u s department of agriculture

• Opinion

Baltimore should model vocational education on Green Street Academy

If Baltimore needs a model for creating vocational education programs, officials need to go no further than Green Street Academy charter school.

• Maryland

Armstrong, Harford County partner to obtain USDA grants to expand cable, internet service in northern Harford

The Harford County government is working with the Armstrong cable and internet provider to seek USDA grants to expand service in northern Harford County.

By David Anderson

Jun 24, 2019

• Maryland

In a first for Carroll County libraries, Taneytown branch to offer free summer lunches for children

Children who need a lunch this summer will have a new place to grab one: The Taneytown branch of the Carroll County Public Library.

• Maryland

New Windsor water bills could decrease thanks to state grant

New Windsor residents might see a slight decrease in their water bills for the next quarter, thanks to a state grant.

• Business

Changes in food stamp rules result in drop in sales for some Lexington Market vendors

Some longtime Lexington Market vendors who can no longer take food stamps say the program's changes are costing them business.

By Lorraine Mirabella

Jun 17, 2019

• Business

Perdue recalls 31,000 pounds of chicken

Perdue Farms is recalling more than 31,000 pounds of chicken as the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture says some patties, tenders and nuggets may contain bone material.

By Phil Davis

Jun 2, 2019

• Maryland

Howard schools add nine locations for free summer meals program

The Howard County Public School System is adding nine new locations for its summer meals program, bringing the total to 15.

By Jess Nocera

May 21, 2019

• Commentary

Williams: Antibiotic resistance can be reduced by responsible use of antibiotics in livestock

I myself am a farmer raising cattle, goats, sheep, and rabbits. I do not believe in the use of antibiotics unless the animal's life depends on it.

• News

Here’s why you shouldn’t panic when you see a cluster of bees in Baltimore — and what you should do instead

Here's what one Baltimore beekeeper recommends doing when you spot a bee swarm in the city.

By Lillian Reed

Apr 22, 2019

• Opinion

We need to stop eating ourselves to death

A new study has found that one in five of the world's deaths are linked to bad eating habits, and we need good policy to address that.

• Maryland

Dead rabbits found in Virginia pet store traced to Maryland farm, Humane Society says

An investigation by the Humane Society of America traced dead rabbits found in a Virginia pet store to a "rabbit mill" in Centreville, Md.

By Sarah Meehan

Apr 2, 2019

• Maryland

Wilde Lake High graduate named a Distinguished Senior at Ohio State

Charis Ramsing, a Wilde Lake High School alum, was named a 2019 Distinguished Senior from Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

By Jess Nocera

Apr 2, 2019

• Maryland

Sen. Gallion: Fighting for Maryland’s rural and agricultural heritage

The number one industry in the state of Maryland is agriculture, but it doesn’t take long in Annapolis to see that it’s not celebrated by everyone. Many bills this legislative session seem to target our number one industry and enforce strict rules and regulations on Maryland farmers.

• Maryland

Gov. Larry Hogan proposes $1.5 million to help Maryland dairy farmers

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan on Thursday proposed $1.5 million in funds to help struggling dairy farmers participate in a federal program that aims to protect dairies from plummeting milk prices paired with the rising cost of feeding cows.

• Johns Hopkins University

Animal rights group files complaint against Hopkins in 2017 death of monkey

An animal rights group has filed an official complaint with federal regulators against the Johns Hopkins University regarding the death of a young marmoset in the university’s care in December 2017.

By Colin Campbell

Feb 6, 2019

• Politics

State of the Union guests — including Marylanders — come bearing political messages

State of the Union guests — including Marylanders — came to the U.S. Capitol in Washington bearing political messages. President Donald Trump's guests include included the father of a Western Maryland sailor killed in the 2000 terrorist attack on the USS Cole.

By Jeff Barker

Feb 6, 2019

• Politics

Marylanders relieved at shutdown's end to have 'weathered the storm so far,' but anxious it might happen again

Marylanders expressed relief at the end of a partial federal government shutdown, but also frustration that it lasted a record 35 days — and anxiety that it could happen again next month. Lila Johnson, a contract custodian at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, was awaiting word on when to report.

