland Horse Forum will host more than 300 Maryland horse owners, professionals, and enthusiasts on Thursday, August 8 from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. at Goucher College, 1021 Dulaney Valley Road, Baltimore. This year’s Forum is presented by the Maryland Equine Transition Service (METS) and organized by the Maryland Horse Industry Board. The Maryland Horse Forum is hosted by the state’s leading equestrian organizations every five years since 2004 to assess the current state of the equine industry and to discuss pressing issues. This year’s Forum includes 12 breakout sessions on the following topics:

Participation, Promotion, and Education of Maryland’s equine industry;

Horse-keeping and Welfare; AND

Land Use, Legislature, and Liability.

Speakers for the fourth Maryland Horse Forum include:

Secretary Kelly Schulz, Maryland Department of Commerce

Baltimore County Executive John Olszewski, Jr.,Baltimore County

Deputy Secretary Julie Oberg, Maryland Department of Agriculture

Treasurer William E. Pugh II, Goucher College Board of Trustees

Executive Director Terry Hasseltine, Maryland Sports Commission

Also, on the agenda is a presentation of the Touch of Class Award by the Maryland Horse Industry Board to former jockey/outrider Kaymarie Kreidel and her horse Hunter. These two were dubbed MVPs of this year’s Preakness and received national and international acclaim after safely capturing the loose Preakness starter Bodexpress. The day wraps up with a reception sponsored by the Maryland Horse Breeders Association with music by the Mayo Family Band. Beverages will be available from Boordy Vineyards and Farmacy Brewers. Tours of the Goucher College campus and stables will be offered. Goucher College is nationally-recognized for their intercollegiate riding team and stables 30 horses on its metropolitan Baltimore campus. The Forum’s 2019 Co-Chairs can be reached at the following:

Anne Litz, Maryland Horse Industry Board, email: anne.litz@maryland.gov

Jennifer Reynolds, University of Maryland Equine Studies, email: jenreyn@umd.edu.

For questions or additional information, contact Ross Peddicord, the Executive Director of the Maryland Horse Industry Board, at ross.peddicord@maryland.gov or 410-841-5798.

RSVP Today!

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Maryland Tax Credit Pilot Program

Great news for Maryland farms, as HB 403 passed through the Maryland legislature in April. Starting July 1, farmers can receive tax credits for produce donations. Conventional produce donations will be valued at 50% of the market value, while certified organic donations are eligible for credits worth 75% of the market value. There is a $5,000 cap per farm and $100,000 statewide cap on this program. As Farm to Food Bank coordinator for the Maryland Food Bank, I encourage farmers to take advantage of this program for several reasons: There are 650,000+ food insecure residents across Maryland. Those struggling to make ends meet likely can’t afford to put food on their plate, especially nutrient

dense food like fresh fruits and vegetables. As a result, they often make difficult tradeoffs between the quality and quantity of the food they purchase. Fresh produce provides vital nutrients that are necessary to sustain a healthy and active life. Individuals who regularly consume fresh produce are less likely to be hospitalized due to improved immune systems, are at decreased risk of chronic diseases, and are less likely to

miss work and school due to improved general health. We hope this program will further encourage farmers to donate excess produce to MFB and allow us to coordinate

volunteer gleanings of their fields so that we can distribute more fresh produce and educate Marylanders on

the importance of good nutrition.

The program needs to be used in order to keep it viable. If

the legislators do not see farmers utilizing the money set aside, the fear is that it will go away and never

return. Lastly, having worked with farmers for nine years and being

a farmers’ daughter, I am hoping that this credit benefits our Farm to Food Bank partners.

These donations must be made to Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) tax credit certification administrators (TCCA). As the largest charitable food provider in

Maryland, the Maryland Food Bank (MFB) is one those organizations. At the time of the donation, the MFB will provide a MFB donation form to the farmer. The farmer will then use that record to complete a separate form that can be found on the MDA website. The MDA will then deter-mine the value of the donation based on USDA market values at the time of the donation. That form will then be sent back to the farmer for use when filing taxes. If you have any questions about this program you can contact Amy Cawley, Farm to Food Bank Coordinator

for the Maryland Food Bank, at acawley@mdfoodbank.org. You may also reach out to

Stone Slade of the Maryland Department of Agriculture at

stone.slade@maryland.gov.

