May 21, 2026

New! 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.

Next Month! 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.

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.

New! 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.

📝Due May 31! The Maryland Nursery, Landscape, and Greenhouse Association Ornamental Horticulture Scholarship Application Open In keeping with its mission to promote and provide for the future success of Maryland's ornamental horticulture industry, the Maryland Nursery, Landscape and Greenhouse Association shall sponsor academic scholarships to students pursuing an education in the field of landscape/ornamental horticulture. Currently, the MNLGA offers three scholarships for $10,000 each to students with status of Junior, Senior, or Grad Student, enrolled in a horticulture or landscape architecture degree program. Applications are due May 31, 2026 by 4 PM. 

Apply for the MNLGA Ornamental Horticulture Scholarship

New! 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.

Deadline June 1! Join the Maryland Farm Tours! The Maryland Soybean Board is excited to announce the 2nd Annual Maryland Farm Tours, following the success of their inaugural event in 2025! This program offers a unique opportunity for Maryland farms to open their gates to the public, fostering connections between farmers and local communities while showcasing the dedication and hard work behind Maryland agriculture. Please complete the host farm application by June 1st. Farms selected by the Maryland Soybean Board will be notified by mid-July.

DATE: Saturday, September 12
TIME: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Rain or shine!

For more information about the Maryland Farm Tours, please visit MarylandFarmTours.com.

Reg Deadline Next Week! Maryland 4-H Foundation's 42nd Annual Golf Tournament will take place on Friday, June 12th at Musket Ridge Golf Course in Myersville, MD. Proceeds support Maryland 4-H youth and volunteers representing our state at national contests and leadership conferences, while also funding academic scholarships and critical program needs.

Register or Sponsor: https://go.umd.edu/4Hgolf2026
Register by May 27, 2026

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! 

New! 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.

New! Baltimore County 4-H Fair Registration is open for the Baltimore County 4-H Fair from now until June 1st.

Fair Dates:
July 11th - Fair Set-Up (All exhibitors are to help)
July 14th - Entries Received
July 15th - 18th - Fair Open to the Public
July 19th - Mandatory Fair Clean-Up/Indoor Exhibits Released

Learn more and register for the event.

New!  UMD Survey on Needs Assessment for Vegetables and Fruits   

This survey intends to identify the challenges facing specialty crop production in the southeastern/mid-Atlantic US and to evaluate stakeholder interest in emerging technologies related to irrigation, nutrient management, labor reduction, pest management, automation, and artificial intelligence. Information collected will be used to support the development of a multi-state research and extension proposal focused on specialty crops, including vegetables and fruits.

Additionally, if you have stakeholder needs assessments involving growers, and you are comfortable sharing the results, please email them to Mengjun Hu. 

Next Month! Hereford Middle School Ag Career Fair BCFB's Ag Ambassador, Scarlett Heffner, brought to our attention that on Tuesday, June 9th, Hereford MS will host their first Ag Fair, and they are looking for presenters! They are looking to share all aspects of agriculture including students interested in sharing their animal projects. If you know anyone who works in agriculture and would be willing to present to Hereford MS students, please encourage them to reach out to Mr. Friend at afriend@bcps.org.