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/.

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.

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

• Talbot SCD recent hires:

  • Andrea Negele, Soil Conservation Associate II, MDA

  • Grayson Smith, Agricultural Resource Conservation Specialist I, MDA

  • Kelley Hackett, Administrative Assistant, SCD

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.

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.