Annapolis — Maryland officials have launched a campaign to convince the state’s farmers to use more of the state’s ample supply of manure for fertilizer, having spent some $25,000 so far to advertise the cause. The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), which is at the forefront of the effort, has already launched its “Manure Happens” campaign, which is featured as a part of the MDA website and is included in an advertising effort pointing out the benefits of recycling manure. Agriculture Secretary Earl (Buddy) Hance told Green Markets that the state has a plentiful supply of manure, but “we don’t have a surplus.” Hance explained that it’s mainly a distribution problem, with supplies centralized in the lower eastern shore of Maryland. “We need to get it to other agriculture areas.” He explained that the campaign is mainly geared toward educating the public about normal farming practices and what farmers have to do when they use manure by handling it in ways that protect water quality. "There is a perception when people see a pile of manure that it’s contaminating the water quality. But that’s not the case, because we require this to be properly stored and it does not mean there is a water quality problem there." He said so far MDA has gotten "a very positive response.” He also said there was "a little concern that environmental groups would take issue with our campaign but this has not happened."
Transparency Across the Fertilizer Value-Chain