By Jeff Barker

Jan 25, 2019

• Maryland

How does the partial government shutdown affect Maryland?

What would be open or closed if the government partially shuts down over President Trump's refusal to sign funding legislation unless it includes money for a wall between the U.S. and Mexico?

By Jean Marbella

Dec 27, 2018

• Health

PETA to run ad in Baltimore challenging animal testing

With Johns Hopkins in its crosshairs, the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals plans to run an ad in Baltimore that depicts experiments on animals.

By Meredith Cohn

Nov 13, 2018

• Obituaries

Christopher 'Chris' Guy, Baltimore Sun reporter and editor who chronicled life on the Eastern Shore, dies

Christopher Guy, a former longtime Baltimore Sun reporter, editor and Eastern Shore bureau chief, died Friday from complications of dementia at Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital in Onacock, Va. The Easton resident was 65.

By Frederick N. Rasmussen

Nov 8, 2018

• Weather

Squish squash: Maryland farmers see meager pumpkin crops after wet summer

Maryland's heavy rains this year have stunted the pumpkin crop, leading some sellers to purchase gourds from out of state.

• Maryland

Lyme disease research in Howard County seeks best ways to reduce tick populations

A five-year effort by the University of Maryland and other researchers aims to figure out how best to reduce tick populations, and, they hope, Lyme disease.

• Opinion

UMD extension: The aerial spray is OK

Over the past few weeks, we have received many calls in University of Maryland Extension offices regarding aerial spraying. What’s being sprayed? Why is it being sprayed? Am I at risk? With many misconceptions surrounding modern agriculture, people worry. Here's why you shouldn't.

• Health

Salmonella outbreak linked to kosher chicken kills 1, sickens 17 — including case in Maryland

A salmonella outbreak that began in September 2017 sickened 17 people in the Mid-Atlantic and northeast, including one in Maryland.

By Sarah Meehan

Aug 30, 2018

• Business

Destructive Asian gypsy moth eggs found on ships in port of Baltimore

Three egg masses of the destructive Asian gypsy moth were discovered on a vehicle transport ship in the port of Baltimore earlier this month.

By Christopher Dinsmore

Aug 29, 2018

• Obituaries

Mary C. Pino, retired secretary and homemaker who enjoyed traveling and dance, dies

Mary C. Pino, a retired secretary who worked for several federal agencies, died Aug. 16 from complications of a stroke at the Charlestown Retirement Community. The former Ellicott City resident was 98.

By Frederick N. Rasmussen

Aug 22, 2018

• Business

Scary, huh? Halloween candy is popping up already on grocery shelves

The grocery industry is in trouble — so some retailers are putting Halloween candy out early.

By Christina Tkacik

Aug 17, 2018

• Maryland

Yes, there is a free lunch. And Howard schools serve 16,000 more this summer

Howard County schools summer meals program is projected to serve over 66,000 children this summer. The first year the program has added a mobile site at the East Columbia Library Branch of the county's library system.

By Jess Nocera

Aug 16, 2018

• Commentary

Carter: Our obsession with our lawns

What a strange obsession we have with our yards in America — and an expensive one. U.S. households spent almost $16 billion on lawn care and gardening services in 2015.

• News

U.S. Customs finds destructive moth eggs aboard ship in Baltimore

Asian gypsy moth eggs were discovered aboard a vehicle transport ship in Baltimore.

By Sarah Meehan

Aug 10, 2018

• Opinion

Md. is working to resolve the farmers market food stamp problem

Maryland is working to maintain access to farmers markets for those who use food stamps.

• Maryland

Laurel principal requests summer meals site to provide free lunch

Tracie Prevost, principal of Scotchtown Elementary School, requested the summer meals site for this summer to stop children from going hungry when school is out of session.

• Maryland

Baltimore officials looking for permanent solution for SNAP users at farmers markets

The city’s food policy director Holly Freishtat said she’s been in discussions with the Maryland Farmers Market Association on whether local vendors should be looking to find a new way to swipe SNAP cards.

