THE MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL
Farm Stewardship presented by
We are pleased to announce that the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Office of Resource Conservation (ORC) is the new sponsor of the
Maryland Horse Council’s Farm Stewardship column. Te $2.9 billion Maryland equine industry comprises a quarter of the overall agricultural in- dustry in Maryland, which is itself the largest commercial sector in the state. Tis April, ORC launched a new Horse Owner Conservation Outreach Education Program, and we at MHC are thrilled to be partnering with them on this important project. Watch this space for information, research, and tips about how to keep your horses happy and healthy while also helping Maryland reach its conservation goals.
FREE CONSERVATION PLANNING Did you know that there is a simple way to address all your of your
farm’s natural resource concerns instead of tackling problems one by one? Consider getting a Soil Conservation and Water Quality Plan. Tese plans identify and prioritize environmental concerns for your en-
tire operation. Tey are developed free of charge by technical experts in your local soil conservation district and will provide you with a blueprint for making environmental improvements as time, need, and money allow.
A typical Soil Conservation and Water Quality Plan includes: • Farm map • Soil information • Inventory of natural resources • Engineering notes • Recommended best management practices, including weed and pest management
Getting a conservation plan is a voluntary decision that is based on the
needs and objectives of you, the landowner or operator. Best management practices proposed in these plans are also based on your input and needs. Conservation plans are “flexible” and may be altered as your operation or objectives change. What’s more, soil conservation staff can help you navigate state and federal cost share programs that help cover costs to install many types of best management practices.
GET THE CREDIT YOU DESERVE!
Have you installed a conservation practice on your farm without the help of state or federal cost-share assistance? If so, we want to hear from you! Please let us know about any best management practices you have installed on your own to protect soil and water resources. Qualifying projects help protect local streams while ensuring that our state’s equine community gets the credit it deserves for its conservation work.
Tese are the types of practices we are looking for: • Cropland converted to hay or pasture • Dry waste storage structures • Barnyard roof runoff structures • Stream fencing • Alternative watering systems • Composting systems • Rotational grazing • Heavy use areas, and more!
NUMBERS TO KNOW
For more information or free assistance in planning or implementing the best management practices please visit
mda.maryland.gov/HOW or call for a more personal experience.
www.equiery.com | 800-244-9580 MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Nutrient Management Program 410-841-5959 Plant Protection And Weed Management Section 410-841-5920 Pesticide Regulation Section 410-841-5710 Maryland Horse Industry Board 240-344-0000
Univ. of MD Extension Offices Allegany 301-724-3320 Anne Arundel 301-226-7470 Baltimore County 410-887-8090 Baltimore City 410-856-1850 Calvert 410-535-3662 Caroline 410-479-4030 Carroll 410-386-2760 Cecil 410-996-5280 Charles 301-934-5403 Dorchester 410-228-8800 Frederick 301-600-1594 Garrett 301-334-6960 Harford 410-638-3255 Howard 410-313-2707 Kent 410-778-1661 Montgomery 301-590-9638 Prince George’s 301-868-9367 Queen Anne’s 410-758-0166 St. Mary’s 301-475-4484 Somerset 410-651-1350 Talbot 410-822-1244 Washington 301-791-1304 Wicomico 410-749-6141 Worcester 410-632-1972
MD’s Soil Conservation Districts Allegany 301-777-1747, ext. 3 Anne Arundel 410-571-6757 Baltimore 410-527-5920, ext. 3 Calvert 410-535-1521, ext. 3 Caroline 410-479-1202, ext. 3 Carroll 410-848-8200, ext. 3 Cecil 410-398-4411, ext. 3 Charles 301-638-3028 Dorchester 410-228-5640, ext. 3 Frederick 301-695-2803, ext. 3 Garrett 301-501-5856, ext. 3 Harford 410-638-4828 Howard 410-313-0680 Kent 410-778-5150, ext. 3 Montgomery 301-590-2855 Prince George’s 301-574-5162, ext. 3 Queen Anne’s 410-758-3136, ext. 3 St. Mary’s 301-475-8402, ext. 3 Somerset 410-621-9310 Talbot 410-822-1577, ext. 5 Washington 301-797-6821, ext. 3 Wicomico 410-546-4777, ext. 3 Worcester 410-632-5439, ext. 3
THE EQUIERY YOUR MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL PUBLICATION | MAY 2024 | 41
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