We’re celebrating Global Fat Bike Day by rolling out for a group ride at Herrington Manner State Park on December 4th! Deep Creek Adventure Bureau is about connecting people with the recreation opportunities that abound in Garrett County and the surrounding area! With some awesome volunteers and a few cool groups like Garrett County Outdoors and the Department of Natural Resources working together we’re taking part in this global event locally. The goal is to connect people, with outdoor activities to promote wellbeing!
This is a FREE event for the whole family. Dress warm, sport your warmest hat, and make sure you leave your “good” shoes at home! The boathouse will be warm with a nice fire but the capacity is rather limited. Restrooms will also be available. The trails at Herrington are well groomed with some elevation so you’ll most likely work up a sweat, but go at your own pace and enjoy every second. I’m certain you’ll be glad you said YES to the adventure! Mountain bikes or fat tire bikes will be best suited for this particular event.
No bike? No problem. Sarah is sponsoring the fleet of adult and child-sized fat tire bike rentals from Herrington on a first come- first serve basis so please give her a call and let her know if you need to use a bike. Never been on a fat tire bike? Don’t worry about that either- there will be free bike clinics starting at 11 to make sure everyone is 100% comfortable!
Call Sarah at 240-321-9925 if you need a bike and check out the brand new website for Deep Creek Adventure Bureau found at dcabfun.com.
The following opportunities to give were shared with us by St. Peter’s Parish — for more information, contact 301-334-2202 or visit GarrettStPeter.com
ROTARY TREE
Each year, St. Peter’s participates in the Garrett County Rotary Gift Drive for local children. Look for tags on the trees in the lower level of the church or at the Lake Center. Simply select a tag, fulfill the Christmas Gift Wish for a child and return the unwrapped gifts with your tag to where you picked up the tag or to the office.
GIFT CARD DRIVE
Christmas is particularly challenging for families who struggle financially. St. Peter’s collects Gift Cards to assist parishioners in need of a little help this Christmas. Suggested stores are Walgreens, Shop ‘n Save, Walmart, Sheetz or any of your choosing. Please bring the cards to the office or place in the collection basket in an envelope marked as GIFT CARD.
HOUSE OF HOPE FUNDS DRIVE
The House of Hope will hold their annual Christmas Drive this year on Saturday, December 4th in front of the shops in downtown Oakland on S. 2nd Street. Out of an abundance of care and to better serve the people in need, they will be repeating last year’s model and collecting money instead of food from 9am to Noon. Simply drive up and be warmly greeted and appreciated by volunteers ready to accept your gift. Food Connect Each month Catholic Charities, with the help of St. Peter volunteers, distributes food to those in need in our community. At Christmas, they provide a special meal which includes ham and traditional sides for a Christmas meal. If you would like to contribute to this special distribution, please drop your donation off in the office.
As we approach National Giving Tuesday on November 30th this year, the Holiday Season, and the end of another year, we want to sincerely thank you so very much for your past and continuing support. Contributions from you and other individuals continue to be absolutely critical to The Deep Creek Watershed Foundation in protecting and preserving this beautiful watershed surrounding us and our beloved lake.
This year has been challenging in many ways, yet we managed to make progress on important projects affecting Deep Creek Lake and its’ watershed. Despite some uncertainty and anxiety, we look to the future with optimism. People are discovering our lake and environment for the first time and others are rediscovering the gifts we have. All are finding rejuvenation and enthusiasm for the outdoors. Our open spaces have become the tonic for these times and more and more people are appreciating our area. It has never been more important to protect what we love and cherish. That’s why the Deep Creek Watershed Foundation is so important!
You know of the critical work the Foundation does. So, we wanted to remind you one last time this year of the need for your support so we may continue our work into 2022. A focus for 2021 was the acquisition of five Water Quality Meters for DNR (Department of Natural Resources) to use in DCL. These meters, which were provided to DNR in March 2021, provide a variety of data which allows DNR to identify problems and plan appropriate remedies for conditions detrimental to the lake. We also embarked on a campaign to educate the public on the dangers of introducing invasive species into the lake. We continued our support for the DNR Zebra Mussel Detection Project as well as the Maryland Department of the Environment’s (MDE) efforts to neutralize Acid Mine Drainage into Cherry Creek, one of the largest tributaries into DCL. We also partnered with California University of Pennsylvania to take a close look at the water quality of Arrowhead Run which is another tributary for DCL. We will make the final report available once it is completed. We are planning similar examinations of other tributaries for the same reason.
