Maryland NRCS News Releases (2008)

Last Modified: 08/27/2008

Maryland Media Liaison:

Carol Hollingsworth, 443-482-2902

USDA 2008 Farm Bill

Information

Farm Demonstration Field Day - Carroll County

An on-farm demonstration day will be held on Tuesday September 23, 2008 from 10am-2pm at the farm of Norman and Paul Seller in Carroll County, Maryland. The program will highlight improved waste utilization methods for dairy manure and manure land application strategies for improving nitrogen use and uptake while at the same time protecting the environment.

Information

Workshops Set for 2008 Farm Bill

The workshops will be held August 26, 2008 to September 11, 2008 from 9:00AM to 3:30PM at sites throughout Maryland. The workshops will outline and discuss major provisions of the new Farm Bill.

Information

Pasture Walk Opportunities

Those interested in managing your pastures, please attend one of our pasture walks.  The pasture walks will be held on Thursday, August 28, 2008 in Baltimore County, Thursday, September 4, 2008 in Charles County and on  Thursday, September 18, 2008 in Anne Arundel County.

Information

State Technical Committee Meeting

The Maryland State Technical Committee will meet on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 from 9:00 am - Noon to discuss conservation issues. The meeting will be held at Chesapeake College in Wye Mills, Maryland, in the the Kent - Humanities Building, Room 117. Chesapeake College is at the intersection of routes 50 and 213 in Queen Anne's County.

Agenda items will include updates on conservation programs authorized in the new 2008 Farm Bill, including additional program resources for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed; new Geographic Rates for the Wetlands Reserve Program; and additional conservation funds from the 2002 Farm Bill.

Questions about the meeting can be addressed to Carol Hollingsworth, State Public Affairs Specialist, at 443-482-2902 or via email at carol.hollingsworth@md.usda.gov.

Map

July Pasture Walks

Pasture walks are one of the best ways to learn new management ideas on grazing systems that you can then use on your own farm. Many of these conservation practices can be implemented through the Natural Resource Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)” said Elmer Dengler, NRCS Maryland State Grazing Specialist.

Two informative walks are coming up that are sponsored by NRCS and other local partners.

News Release (June 20, 2008)

NRCS Extends Application Period for 2008 Conservation Security Program in Gunpowder – Patapsco Watershed until May 30

(Annapolis, MD), May 7, 2008 — USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Arlen Lancaster today announced that the application period for the 2008 Conservation Security Program (CSP) will be extended by two weeks with applications now being accepted through May 30, 2008.

News Release (May 7, 2008)

Around the Paddock - Horse Workshop

The Catoctin & Frederick Soil Conservation Districts' are proud to sponsor, "Around the Paddock" a series of workshops to showcase and discuss conservation practices that benefit horse owners. The event is scheduled for June 5th, 6:30 - 8:30pm. and will be hosted by Frederick District cooperator's Bud and Elizabeth Winters, who own and manage Paradise Stables 6250 Detrick Road, Mt. Airy, MD.

Agenda includes tour and discussion of: on farm applied conservation practices, conservation programs and cost-share incentives, soil testing and nutrient management for beginners, and hay quality and selection. Attendance will provide two hours of continuing credit for Certified Farm Operators and Voucher credits. Registration is free. Please contact Jason Watt at (301)695-2803, ext.3 or jason.watt@md.nacdnet.net .

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Information and directions

Schafer Marks Earth Day with $2.6 Million to Protect Maryland Farmland

Partners preserve Maryland farmland. Secretary Schafer and NRCS Chief Arlen Lancaster (at right), landowner Glenn Elseroad (in orange cap at left), and State and local officials applaud the announcement of funding to protect hundreds of acres of Maryland farmland from development. USDA image.

On Earth Day 2008, Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer announced that Maryland will receive $2.6 million in Fiscal Year 2008 to protect agricultural land through the Natural Resources Conservation Service's Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP). Funding will be distributed to the Baltimore County Agricultural Land Preservation Program and the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy.

