{"id":24721,"date":"2020-10-02T10:38:59","date_gmt":"2020-10-02T14:38:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=24721"},"modified":"2020-10-06T11:01:11","modified_gmt":"2020-10-06T15:01:11","slug":"epa-maryland-sign-pact-to-expand-efforts-supporting-clean-water-healthy-farms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/press-release\/2020\/10\/02\/epa-maryland-sign-pact-to-expand-efforts-supporting-clean-water-healthy-farms\/","title":{"rendered":"EPA, Maryland Sign Pact to Expand Efforts Supporting Clean Water, Healthy Farms"},"content":{"rendered":"

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PRESTON, MD <\/strong>\u2013 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) signed a five-year, first-of-its-kind Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Tuesday, Sept. 29 to expand joint activities supporting the agencies\u2019 shared goal of cleaner water and sustainable farms.<\/p>\n

EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio and Maryland Agriculture Secretary Joseph Bartenfelder signed the agreement at ARK Farms in Caroline County, Maryland in front of a small group of EPA representatives, MDA staff, and several members of the Caroline County Soil Conservation District Board.<\/p>\n

The MOU formalizes a partnership between the two agencies and expands activities to prioritize funding, coordinate on regulatory programs, recognize farmers for environmental stewardship, and enhance opportunities for a dialogue with the agricultural community.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis agreement builds on the actions our agencies are taking together and with the broader agricultural community to promote a vibrant farm economy and clean rivers and streams,\u201d said Servidio. \u201cThis MOU formalizes our work together in the pursuit of solutions that are good for both agriculture and the environment.\u201d<\/p>\n

EPA has developed similar agreements with other states in the Mid-Atlantic region.<\/p>\n

“Maryland farmers are known across the nation as leaders in conservation practices like cover crops and no-till,” said Bartenfelder. “Living in such close proximity to the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, protecting the environment and improving water quality is top-of-mind for Maryland farmers. This agreement between MDA and the EPA strengthens the commitment our agriculture industry has to environmental stewardship.”<\/p>\n

In the agreement, the agencies commit to the goal of \u201cwell-managed, sustainable farms that produce food for our communities and a clean environment for everyone to enjoy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Under the MOU, the agencies intend to:<\/p>\n