What is a Soil Conservation & Water Quality Plan and why should I have one for my farm?

Soil Conservation and Water Quality Plans (SCWQP) or Conservation Plans are a valuable tool for farmers and landowners to manage resources and improve profitability. A conservation plan is a working document designed to fit each individual farmer's needs while protecting and conserving their soil and water resources.

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Talbot SCD Accepting Scholarship Applications

Talbot SCD is now accepting applications for the 2025 Roy R. Scott Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship is for deserving students who are pursuing a career focused on agricultural or civil engineering, or an agricultural related program specifically addressing natural resources and/or conservation. Academic achievement and participation in extra/intra curricular activities warrant consideration.

Deadline to submit is March 14, 2025. Applications must be delivered or mailed to 28577 Marys Court, Ste 3, Easton, MD 21601. Awardee will be notified by end of May.

How to Submit an Erosion & Sediment Control Plan

Talbot SCD requires all Erosion & Sediment Control (ESC) Plans to be uploaded by visiting our Erosion & Sediment Control page. Please use the link or button to visit the site.

2023 Cooperator of the Year - Twin Cedar Farms

OCT 2024 | Cordova, MD

Talbot Soil Conservation District Board of Supervisors is proud to recognize Webb Dulin Jr. of Twin Cedar Farms as our 2023 Cooperator of the Year.

Twin Cedar Farms, a pasture based grazing operation, utilizes best management practices that benefit the health and profitability of the cattle, while also maintaining integrity for our land and soils. Mr. Dulin has worked with Talbot SCD to design a highly efficient rotational grazing operation based on his business goals. Through our financial assistance programs, he installed several practices such as fencing, pasture and hay planting, pipeline, watering troughs, and a couple of stream crossings.

Twin Cedar Farms was recognized on Oct. 23, 2024, by Talbot Soil Conservation District, Maryland State Senate, Maryland House of Delegates, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Maryland Department of Agriculture, for his dedication to commitment to conservation.

To learn more about Twin Cedar Farms, visit https://www.twincedarfarms.com/.

Advocating For Agriculture and Conservation

February 2025 | Annapolis, MD

Representatives from Talbot SCD, Kent SWCD and Dorchester SCD met with local legislators in Annapolis this past month to discuss legislation affecting agriculture and conservation efforts.

John Swaine III, MASCD President and Talbot SCD Chairman, led the discussions with several legislators who represents various areas of Maryland.

Pictured left to right is Johnny Mautz, Maryland State Senator from the 37th District, John Swaine III, Charlie Miller, Kent SWCD Chairman, Robert Baldwin, Kent SWCD Manager, Shawn Smith, Talbot SCD Manager, Karen Houtman, Dorchester SCD Manager.

Change at the District

  • Gavin Roe has been nominated and approved as our At-Large Board Member by the State Soil Conservation Committee (SSCC).

  • Maryland Department of Agriculture Recent Hires -

    • Grayson Smith, Agricultural Resource Conservation Specialist I

    • George Bradley, Soil Conservation Associate II

FSCAP is now Bay Friendly Farms

During the MASCD summer meeting held in August, 2023, the former FSCAP program (Farm Stewardship Certification Assessment Program) was announced to the membership as Bay Friendly Farms program. Rebranding the program to highlight the importance of good stewardship on farmland in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Farmers can now work with the Districts to certify their operation as “Bay Friendly” and receive recognition on their website, bayfriendlyfarms.com, and with a sign for their farm headquarters. To learn more about the program, visit bayfriendlyfarms.com, or stop in the District.

Conservation Spotlight: Wetland Restorations

Talbot SCD Manager, Shawn Smith, and the 2021 Cooperator of the Year, Ernie Burns, discuss the benefits of restoring wetlands on marginal farmland. To view more Maryland Conservation Spotlights, visit @MdAgDept on YouTube.


 

Talbot Soil Conservation District, which formed in 1958, is a sub-division of state government and is one of 24 Conservation Districts throughout the State of Maryland.