We need your help to continue these efforts in 2022. What better time to donate and recognize National Giving Tuesday by making your donation to the Deep Creek Watershed Foundation now!
Please visit the Projects Page at our website for more information on our mission, other projects and the work we are doing as well as some enlightening videos that help to tell our story.
There you can make a donation to ensure our children and future generations can continue to experience this place we love. Your tax-deductible donation will go a long way to help us achieve our goals. You may also send your check to the DCWF, P.O. Box 376, Oakland, MD. 21550.
We want to ensure we are able to continue to preserve and protect both the lake and watershed for posterity. You can be a key part of this effort by making your tax-deductible donation now to the DCWF and support the work the all-volunteer board and advisors do. There is no better time to create a legacy that will benefit your children and future generations to come. Many options are available to you including donations to specific projects or legacy funds, a one-time gift or becoming a monthly sustained donor.
Lastly, as we approach the end of another year, we want to thank all of you again who have supported the Deep Creek Watershed Foundation. Our fundraisers at Sipside in Oakland and Broadway in the Barn were very successful because of your support. Collectively, our efforts are not just for ourselves but rather we are trying to ensure a healthy, beautiful lake and watershed for our children and their children. In other words, for posterity!
The Oakland B&O Museum will be part of a Great Small Town Christmas this year on Saturday, December 11th, and Saturday, December 18th, from 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM. This is for children ages 4-9.
The event is free, but donations are always appreciated.
The children are invited to come in their pajamas. They will take part in a craft, have cookies, get to see Santa, and get a treat bag.
There is limited space for this event. Please call Nicole McCullough at 301-334-2691 to make a reservation. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED.
We invite the parents to tour the station and enjoy some treats for themselves while their children are in the North Pole (classroom). This will be an experience your child will never forget!!!
The House of Hope Food Drive is celebrating its 43rd year! Started in 1978 by Chuck Nolan, the food drive has raised roughly $65,000 in donations and over 80 pickup loads of food. Chuck Nolan is a veteran, retired police officer, and volunteer firefighter who continues to be the driving force behind the food drive.
The annual drive will take place on Saturday, December 4th, from 9:00 AM-noon as part of the “Great Small Town Christmas” festivities downtown. To contribute to this worthy cause, bring your cash donations to Second Street. Due to COVID, the House of Hope will only be accepting cash donations at this time.
The House of Hope is not an agency but is best described as “a network of concern” whose members cooperate to reach out to others when there is a serious need. The resources of the House of Hope are primarily directed to short-term emergency situations, where quick response and flexibility are critical. It is a non-denominational, non-profit “network of concern” particular to Garrett County. The House of Hope can assist with food, clothes, accommodations, bills, or other specific needs. As described by Mr. Nolan, “It was designed to help those that are falling through the cracks of life.”
For additional information about donating, please call Nicole at Oakland City Hall at 301-334-2691.
Join the Town of Oakland for A Great Small Town Christmas, December 3rd and 4th, 2021. There will be many free and family-friendly activities in downtown Oakland while you work on your Christmas shopping with handcrafted and curated gifts.
A Great Small Town Christmas will kick off with a Light Up Night on Friday, December 3rd, at the Oakland B&O Museum. The event will start with a Walking Holiday Light Parade, led by Santa Claus, starting at the Town Parking Lot at 5:30 PM. All are invited to participate in the walking parade as we make our way to the B&O Museum for the official tree lighting. Come out and join for carols, store specials, free cookies and cocoa from the Order of the Eastern Star, and a special treat from Santa! Light Up Night is sponsored by Garrett Regional Medical Center.
On Saturday, December 4th, the fun continues with Soup N’ Santa! There will be multiple nonprofits handing out free soup (donations are appreciated), the chance to visit Santa at Smoke n Mirrors, free sleigh rides, live music, and local shopping. This event will last from 11 AM to 2 PM.
