Farmers

The publication of the American Farm Bureau's response to the Environmental Protection Agency's plans to set a strict "pollution diet" for the Chesapeake Bay ( "Farmers group sues to block Chesapeake Bay cleanup plan," Jan. 9) provides us with an important opportunity to open up the dialogue between farmers, conservationists and policy makers. Last month, the Accokeek Foundation hosted a conference titled "Common Ground: Growing Agriculture, Restoring the Bay," in which these groups explored ways that profitability and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand.

Congress may soon finalize the 2012 Farm Bill, and that hefty document should concern all of us in Maryland - especially when it comes to clean water. As we all know, the Chesapeake Bay is the nation's largest and most productive estuary. However, the bay is threatened by pollution from its major tributaries, including fertilizer-laden waters from farmlands. Each summer, nutrient runoff leads to algal growth, resulting in oxygen depletion as the algae decays. The loss of dissolved oxygen causes more than a third of the Chesapeake Bay to become a "dead zone.

Tim Wheeler's story "Heavy rains deter planting of cover crops" (Nov. 21) accurately states the effects of weather, grain markets, business costs and other logistics on a farmer's ability to plant cover crops. The O'Malley administration understands these challenges and has, year after year, listened to farmers, adapted the state's cover crop program to make it logistically and financially appealing, targeted resources for maximum results, approved all applications and committed record funding that has covered all payments promised to farmers.

Flea market, book sale Shepherd of the Glen Lutheran Church sponsors this event from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 2 at 14051 Burntwoods Road in Glenwood (rain date is June 9). Vendor spaces are free, tables are available for $5 and setup time is 7:30 a.m. Registration is required, and spaces are limited. Registration and information: Carole Kramer at 410-442-2475 or the church at 410-489-0063. The church is also asking for books, records, DVDs, CDs and videos for the annual media and book Sept.

The Harford County Agricultural Marketing Cooperative, Inc. announces the availability of grants to local farmers for 2012. The not-for-profit cooperative was created to improve the economic viability of production agriculture in Harford County and, among other endeavors, is a vehicle for the distribution of up to $75,000 in grants provided by Harford County government to producers. The cooperative awarded 23 different grants in the 2011 grant cycle. Grants in the 2012 cycle will be open to all farmers in Harford County.

As a general rule, I am opposed to tax breaks that favor specific groups of taxpayers (e.g. those with mortgages, those who can afford to make generous charitable contributions or - my all time favorite - commuting federal government workers). However, in the case of estate tax breaks for farmers, I make an exception. Ideally, Maryland would eliminate or significantly reduce its onerous estate tax to stem the exodus of wealthy retirees to Florida and other states with no or low estate taxes.

It defies all logic that a farm with 100 acres could harm the Chesapeake Bay more than a shopping center, apartment complex and attendant parking lots on 100 acres could do. Back when the bay was clean, we had more farms than we do now, and we had many less people with their cars, sewage treatment plants and garbage. Are farmers singled out as evil bay polluters ( "Faulty stewardship," Jan. 13) because there are fewer of us? We are good stewards of the land, and fortunately we have the voice of the American Farm Bureau to speak for us. Milly B. Welsh, Davidsonville

A recent lawsuit filed by the American Farm Bureau Federation against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is a slap in the face to the Chesapeake Bay. It is a cynical ploy to reverse years of hard work by farmers who want to do their part to help achieve clean water. And it comes just as a renewed sense of optimism is starting to emerge among all parties that the bay and its rivers can be restored. Polarization and conflict have trumped good sense and collegiality once again. Over the last year, the Farm Bureau has stood alone in its role as a massively funded national lobbying organization seemingly intent on frustrating progress toward clean water.

I applaud the action that Gov. Martin O'Malley has taken on the University of Maryland environmental law clinic and its legal pursuit of the Hudson farm family. There are now hundreds of farm families in Maryland that live in fear that they will be the next farm to be put in the brink of bankruptcy. The Hudsons made a mistake. The Maryland Department of Environment, the state's environmental protection agency, was involved, the problem was assessed, corrected and a fine was levied and paid.

