Maryland
University of Maryland Nets $500K 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.
“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.
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.
“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.
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.
College Democrats protest ‘white advocacy’ speech at Salisbury University
Salisbury University College Democrats protested against Jared Taylor, a white nationalist, April 29, 2026 outside Devilbiss Hall.
Maryland State Police are seeking the public’s assistance in helping to locate a missing juvenile in Wicomico County.
Chester Fitchett III, 14, was reported missing on May 5. He was last seen at about 3 p.m., in the 200 block of Baptist Street in Salisbury, Maryland.
He is described as an African-American male with black curly hair and brown eyes, approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighing approximately 120 pounds. He was last seen wearing a royal blue “Nike Tech” jacket, blue jeans, and white/black Nike sneakers. Investigators believe he may be in the area of Smith Street in Salisbury.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Maryland State Police Salisbury Barrack at 410-749-3101. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The Maryland Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 6, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from May 6 drawing
18-27-51-65-68, Powerball: 05, Power Play: 3
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 6 drawing
Midday: 0-9-2
Evening: 9-8-6
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from May 6 drawing
Midday: 6-4-6-5
Evening: 7-5-4-5
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from May 6 drawing
Midday: 6-6-1-9-1
Evening: 3-0-2-8-5
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from May 6 drawing
9 a.m.: 13
1 p.m.: 05
6 p.m.: 05
11 p.m.: 11
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Bonus Match 5 numbers from May 6 drawing
13-21-22-31-33, Bonus: 02
Check Bonus Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from May 6 drawing
04-21-36-48-69, Powerball: 05
Check Powerball Double Play 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.
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
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.
TIMONIUM, Md. — Get ready for some family fun as the 145th Maryland State Fair is set to get underway this summer.
The fair will be open for three weekends: Thursday, August 27 to Sunday, August 30; Thursday, September 3 to Monday, September 7; and Thursday, September 10 to Sunday, September 13.
There will be multiple patriotic-themed competitions, prizes, strolling entertainers, a veteran’s showcase, and more in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
Admission will not be allowed after 9 p.m., and anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older.
The fair hours are as follows:
Thursdays:
- Building Hours: 5 p.m.–8 p.m.
- Exhibition Hall: 5 p.m.–9 p.m.
- Midway Hours: 5 p.m. to close
Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays & Labor Day Monday:
- Building Hours: 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
- Exhibition Hall Hours: 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
- Midway Hours: 10 a.m. to close
For more information about the fair and the schedule of events, click here.
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