And while you’re shopping, don’t forget to look for the elf! The Lucky Elf promotion in downtown Oakland continues through Monday, December 20th. For every $25 spent in participating Oakland stores you visit, you receive a chance to win a variety of local gift certificates. Bring your Elf Cards to Oakland City Hall to enter the drawing!
For complete list details regarding Christmas activities and store specials, visit Oakland’s community calendar and website at www.oaklandmd.com.
A quartet of donors has stepped forward with naming gifts for offices in the Performing Arts Center (PAC) at Garrett College.
Bill and Laurie Grant, Walt and Karen Malecki, Dr. Brenda McCartney, and the FirstEnergy Foundation are all providing gifts to the Garrett College Foundation (GCF) PAC endowment. Their gifts are naming spaces in the PAC that include the offices of the executive director, a faculty office space, and two other spaces for PAC staffing.
“Laurie and I feel strongly about the Performing Arts Center. It is a much-needed facility in our county, and the College is the right place for it,” said Bill Grant, whose gift with wife Laurie is naming the faculty office space. “We wanted to be part of the campaign and were motivated to support it through a memorial gift honoring Nancy K. Learey, who was a very close and dear friend, and the founding director of the Garrett Choral Society.”
Lorna Wisham, president of FirstEnergy Foundation, called the PAC “a cultural and educational asset that will benefit the region for years to come.”
“FirstEnergy is committed to strengthening the communities where we live and work, and we’re proud to support this exciting new facility with a gift from the FirstEnergy Foundation,” added Wisham.
The Garrett College Foundation recently announced The Campaign for Garrett: Realizing our Dream to raise $2.5 million that will generate regular income for PAC operations.
“The Foundation’s endowment campaign is intended to ensure Garrett County has an accessible, state-of-the-art and fiscally sustainable performing arts center,” said Dr. McCartney, who serves as vice chair of the Garrett College Board of Trustees. “I enthusiastically support that goal and am pleased to honor my parents, Richard and Eleanor Dawson, by contributing to this community project.”
Karen Malecki said the performing arts “have always been very important to each member of our family.”
“We believe that the PAC is a necessity for the Garrett County community to continue to enrich the lives of its stakeholders – students, residents and visitors,” added Karen.
Walt Malecki, the GCF’s treasurer, said he and his wife recognize the importance of supporting the PAC’s long-term operations through the endowment campaign.
“It is critical that the ongoing operational costs of the PAC be funded,” said Walt. “Based on what the performing arts mean to us, we want to assist in that effort by donating to the fundraising campaign.”
“I appreciate the generosity and commitment these gifts represent,” said Dr. Richard Midcap, Garrett College’s president. “We’re all looking forward to the upcoming opening of the PAC, which will dramatically increase access to the performing arts in Garrett County.”
The PAC is expected to open in spring 2022. For additional information on the PAC campaign, please contact the Garrett College Foundation Office at 301-387-3100.
Dr. Brenda McCartney, center, provided a named gift for an office in the new Performing Arts Center at Garrett College in honor of her parents, Richard and Eleanor Dawson. She is pictured with Garrett College President Dr. Richard Midcap, left, and Garrett College Foundation representative Kearstin Hinebaugh.
Bill and Laurie Grant, center, provided a named gift for an office in the new Performing Arts Center at Garrett College in honor of Nancy K. Learey, a close friend of the Grants and the founding director of the Garrett Choral Society. Garrett College Foundation representative Kearstin Hinebaugh is at the far left and Garrett College President Dr. Richard Midcap is on the far right.
FirstEnergy Foundation provided a named gift for an office in the new Performing Arts Center at Garrett College. Pictured, left to right, are Mr. Jim Crowder of FirstEnergy, Garrett College President Dr. Richard Midcap, Mr. Jim Sears of FirstEnergy, and Garrett College Foundation Executive Director Cherie Krug.
Karen and Walt Malecki, center, provided a named gift for an office in the New Performing Arts Center at Garrett College. Pictured at left is Garrett College President Dr. Richard Midcap and at right Garrett College Foundation Executive Director Cherie Krug.
After School Director:
20 hours per week directing an after school program that serves students in 3rd-8th grade from 3-6:30pm Monday through Thursday at Southern Middle School. Pay range $16.88 – $21.67/hour. Requirements: 60 college credits and one year of professional experience. Preferred Qualifications: experience working with youth. To apply, go to https://www.jobapscloud.com/MD/sup/bulpreview.asp?R1=21&R2=001756&R3=0093.
After School Assistant:
Between 4 and 16 hours per week assisting at an after school program that operates from 3-6:30 pm Monday through Thursday. May assist at a program at Southern Middle School, Friendsville Elementary School, or the Grantsville Elementary School program. Schedule and location is negotiable. Pay range $15 – $15.96/hour. Requirements: completion of 8th grade, 6 months of office experience. Preferred Qualifications: experience working with youth. To apply go to https://www.jobapscloud.com/MD/sup/bulpreview.asp?R1=21&R2=001374&R3=0019.
The DNR Lake Management team has asked the POA to circulate a recent letter to all Homeowner Associations relating to violations of Buffer Strip restrictions and the failure to obtain proper permits for actions on the Buffer Strip. The letter reminds HOA’s that Associations are responsible for Buffer Strip activities by their members and that penalties can be assessed against the HOA permit for violations by individual homeowners.
A copy of the letter can be found by clicking this link – HOA_Notice.pdf.
DNR contact information is contained in the letter.
All lakefront homeowners, whether part of an HOA or not should be aware of the Buffer Strip and Buydown restrictions that are in place at Deep Creek Lake.
The Buffer Strip is Land between the water’s surface and the private property boundaries of adjacent landowners to an elevation of approximately 2466’ in most locations. When the State of Maryland affected the Buy Down of state property in 2003, purchasing landowners granted the State an easement restricting and limiting the use of the “buydown” property. Lake Management needs to approve and/or permit ANY work that is being done on the buffer strip or buydown (conservation easement).
DNR has recently seen numerous instances of failure to obtain appropriate permits for actions taken on the Buffer Strip or the Buy Down property including issues with illegal cuttings and removal of vegetation. Trimming, cutting, or removal of vegetation is not permitted unless it is approved by the Lake Management office. Other issues include property owners using concrete or mortar on the buffer strip; property owners exceeding the size limitations of walkways and patios; and property owners not containing loose materials like mulch, wood chips, and gravel. All loose material must be contained (within a border) to prevent the spreading of the material.
DNR has issued Special Permit Guidelines which outline regulations for obtaining permits for improvements being made on the buffer strip and buydown. These guidelines may be viewed by clicking HERE.
Few things have been as divisive in our community as the case for COVID immunization. People line up on both sides fence. Some believe vaccination is the responsible thing to do, while others shudder at being “forced” to receive a vaccine. Most recent arguments primarily focus on the individual health benefits or consequences of vaccination. The discussion about a personal decision to be vaccinated should primarily occur between you and your health care provider. Public health agencies, including the Garrett County Health Department, are not typically “health care providers,” although they provide some interventions and treatments. But, the health department is not your doctor!
So why is the Health Department promoting vaccination if it is not to improve the health of individuals? It’s for population health. The Institute of Medicine states, “public health is what we, as a society, do collectively to assure the conditions in which people can be healthy.” Examples include: eating food from stores and restaurants, swimming at a public beach or pool, and drinking tap water without being afraid of getting sick. Because of public health interventions we never hear of anyone in the world getting small pox, or in the U.S. getting polio. And, we rarely hear of persons in the U.S. getting cholera, Ebola, botulism, legionella, malaria, etc. Assuring the population’s health includes safely gathering in public, children attending school, and being able to visit those in the hospital or nursing home without the fear of spreading disease. This is where COVID vaccination enters the equation.
Public health interventions help keep communities healthy and immunizations have played a huge role in this. When most people are immune to an infectious disease, it provides indirect protection, also called “population” or “herd” immunity, to those not immune to the disease. In the 1960s, children often got measles, mumps and chicken pox, and unfortunately, some died or had long term health consequences because the viruses were circulating periodically. Now, children rarely contract these diseases because over 90% of all children are vaccinated against them by their second birthday. This level of vaccination provides protection for everyone, even the unvaccinated, by decreasing the viruses in circulation. If a person with measles enters a community, nine out every 10 people are immune, making it difficult for measles to spread. While occasional outbreaks occur in the U.S., those outbreaks generally die down without starting a nationwide epidemic. This principal works for all infectious disease, including COVID. Our hope is that the population will develop a high enough level of immunity to keep the spread low just like measles.
