Celebrate Maryland Agriculture Week

Guest feature: Julie Oberg is the Communications Director for the Maryland Department of Agriculture. Follow along with MDA @MdAgDept and Maryland’s Best @MdsBest.

Did you know that most of life’s necessities – food, fiber, clothing and shelter – start with agriculture?

March 21 is National Agriculture Day, which recognizes and celebrates the contributions of agriculture to American society. To coincide with this national celebration, Governor Larry Hogan has declared March 19-25 as “Maryland Agriculture Week.”

From the mountains of Western Maryland with its dairy farms and hay to Central Maryland with its greenhouse and livestock industries to the Eastern Shore’s acres of corn and poultry – Maryland truly grows something for everyone.

“Maryland’s vibrant agricultural industry is a critical component of our state’s economy, and our farmers go above and beyond to provide fresh, quality food that is accessible, affordable, and safe for our citizens,” said Governor Hogan. “I encourage all Marylanders to take a moment to recognize and celebrate our farmers and the essential role they have in our daily lives.”

There are 2.1 million farms in the United States, a country with nearly 319 million people, and agriculture products remain the nation’s top export. Each American farmer today feeds more than 155 people – a dramatic increase from 25 people in the 1960s. Here in Maryland, one-third of the land mass – over 2 million acres – is farmland. In 2015, the top commodity sectors were poultry (broilers), greenhouse and nursery, corn, and dairy.

Here are 10 suggestions to help citizens recognize National and Maryland Agriculture Week:

• 1. Watch Maryland Farm and Harvest on Maryland Public Television or online. The hit series, now in production for a fifth season, puts a human face on farming by showcasing personal stories about farmers, their work with the land and resources, production of food and fiber for our society, challenges, hopes and dreams, and their future.
• 2. Take It from Maryland Farmers: Backyard Actions for a Cleaner Chesapeake Bay. This helpful education campaign provides homeowners with information and tips from farmers that they can use to do their part to help improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
• 3. Plan your garden and repair lawns with certified seeds. Check out the University of Maryland Extension’s Grow it Eat it website. Spring is almost here and now is the time to plan for your gardens and lawns.
• 4. Visit a winery. Maryland has six wine trails and 70 wineries that offer more than 400 different wines. Touring a winery or a vineyard in the countryside, tasting some of Maryland’s fine wines, and enjoying the company of friends are wonderful ways to spend a springtime day.

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