Courtesy Maryland Association of Soil Conservation DistrictsFarmers Steve Ernst ( leave ) and J.D. Rinehart ( right ) accepted honors from Buddy Hance ( middle ) , Maryland ’s agriculture secretaire for being good stewards of their farming area .
This summer , members of Maryland ’s agricultural and environmental community launched the Farm Stewardship Certification and Assessment Program , which recognize farmers who are right stewards of their rude resources and are using appropriate best - direction practice to protect the Chesapeake Bay .
Two Maryland farm were officially license in the new program as part of the launch spearheaded by the Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts : Ernst Grain and Livestock in Clear Spring and Rinehart Orchard in Smithburg .
The purpose of the Farm Stewardship Certification and Assessment Program is to recognize farmers who are using in force - management practice on their farm to eliminate significant corroding or nutrient loss , tell Don Spickler , Maryland ’s Washington County territorial dominion supervisor . The farm undergo a regulative inspection of their nutrient - management architectural plan by the Maryland Department of Agriculture to guarantee deference with the country ’s Water Quality Improvement Act .
The USDA ’s Natural Resources Conservation Service supplies technical support within the FSCAP marrow partnership team and assist in the development of the Agricultural Conservation Stewardship Certification Standard .
“ For 75 years , NRCS has act upon with secret property owner across the rural area to help contrive and implement preservation practice that fulfil good proficient standards , ” says Jon Hall , Maryland ’s NRCS state conservationist . “ We receive the chance to showcase Farmer who have set up preservation practices to plow natural resourcefulness concerns on their ag solid ground . ”
Speaking on behalf of the 30,000 farm and rural menage members of Maryland Farm Bureau , Valerie Connelly , the chest ’s film director of governmental relation , welcomed the new preservation course of study as a way for Farmer to showcase the conservation efforts they have accomplished .
“ Maryland farmer have ferment diligently over the class to install serious - direction practices on their farms to handle farm nutrients and belittle anysoil loss . This program provides a tool for farmers to be agnize for their retiring efforts , ” Connelly says . “ As we move into the next stage of Bay restoration activities , it is important that these past efforts be recognized and that farmers are assisted in settle if there are other chance for advancing conservation activities on their land . ”
husbandman who become certify under the FSCAP programme will only undergo inspection every three old age by the Maryland Department of Agriculture , as long as they submit farm reports on a regular basis , grant to Buddy Hance , Maryland ’s secretary of husbandry .
Recipients of the credentials Carlton Ernst and his son , Steve nurture food grain , hog and sheep at the 500 - acre Ernst Grain and Livestock Farm . They have incorporated a mixed bag of technique on their farm to manage nutrient and understate sediment release , including the implementation of an animal - waste depot bodily structure , filter striptease , cover crop , crop rotation , residue direction no - till , prescribed grazing and riparian forest buffer .
John Rinehart and his son , J.D. , of Rinehart Orchard also received enfranchisement as part of the launch . They produce 200 acres of peaches and 300 acres of apples in their orchards . Among the best - management practices carried out on the Rinehart farm are an agrichemical manipulation facility , pest management , nutrient management and conservation crop rotation .
