Take the Next Step: Tractor College
One-day workshop provides farm managers and employees advance training in truck and tractor operations and latest regulations.
Farm managers and employees ready to learn beyond basic operations can register for a Tractor College offered at three locations across Maryland this winter. Speakers from the Maryland Department of Transportation, University of Maryland Extension and Horizon Farm Credit will cover topics such as truck and tractor operations, transportation law, finance, hazardous materials, inspections, legal risks, road safety and more.
Sponsored by the Maryland Soybean Board (MSB) and Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board (MGPUB), the first workshop was held in Talbot County last year. This winter the workshops will be offered in Charles, Frederick and Harford Counties.
“These workshops provide valuable information to our farmers for safe and legal operations,” said John Bruning, MGPUB President and farmer from Worcester County. “It is particularly valuable to young and beginning farmers as they navigate beyond basic operations of farm equipment.”
The Tractor Colleges are part of MSB’s ongoing road safety campaign supported by multiple organizations, including the MGPUB. The campaign seeks to decrease accidents and improve road safety on Maryland roads, focusing on slow moving vehicle (SMV) education both for SMV drivers to be as proactive as possible, and for those drivers who encounter SMVs on the road. The campaign website, www.FindMeDriving.com houses a collection of safety-related resources available to view and order, including posters and window clings which feature safety checklists before taking an SMV on the road, motorist safety tips brochure, and training videos to share for both motorists and SMV drivers.
“Farmers driving SMVs can do so much to raise awareness of their presence on the road to other faster-moving vehicles,” said Joshua Appenzeller, MSB Chairman and farmer from Queen Anne’s County. “It comes down to learning operational best practices, which are covered in this workshop.”
Workshop dates are:
- January 23, Charles County Soil Conservation District Office, Waldorf
- January 25, Harford County Extension Office, Street
- March 3, Gladhill Tractor, Frederick
Tractor Colleges are provided complimentary to attendees and includes lunch. Advance registration is required at www.mdsoy.eventbrite.com. Further details are available from the registration site.
Maryland Soybean Board Requesting Research Proposals
The Maryland Soybean Board (MSB) is currently accepting pre-proposals for soybean research projects for the 2023 growing season. Pre-proposals including project concepts and a brief narrative should be submitted by October 15, 2022.
“Researchers from both the public and private sectors are encouraged to submit projects that will maximize the profitability of Maryland soybean growers,” says Maryland Soybean Board Research Committee Chair Dale Brown. “The board has established a list of priorities describing areas of interest based on the needs of local farmers.
Research priorities include various aspects of soybean production and animal agriculture; however all innovative project ideas will be considered. A full listing of priorities, along with research guidelines may be found by visiting https://www.mdsoy.com/research/.
All pre-proposals must be submitted on the appropriate application form without any attachments. Researchers who plan to submit proposals to continue previously funded research are not required to submit a pre-proposal. Project selections are made by the farmer leaders who volunteer their time to serve as Directors on the Maryland Soybean Board. Applicants for which their project was selected for submission of a full proposal will be notified in early November.
The Maryland Soybean Board administers soybean checkoff funds for soybean research, marketing and education programs in the state. It is funded by farmers through an assessment of one-half of one percent of the net market value of soybeans at their first point of sale. One-half of the checkoff funds stay in Maryland for programs; the other half is sent to the United Soybean Board.
Maryland farmers grow about half a million acres of soybeans, producing more than 20 million bushels of beans each year. With a value of nearly $200 million to the state’s economy, soybeans are one of Maryland’s top crops. For more information on the Maryland Soybean Board, visit www.mdsoy.com.
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For More Information:
Danielle Bauer Farace, Executive Director
Maryland Soybean Board
443-812-4526 | danielle@mdsoy.com
Maryland Soybean Board Accepting Proposals for Promotions
The Maryland Soybean Board is seeking proposals for projects that promote soybeans or their many by-products. Interested applicants should submit their proposals by July 15.
Projects should be for their upcoming fiscal year, beginning October 1, 2022, and should focus on soybean use and promotion. Priority areas identified by the Maryland Soybean Board include animal agriculture, consumer education, emerging markets, and farmer engagement, however potential projects are not limited to these topics.
“While farmers are facing record-high input prices, we are eager to bring new opportunities to Maryland soybean growers,” says Evan Staley, chair of the board’s Promotion and Communications Committee. “Through these projects, we strive to put more money back in farmer’s pockets.”
Applications will be reviewed by the farmer-led board and will be selected based on the greatest benefit to Maryland’s soybean industry. Applications can be found here (Word) (PDF).
About Maryland Soybean Board: The Maryland Soybean Board is funded by the national soybean checkoff program, which assesses one-half of one percent of the net market value of soybeans at the first point of sale. The board consists of ten volunteer farmer-directors and directs funds for research, marketing and education programs to benefit the Maryland soybean industry.
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For information, contact:
Danielle Bauer Farace
Maryland Soybean Board
Executive Director
443-812-4526
danielle@mdsoy.com
Soy Checkoff Builds Value for Maryland Soybean Farmers
The Maryland Soybean Board (MSB) recently released their Soybean Sampler Annual Report, demonstrating how the soy checkoff has worked to build value for Maryland farmers over the past year. In 2021, the farmer leaders of MSB voted to fund over $440,000 in priority projects outlined in their strategic plan including Animal Agriculture, Consumer Education, Emerging Markets, Farmer Engagement, and Production Research.
“For every dollar that is invested in the soy checkoff, farmers received $12.34 in added value,” explains MSB Chair Joshua Appenzeller. “We prioritize our investments in projects that address local issues and positively impact farmer’s operations.”
Highlights include projects to promote rural road safety by utilizing their Find Me Driving resources; build consumer trust through projects such as My Maryland Farmers and CommonGround; leadership training for farmers to benefit their communities; and a research field day that allowed growers the opportunity to learn about how checkoff funded research can be applied on their farms.
More information about these projects can be found in the Annual Report.
Administered by MSB, the checkoff is a 100% farmer-funded program that invests in research, marketing, and education to maximize the profitability of Maryland soybean producers. MSB’s Board of Directors is made up of ten volunteer soybean farmers, each appointed for a three-year term, along with ex-officio members representing agribusiness, the Maryland Department of Agriculture, and the University of Maryland.
In Maryland, farmers grow about a half a million acres of soybeans, producing more than 20 million bushels of beans each year. With a value of $173 million to the state’s economy, soybeans are one of Maryland’s top crops. The checkoff program is funded by farmers through an assessment of one-half of one percent of the net market value of their soybeans at the first point of sale. One-half of the checkoff funds stay in Maryland for programs; the other half is sent to the United Soybean Board.
For more information on the Maryland Soybean Board, explore www.mdsoy.com.
# # #
Danielle Bauer Farace, Executive Director
Maryland Soybean Board
Office: 443.812.4526
danielle@mdsoy.com
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