Governor O’Malley Applauds New USDA Resource Conservation Report

(Annapolis, MD) – The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) released a new report showing a record number of voluntary conservation practices adopted by Chesapeake Bay farmers since 2006. The effort has resulted in a significant reduction in the amount of nitrogen, sediment and phosphorus chemicals leaving cultivated croplands.

“This report underscores what we have known in Maryland for quite some time: our farmers are strong environmental stewards who continue to lead in enhancing the way nutrients are used on their farms,” said Governor O’Malley. “This type of large-scale change does not just happen by chance, it happens by choice. It takes real effort, knowledge of cutting-edge farming practices, soil science and crop needs, financial commitment and strong teamwork. I want to thank the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, soil conservation districts, and most of all, our farmers for their continued partnership in restoring our beloved Chesapeake Bay.”

The O’Malley Administration is committed to ensuring farmers have the resources in place to meet our shared water quality goals. Most notable, from 2007 – 2013 the O’Malley-Brown Administration has:

Provided more than $93 million in support for 2.1 million acres of fall planted cover crops which prevented 12.6 million pounds of nitrogen and 420,000 pounds of phosphorus from impacting local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay. In FY13 alone, Governor O’Malley provided a record $22 million in funding for cover crops, which enabled 1,860 farmers to plant a record 413,300 acres of cover crops last year. MDA streamlined program requirements and tied incentives to prioritized environmental benefits and farmers responded by increasing participation in the program from 57 to 70 percent.

Provided the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost Share Program with $39.3 million to support best management practice (BMP) implementation. Farmers matched state funds with $7 million of their own money for installation of 3,933 BMPs and will continue to use personal resources to maintain these BMPs. These practices are preventing 1.93 million pounds of nitrogen, 376,000 pounds of phosphorus and 105,000 tons of sediment from entering the Chesapeake Bay.

Helped accelerate Chesapeake Bay Restoration by establishing the Agricultural Certainty Program in 2011, which provides incentives to farmers to accelerate the implementation of best management practices.

Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance added, “Maryland has the most comprehensive set of nutrient management standards in the Bay watershed ensuring that all of our producers put the right amount of nutrients in the right place and the right time by the right method. On-farm conservation practices result in well-managed farms that provide cleaner water, healthy local food, profitable farms, stronger rural economies, and the open space from which all Marylanders benefit.”

Maryland agriculture is a $2.1 billion industry, encompassing more than two million acres of land – or one-third of the state’s land mass. The majority of Maryland’s 12,800 farms are owned by individual families.

The full report “Impacts of Conservation Adoption on Cultivated Acres of Cropland in the Chesapeake Bay Region, 2003-06 to 2011” is available online.

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