Edition #8: December
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Colby Ferguson
Val Connelly
| What's Inside |
| Government Relations Take Action! Announcements Upcoming Events |
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End-of-Year Farm Economic Outlook
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 The U.S. economy continues to outperform expectations. Year-over-year growth in gross domestic product has been positive for 36 consecutive quarters, unemployment is the lowest in nearly 50 years and inflation remains mostly flat. While the U.S. economy roars along, the farm economy continues to struggle. Read the full market report here. |
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Take Action!
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Complete MFB's Harvest Outlook Survey
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 We know this harvest season has not been easy. In hopes of better representing our members and preparing for the upcoming legislative session, we are conducting a Harvest Outlook Survey about the 2018 season. Members who complete the survey will be eligible for a $50 Visa gift card! Submissions should be completed by Monday, December 10th. Take the survey here. |
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Sign Up for MFB Text Alerts
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 Maryland Farm Bureau now has the ability to send text alerts for pressing legislative and regulatory issues. Sign up today to receive these alerts so you know instantly when action needs to be taken. |
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Upcoming Events
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Farm Estate Planning and Succession Workshops
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This winter, the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics (AREC) is partnering with the Agriculture Law Education Initiative (ALEI), the University of Maryland Extension, the Maryland Department of Agriculture, and Nationwide Insurance to host a series of one-day farm succession workshops around Maryland.
Click here to view locations, times, and/or register for Transferring the Farm to the Next Generation workshop series.
Click here to view locations, times, and/or register for Investing in Your Farm's Future workshop series. |
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USDA and FDA are taking public comment on a proposed regulation for cell-cultured meats. The deadline to submit comments is December 26, 2018. 
The Maryland Soybean Board is working to improve road safety for farm vehicles traveling Delmarva roads. Currently there are no official records in Maryland on accidents involving passenger and farm vehicles. We want to begin collecting this data to show transportation officials the importance of this issue. 
As the 2018 growing season officially comes to an end, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will contact producers nationwide to gather final year-end crop production numbers and the amount of grain and oilseeds they store on their farms. At the same time, NASS will survey grain facility operators to determine year-end grain and oilseed stocks.
MAEF is seeking a qualified individual to serve as the new Executive Director. Requirements include experience with agriculture education at multiple levels; non-profit management and administration; grant-writing and funding support; program coordination and evaluation; personnel and office management. Applications are due January 7, 2019. 
Montgomery Co. is now accepting applications for an Agricultural Business Development Position. The position is responsible for research, education, outreach, and conservation planning. The primary focus is the county's equine community.
Alice Ferguson Foundation seeks a Farm Manager to oversee all aspects of Alice Ferguson Foundation's Hard Bargain Farm, which is an educational working farm for teachers, students and visitors. 
America's Farmers Grow Ag Leaders, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, is offering more than $500,000 in scholarships to high school seniors and college students pursuing an ag-related field of study. 
MDA is holding a 2nd Palmer Amaranth Stakeholders meeting on Dec. 11th from 9 am to 12-noon. They are looking for input on how the Palmer Amaranth problem should be addressed.
The Maryland Dairy Industry Association and Maryland Dairy Shrine invite all dairy producers and industry supporters to attend the Maryland Dairy Convention, themed "Opportunities for Staying Viable in the 21st Century."