Governor Hogan announces statewide efforts to prepare for Tropical Storm Isaias, Marylanders urged to exercise caution

For the latest Tropical Storm Isaias coverage, click here. ANNAPOLIS, MD—As the East Coast braces for Tropical Storm Isaias, Governor Larry Hogan announced on Monday that the State of Maryland has activated a government-wide response to prepare for severe conditions. A Tropical Storm Warning is now in effect for most jurisdictions, in addition to several severe weather watches and warnings […]

Maryland Department of Agriculture issues warning about seed packets from China

BALTIMORE, MD—Officials in several states have said that residents are reporting that they’ve received unsolicited packages of seeds in the mail that seem to have some from China.  Authorities are urging the public not to plant them. Officials say the seeds may be invasive or otherwise harmful to local plants or livestock, according to USA Today. Some of the packages […]

Maryland Department of Agriculture confirms first spotted lanternfly hatch of 2020

UPDATE: The spotted lanternfly quarantine has now been expanded to include Baltimore County. Original story below… —— ANNAPOLIS, MD—The Maryland Department of Agriculture on Thursday confirmed the first spotted lanternfly hatch of 2020. The first instar nymph of the season was reported by a department employee while surveying for the pest in the upper northeast corner of Cecil County near […]

Murder Hornet ‘unlikely’ to be in Maryland, say officials

NOTTINGHAM, MD—The Asian giant hornet is most likely not in Maryland. The Maryland Department of Agriculture said it received many calls on Monday about the so-called “Murder Hornet.” The insect was found in Washington state in late 2019. The Asian giant hornet is the world’s largest hornet. It is native to temperate and tropical East Asia, South Asia, Mainland Southeast […]

How to support local farmers, restaurants during stay-at-home order

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Food and agriculture businesses remain essential under Governor Larry Hogan’s Stay at Home order; including grocery stores, farmers markets, farm stands, and restaurants offering carry-out and delivery service. In compliance with the governor’s order, the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s marketing program, Maryland’s Best, is working to connect Marylanders with farmers and seafood producers providing fresh, local food products. The […]

Governor Hogan honors 2020 Century Farm families

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan on Monday honored six Maryland farm families during the 2020 Century Farm ceremony at the State House. This recognition is given to farms that have been owned and operated by the same family for more than 100 years. This year’s ceremony included five Century Farms and one Bicentennial Farm. “Today is a celebration of agriculture, but […]

Md. Department of Agriculture issues spotted lanternfly quarantine in Cecil, Harford Counties

UPDATE: The quarantine has now been expanded to include Baltimore County. Original story below… —— ANNAPOLIS, MD—The Maryland Department of Agriculture on Monday issued a spotted lanternfly quarantine for all of Cecil and Harford Counties. The quarantine is effective immediately and will restrict the movement of regulated articles within the quarantine zone that contain the spotted lanternfly in any of […]

Maryland submits Chesapeake Bay clean-up plan

BALTIMORE, MD – Maryland has developed a comprehensive plan for the next steps in continued progress in restoring the Chesapeake Bay. The Phase III Watershed Implementation Plan — submitted on Friday to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — was developed to meet Maryland’s pollution reduction targets by 2025 as part of a multi-state bay restoration effort. Maryland developed the plan […]