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NEW $2 PER TREE BONUS PAYMENT!
Farmers or landowners who install MACS-financed conservation practices that include tree plantings can now receive a bonus payment of $2 per tree. This bonus payment is in addition to the regular cost-share rate for the qualifying practice. Riparian forest buffers, hedgerow plantings, and windbreaks are among the tree-planting practices eligible for the bonus. The bonus payment aims to help Maryland meet its goal to plant 5 million trees by 2031.
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TRAIN NOW TO BECOME A NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT
This two-day training course takes place on May 17 and 18 and provides an overview of knowledge areas covered by the Maryland Nutrient Management Certification Exam scheduled for later this summer. Topics include nutrient management regulations, basic soil science, and soil fertility recommendations. Instructors are university and government experts. Register by May 1.
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This short Maryland Farm and Harvest clip looks at the changing landscape of farming in Prince George’s County through the eyes of agricultural advocate and soil conservation district manager Steve Darcey.
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WE ♥ BUFFERS
MDA's Conservation Buffer Initiative is a hit with Maryland farmers. The popular program offers attractive incentives to plant streamside buffers to improve local water quality. During the 2023 enrollment period, farmers and landowners submitted 55 applications to establish 378 acres of streamside buffers. MDA is reviewing the projects and will send out its first round of agreements later this month.
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HEALTHY SOIL ROCKS!
MDA’s new Healthy Soils Competitive Fund scored big with Maryland farmers this winter. The grant program received 42 applications for innovative conservation projects ranging from “food forests” to planting cash crops into living cover crops, a practice known as “planting green.” MDA is ranking the projects and will announce the winning projects later this month.
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YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR OUR CHESAEAKE BAY
MDA reminds homeowners and lawn care professionals to help protect our Chesapeake Bay by following Maryland’s Lawn Fertilizer Law when caring for lawns. For starters, you may want to skip the spring fertilizer, especially if your lawn is healthy. Fall is the best time to fertilize cool season grasses like fescues and Kentucky bluegrass.
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LOCAL ENVIRONTHON COMPETITIONS UNDERWAY
Maryland’s brightest high school students are heading for the hills, streams, and woods to compete in the first round of qualifying heats leading up to the Maryland Envirothon scheduled for June 15-16 at the Western 4H Park in Garrett County. Please contact your local soil conservation district for information on local competitions or click link below for more information.
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ANNUAL REPORTS —
Read the Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts' 2022 Annual Report.
NEW HIRES —
The Nutrient Management Program welcomes Tia Randall Murray as an administrative specialist.
WANT TO WORK FOR MDA? —
Check out the latest job openings throughout the department on our website.
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For additional information on MDA conservation programs, please contact your local soil conservation district.
Photo credits: Edwin Remsberg, MDA, Maryland Farm and Harvest, soil conservation districts, iStock, and Shutterstock.
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