Connect with us

Maryland

University of Maryland Nets $500K Grant for Crop Research

Published

on

University of Maryland Nets 0K Grant for Crop Research


(TNS) — The University of Maryland Extension in Frederick is looking to expand practical research into cover crops and better understand how farmers learn from each other.

The National Fish and Wildlife Service awarded $500,000 for the project to the University of Maryland Extension in Frederick.

Mark Townsend, an associate agriculture Extension educator, will collaborate with Colorado State University’s Institute for Research in the Social Sciences (IRISS) and Future Harvest, a nonprofit that provides “education, networking, advocacy, and research” to farms in Virginia, West Virginia, Washington, D.C., Maryland and Delaware, according to their website.


Cover crops protect soil in order to limit erosion, control weeds and encourage long-term fertility, among other benefits, according to Townsend.

Advertisement

“We already have the base of knowledge that says ‘here’s what crops work and here’s what doesn’t,’” Townsend said in an interview. “What we’re doing here is tailoring it to a specific operator.”

Participants in the three-year project will receive a cover crops plan customized to their land, as well as a stipend to incorporate those strategies on their farm.

Cereal rye, Austrian winter peas and red clover are common cover crops on Maryland farms, according to Townsend.

The cover crop project brings research that Extension Educator Sarah Hirsh started on the Eastern Shore to Frederick and Central Maryland.

Townsend said cover crops can be an effective tool to maximize what farmers can get out of their land, based on the specific crops, soil and conditions.

Advertisement

As an example, he mentioned the “drought stress” that impacted farmers this year. Cover crops can conserve water by preventing evaporation due to increased organic matter.

A 1% increase in organic matter can cause the soil to retain over 20,000 gallons more water per acre, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

But at the same time, Townsend said that in a wet year, organic matter can help open pores and allow water to “flow through the soil profile a lot easier.”

Again, the specific crops and strategies being used matter.

Farmers will not see benefits immediately after planting cover crops, but rather over the long term. Townsend said that might take 10 to 15 years, but he emphasized the importance of implementing the practice of cover cropping as quickly as possible.

Advertisement

“We don’t forget it when it becomes a problem, but we don’t necessarily position ourselves in our operations to capture the resources that currently exist,” Townsend said.

The other aspect of the project involves IRISS surveys of participating farmers.

The project will divide farmers into cohorts, then the Colorado State researchers will develop a “farmer network analysis,” according to Townsend.

He added that this will allow the academics to “see the flow of information” on best practices, handling new conditions and other information specific to the community of growers.

“The idea here is so that we can tailor our future Extension education events to better suit the methods by which farmers learn,” Townsend said.

Advertisement

A press release for the project said they hope to recruit around 35 farmers from a variety of agricultural businesses.

Townsend said he is “always looking for more people to join us” and encouraged growers to reach out to him directly if interested in participating in the project.

© 2024 The Frederick News-Post (Frederick, Md.). Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.





Source link

Advertisement

Maryland

Grand jury indicts cornhole player, quadruple amputee in Maryland murder case

Published

on

Grand jury indicts cornhole player, quadruple amputee in Maryland murder case


Dayton Webber, the professional cornhole player and quadruple amputee accused in a deadly shooting, was indicted by a grand jury on Friday on first-degree murder charges. 

What we know:

Advertisement

Webber is accused of fatally shooting 27‑year‑old Bradrick Michael Wells in La Plata on March 22. 

Webber picked up two witnesses from work in a vehicle, with Bradrick Wells already in the front passenger seat, according to charging documents. The documents state that, while driving, an argument broke out between Webber and Wells.

Advertisement

Two witnesses told police that Webber pulled out a firearm and shot Wells twice in the head during the argument. Webber then pulled the vehicle over and asked the passengers to remove Wells from the car, which they refused.

The two witnesses exited the vehicle and flagged down a police officer, the documents state, while Webber drove off with Wells still inside the car. A resident in Charlotte Hall discovered Wells’ body on the side of the road and contacted police.

Police say that Webber’s vehicle was later located in Charlottesville, Virginia, and Webber was found at a hospital seeking treatment. Webber was extradited from Albemarle County Detention Center last month and bough to Charles County, Maryland. 

Advertisement

What they’re saying:

“At the end of the day, we’re dealing with a homicide. Someone lost their life. And from that base perspective, our job is to make sure that we put the case together, we prepare the case and be ready for trial,” said Karen Piper Mitchell, Deputy State’s Attorney for Charles County. 

Advertisement

What’s next:

Mitchell said the attention the case has received could mean a longer jury selection process. 

“It may be a more lengthy jury selection because you have to make sure that people can be fair and impartial based on what they’re going to hear in the courtroom, not based on what it is they may have seen in whatever news report or Internet or everything, so you take the time making sure that you do select a fair and impartial jury,” said Mitchell. 

Advertisement

Dig deeper:

Webber lost all four limbs as an infant due to a severe bacterial infection, according to previous reports.

Advertisement

He gained recognition over the years for competing in sports and other activities despite his disability.

Webber has shared videos on YouTube showing himself participating in outdoor and recreational activities, including hunting and shooting firearms.

Some videos show him climbing elevated hunting stands with a rifle and firing a muzzleloader, based on clips posted to social media platforms.

Advertisement

In one video, captioned “No Hands No Feet vs 15 foot Ladder Stand!!!! #nolimits #mossyoak #hunting #inspiration #motivation,” he is seen climbing a hunting stand with a rifle on his back.