Can we still get there? Maybe, but it will take some time. We are having a harder time getting people vaccinated for COVID than for childhood diseases, and until recently, young children were not eligible for the vaccine. COVID has also been hard to address because some vaccinated people can still become infected, and others who have had COVID-19 can get it again. This means we need even higher levels of vaccination to achieve herd immunity. So, we will probably see some COVID cases for years to come. However, as more people acquire immunity the risk of severe illness decreases in the population, and hopefully we will return to some sense of normalcy.
When will that occur? Unfortunately for our region, it will take longer than other locations because our vaccination rates are much lower. As of November 16th, 41% of all our residents are vaccinated and we have a case rate of 66 per 100,000. By contrast, 73% of all Howard County residents are vaccinated and their case rate is 10 per 100,000. If this continues, things will be back to normal a lot sooner there than here.
The answer to the question of why public health advocates community vaccination is that it is the best way to protect our community and make sure we have a healthier tomorrow. This can be accomplished if most of us do our part.
This Thursday, November 18, 2021, Rural Maryland Council will celebrate National Rural Health Day in Maryland. This day of awareness has been proclaimed by the National Organizations of State Office of Rural Health (NOSORH) to showcase the good work of America’s 62 million rural health care providers and to promote the efforts of our State Offices of Rural Health and other partners in addressing rural health concerns.
Rural Maryland remained resilient during the pandemic; however, fundamental challenges remain. Many rural Marylanders lack access to services and health care facilities. Many communities experience significant shortages of workers. These challenges are particularly acute in mental, dental, and specialty care. Transportation, including non-emergency medical care, also presents a challenge to rural Marylanders who find it difficult to reach medical services. There is very little public transportation available in rural areas.
Ironically, due to the pandemic, we have made progress on the solutions to these challenges. The pandemic showcased the delivery of services electronically through telemedicine. Programs were expanded to include telehealth services, and residents became more comfortable with this alternative delivery method. During this year’s recent Maryland General Assembly Legislative Session, access to telehealth and audio-only medical services was expanded through the Preserve Telehealth Access Act of 2021 sponsored by Senator Melony Griffin and Delegate Josaline A. Pena-Melnyk (SB3/HB123). Another bill adopted included SB102/HB1252, sponsored by Senator Addie Eckardt and Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes, which expanded tax credits for preceptors in areas with health care workforce shortages.
Regarding transportation, the rural communities are innovators. Thanks to funds made available by Governor Hogan and the Maryland Legislature through the Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund, this issue is being addressed by the Wheels to Wellness (W2W), in Calvert and St. Mary’s counties, with plans to expand to Charles County soon. So far, the program has traveled up to 15,000 miles each year in Calvert and St Mary’s counties, assisting those in mostly rural areas who cannot provide their own transportation to medical appointments.
The council would like to thank the rural health care workers who are so vital to the rural workforce, the rural economic development, and the communities. The council would also like to thank Governor Larry Hogan for his support and proclamation in recognition of National Rural Health Day.
Garrett College’s grant-funded, 17-unit keyboard lab will soon be on the move – but it won’t have far to go.
The lab – funded in 2019 by The Community Trust Foundation in conjunction with CTF’s Naylor Family Trust Fund – will soon transition from the College’s 300 Building to the Performing Arts Center at Garrett College. The PAC, currently under construction, will open next spring.
“The Community Trust Foundation is proud to fund the Piano Studio at Garrett College through the Naylor Family Trust Fund to create opportunities for life-long learning in music education,” said CTF Director Leah Shaffer. “The generosity of the Naylor Family will not only enhance the instruction and experience for students at the college, but it will also impact the lives of the entire community for years to come.”
Once installed in the PAC, the lab will officially be dedicated as the Gail Naylor Rowe Piano Lab. The naming honors the late sister of brothers Bart and Lon Naylor, the honorary co-chairs of the Garrett College Foundation’s PAC Capital Campaign, which has a goal of raising $2.5 million toward a PAC endowment.