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Photo by: Nicole Cook

Maryland Pasture Field Day

Wednesday, August 14, 2019 • 6:00 - 8:30 pm

As part of the Tri– State Pasture Field Days, this workshop at the Western Maryland Research and Educations Center in Keedysville, Maryland will focus on fall pasture planning and maintenance. Registration is FREE and can be completed at https://mdpasturefieldday.eventbrite.com/. Agenda 6:00– Doors open , meet inside for refreshments 6:20– Welcome, introductions, depart to pasture 6:30– 8:30– Participants will rotate through stations (30 minutes each) Pasture Evaluation and Assessment Learn how to evaluate the condition of your pasture Fall Weed Control Discussion on options for weed control

Preparing for Seeding Discuss the stages of preparing a pasture for seeding, including drill options, prepping the site, and more. Stockpiling to Extend the Grazing Season Learn how to extend the grazing season and feed less hay by stockpiling fall forage for winter grazing

8:30– Program concludes

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2019 Dairy Field Day

Friday, August 9, 2019 • 9:30 am - 2:15 pm

Dairy producers, industry professionals, and government officials are invited to learn about feeding transition cows, inoculants for forages, rumination and activity monitoring, and on-farm culturing for strategic use of antibiotics on mastitis pathogens. Registration and a continental breakfast begins at 9:30 a.m., Friday, Aug. 9 at the Central Maryland Research and Education Center, Clarksville facility. Registration is $10. To register on-line, please go visit our Eventbrite page: https://umddairyfieldday2019.eventbrite.com If registering by check, please make payable to University of Maryland and send to: Racheal Slattery, University of Maryland, Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, 8127 Regents Drive, College Park, MD 20742. Agenda 9:30 a.m. - Refreshments in AMS Building 10:00 – Transition Cow Management Sarah Potts, University of Maryland Extension, Keedysville 10:40 – Choosing Inoculants for Forages Amanda Grev, University of Maryland Extension, Keedysville 11:20 – Update with Results from University Dairy on Improving Herd Management with Activity and Rumination Monitoring Bob Peters, University of Maryland, College Park Brian Spielman, Central Maryland Research and Education Center, Clarksville Facility 12:00 – 1 p.m. - Lunch 1:00 - How to Use On-farm Culturing to Manage Mastitis Josh Skipton, DVM, Mid-Maryland Dairy Veterinarians, Hagerstown 2:15 p.m. – Adjourn

FSMA Training for Human Foods Rule

September 3-5, 2019 • 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

Food processors who need to comply with the FSMA rules, entrepreneurs in the processed food business, and any who want to stay up-to-date with the FSMA regulations should attend this 3-day workshop. The workshop will take place at the Baltimore County Extension Office on 1114 Shawan Rd., Cockeysville, MD 21030. Cost: $275

Register: https://forms.gle/BrNS37XzD2FVSkpT7

For more information, contact Dr. Rohan Tikekar at rtikekar@umd.edu or 301-405-4509.

WMREC Horticultural Twilight Tour

Thursday, August 15, 2019 • 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Western Maryland Research & Education Center

18330 Keedysville Road, Keedysville, MD 21756

Questions regarding program content, please contact Bryan Butler at bbutlers@umd.edu.

The event is FREE, but registration is required to help us plan for handouts and refreshments.

Please RSVP at https://wmrectwilight.eventbrite.com or you may contact Susan Barnes at sbarnes6@umd.edu or

301-432-2767 x301 by Friday, August 9.

If you need special assistance to participate, please call 301- 432-2767 x301 by August 9

University of Maryland Extension Baltimore County Office 1114 Shawan Rd., Suite 2 Cockeysville, MD 21030

DATES TO REMEMBER

August 7 Poultry Mortality Composting– Short Course and Demo. 9am-3pm. $42 covers lunch and materials. Queenstown, MD. Call Tina 301-405-1198

August 8 Maryland Horse Forum. 8 am—6pm. FREE. Towson, MD. Call Ross Peddicord 410-841-5798

August 9 Maryland Dairy Field Day. 9:30 am—2:15 pm. $10. Clarksville, MD. Call 301-405-1392

August 14 Maryland Pasture Field Day. 6:00-8:30pm. FREE. Keedysvile, MD. Register at agrev@umd.edu

August 15 Horticulture Twilight Tour. 5-8pm. Western MD Research & Education Center. Keedysville, MD. FREE. Call (301) 432-2767

Sept. 28 Family Farm Day. 10:00– 5:00pm. $20 per car. Cockeysville, MD. Call 410-887-8973.

Sept. 29 Baltimore County 4-H 5K & Fun Run. Price Varies. Cockeysville, MD. Call 410-887-8090

STAFF

Erika Crowl Dan Carroll Extension Agent, Agriculture Nutrient Management ecrowl@umd.edu jcarro10@umd.edu

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Do you have noxious or invasive weeds on your property?

Bal more County’s Weed Control Program can help you manage them.

Call Weed Control at 410‐841‐5920