West Virginia is looking for big trees!

Do you want to see some of the state’s biggest trees?  There is no better time than now, while the weather is nice and before the leaves start falling off this autumn.  To make your expedition to the largest trees in the state of West Virginia easier, the state department of forestry has made a list of big trees that grow on public areas.  You can find that list here.

Or, maybe you think you have a big tree that others need to check out. If so, you can even enter your own into the register here.  Just be ready to submit the measurements of the tree’s circumference, total height, crown spread, and the location with your nomination.  Then, someone from the department of forestry will come to verify the tree before it is submitted to the registry.

Forestry is a significant part of our agriculture industry and should be recognized by all.  What do you think – would you visit the big trees or do you have one to submit? Comment and let us know!

Just Released: West Virginia’s Crop Acreage Reports

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture has released acreage reports based on the results of their recently completed agriculture survey.  The results show that:

• Winter wheat – In 2011, 10,000 acres were planted and 6,000 acres were harvested. In 2012, 8,000 acres were planted and the projected harvest is 4,000 acres.
• Corn – In 2011, 48,000 acres were planted and 31,000 acres were harvested.  In 2012, an estimated 52,000 acres were planted and the projected harvest is 37,000 acres.
• Soybeans – The acreage planted and projected to harvest is the same for 2012 as in 2011 at 20,000 acres planted and 19,000 acres harvested.
• Hay – Overall, it is expected that farmer’s will harvest 645,000 acres in 2012, compared to 640,000 in 2011.

Are you a grower in West Virginia?  How do these acreage projections compare to your farm? Tell us!

Memorial Day: Thank a veteran, thank a farmer!

Your back porch is decked out in as many American flag, Uncle Sam, and other red, white, and blue patriotic decorations as you can find. The hamburgers are charring on the grill, fresh strawberries are atop your pretzel salad, and a fly just landed on your potato salad (well, we hope not, but we all know it happens). Your family and friends are filling up your driveway and everyone is definitely ready to visit, eat, and celebrate Memorial Day!

Now, we all know Memorial Day isn’t about a day off work or school, a family BBQ, or a vacation weekend, but to remember those currently serving our country and who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. The first Memorial Day was actually celebrated in 1865, following President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination to commemorate fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War. It is truly a day to thank our veterans and be proud to be American citizens.

To celebrate, many of us actually do convene on the back deck for a BBQ lunch and game of horseshoes. But, when you bite into that juicy burger or creamy potato salad, and as you’re savoring the rich pretzel salad, remember to thank a farmer for growing and producing the food that fills your flimsy paper plate.

So enjoy your Monday off work, your BBQ, or your weekend at the beach, but don’t forget, that when the sun sets and the fireworks begin, to thank a veteran and thank a farmer!

Maryland to hold organic farm production meeting on March 6

Organic farming is one of the fastest growing agricultural sectors in the U.S. and in order to help operators in this field the Maryland Department of Agriculture is holding an informational meeting next month.

The seventh annual Organic Grain, Forage and Vegetable Production meeting will take place on March 6 at Chesapeake College in Wye Mills. The cost is $30 and will include a continental breakfast and lunch.

The event is sure to be helpful to those involved in organic agricultural production as the topics covered at the meeting will include managing pests, tools that can help during the transition to organic farming, breeding organic soybeans and corn, nutrient management for organic operations and crop insurance.

In addition to gaining important insights into the industry, participants will get three continuing education credits from the Maryland Department of Agriculture's Nutrient Management Program.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service, in 2008 there were 119 organic operations in Maryland. These farms covered more than 7,600 acres of land that year. Nationwide, more than 4.8 million acres of land was set aside for organic production.

Results of Elections announced by MidAtlantic Farm Credit

For more information contact:
Sandy Wieber, VP Marketing
800.333.7950 or swieber@mafc.com


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 27, 2010


(Westminster MD) – MidAtlantic Farm Credit, an agricultural lending cooperative, recently announced the results of their annual election of board and nominating committee members.

The following were elected to serve on the cooperative’s board of directors: Ralph L. Robertson, Jr. of Westminster, MD; Walter C. Hopkins of Lewes, DE; Fred N. West of Frankford, DE; Brian L. Boyd, Lebanon, PA; Fred R. Moore, Jr. of Eden, MD; and T. Jeffery Jennings of Luray, VA.

Elected to serve on the 2011 nominating committee were:
Susan B. Arnold, Salisbury, MD; Charles R. Garber, New Market, VA; Guy M. Gochenour, Woodstock, VA; Brian T. Johnson, Westover, MD; Christopher T. Kirk, Laurel, DE; Michael H. Lewis, Rocky Ridge, MD; Alan W. Schmidt, Sudlersville, MD; Jason E. Scott, Cambridge, MD; Jon E. Stutzman, Kutztown, PA; Robert J. VanWingerden, Detour, MD; Joel E. Wharton, Millsboro, DE; and Charles R. Zimmerman, Myerstown, PA.


MidAtlantic Farm Credit is an agricultural lending cooperative owned by its member-borrowers. It provides farm loans for land, equipment, livestock and production; crop insurance; and rural home mortgages. The co-op has over 10,500 members and approximately $2.3 billion in loans outstanding. MidAtlantic has branches serving Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. It is part of the national Farm Credit System, a network of financial cooperatives established in 1916 to provide a dependable source of credit to farmers and rural America. For more information, visit mafc.com.