Services & Programs

CONSERVATION PLANS:

Developing Soil Conservation and Water Quality Plans for Wicomico County farms is a key function of the district's technical staff. These are comprehensive farm management plans that identify existing and potential pollution concerns. They allow the farmer to implement best management practices to both protect the area’s natural resources and improve profitability. The district aims to develop a plan for each of the county's farming operations. Conservation plans are not mandatory unless a farm is granted state or federal money for cost-share programs, agricultural land preservation programs, or if the farm falls within the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area. If you are interested in having a plan created for your farm, please contact our office.

STATE COST-SHARE PROGRAMS:

-Cover Crop Program
-Critical Area Planting
-Crop Residue Management
-Crop Rotation
-Dead Bird Composting Facility
-Grade Control Structure
-Heavy Use Area Protection
-Manure Transport
-Manure Waste Storage
-Pasture Planting
-Riparian Buffer
-Rotational Grazing
-Windbreaks for Poultry
-Winter Cover Crop

More information about each of these programs can be found at the links below:
http://www.mda.state.md.us/resource_conservation/financial_assistance/index.php
http://www.mascd.net/choices/choice_bmp_list.htm

USDA/NRCS COST-SHARE PROGRAMS

-Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs

-Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp

-Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP)
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip

-Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP)
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/

-Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)