Fall 2008 SMADC Workshop Series

Fall 2008 SMADC Workshop Series

Renewable Energy,  Preservation Programs and Community Supported Agriculture

As interest in energy, environmental and green initiatives continues to grow, The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC)  is offering a series of workshops directed to all within the community who are interested in becoming better informed of the options and programs that are available

The presentations are offered free to the public and include industry experts, local and state authorities and community business leaders.  Each workshop will offer practical advice and identify resources to assist residents in making informed environmental choices.

“We are pleased to offer this series to the community”,  states Christine Bergmark, executive director of SMADC.  “The goal of the many programs of the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission is to support the rural spaces and natural resources within our Southern Maryland region.”  By reaching out into the community and helping inform consumers of new ideas on energy and the environment, we will individually and collectively benefit through a greater shared quality of life.”

SMADC Workshop Series Schedule:

Renewable Energy Workshop

Septetber 30, 2008  

Chopticon High School Auditorium, 6:30 pm

25390 Colton Point Road

Morganza, MD 20660

A program on the new initiatives in Maryland supporting renewable energy sources of wind and solar energy. Moderated by Delegate Sally Jameson and Senator Mac Middleton, learn about grants and loans offered by the Maryland Energy Administration, hear from industry representatives from the wind and solar fields, and SMECO to discuss interconnecting distributed generation with SMECO's system and about the economics of net metering. There will also be an opportunity for questions at the end of the presentations.

Confirmed Participants: Senator Mac Middleton; Delegate Sally Jameson; Eugene Bradford, SMECO; Mark Fisher, Telecom Capital Group; Herb Reigel, SMECO; Shannon Schmidt, Solar Tech, Inc.; Malcolm Woolf, Maryland Energy Administration.

 How You Can Benefit from the Landowner Incentive Program   

October 7, 2008                     

Chopticon High School Auditorium, 7 pm

25390 Colton Point Road

Morganza, MD 20660

Learn about new opportunities for grassland and habitat conservation, forest buffers, land conservation practices and more. The Landowner Incentive Program provides private landowners with technical advice and cost-share assistance to help conserve species at risk in Maryland. The ultimate goal is to protect, enhance and restore habitat for rare, threatened and endangered species.

Speakers: Linh Phu, LIP Biologist, Department of Natural Resources and Hagner Mister, former Secretary, MDA and farmer.

Community Subscription Agriculture (CSA)

October 28, 2008                  

SMECO Auditorium, 7 pm

15045 Burnt Store Road

Hughesville, MD 20637

Interested in starting a Community Supported/Subscription Agriculture (more commonly known as a “CSA”)? Learn how from a local farmer who currently has 260 subscribers.

Speakers: Brett Grohsgal, Even’ Star Farm.

To  RSVP or for more information on the Fall Workshop series, call at 301-274-1922 or email info@somarylandsogood.com

In case of cancellation due to inclement weather, please call 301-274-1922 and enter 29 to hear a recording on the status of the workshop.

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SMADC was established to promote diverse, market-driven agricultural enterprises, which coupled with agricultural land preservation, will preserve Southern Maryland’s environmental resources and rural character while keeping the region’s farmland productive and the agricultural economy vibrant.

To learn more about additional programs, contact the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, P. O. Box 745, Hughesville, MD 20637; phone: 301-274-1922; fax: 301-274-1924; email cbergmark@somarylandsogood.com; or visit these websites: www.somdtrails.com or www.somarylandsogood.com

Contact:  Christine Bergmark, Executive Director

Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission

 (301) 274-1922; cbergmark@tccsmd.org