Another video, captioned “No Hands No Feet Shooting .54 cal Caplock Muzzleloader!!!!!! #nolimits #TheWorldWontWait #gun,” shows him firing a muzzleloader.

Advertisement
Maryland CrimeCharles CountyNews



Source link

Continue Reading

Maryland

Maryland Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for April 12, 2026

Published

on

Maryland Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for April 12, 2026


play

The Maryland Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Advertisement

Here’s a look at April 12, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 12 drawing

Midday: 8-4-4

Evening: 7-3-5

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 12 drawing

Midday: 2-5-9-9

Advertisement

Evening: 1-7-7-1

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from April 12 drawing

Midday: 7-9-7-1-1

Evening: 3-2-3-7-0

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Advertisement

Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 12 drawing

9 a.m.: 08

1 p.m.: 08

6 p.m.: 11

11 p.m.: 01

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Advertisement

Winning Bonus Match 5 numbers from April 12 drawing

05-06-12-28-36, Bonus: 38

Check Bonus Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Keno

Drawings are held every four minutes. Check winning numbers here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Maryland Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes above $600, winners can claim by mail or in person from the Maryland Lottery office, an Expanded Cashing Authority Program location or cashiers’ windows at Maryland casinos. Prizes over $5,000 must be claimed in person.

Advertisement

Claiming by Mail

Sign your winning ticket and complete a claim form. Include a photocopy of a valid government-issued ID and a copy of a document that shows proof of your Social Security number or Federal Tax ID number. Mail these to:

Maryland Lottery Customer Resource Center

1800 Washington Boulevard

Suite 330

Baltimore, MD 21230

Advertisement

For prizes over $600, bring your signed ticket, a government-issued photo ID, and proof of your Social Security or Federal Tax ID number to Maryland Lottery headquarters, 1800 Washington Boulevard, Baltimore, MD. Claims are by appointment only, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This location handles all prize amounts, including prizes over $5,000.

Winning Tickets Worth $25,000 or Less

Maryland Lottery headquarters and select Maryland casinos can redeem winning tickets valued up to $25,000. Note that casinos cannot cash prizes over $600 for non-resident and resident aliens (tax ID beginning with “9”). You must be at least 21 years of age to enter a Maryland casino. Locations include:

  • Horseshoe Casino: 1525 Russell Street, Baltimore, MD
  • MGM National Harbor: 101 MGM National Avenue, Oxon Hill, MD
  • Live! Casino: 7002 Arundel Mills Circle, Hanover, MD
  • Ocean Downs Casino: 10218 Racetrack Road, Berlin, MD
  • Hollywood Casino: 1201 Chesapeake Overlook Parkway, Perryville, MD
  • Rocky Gap Casino: 16701 Lakeview Road NE, Flintstone, MD

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Maryland Lottery.

When are the Maryland Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 11 p.m. ET Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET Tuesday and Friday.
  • Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5 Midday: 12:27 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, 12:28 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday.
  • Pick 3, 4 and 5 Evening: 7:56 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday, 8:10 p.m. ET on Sunday.
  • Cash4Life: 9 p.m. ET daily.
  • Cash Pop: 9 a.m., 1 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. daily.
  • Bonus Match 5: 7:56 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday, 8:10 p.m. ET on Sunday.
  • MultiMatch: 7:56 p.m. Monday and Thursday.
  • Powerball Double Play: 11 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Maryland editor. You can send feedback using this form.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Maryland

SUN: Do the records match Wes Moore’s story? Spotlight on Maryland investigates

Published

on

SUN: Do the records match Wes Moore’s story? Spotlight on Maryland investigates


A new statewide poll shows a growing number of Marylanders disapprove of Gov. Wes Moore’s leadership, with some citing dishonesty.

At the same time, a yearlong investigation by Spotlight on Maryland has found gaps, discrepancies and unanswered questions in the personal and professional story Moore has used to build his public image.

The findings come as criticism of the governor is no longer limited to political opponents.

Baltimore pastor P.M. Smith recently described Moore as “pathological” in his handling of the truth, claiming he “lies.” Armstrong Williams, co-owner of The Baltimore Sun and a longtime friend of Moore, publicly urged the governor to “tell the truth and release the facts.”

Advertisement

Instead, the governor has repeatedly declined to release full records, refused repeated requests for a sit-down interview and left dozens of detailed questions unanswered — even as Moore promotes transparency as a defining principle of his administration.

What Spotlight reviewed and will show

This investigation is built on a simple premise that public trust depends on verifiable truth. Over the past year, Spotlight on Maryland examined:

  • Thousands of pages of state and federal records obtained through the Maryland Public Information Act and the Freedom of Information Act;
  • Two decades’ worth of Moore’s public statements, speeches and interviews;
  • Archival reporting and application materials;
  • Interviews with a range of sources and subject-matter experts;
  • Direct responses and non-responses from the governor’s office.

The reporting goes beyond Moore’s official resume. It tests the full narrative he has presented to the public — about his military service, athletic achievements and leadership — and compares it against what can be independently verified.

In the coming days and weeks, Spotlight on Maryland will publish a series of reports examining Moore’s life, from 1996 to the present, and dissecting what he has said that may not be true. The sweeping investigation includes:

Comment with Bubbles

BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT

Advertisement

Read the full story on The Baltimore Sun’s website.



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending