THE MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL
Farm Stewardship presented by
The Maryland Conservation Partnership by Maryland Department of Agriculture Offi ce of Resource Conservation
Learn more at
MDA.MARYLAND.GOV/HOW If you own or operate a farm in
Maryland, the Maryland Conserva- tion Partnership can help with many aspects of conserving the natural re- sources on your property. T e part- nership consists of governmental and non-governmental entities geared to- wards reducing erosion and nutrient runoff from agricultural land by uti- lizing both agronomic and structural Best Management Practices (BMP) and cost-share opportunities. Assis- tance from the Conservation Partner- ship is free and it off ers a variety of programs and services.
Who is the Maryland Conservation Partnership? T e Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), Offi ce of Resource
Conservation has employees both at MDA headquarters in Annapolis and in fi eld offi ces (such as Soil Conservation Districts) across the state. T ey assist farm owners and operators in writing Soil Conservation and Water Quality Plans (Farm plans), planning/designing/installing BMPs, and navigating state and federal cost-share programs.
United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conser- vation Service (USDA-NRCS) & Farm Service Agency (USDA - FSA) USDA employees are located in their State Offi ce in Annapolis and
in fi eld offi ces across the state. NRCS is the technical lead in each Soil Conservation District and maintains the standards and specifi cations for Soil Conservation and Water Quality Plans and BMPs. NRCS staff write Soil Conservation and Water Quality Plans, plan/design/certify BMPs, and navigate state and federal cost-share programs. NRCS may also have grazing or forestry specialists in offi ces across the state. FSA provides support to conservation staff and programs, disaster relief programs and loan programs for agricultural operations.
Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) T e Western Maryland RC&D and Southern Maryland RC&D part- ner with NRCS to provide staff and support. RC&D employees may include a program support specialist, forester, biologist, conservation technicians, planners, and a grazing specialist.
www.equiery.com | 800-244-9580 THE EQUIERY YOUR MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL PUBLICATION | DECEMBER 2024 | 43
University of Maryland Extension (UMD Extension) University of Maryland Extension off ers practical, research-based re-
sources to help horse farm owners manage their operations more sustain- ably and effi ciently. With offi ces in each county, Extension provides local- ized support through workshops, demonstrations, and expert guidance on topics like pasture management, equine nutrition, environmental steward- ship, and horse health. T eir goal is to empower farm owners with the tools needed to enhance productivity and protect natural resources.
Soil Conservation Districts (SCD) SCDs exist in every county and function independently under a Board
of Supervisors. SCD employees may include the District Manager, ad- ministrative specialists, urban reviewers and planners, conservation and engineering technicians, soil agricultural resource conservation special- ists, and stormwater specialists. Many SCDs are fi eld offi ces for the MDA, NRCS, and RC&D employees.
For more information on each of these Maryland Conservation Partnership programs, visit
mda.maryland.gov/HOV
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