New!! A short video highlighting conservation choices for Maryland farmers is now available in the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s YouTube page. The video shows popular best management practices at work on Maryland farms to prevent soil erosion, build healthy soils, protect local streams, and help livestock and poultry producers manage mud and manure. Farmers who want to take advantage of free technical and financial assistance to install conservation practices on their farms, should contact our office at 301-797-6821, Ext. 3.
Maryland Farmer COVID-19 Relief Program
The Maryland Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for a new relief program for farmers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Maryland Farmer COVID-19 Relief Program will provide payments for contract poultry producers who were not eligible for Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) funds, as well as bonus payments to farmers who received federal relief from the first round of CFAP funding.
Consulting Foresters & Forest Harvest Operators – New Standard Erosion and Sediment Control Plan for Forest Harvest Operations (Standard Plan) – Effective, October 1, 2020!
(Click Urban Services and Program Specifics for further details!)
New!! Cover Crop Program Planting Date Extended due to wet conditions across the State!!
Planting date extended to December 1, 2020 for the following species: Wheat, Spelt, Rye, and Triticale
The allowable planting methods are: No-Till, Broadcast with Light, Minimum, or Vertical Tillage, and Conventional. Please note: These acres may not be terminated before May 1, 2021 and will only be eligible for the base payment of $40/Ac. These acres will need to be reported by December 8, 2020!
Contact our office with any questions!
**Update (Beginning November 16, 2020):
Due to the COVID-19 case increases, our office remains closed for public access, except those allowable by appointment only!
We will be operating, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday, with District staff moving to alternating office days rather than an all staff presence every day. Staff will be teleworking on days they are not working in the office and will be reachable via email (see below):
District staff include:
Elmer Weibley (Elmer@conservationplace.com)/Dee Price (Dee@conservationplace.com)
Mark Kendle (Mark@conservationplace.com)/Kristina Stair (Kristinam.stair@maryland.gov)
Lori Flook-Bishop (Lori@conservationplace.com)
All Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) staff continue to work remotely; MDA staff include: Jay Duell (Jay.duell@maryland.gov)/Ginger Noble (Ginger.noble@maryland.gov) & Chris Burch (Chris.burch@maryland.gov)
Thank you for your continued patience and understanding!
https://mda.maryland.gov/Pages/fertilizer.aspx
Professional Fertilizer Applicator Certification Exam and Training Offered – https://mda.maryland.gov/SiteAssets/Pages/fertilizer/2020%20Exam%20Application.pdf
Nutrient Management Training and Certification –
https://mda.maryland.gov/resource_conservation/counties/Winter2020FarmerCertificationClasses.pdf
The Washington County Soil Conservation District
2020-2025 Strategic Plan – (Update/Progress)
Is your SOIL healthy?? See the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Website – Soil Health!!
The History of Soil Conservation Districts!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU-PdpT-2v4&feature=youtu.be
National Association of Soil Conservation Districts (NACD),
“Hall of Distinction“, names one of our own!
Don Spickler (Service beginning in 1971)
What are the legalities of Farmer saved seed?
“Farmer Saved Seed: What is Legal – What is Not”
Public Information Act (PIA)
For Inquiries/Requests, please submit to: Elmer Weibley, CPESC, District Manager
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