The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) is reminding citizens in rural areas to expect an increase in low-flying airplanes or helicopters through Oct. 10, 2022 due to aerial seeding of small grains. Farmers enrolled in Maryland’s Cover Crop Program use this method of seeding in their fields to help protect water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. 

“Maryland’s Cover Crop Program is our most popular conservation practice,” said Maryland Agriculture Secretary Joe Bartenfelder. “In the fall, participating farmers plant wheat, rye, and other small grains on newly harvested fields to recover any leftover nutrients from summer crops. This helps protect water quality in local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay while building and maintaining soil health. People living in rural Maryland should expect an increase in low-flying aircraft over the next several weeks while seeding occurs.”

Farmers enrolled in the Cover Crop Program may plant small grains and other qualifying species by incorporating seeds into newly harvested fields or aerially seeding them into standing corn, soybeans, or sorghum. Once established, cover crops work all winter long to provide a living, protective cover against erosion and nutrient runoff while building the soil’s organic matter for the next year’s crop. No pesticides or fertilizers are applied to cover crops. For aerial seeding, small planes will take off from local airports serving the county or region.

Maryland’s Cover Crop Program is funded by the Bay Restoration Fund and the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund. The program is administered by MDA and the state’s 24 soil conservation districts through the Conservation Grants Program. For more information, please contact your local soil conservation district. 

Chesapeake Bank and Trust Company is pleased to announce that Lynn Payne has joined its staff as Chief Financial Officer. She will replace Pat Stanley, who is retiring after serving the Bank for nearly 9 years as CFO.

“With her extensive experience in local community banking, Lynn will make a wonderful addition to our organization,” said Mr. Altieri. “We look forward to having her join our management team.”

Mrs. Payne obtained her B.S. in Accounting from University of Maryland College Park and has held a CPA designation since 1994. After 21 years with Prince George’s Federal Savings Bank, she joined CNB as its CFO. Her career continued with Shore United Bank, where she served as Director of Finance and Director of Asset Liability Management (ALM), and had budgeting, Treasury and CECL responsibilities. Mrs. Payne and her husband, Greg, reside in Centreville with their two sons, Sean and Eric. She enjoys gardening, tennis, hiking, and traveling with her family.

“I’ve spent my entire career in community banking and most of it as a CFO. I look forward to joining the Bank and continuing with their great legacy,” said Mrs. Payne.

About Chesapeake Bank and Trust

Chesapeake Bank and Trust is a full-service community bank, locally owned and directed by area business and community leaders. The Bank is committed to providing area residents and business owners with a broad range of financial products and an unparalleled level of individual service. Chesapeake Bank and Trust’s main branch is located at 245 High Street, Chestertown, Maryland 21620.

For more information, contact Chesapeake Bank and Trust at 410-778-1600, or e-mail Bob Altieri directly at [email protected].

On Wednesday, April 19, alumni and guests of Shore Leadership gathered at the historic Tidewater Inn in Easton to welcome the Shore Leadership Class of 2023 and also held an Awards Ceremony to acknowledge some of the people and corporations who have made significant contributions to the success of the Shore Leadership program over the past several years.

The following Eastern Shore Leadership awards were given at the ceremony following dinner:

Founders Award: Dr. Murray “Ray” Hoy (individual), Talbot County Chamber of Commerce (business)

Chairperson’s Award: Amber O’Brien, Relationship Manager, Shore United Bank

Outstanding Sponsor: Accounting Strategies Group, LLC

Leader of the Year: Dr. Bryan Newton, Vice President Enrollment Management and Student Services, Wor-Wic Community College

Future Leadership: Savannah Winston, Owners, VanTech Business Solutions

The new class of Shore Leadership began their exciting nine-month journey with a 2-day Orientation Session on April 19 and 20. This session was led by Dr. Joe Thomas, Director of the J.B. Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership at the United States Naval Academy, as well as Ms. Carol Graser, President of the Annapolis Leadership Group.  During those two days, the class learned about Adaptive Leadership and the Theory and Practice of Leadership.  The class also completed a team-building exercise around the village of Easton.

