Nutrient Management Plan Writing Assistance Remains in Effect to Help Farmers

ANNAPOLIS, MD (March 25, 2010) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) announced today that it will continue its support of the University of Maryland Extension (UME) to continue the State’s nutrient management plan writing activities through Fiscal Year 2011 at the same level as 2010.   Additional funding opportunities provided by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for Chesapeake Bay water quality implementation will be used to maintain and enhance the program, which was at risk of being eliminated.
“I would like to reassure the agricultural community that the University of Maryland Extension and MDA have worked out a way for nutrient management plan writing activities to continue and meet new water quality responsibilities through Fiscal Year 2011,” said Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance.  “Despite a very challenging budget situation, we are committed to tapping all resources available to provide plan writing assistance and other technical and financial resources to help our farmers further protect soil and water, achieve the Bay milestones and meet regulatory requirements.  We recognize the importance of the nutrient management program and that agricultural operations are strong environmental stewards.  Together we are leading the way to a smart, green and growing future.”
The University of Maryland Extension and MDA conduct training programs so that farmers, consultants and others can become certified to write plans. In 2009, 1,096 consultants had successfully been certified. Since its inception in 2005, 310 farmers have been certified to write plans for their own operations through a specialized Farmer Training and Certification program.
Mandated by state law in 1998, the Nutrient Management Program requires Maryland farmers to protect waterways from farm runoff by following nutrient management plans beginning in 2001when caring for livestock and applying fertilizer, manure or other nutrient sources to agricultural land.
Nutrient management plans are science-based documents that help farmers manage fertilizers, animal manure and other nutrient sources more efficiently to meet crop needs while protecting water quality in streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.  All farmers grossing $2,500 a year or more or livestock producers with 8,000 pounds or more of live animal weight are required by law to run their operations using a nutrient management plan that addresses both nitrogen and phosphorus inputs.  The requirement applies to all agricultural land used to produce plants, food, feed, fiber, animals or other agricultural products. The Nutrient Management Program’s 2009 annual report is available at www.mda.state.md.us/pdf/nmar09.pdf.
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