Hot News

4.29.2008

By STEPHANIE JORDAN
Associate Editor

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — A first-of-its-kind Web site, known as the Maryland Agricultural Exchange, is available to help the Maryland farming community buy, sell and/or trade manure and other agricultural products.
The Web site, www.agtrader.org, is sponsored by the Environmental Finance Center and the National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education.
Joanne Throwe, assistant director of the Environmental Finance Center, said the site is up and ready for farmers to register and post agricultural products they have to sell or need to buy.
“We need to reach farmers and let them know it’s there,” Throwe said. “We’re trying to help build a sustainable agricultural economy.”
The idea for the Web site was originally conceived to help move manure from areas with a high concentration to areas that need the nutrient.
But Throwe took it one step further, allowing farmers to post not only manure, but equipment, bedding materials and other agricultural products.
“So we can help with manure, but we can do a whole lot more,” she said. “What a great way to connect local produce to the people who are looking for it.”
Farmers can register at no cost on the Web site and create their account. As soon as its set up, they can start posting.
A “w” in the listing means “wanted” and an “a” means they have something “available.” All buying and selling takes place between the buyer and the seller; there is no bidding.
This site “is probably long overdue,” Throwe said.
For farmers without Internet access, Throwe and Elizabeth Skane — the graduate student working on the project — will be able to take some postings via telephone. Skane will be responsible for monitoring the Web site to ensure that postings are relevant.
Throwe also is working to put together a directory of farmers who open an account so that all participating farmers will have a virtual “Yellow pages” of people they can contact.
The Web site also will be able to house news events and any other information that would be of interest to the agricultural community.
And of particular interest to the Environmental Finance Center, Throwe will be able to track the movement of manure out of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
“This is a resource for the ag community,” Throwe said. “We’re hoping to help support ag markets in all of Maryland. I’d love to see markets get built on this.”
Right now, the Web site is supported by grants, but Throwe said she hopes to have space for advertising on the site at some point so that they can use that money to support it.
She said that although she would like for the site to raise funds for monitoring and upkeep, “it’s not going to be a money maker. It’s about building markets and helping agriculture stay in Maryland.”
“I’m hoping this is something good for the Chesapeake Bay,” Throwe said. “I hope it’s a wonderful resources. I would love to see other states pick this up.”
For more information call Throwe at 301-405-5036 or e-mail Skane at eskane@umd.edu.