New Poultry Farmers Use NRCS Conservation Program to Protect the Chesapeake Bay
Muoi and Johnathan Tran raise chickens on Maryland's eastern shore, where the management of livestock manure and litter is highly scrutinized. With help from NRCS and the Chesapake Bay Watershed Initiative, the Trans are able to reduce pollution, remain profitable and improve water quality.
Organic Farm Diversifies With Seasonal High Tunnel
At Whitmore Farm, a variety of heritage breed livestock- rabbits, goats, chicken, hogs and lamb- take center stage. When owner Will Morrow decided to raise vegetables as well, he turned to NRCS' Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative to extend the growing season and maximize productivity on his small farm.
At Panora Acres in Carroll County Maryland, the Sellers family had 300 head of dairy cattle eroding the stream banks and increasing nutrient concentrations in runoff. Through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the family installed stream crossings to allow safe passage and avoid erosion and nutrients in the stream. They fenced their cattle out of 2 1/2 miles of the stream and planted buffers to stabilize the banks.