"The Maryland Harvest," a new documentary exploring the partnership between Maryland farmers and chefs, debuts Tuesday night at 9 p.m. on Maryland Public Television. You can watch a teaser for the documentary here . Produced by Hoopla, Inc. and hosted by Al Spoler, "The Maryland Harvest" follows the seasons as it chronicles several chef-farmer partnerships. Among the chefs are Spike Gjerde (Woodberry Kitchen), Cindy Wolf (Charleston) and David McCallum (Tilghman Island Inn)

The Aberdeen Farmers Market is open for the season, Fridays from 3 p.m. until 7 in Festival Park at 60 N. Parke St. The market features Hickory Chance Farm's Angus cross beef, Keyes Creamery ice cream and cheese, herbs, flowers, heirloom vegetables, baked goods, seasonal produce, handmade furniture, bird houses, hanging flower baskets, dog treats and many more vendors. The market is open rain or shine. Festival Park is across from Aberdeen City Hall. For more information, call 410-272-1600

Three weeks ago we told you that The Pea Man (aka Thomas McCarthy of Woodside Greenhouse, Caroline County) said he should be bringing peas in about three weeks. Three weeks later he brought peas. By 10 a.m. all of his peas were gone. And so was he. He'll be back next week with more peas. Still, the market seemed especially crowded on Mother's Day, and the craft booths were doing brisker business than usual. Baltimore Sun contributor John Houser III checked out the market's new pizza vendor, Pizza Ruby , which has just stepped in for the departed Red Zebra.

Farmers may be leery of anyone from the federal government promising help, but here's one offer that sounds too good to refuse. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service announced this week that it is making up to $315,000 available to "farmers, ranchers and forest landowners" in the Catoctin Creek watershed in western Frederick County. The offer is part of a new water quality initiative by the NRCS directing technical and financial help to 157 watersheds nationwide.

Strawberries and asparagus were once again the big stars of Week Six at the Baltimore Farmers' Market, and the mild, overcast morning brought out big crowds. "Crops are about two weeks ahead of schedule this year due to the warm winter and early spring" said Maryland's agriculture secretary Buddy Hance. The Maryland Department of Agriculture sent along some useful strawberry tips. -- Select plump, firm, fully red berries. The small berries are often most flavorful. -- Strawberries measurements: 1 quart = 2 pints = 4 cups and is about the same as 1 liter and weighs 1.25 lbs to 1.5 lbs (or 600 to 700 g)

Community support is vital to volunteer fire departments in rural America. Most small communities do not receive enough funding for fire protection services, but still experience the same emergencies found in a big city. Thanks to one local farm family and America's Farmers Grow Communities, the Level Volunteer Fire Company recently received some much needed support. Grow Communities, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, gives farmers the opportunity to win $2,500 for their favorite local nonprofit organizations.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation and other environmental groups have urged a Pennsylvania federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the federal government's plan for reducing pollution fouling the estuary. The lawsuit filed in 2011 by the American Farm Bureau Federation and the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau contends that the Environmental Protection Agency did not have the authority to issue the pollution limits, that the public was not granted sufficient opportunity to review and comment, and that the limits are based upon flawed computer modeling and input data.  Other agricultural and building industry groups later joined the suit.

A current trendy word is locavore. It means someone who eats, as much as possible, food grown or raised locally. Such a person not only consumes food that is probably fresher, but also supports farmers in the community. Which brings us to Baltimore County's farmers' markets — havens for locavores. These markets, including two new ones, are open now, or soon will be, with booths offering locally produced vegetables, baked goods and cheeses. And, this year, farmers' market browsers may come across a new product produced locally — wine.

Bobby Graves had misgivings about a pollution-control permit newly required for many farms in the state. But he applied, ready to detail how he's storing and disposing of the manure from his 110,000 chickens. Now, more than three months after seeking help from the Maryland Department of Agriculture in crafting a plan for reducing his farm's wastewater runoff — the final step needed for the permit — he's still waiting. And growing more frustrated with each passing day. "When I went in for my meeting with [a field service center]

Arnold Farmer and Charles Johnson have been teammates for seven years. The Poly alumni were both two-time All-City football selections and were among the first players to commit to Towson when Rob Ambrose was named the head coach. While both have game experience, they're among the Tigers who have been battling for starting jobs this spring. And at Saturday's Tiger Bowl intrasquad scrimmmage at Johnny Unitas Stadium, they'll be battling each other, with Farmer competing to be the starting nose guard and Johnson trying to keep his starting right guard spot.