June 4, 2026

This Month! 2026 Ag Ambassador Contest Calling all BCFB members aged 17-21 and 6-10! The Ag Ambassador Contest has begun! Please submit your application  and join us on Saturday, June 27th at 6:30pm at The Farmyard located at 21159 Old York Rd, Parkton, MD. More details in the image below.

This Weekend! Young Farmers Summer Picnic MFB's summer tradition is getting a major upgrade! Join MFB at Knightongale Farm on June 6th for the 2026 Young Farmers & Ranchers Summer Picnic featuring Maryland’s own Luke Borchelt! Maryland's young farmers can join MFB for a full-day of farm tours across Anne Arundel County, and all are welcome to join in the evening for food and live music from Luke.

All proceeds directly support the Maryland Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers program, helping us train and advocate for the next generation of Maryland farmers. Get your tickets now and share with your friends on Facebook and Instagram.

Welcome Katie Stevens! Let’s give a warm welcome to Frederick County’s Katie Stevens, who is joining the MDFB Board of Directors as Chair of the Promotion & Engagement Committee (P&E). The P&E Committee is a new committee centered around engaging consumers and wider public about agriculture. Learn more by clicking here.

As a farmer herself and Director of the Frederick County Office of Ag, Katie is well-suited for this new role on the MDFB board. Send Katie your congratulations on social media by clicking here!

Next Week! Assistance Needed for Hereford Middle School’s Agriculture Career Day Sarah Raulerson is seeking presenters and volunteers to help introduce students to careers in the agricultural industry. The HMS's Agriculture Career Day will take place on June 9th.  Those interested in volunteering can contact Sarah Raulerson at sraulerson@bcps.org.

Save-the-Date! The Stanton A Gill Symposium: A Focus on Biological Control will take place this summer at the Central Maryland Research and Education Center (CMREC) on August 4th and 5th, presented by The Maryland Nursery, Landscape and Greenhouse Association (MNLGA) and the University of Maryland Extension. 

More details to come on the MNLGA website! 

Survey Extended! UME Survey Extended: Perceptions of Adverse Weather Events and Changing Weather Patterns UME is pleased to share that the survey deadline has been extended to August 31, 2026, providing additional time for participation. 

Complete the survey

Survey Reminder! Assessing the Frost Damage The late April frost has dealt a devastating blow to Maryland farms. MFB wants to thank everyone who has filled out the survey on frost damage so we can better serve our members; for anyone that hasn't already, please Complete the survey.  In addition, MFB is asking members report their losses to their local Farm Service Agency office. As MFB President Jamie Raley points out, this documentation is the critical first step toward unlocking the relief and support your farm deserves. Check out President Raley’s full video message.

On-Farm Perspective of Frost Damage At Heyser Farms in Silver Spring, Mike Heyser inspects his small orchard, where the majority of his fruit has died. An uncharacteristic late frost on April 20th struck just as specialty crops were most vulnerable, creating a "perfect storm" that has left growers scrambling. Mike is already pivoting to plant more summer and fall produce to keep his farmstand going, the weight of a lost fruit season is a heavy burden for Maryland’s farming community.

To recover, our local growers are now seeking a USDA Secretarial Disaster Declaration, which is the essential trigger for unlocking federal financial assistance. This formal designation requires proof of at least a 30% production loss in a single crop.

If you are a farmer that has experienced damage from the frost, the most critical step you can take right now is to report your losses to your local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. These reports provide the data necessary to move the declaration process forward and ensure that aid can reach farmers who need it most. Check out our latest #MemberSpotlight with Mike Heyser by clicking here.

Baltimore County Buyer Grower Directory Now Available
The Balt Co Division of Agriculture is pleased to announce that the Buyer Grower Directory is now available. This directory is designed to connect local farmers and producers with buyers across the region, helping to strengthen our agricultural community and support local food systems. If you would like to receive a copy of the Buyer Grower Directory, please email agriculture@baltimorecountymd.gov.