Progress 06/01/02 to 05/31/05
Outputs
Two reports were produced that addressed the loss of forestry. The report pertaining to the industry noted that Maryland's programs and policies during the last decade have increased the forested acres protected from development. However, although the volume of wood has increased, the acres available for timber continue to decrease. This alarming trend is driven by parcelization and fragmentation, and the lack of an organized approach to protecting and managing important forestland. We must continue to challenge the view that forests are either 'preserved'with timber locked up,or 'harvested' with ecosystems ravished. Without a middle road, many forest owners struggle to balance the economic realities of 'unused' land against a developer's profitable offer. Recommendations are made as to how to better focus on the multiple benefits that we receive from these lands, rather than the either/or dichotomy that exists. A report on American ginseng focused on it as a
profitable non-timber forest product with the ability to improve the sustainability of MD's forests. Ginseng survives quite well in the forests in Western Maryland, however the purpose of the study was to see what could be done to extend its viability as a product in other areas of the State. Wild simulated American ginseng was successfully grown from seed for two years in forests in the Piedmont, or Ridge and Valley sites. Soil lime application increased total percent of plants after two years for the Coastal Plain. Benefits of growing ginseng are many including the ability to provide additional income to forest owners, reducing fragmentation of forests, enhancing diversity of the ecosystem etc. The production of organic apples, pears and fruit cider was examined to promote sustainability in existing orchards and as an alternative enterprise for the Baltimore-Washington corridor and Southern MD. While an additional year of assessment will be made, the study suggests that the organic
approach holds promise because organic produce is in demand. Productive organic fruit crop cand help farmers make a viable living and maintain positive relationships with neighboring communities because drifting chemicals from pesticide applications do not exist with this kind of production. This initial effort has shown that of all of the varieties one could grow, the Asian pear appears to be the most successful. A fourth reports looks at Brassica cover crops and cover crop mixtures with respect to making cover crops pay in the Chesapeake region. The project studies tap-rooted species (Rapeseed, Oilseed radish, Forage radish and Mustards)which are relatively new to MD because of the benefits of reduced erosion and nitrogen loss. Thus far (as the study is continuing), Rape, Forage Radish and Oilseed Radish are at least as effective as Cereal Rye in capturing residual soluble nitrogen if planed by mid September. Both reports and their results are important to the retention of farmland
in Maryland as farmers need to know what additional crops are successful to grow and also need to know how to reduce their production costs through more efficient techniques.
Impacts
Both forestry reports offers ways in which forestland can be retained in Maryland. The report pertaining to forest productivity is the first of it's kind to be produced in Maryland and is being used by management agencies and the industry to make policy decisions. The gensing report offers another way in which a valuable crop can be grown in the forest. The two reports pertaining to alternative agriculture and cropping with different cover crops will enable the farmer to consider other ways to reduce costs of productivity as well as extend the life of the farm by growing alternative crops in addition to traditional ones.
Publications
- Irland, L.C., et.al., 2004. 'Forest Production, Industry and Forest Retention Assessment.' Maryland Center for Agro-Ecology, Inc., Queenstown, MD MCAE Pub-2004-01. McIntosh, M.S., et.al.,2005. 'Cultural Practices Affecting the Profitable Production of Ginseng in Different Physiographic Regions of Maryland Forests.' Maryland Center for Agro-Ecology, Inc.,Queenstown, MD as MCAE Pub-2005-02.
- Walsh, C.S., Hanson, J.C., 2004 'Alternative Crop Research bearing Fruit.'Maryland Center for Agro-Ecology, Inc.,Queenstown, MD. Working Landscapes newsletter, September 2004, Vol 2, No.1.
- Weil, R., 2004 'Multiple Benefits from Brassica Cover Crops and Cover Crop Mixtures: Making Cover Crops Pay in the Chesapeake Bay Region.' Soil Science Society of marica Journal, July 2004.
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
The principal investigators continue to make considerable progress analyzing Maryland land use and conversion trends and are on schedule to produce an analysis and policy recommendations for meeting or exceeding Maryland's portion of the Chesapeake 2000agriculture and forest land preservation goals. Field trials are in year two for organic appleand pear test plots and for ginseng as an alternative,value-added crop,and the analysis of Maryland's critical mass of forest land has concluded data gathering and is currently completing statistical analysis.
Impacts
This project can yield high-value organic alternative crop options for maryland producers and also determine the "critical mass" of maryland forest needed to sustain an industry that provides more than 15,000 jobs primarily in MD rural areas.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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