News from the fields, farms and beyond…
If you want one of the best seats in the house for the Maryland 5Star in October, tailgate ticket sales begin Monday July 15.
The ticket office opens at 10 a.m. Get details in advance and links to the ticket kiosk by going to https://www.maryland5star.us/tickets/tailgating/
Tailgate tickets give access to parking on site plus general admission tickets for 10 people, unlimited access to curated vendors, and access to the foot trails along the course among others.
The 5Star is set for Oct. 17-20.
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The Cecil County Fair is back July 19 — 27 at the Cecil County Fairgrounds. Get ready for nine days of agriculture related fun along with music, food, rides and entertainment.
For those who farm or are connected farming Ag Day is July 23 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. This is a good time to network and hear from Cecil County, Maryland and federal ag officials on the latest news. There will also be demonstrations and ag-related companies in site.
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Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) is once again offering its financial assistance to generational watermen through the Maryland Watermen’s Microloan Program.
Loans from $7,000 up to as much as $40,000 are available to purchase boats and/or equipment. If the loan is paid on time then a portion of the funds would be given back to the waterman toward the end of the loan.
Applications are now being accepted. The waterman must hold a TFL license from the Department of Natural Resources, or a commercial license to catch finfish, crabs, clams and oysters, issued by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission. The applicant must also have a minimum credit score of 620.
To enroll or for more information go to https://www.marbidco.org/_pages/programs_loans/loan_programs_mwmlp.htm to enroll.
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While these triple digit temperatures are hard on humans, it’s also hard on the fish say experts at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Trout especially are impacted because they travel in shallow streams where the water is getting as warm as the air and is causing stress on the fish. For that reason, DNR is asking anglers to refrain from catch-and-release fishing for the duration. Also, cold water fish hatcheries have been closed to the public for the same reason.
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If you see a small bright red insect with white spots, Maryland Department of Agriculture requests you kill it before it can damage crops in Cecil County. It’s the third of four stages of the voracious spotted lantern fly.
While it may be pretty at first spotted lantern flies have been in Cecil County since 2018 causing damage to fruit crops and even vegetable crops. Farmers affected by the invasion want you to kill the insects and report them to MDA at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/26f9dbec58674313b1bec03ddb8b5f0e .
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Register now for the July 17 Cybersecurity in Agriculture Forum to be held at Cecil College in North East from 8:30 until noon. You’ll learn the latest in security measures in food production, transportation and other avenues of your operation.
After the forum ends you’ll get onto a bus and head to SunMed Growers in Warwick for a tour of that cannabis operation.
Admission is free but pre-registration is required by going to https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/ddbgg7h .
If you have a farm or natural resources related event, idea or story you’d like to share in AgriCulture contact Jane Bellmyer at jbellmyer@cecilwhig.com or 443-245-5007.
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