Clean-water grant made to county farm
ANNAPOLIS -- The Board of Public Works approved $896,300 in agricultural cost-share grants to 14 counties for 46 projects that will prevent soil erosion, manage nutrients and safeguard water quality in streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. One grant for $28,000 was awarded to a Worcester County farm, and the improvements it pays for are expected to prevent 46 pounds of nitrogen and 14 pounds of phosphorus from entering waterways. Together, these projects will prevent more than 1,647 pounds of nitrogen, 510 pounds of phosphorus and 442 tons of soil from entering the bay and its tributaries.
Since 1984, the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share Program has been providing farmers with grants to cover up to 87.5 percent of the cost to install conservation measures on their farms to prevent soil erosion, manage nutrients and safeguard water quality. Farmers have spent more than $11 million of their own money to match about $90 million in state water quality cost share funds to install more than 21,000 BMPs to protect water quality.
Coldwell extends coat drive to Jan. 31
OCEAN CITY -- The winter coat drive sponsored by Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage's Ocean City 120th Street office has been extended through Jan. 31. With winter in full swing, there is no better time than now to go through the closets to find old coats, hats, scarves, mittens and any other warm weather gear.
New and used coats are needed for men, women and children and will be handed out to local shelters. So far, approximately 600 coats have been collected, but this is still a far cry from last year's total of 980 coats.
Additionally, the office is collecting canned goods and non-perishable food items that are going to Diakonia in Ocean City. Diakonia is a private non-profit organization serving homeless men, women and families.
You may drop off these items at 12003 Coastal Highway between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. If you cannot get to the office, arrangements will be made for pickup. Contact Sheila Hodges at 410-723-7063 or sheilahodges@cbmove.com for more information or for item pickup.
