2015 Annual Implementation Reporting Forms Mailed to Farmers; Now Available Online

ANNAPOLIS, Md.—The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s 2015 Annual Implementation Reporting Forms and instructions have been mailed to about 5,500 Maryland farmers who are regulated under the Nutrient Management Program. These farmers are required to manage their farms using nutrient management plans and submit annual reporting forms to the department by March 1, 2016, describing nutrient applications made during calendar year 2015.  The forms are also available on the department’s website.

New this year, farmers will be asked to provide information on organic materials that have been transported in and out of Maryland. In addition, the section on innovative management practices has been expanded.

Confined Animal Feeding Operations operating under a permit from the Maryland Department of the Environment should submit one combined Reporting Form along with a manure analysis to the Nutrient Management Program.

Farmers should follow these guidelines when completing their Annual Implementation Reporting Forms: 

• Use the pre-filled reporting form that was mailed. Additional reporting forms and instructions may be downloaded at maryland.gov.
• Do not leave spaces blank. If nutrients were not applied, write “none applied” or place a zero in the box.
• If the information requested does not apply to your operation, write N/A in the box.
• Use the pre-printed envelope to mail the report by the March 1 deadline.
• Failure to submit the reporting form may result in fines and/or loss of eligibility to receive cost-share funds.

“Nutrient management reporting forms verify that farmers are working to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus from entering local streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay,” said Maryland Agriculture Secretary Joe Bartenfelder. “I urge all Maryland farmers to complete and mail their reporting forms to the department by the March 1 deadline so that we can fully account for everything that agriculture is doing to protect the Bay from excess nutrients.”

For more information, farmers should contact their regional nutrient management office.

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