“We’re thrilled that the lab will be part of our exciting new performing arts center in the very near future,” said Dr. Richard Midcap, Garrett College’s president. “The Naylor Family has been generous and regular donors to performing arts both throughout Garrett County and at Garrett College. We are grateful for this ongoing relationship.”
The lab accommodates up to 16 students per class, with one keyboard designated for the instructor. The instructor is able to control the system from the lead keyboard, or through the iPad-controlled Wi-Fi system, allowing the instructor to move freely around the classroom.
Dr. Sean Beachy, a Garrett College Continuing Education and Workforce Development adjunct faculty member in music, said flexibility is one of the many strengths of the lab set-up. Through a system of headphones, the instructor can listen to and communicate with individual students, a small group of students, or the entire class. In addition, the lab can simulate private practice rooms for each student.
CTF – the community foundation serving Allegany, Garrett and Mineral counties –focuses in the areas of arts and historical preservation, health and wellness, vibrant communities and thriving environment, and education and youth leadership.
The Gail Naylor Rowe Piano Lab at Garrett College – funded in 2019 by The Community Trust Foundation in conjunction with CTF’s Naylor Family Trust Fund – will soon transition from the College’s 300 Building to the Performing Arts Center at Garrett College. Pictured, left to right, in the piano lab’s current site are Garrett College Music Instructor Dr. Sean Beachy, Garrett College President Dr. Richard Midcap, and recently retired CTF Board Member Kathy Getty. The PAC, currently under construction, will open next spring.
After serving 1,325,103 meals between March 2020 and August 2021, the Food & Nutrition Services Department took a short break from serving meals outside of schools, while concentrating on sustaining in-school meals. In order to continue the out-of-school meal distribution program, additional staff was needed. Beginning the week of November 15, 2021, the Food & Nutrition Services Department will begin distributing seven (7) days of free supper, five (5) days of snack and two (2) days of breakfast at the following locations and times:
Tuesday
Thursday
5:00 – 5:15
Eastern Garrett Fire Hall
401 Finzel Rd, Frostburg
5:00 – 5:15
Grantsville Elem. School
120 Grant Street, Grantsville
5:35 – 5:50
Avilton Community Center
8295 Avilton Lonaconing Rd, Lonaconing
5:40 – 5:55
Friendsville Elem. School
841 First Avenue, Friendsville
6:30 – 6:45
Swanton Community Center
3335 Swanton Road, Swanton
6:15 – 6:30
Accident Community Pond
200 Cemetery Road, Accident
6:45 – 7:00
Garrett College, Parking Lot A
685 Mosser Road, McHenry
Tuesday
Thursday
5:00 – 5:15
Bloomington Park
334 North Branch Avenue, Bloomington
5:00 – 5:30
Dennett Road Educational Complex
770 Dennett Road, Oakland
5:40 – 5:55
Kitzmiller Community Park
290 W. Main Street, Kitzmiller
5:00 – 5:15
Gorman Fire Hall
270 Gorman Rd, Oakland
6:30 – 6:45
Crellin Methodist Church
57 Crellin Street, Crellin
If GCPS experiences staff and/or food shortages, the meal distribution is subject to change and may be canceled at any time. Any changes will be announced as soon as possible. The program may also be discontinued at any time if it affects meal service at schools.
Parents, Guardians or a designated person may pick up meals for children.
will need the child’s name, school, and grade to pick up meals. If you know a family that cannot get to the meal pick-up sites, please check with them and get the required information. If necessary, you can take meals to them.
All meals are available to any child 18 and under – free of charge – regardless of whether they are enrolled in Garrett County Public Schools.
Citing a shortage of substitute teachers, the Garrett County Board of Education on Tuesday night voted unanimously to accept Superintendent Baker’s recommendation to increase rates of pay for substitutes and hourly workers. The Board of Education voted unanimously to increase the pay by 50 cents per hour effective immediately. While the change is not expected to provide a quick fix, Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) will be more competitive in attracting qualified candidates while also keeping pace to maintain the variance between GCPS rates and Maryland Minimum Wage. Substitute teachers play a vital role in the overall success of GCPS and are an invaluable part of the school district.
