County signs on to Maryland fertilizer applicator business license for turf; county employees certified

The St. Mary's County Board of County Commissioners authorized county staff to execute the Maryland Nutrient Management Program fertilizer applicator business license and any future forms necessary to comply with new state requirements for commercial turf fertilizer application.

Brian Lowey, director of Recreation and Parks, and David Guider, parks manager, told commissioners the Maryland Department of Agriculture now requires any person or company applying nutrients to turf grass for hire to hold a business license and employ at least one Maryland-certified professional fertilizer applicator. Lowey said four county employees are already certified and that the county, as a government entity, will not be charged the $40 business-license fee charged to private companies.

Commissioners clarified that homeowners applying fertilizer on their own property are not required to be certified; the requirement applies to commercial applicators and companies performing work for hire. The training course is similar to other day-long classes with a test, Lowey said, and includes instruction on application rates, seasonal restrictions and required record-keeping.

Commissioner Todd B. Morgan moved to authorize the commission president to execute the business-license form; Commissioner Lawrence Jarboe seconded and the motion passed.

County staff said the program will require careful record-keeping, and county departments that maintain turf — including Recreation & Parks and Department of Public Works and Transportation — will follow the licensing and record-keeping requirements.

Implementation and annual state reviews of records will be the responsibility of the applicable county departments.