(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) “Certified nutrient management consultant” means an individual certified by the Department to prepare a nutrient management plan. (c) “Commercial farm” means a farm that performs activities related to the production and sale of agricultural commodities, including row crops, fruits, vegetables, horticulture, and silvaculture. (d) “Enhanced efficiency fertilizer” […]
(a) (1) Each nutrient management plan shall be developed considering factors including: (i) Levels of bioavailable nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil; (ii) Levels of bioavailable nitrogen and phosphorus in all fertilizer materials to be applied; (iii) The amount of nitrogen and phosphorus necessary to achieve the expected crop yield for the land that is the subject of the nutrient […]
(a) A person may not prepare a nutrient management plan, for purposes of meeting the requirements of this subtitle, unless the person is certified or licensed by the State. (b) An individual may apply to the Department for certification as a certified nutrient management consultant. (c) A person engaged in the business of providing a nutrient management plan […]
(a) To apply for certification as a nutrient management consultant, an applicant shall: (1) Submit to the Department an application on the form the Department requires; and (2) Pay to the Department the certification fee stated in § 8-806 of this subtitle. (b) The Department shall certify any individual who: (1) Meets the requirements of this subtitle; (2) Meets the Department’s […]
(a) In this section, “gross income” means the actual income that is received in a calendar year that results directly from the farm or agricultural use of the land. (b) This section does not apply to: (1) An agricultural operation with less than $2,500 in gross income; or (2) A livestock operation with less than eight animal units defined […]
(a) A person who applies nutrients for hire to land used for agricultural purposes shall be a certified nutrient management consultant or work under a nutrient management consultant certified under § 8-803 of this subtitle. (b) A person who applies nutrients for hire to land used for agricultural purposes, who is not a certified nutrient management consultant, […]
(a) This section does not apply to: (1) A person who applies nutrients to 10 acres or less of land each year; or (2) A person who applies nutrients for hire. (b) A person who engages in the activity of applying nutrients to land which the person owns or manages and which is used for agricultural purposes shall complete […]
(a) In this section, “fertilizer” means a commercial fertilizer and specialty fertilizer. (b) (1) This section applies to a professional fertilizer applicator who applies fertilizer to: (i) Property that is not used for agricultural purposes; or (ii) State property that is not used for agricultural purposes. (2) This section does not apply to the application of fertilizer on commercial farms. (c) (1) Each […]
(a) In this section, “fertilizer” means commercial fertilizer and specialty fertilizer. (b) (1) This section applies to a person who applies fertilizer to: (i) Property that is not used for agricultural purposes; or (ii) State property that is not used for agricultural purposes. (2) This section does not apply to the application of fertilizer on commercial farms. (c) A person may not: […]
(a) (1) The Department shall, in consultation with the University of Maryland, establish a program to certify professional fertilizer applicators. (2) The certification program shall provide professional fertilizer applicators with training and education in the following subject areas: (i) The proper use and calibration of fertilizer application equipment; (ii) The hazards involved in, and the environmental impact of, applying fertilizer, […]
(a) The Department, in consultation with the University of Maryland, shall develop a program of public education that shall include: (1) The dissemination of information regarding nutrient pollution; (2) Best management practices for fertilizer use; (3) Soil testing; (4) Proper interpretation of fertilizer label instructions; and (5) The proper use and calibration of fertilizer application equipment. (b) The University of Maryland shall […]
(a) Except for enforcement as authorized under § 8–803.5(g) of this subtitle, the Department has the exclusive authority to establish standards regulating fertilizer and its application to turf. (b) A local government entity may not adopt laws, regulations, rules, ordinances, or standards regulating fertilizer and its application to turf. (c) Subsections (a) and (b) of this section do […]
The Department may adopt regulations for agricultural research, education, and demonstration exemptions to this subtitle.
(a) The Department shall establish a Nutrient Management Advisory Committee. The Secretary shall appoint to the Committee representatives of the agricultural community, the environmental community, the commercial lawn care, biosolids, and agricultural fertilizer industries, academia, and appropriate government units. The Secretary also shall appoint to the Committee a representative of county government from a list submitted […]
Subject to the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, the Department may deny, suspend, or revoke a certificate or license for a violation of this subtitle or for a violation of any regulation adopted under this subtitle by the Department.
(a) Except for a government agency, the Department shall charge the following fees under this subtitle: (1) Certificate (nutrient management consultant) $50; (2) License (individual or sole proprietorship) $50; (3) License (corporation or partnership) $100; (4) Renewal $150; and (5) Certificate (farm operator’s plan development) $20. (b) The Department shall charge an applicant for the full cost of any training provided […]
(a) On or before December 31 of each year, the Department of Agriculture shall report to the Governor, and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly, on: (1) The farm acreage covered by nutrient management plans and the implementation and evaluation of those plans; and (2) In consultation with the Nutrient Management […]