In order to become a Substitute Teacher with Garrett County Public Schools, the applicant must have these minimum qualifications:
All applicants are required to have a High School Diploma or GED and must be 21 years of age or older; however, applicants currently enrolled in a college or university must be 20 years of age or older.
Proof of U.S. Citizenship.
Be physically able to perform the duties of a substitute teacher.
Pass required pre-employment screenings (Drug Screening and Background Check).
Complete other HR-related documents prior to beginning work.
Attend a substitute teacher/instructional assistant orientation session, as determined by the Director of Human Resources and Employee Relations.
If you want to make a difference in students’ lives and enjoy a flexible schedule with competitive pay, we hope you’ll join our team and MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
To learn more about this opportunity or to apply go to the online application, or call 301.914.1334.
The seventh annual University of Maryland Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference takes place Wednesday, November 17 from 1pm-4pm and Thursday, November 18 from 9am-12pm. This year’s virtual format presents a flexible educational opportunity for the agricultural, environmental, and legal communities to exchange ideas about current issues related to the intersection of agricultural and environmental law.
Panelists will address pressing legal topics affecting agriculture and the environment in the Delmarva region including how to use increased funding to further Chesapeake Bay clean up goals; the effects of recently passed legislation expanding water pollution enforcement; and how to participate in the recently established Certified Local Farm Enterprise Program which encourages state agencies to purchase food from local farms.
During the keynote panel, “Growing Carbon Credits: Should Maryland Farmers Open a Carbon Banking Account?” Oklahoma State University agriculture economics Professor Shannon Ferrell will discuss the increasing interest in carbon banking and how it can affect a farmer’s bottom line.
The University of Maryland Agriculture Legal Education Initiative (ALEI) prides itself on hosting an event that brings farming and conservation experts together in a forum that allows for an exchange of ideas on up-to-the minute legal issues. The conference is open to farmers, attorneys, environmental groups, regulators, educators, students, and anyone else interested in the region’s environmental quality and agricultural viability. To register, visit: https://go.umd.edu/umlawconfreg21. Nutrient Management Education credits are available for each day attended.
Sarah Everhart, JD, ALEI senior legal specialist and managing director of the program at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law says the virtual conference is a great way for participants to customize their experience. “You can hop on and hear from a group of experts about what a law actually means and what the impacts are going to be for both environmental folks and agriculture folks,” she says.
Everhart stresses that a wide variety of experts will participate in the event representing both agricultural and environmental interests. “The point of this event is to bring everybody to the table,” she says. “We want to see how laws affect these two incredibly important sectors and how they are going to comply, coexist, and move forward to reach goals that we all are trying to achieve.”
The University of Maryland Agriculture Law Education Initiative invites you to attend one or all of the carefully selected panel discussions created with today’s farmers and environmentalists in mind.
This panel will look at two bills that passed in the last General Assembly: The Citizen Intervention Bill (HB76/SB334) expands the scope of who has standing to intervene in civil actions brought by the State in state court regarding enforcement of water pollution control or any related discharge permit, effluent limitation, or order issued by Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). The Environmental Enforcement Reporting Act (HB204/SB324) requires MDE to keep — and make accessible to the public — electronic records of enforcement and water pollution data.
This panel will discuss Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs, including common legal considerations when entering NRCS program contracts and benefits of participation, and highlight the University of Maryland Extension Cultivating Conservation Program, which will create resources for farmers navigating the application and administration processes.
This panel will focus on the statutory tools created in the 2021 Maryland General Assembly to assist the agricultural sector in reaching the 2025 Chesapeake Bay Clean-up goals. The experts will discuss the increase in funding available via the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share Program, the Clean Water Commerce Act, and more.
This session will highlight this year’s developing legal issues in agricultural, environmental, and food law from courtroom decisions, law, and policy and will let attendees know what issues to watch in 2022.
Carbon credits are a growing interest in the agricultural community not only by producers but by landowners. This session will highlight the latest that is being considered on Capitol Hill along with what Marylanders need to take into account currently in the market.
Recent Maryland legislation established a local food purchasing requirement – the Certified Local Farm Enterprise Program – and the Maryland Food System Resiliency Council. Panelists will discuss what these programs are and how they aim to address supply chain and equity issues in Maryland’s food system.
