Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Agricultural Accomplishments - First Term, August 2005

- W I С Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Agricultural Accomplishments - First Term Compiled August 2005 1 . Governor Ehrlich updated and signed a $5 million Poultry Indemnity MOU with the Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc. and Maryland’s poultry growers. Governor Ehrlich also signed a Water Quality/Nutrient Management MOU to nutrient management compliance by the poultry industry and to eliminate со this MOU was signed by Maryland’s poultry growers (Perdue, Tyson, Allen’s, Mountaire) MDA and MDE. 2. Pursuant to recommendation of the Governor’s Poultry Action Team, DBED adapted its MIDFA program to guarantee poultry house loans. (3 guarantees — 6 poultry houses — have been done in conjunction with Mid-Atlantic Farm Credit) 3. Bay Restoration Fund is projected to generate $3.6 million in FY ’06 and $4.8 million in subsequent years to fund Maryland’s Cover Crop program. In addition, MDA has streamlined the process for Maryland Cover Crop program, farmers applications for FY ’06 have dramatically increased to $8 million, which covers 200,000 acres. 4. Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF), along with local partners, provided funding to permanently preserve an additional 50,000 acres of agricultural land and maintain national leadership in farmland preservation. 5. MDA and DNR prioritized Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) payments for ‘50 foot buffers,’ which provides more funding for the most sensitive land and protects viable farmland. 6. Initiated a study by the Maryland Stadium Authority on the feasibility and optimal site for a Maryland Horse Park. 7. MDA's Office of International Trade and Market Development will promote Maryland poultry products at two targeted trade shows in 2005, one in South Africa and one in South Korea. MDA's Office of International Trade and Market Development continues to enhance oversees markets for Maryland horses in Russia, Ukraine, and South Korea with potential new markets in the Philippines and China 8. MDA instituted legislative changes in the Water Quality Improvement Act by removing “right of entry,” reducing paper requirements and simplifying nutrient management plans. 9. MDA contracted with the Battelle Corporation to research and carry out a tri-state, multi-agency, industry-wide table-top exercise for a poultry disease response plan using highly pathogenic avian influenza as the proposed agent.