The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, headed by Dr. Christine L. Bergmark, played host to the Nuffield Scholars, globe-trotting agriculture students, from June 18 to 20. The scholars, hailing from countries like New Zealand and Australia, visited various agricultural enterprises in Southern Maryland including the organic Even Star Farms in Lexington Park.

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Bergmark

“We are partcularly pleased that the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission was able to work in partnership with the Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology to showcase the depth and variety of farms and ag-related businesses within our Southern Maryland community,” said Bergmark. “We hope to continue to work together with the Hughes Center to deliver these opportunities for information and resource exchange, which benefit all forms of farm-based businesses,” she added.

Not all areas appealed to every Nuffield scholar. But there was much to be learned about the industry, farming profitability, organic and nonorganic farming methods from local farmers. At the same time, the visiting scholars, scientists, students and farmers were able to share similar experiences and solutions to specific farm, agricultural, and land management problems and developments.

One of the scholars, Lester Marshall, an oyster farmer of the Coffin Bay Oyster Farm located in the Sea Food Frontier area of southern Australia and Port Lincoln said his farm produces six tons of oysters per week. He noted the organic farming was interesting, but he was able to take more away from the oyster farming at Circle C Ranch.

“We don’t have any of the disease problems in Australia that you have here in the Chesapeake, and we were able to discuss oyster harvesting techniques in detail during that visit,” Marshall said. He thought the organic aspect of the Even Star Farming operation was very interesting. “My scholarship is how to develop a successful regional brand,” he said. “What is being done here in that respect is very important to that effort.”

Even Star Farm proprietor, Brett Grohsgal, discussed the problems with pollinators. He said the honey bee shortage is a farce and noted that bumble bee and wasp varieties are far better pollinators than honey bees and far more plentiful.

New Zealander Craige Mackenzie talked about his similar seed production operation. “We don’t have the regulations that they do here, but we also don’t have the valuable USDA research work being done either, quite an eye-opener,” he said, explaining his farm grows crops for seed which he sells globally to many different seed distributors. He also produces wheat, rye grasses and industrial hemp seeds in addition to running a dairy farm operation.

Mackenzie’s scholarship is on the study of climate change and the carbon footprint left behind during the farming operation. Carbon footprint discussions were broad-ranging during the visit with Grohsgal.

The Nuffield Scholars feel it is important to understand global issues first-hand before creating locally focus