The two agreements will protect 622 acres of farmland. Baltimore County's $1.6 million will protect 341 acres on five farms. The Eastern Shore Land Conservancy agreement covers 281 acres on a family farm in Talbot County, the second phase of this agricultural land preservation project.

Secretary Schafer announced the funding at an Earth Day celebration held on the Glenn Elseroad Farm in Reisterstown, Maryland.

USDA-NRCS in Maryland has worked with 15 cooperating entities to protect about 35,000 acres on 257 farms through FRPP since its inception. Maryland has used more than $31 million in FRPP funds since 1996.

FRPP has protected about 533,000 acres on 2,764 farms and ranches nationwide from 1996-2007. In that time, USDA-NRCS has invested $536 million into FRPP across the country, working with 348 cooperating entities.

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USDA Provides $2.6 Million to Protect Farmland in Maryland

Earth Day Celebration

It is with great pleasure that I invite you to participate in the 2008 NRCS Earth Day Celebration. This year’s Earth Day celebration will be especially noteworthy as a new Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP) easement purchase will be announced. USDA cost share with Baltimore County for the purchase of FRPP easements is $1.6 million. As you know FRPP has been very popular nationwide and enjoys tremendous success in Maryland. The easement announced on Earth Day will add significantly to sustaining agricultural land in Maryland that is permanently protected from development.

Invitation

Pasture Walk On Creating Productive Pastures After A Drought

Pastures for all types of livestock have been through a few tough seasons in the last few years and many landowners are wondering what to do. On Tuesday, April 22nd from 4 PM -6 PM, a pasture walk will be held at Spring Mills Farm owned by Jerry and Juanita Russell. During the walk University of Maryland, Carroll County Extension, and Carroll Soil Conservation District staff will be discussing in the field what should be done to help pastures recover from the prolonged drought.

Information

NRCS Announces Application Period for 2008 Conservation Security Program in Gunpowder – Patapsco Watershed

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Jon Hall announced that the application period for the 2008 Conservation Security Program (CSP) will be held from April 18, 2008 to May 30, 2008. In Maryland, there is one watershed eligible to participate in CSP this year – the Gunpowder – Patapsco Watershed which covers most of Baltimore County, about one-half of Carroll and Harford Counties, and a small portion of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties. A small portion of the watershed also extends into York County, Pennsylvania.

News Release (April 7, 2008)

AMA Conservation Funds Available For Maryland Farmers

Jon Hall, State Conservationist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Maryland, announced that Maryland is accepting applications for consideration for financial assistance for applying conservation practices through the FY08 USDA Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) Program. AMA helps producers adopt conservation practices and investment strategies that will reduce or mitigate risks to their agricultural enterprises.

All applications received by April 15, 2008 will receive consideration for AMA funds. On that date, applications received in NRCS offices will be evaluated and ranked according to levels of environmental benefits and available funds. After that date, if additional AMA funds remain, NRCS will evaluate and rank applications on May 15, 2008.

News Release (March 26, 2008)

NRCS Maryland Asks Farmers To Go To Field Offices Now To Begin Process for Developing Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans

“Farmers interested in having a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans developed for their ag operations need to go to their local USDA Service Center as soon as possible to begin the application process,” said Jon F. Hall, State Conservationist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Maryland.

NRCS Maryland has already received its Fiscal Year 2008 funding for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and funds, although limited, are still available to assist in the development of a CNMP. NRCS Maryland is accepting and ranking applications on a continuous basis. The next ranking and funding of applications will be on February 29, 2008. Farmers should visit their local USDA Service Centers NOW to apply for assistance. Farmers who apply after February 29, 2008 may be delayed in receiving available financial assistance.

News Release (February 4, 2008)

Seeking Proposals for $20 Million in USDA Conservation Innovation Grants

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Maryland State Conservationist Jon Hall announced the request for proposals for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for fiscal year 2008. The CIG program is designed to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies.

Applications must be received in the NRCS National Headquarters by 5 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (EST), on Wednesday, February 20, 2008.

News Release (January 10, 2008)

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