Members of the Shore Leadership Class of 2023 include:

Tia Bell, Channel Marker, Inc; Kate Bleile, Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore; Kevin Callahan, Saints Peter & Paul School; Shelby Eason, TreeHouse Foods; Joey Faulkner, Town of Easton; Michelle Hall, Chesapeake College; John Hines, Easton Utilities; Jen Hughes, Londonderry on the Tred Avon; Jess Iacona, Beacon at Salisbury University; Jess Kilby, Chesapeake College; Carolyn Lane, QLarant, Inc.; Hali Leeson, Provident State Bank; Grace Lyons, Candlelight Cove; Sarah Lyons, Shore United Bank; Brian Merriken, Sisk Fulfillment Services; Grayson Middleton, Delmarva Chicken Association; Jessica Mumbulo, Willow Construction; Jenni Murphy, Hope, Inc.; Amber Rash, Horizon Farm Credit; Don Richardson, Town of Easton; Stefanie Rider, Wor-Wic Community College; Dr. Jen Schrecongost, Queen Anne’s County Public Schools; Greg Snyder, The Arc Central Chesapeake Region; Jen Wawrzenjak, Toroid Corporation; Jason Wielgosz, Caroline County Public Schools.

Over the course of the nine-month program, the class will visit a different county on the Eastern Shore each month.  In the morning, a Leadership topic will be discussed, and in the afternoon, the members of the class will get to meet and interact with business leaders from different industries in each of the counties. Leadership topics that will be covered over the nine-month period include: the Neuroscience of Leadership, Transformational Leadership, Leading Change, Leading Teams, Personal Mission Planning, and Coaching for Excellence.

Dr. Deirdra Johnson welcomed the class of 2023 in her opening address by stating “These next nine months will give you an opportunity to engage with various up-and-coming leaders as well as explore the various business industries on the Eastern Shore.”

If you are interested in learning more about the Shore Leadership Program, please contact Ms. Chris Caulk at [email protected].

Shore Leadership is a component fund of Mid-Shore Community Foundation, a public foundation designated as a 501(c)(3) charity. A copy of Mid-Shore Community Foundation’s financial statement is available at www.mscf.org or by calling 410-820-8175.

Tim Frump, vice president of risk management and soy merchandising at Perdue AgriBusiness, will speak at the Let’s Talk Business Speaker Series at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 3, at the Talbot County Free Library in Easton. He will present an overview of current market conditions in agriculture, including a look at how the war in the Ukraine is affecting commodity prices.

Frump’s presentation wraps up the spring speaker series presented by the Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism in partnership with the Talbot County Free Library.

“The media has reported extensively on the Russian invasion of the Ukraine and its impact on the global grain market,” says Cassandra Vanhooser, director of economic development and tourism for Talbot County. “We are excited to have Tim join us to discuss the market trends impacting local farmers and agribusinesses, including current grain production the Ukraine.”

Frump is responsible for managing the hedging and physical coverage for Perdue Foods and Perdue AgriBusiness, one of the largest family-owned grain companies in the United States. A native of Ohio, he has enjoyed a multi-decade career that includes managing the export trading of corn, soybeans, wheat, and specialty grains.

Before joining Perdue, Frump managed the trade activity for corn, sugar, soy oil, soy meal, natural gas, and other hedgeable commodities at Tate and Lyle. He also has traded many U.S. domestic markets with Cargill, ADM, and CGB Enterprises. Frump is a summa cum laude graduate of The Ohio State University.

The Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism’s mission is to enhance and promote a business-friendly environment for current and prospective enterprises and to advocate for policies that support and strengthen the economic vitality of Talbot County. The department’s vision for Talbot County is built on the principles of strong communities, empowered businesses, and innovative solutions.

Business owners and managers are encouraged to attend all sessions of the speaker series and to subscribe to the Department of Economic Development and Tourism’s Talbot Works newsletter and breaking news at www.talbotworks.org. The department can also be reached at 410-770-8058 or by visiting their office at 11. S. Harrison Street, Easton, Md.