MARYLAND BAY-FRIENDLY FARMING by Katherine O. Rizzo T e Maryland Bay-Friendly Farming pro-
gram recognizes and supports certifi ed bay- friendly farmers who strive to keep waterways and natural resources healthy. T e program was created by the Maryland Association of Conservation Districts (MASCD) to promote farmers who “go the extra mile” to keep our water, farmland, and other natural resources healthy. T e program believes these eff orts of farmers benefi t all by conserving water, soil, and open space. Farmers throughout the state can apply to be
a “Certifi ed Bay-Friendly Farm” and are evalu- ated based on “measures related to soil health, water quality, nutrient management, and other criteria.” Farms are evaluated by a team of ag- ricultural and environmental experts includ- ing those from the program’s core partners: MASCD, Maryland Farm Bureau, Chesa- peake Bay Foundation, Maryland Department of Agriculture and USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service. T e program is supported through grant
funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Maryland Soybean Board, the Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and the Chesapeake Bay Trust.
By the Numbers
T ere are 124 Certifi ed Bay-Friendly Farms in Maryland that, taken together, cover over 56,000 acres of conserved land. T irty-two of
these farms are horse farms. T ese 32 farms have conserved 3,237 acres of farmland. Currently, 11 counties are represented in the
program with Cecil County boasting the most acres conserved. Cecil County has a total of 675 acres in the program from two horse farms: Hilltop Farm and Tapeta Farm. Montgomery County is ranked second with 534 acres across four farms (Waredaca, Meadowbrook Stables, Wyndham Oaks, and Brooke Grove Farm). Baltimore County is third with 437 acres con- served, located at one farm (Sagamore Farm). T e top largest horse farms in the program
are: • Sagamore Farm (Baltimore) – 437 acres • Hilltop Farm (Cecil) – 425 acres • Marriottsville Ridge (Howard) – 343 acres • Tapeta Farm (Cecil) – 250 acres • Waredaca (Montgomery) – 220 acres
For a full list of certifi ed Maryland horse
farms, go to:
https://bayfriendlyfarms.com/ support-certifi ed-horse-farms/
Certifi cation Process T e Maryland Bay-Friendly Farming (BFF)
program is a voluntary program to which farm- ers apply for certifi cation. Maryland BFF staff work with the farmer and the county Soil Con- servation District (SCD) to do a site visit and to review the farm’s existing nutrient manage- ment plan, soil conservation and water quality plans, and any other relevant documents to de- termine if the farm complies with the certifi ca- tion standard.
During the site visit, the Maryland BFF as-
sessor and SCD technical staff will walk the farm to verify that any resource concerns have been addressed. If any additional Best Man- agement Practices (BMPs) are needed, the farm owner can ask for free technical assistance from SCD to install additional conservation measures as needed. Farms are assessed based on four criteria: i) successful implementation of a Nutrient Man- agement Plan that meets all state standards; ii) high level of use of BMPs that address any concerns raised by assessors; iii) verifi cation of the farm’s Soil Conservation and Water Qual- ity plan; and iv) fencing around active pastures to prevent horses from wading in and through the streams.
Benefi ts of Certifi cation Once certifi ed, farms in the program are is-
sued a three-year waiver from state nutrient management inspections. T e operator also re- ceives signage to display at the property recog- nizing the farm as being a Maryland BFF farm. Certifi ed farms are recognized on MASCD’s
website and social media platforms, and partic- ipating farms gain access to various marketing materials and new conservation opportunities. Tenant farmers are eligible to receive $50
per acre (up to $2,500 per farm) to develop a fi ve-year written lease with the landowner that includes conservation provisions. For more information about the Maryland
Bay-Friendly Farming program, go to: https://
bayfriendlyfarms.com/
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