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FINAL DAYS TO APPLY!
Open enrollment for Maryland's 2024 Healthy Sols Competitive Fund is in its final days. The program will accept grant applications through March 6 from qualifying farmers who want to adopt soil health or agroforestry practices. The maximum project award for this grant is $50,000 to support 3 years of enhanced soil health practices.
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LAST CALL!
Applications for MDA’s 2024 Conservation Buffer Initiative will be accepted through March 8. Don’t miss this chance to apply for attractive grants to plant streamside buffers on your farm to improve water quality. Farmers who plant forest buffers qualify for a one-time $1,000/acre signing bonus on top of the $4,000-$4,500/acre incentive payment for this practice. Contact your local soil conservation district to apply for these attractive grants today.
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When colonists first settled in Maryland, most streams and rivers were shaded by trees. As land was cleared for farming, many waterways lost the natural protection provided by trees. Today, we know that forest buffers act as natural filters to keep the water clean, provide erosion and flood control, and create critical habitat for fish, game, and wildlife. In this video, you will meet an Allegany County farm family that has taken advantage of incentives offered through Maryland’s Conservation Buffer Initiative to plant trees, exclude livestock from their farm stream, and improve local water quality.
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FARMER NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT TRAINING & CERTIFICATION
MDA and the University of Maryland Extension will offer an in-person Farmer Training and Certification (FTC) Workshop at MDA for farmers who want to become certified to write their own nutrient management plans. This workshop is for producers with cropland and pastures that use commercial fertilizer and/or manure.
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2024 MARYLAND LEOPOLD AWARD NOW ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS
Do you know a landowner who has gone the extra mile to protect natural resources on their farm? Nominations are now open for the 2024 Maryland Leopold Conservation Award. The $10,000 award honors farmers and forestland owners who go above and beyond to manage soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat on working land.
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GET CERTIFIED LOCAL!
Are you looking to expand your business? Check out MDA's new Certified Local Farm and Fish Program. This initiative supports local growers by encouraging state agencies and public four-year universities to purchase 20% of their food from Certified Local Farm and Chesapeake Invasive Species Providers.
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FARMERS MAY FERTILIZE SMALL GRAINS WITH COMMERCIAL FERTILIZER BEGINNING FEBRUARY 15
MDA announced that farmers who planted small grains for harvest last fall may “top dress” these crops with commercial fertilizer in accordance with their nutrient management plans, beginning February 15, provided that crop and field conditions remain favorable. Read the news release.
HELLO AND WELCOME!
Craig McSparran is the new nutrient management specialist for Cecil and Kent counties. You can reach him at craigj.mcsparran@maryland.gov or 410-991-3114.
WANT TO WORK FOR MDA?
Check out the latest job openings throughout the department on our website.
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Please get in touch with your local soil conservation district for additional information on MDA conservation programs.
Photo credits: Shutterstock, Edwin Remsberg Photographs, and Sand County Foundation.
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