Signs Point to Less Roadside Clutter

"Although Medicaid covers 50 million citizens, very few are working adults, as they are typically precluded from program participation. Yet a significant number of the 47 million uninsured are working adults who simply lack access to or cannot afford health insurance," Eberly said in a statement released by the college.

Medicaid is the safety net in health care for low-income Americans, but the program historically has been limited to children, pregnant women and the elderly.

PR Group to Meet

An organization of area public relations professionals will take their business out to the ballpark this month.

PRISM, or Public Relations Individuals in Southern Maryland, will meet at the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs' stadium in Waldorf June 19 at noon. Mark Viniard, general manager of the new professional baseball team, is the scheduled speaker. He will address sports marketing and brand development.

Viniard also will talk about how sports marketing can work for local companies and nonprofit organizations. He is responsible for managing the new club's business operations, including ticket sales, group sales, corporate partnerships and publicity.

A buffet lunch will be served in the stadium's Legend Club. The cost for members is $13; nonmembers, $18. After lunch, there will be a tour of the new ballpark. Contact Mike Zabko to make reservations at MikeZ@somdredcross.org or call 888-276-2767. Or RSVP through the PRISM Web site at http://www.prismonline.info.

Cover Crop Grants Available

Farmers who plant cover crops this fall to reduce nutrient runoff, control soil erosion and protect water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries may be eligible to receive up to $85 an acre in cost-share grants through the Maryland Department of Agriculture's 2007-08 Winter Cover Crop Program.

Sign-up for the statewide program is scheduled from June 23 through July 8 at local soil conservation district offices.

"Cover crops are one of the most cost-effective and environmentally sustainable ways to protect the bay and its tributaries from nutrient runoff," said Gov. Martin O'Malley. "With the passage of the 2010 Chesapeake Bay Trust Fund, we are staying true to our priorities of protecting the environment and strengthening family businesses and farms. The record $18 million in funding will help farmers offset higher planting and fuel costs associated with planting cover crops."

"Funding this year will allow farmers to plant nearly 500,000 acres in protective cover crops this fall, including in some targeted watersheds," Maryland Agriculture Secretary Roger L. Richardson said in a statement.

Under the program, several factors such as early planting will increase the reimbursement rate. This year there is no acreage limit. Maximum cost-share benefits of $85 an acre will be awarded to farmers in priority watersheds who plant their cover crops by Oct. 1, use tillage methods that maximize soil-to-seed contact and follow other environmental guidelines.

A base funding rate of $40 an acre applies in most cases. Cost-share funding of up to $75 an acre is available to farmers who plant by Oct. 15. Farmers who plant by Nov. 5 will be eligible to receive up to $70 an acre.

Traditional cover crops may not be harvested. However, they may be grazed or chopped for livestock forage for use on the farm after they are well established.

A Commodity Cover Crop Program is available to farmers who want to harvest their cover crops. Up to 300 acres can be enrolled using a separate application.

Farmers should contact their local soil conservation district office to enroll before the July 8 deadline. For more information, contact the Maryland Agricultural Cost-Share Program office at 410-841-5864.