By Talia Richman

Jul 25, 2018

• Maryland

Nonprofit provides temporary fix to avoid shutdown of SNAP at farmers markets

SNAP users will have at least another month to buy food from 18 farmers markets in Maryland and many more nationwide thanks to an infusion of cash from a Virginia nonprofit.

By Christina Tkacik

Jul 19, 2018

• Maryland

Animals moved from Deer Haven mini-zoo after pressure from activist group

After pressure from an animal-rights activist group, owners of the Deer Haven Mini Zoo near Keymar have re-homed several of their animals, including two endangered lemurs.

• Maryland

Salad days: North County organic farmers learn as they grow

Former ambulance driver Jack Clayton, a Phoenix, Md., native and partner Candi Durham, are learning organic farming and selling produce at local venues such as the Towson Farmers' Market.

• Business

Portal's shutdown puts farmers market trips in jeopardy for SNAP recipients

A private vendor going out of business could mean that people who receive government aid to buy food would no longer be able to use it at farmers markets.

• Maryland

Maryland firefighters battling Utah wildfire

Maryland firefighters are helping battle a Utah wildfire in their first assignment of the year.

• Food & Drink

A training program for new farmers is teaching its biggest class yet

A training program for burgeoning farmers is working with its largest class yet, feeding a growing demand from experienced farmers and newbies looking to trade their desk jobs for long days in the fields.

By Sarah Meehan

Jun 28, 2018

• Maryland

Editorial: Summer program helps feed food-insecure children

Carroll County Public Schools has the smallest percentage of students who qualify for the free and reduced-price meal program in the state of Maryland. That’s a good thing. Yet, sadly, even at that rate, there is still roughly one in every five kids who are eligible for the FARMs program.

• Maryland

County schools, libraries offer free meals this summer

Free meals will be available at over two dozen schools and 10 library branches throughout the summer.

By Cody Boteler

Jun 19, 2018

• Politics

Maryland lawmakers seek relief for crab shacks from food stamps rule

Maryland Democrats in Congress asked the Trump administration on Thursday to grant crab shacks temporary relief from a new rule that is preventing many from accepting food stamps for steamed crabs.

By Jeff Barker

Jun 14, 2018

• Maryland

Carroll County Public Schools summer meals to begin this month

In less than three weeks, Carroll County Public Schools-sponsored summer meals programs — which recently won a national award — will begin.

• Maryland

Editorial: Start summer off safely this Memorial Day weekend

Summer doesn’t officially start until June 21, but for most people, Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of the season. That means cookouts, swimming pools and other outdoor activities. It’s important to remember to be safe as we resume many of these activities after a long break.

• Maryland

Editorial: Start summer off safe this Memorial Day weekend

Summer doesn’t officially start until June 21, but for most people, Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of the season. That means cookouts, swimming pools and other outdoor activities. It’s important to remember to be safe as we resume many of these activities after a long break.

• Business

Crab crackdown? Feds' move to restrict food stamp use for carryout crabs seen as new threat to seafood industry

Federal regulators have forbidden many Baltimore-area carry-out shops from accepting food stamps for steamed crabs, a move that is stirring debate over whether it is an appropriate use of government benefits and what impact it could have on a beleaguered seafood industry.

By Scott Dance

May 10, 2018

• Opinion

Md. puppy mill law won't stop internet sales

Many of us know about puppy mills, or at least we think we do. But in most cases, the places we picture when we hear the term “puppy mill” are legal. Every year, around 1 million dogs are born at these facilities, licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and treated as livestock.

• Business

Maryland chicken production topped $1 billion for the first time last year

Eastern Shore farms produced $1 billion of chicken in 2017, surpassing that milestone for the first time, an industry group said. Maryland poultry production grew 12 percent from 2016 to 2017, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics.

By Scott Dance

May 8, 2018

• Opinion

Growing signs of a cleaner Chesapeake Bay

Growth in underwater grasses shows Chesapeake Bay is healing but more work needs to be done.

• Maryland

Legal group could sue roadside zoo in Keymar over conditions

The Animal Legal Defense Fund recently served Deer Haven Mini Zoo in Keymar with an intent to sue for allegedly violating the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) and state laws.