Chesapeake Bay Foundation Recognizes Maryland Conservationist of the Year

Maryland NRCS, the State’s soil conservation districts, and the Maryland Department of Agriculture recently received the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s (CBF) Maryland Conservationist of the Year award for their outstanding work to improve water quality in the State's rivers, streams, and Chesapeake Bay.  The three groups work out of the 24 soil conservation district offices throughout the State helping farmers implement conservation practices.

Maryland NRCS provided more than $36 million in financial assistance to Maryland’s farmers through conservation programs authorized in the 2002 Farm Bill. NRCS and Maryland conservation partnership employees provided conservation technical assistance that benefited more than 210,000 acres of agricultural land. This year, NRCS provided $2.8 million to protect 1,200 acres of Maryland farmland.  Over the past five years, NRCS also used Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program funds to protect more than 21,000 acres of agricultural land.

“These dedicated workers are a tremendous asset for farmers and for Maryland’s water quality,” said Kim Coble, CBF’s Maryland Executive Director. “Their work is mainly behind the scenes, but what they do is critical to keeping agriculture healthy and reducing runoff to our rivers, streams, and the Chesapeake Bay.  They are out in the field making a difference every day.”

CBF honored the more than 200 staff members from counties across Maryland with a day of Chesapeake Bay-related activities and a reception at the Philip Merrill Environmental Center in Annapolis.  CBF annually presents the award to honor outstanding service and commitment to the restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay.

Farmer Ed Heikes of Belle Aire Farms in St. Michaels participates in the Conservation Security Program (CSP).  “Like most farmers, I believe in balancing sound conservation practices with agricultural production,” Heikes said.  “For 19 years, I have been farming using practices that decrease soil erosion, protect water quality, and produce a quality crop.  CSP is a great program that rewards farmers for doing the right thing and encourages others to recognize the connection that their farmland has to water quality in the Chesapeake Bay.”
Your contact is Beth Lefebvre, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, at 443-482-2066.