MASCD is proud to announce that FSCAP now has at least one certified farm in each of Maryland’s 23 counties. Established in 2010 by the Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts in partnership with Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Maryland Farm Bureau, Maryland Department of Agriculture and the Natural Resource Conservation Service, this unique program recognizes and certifies farmers who have demonstrated a superior level of stewardship. Farmers must demonstrate that they are in full compliance with their nutrient management plan and are addressing all resource concerns on their owned and rented land.
David and Susan Trail of Glendale Farm completed the statewide certification, becoming the first FSCAP certified farm in Allegany County. The cow-calf operation features many best management practices, including the installation of a waste treatment lagoon, over 15,000 feet of stream and pasture fencing, a 4.3 acre riparian forest buffer, 73.2 acres of prescribed grazing, 3 spring developments, and a 4.3 acre upland wildlife management area, just to mention a few. The efforts made by the Trails over the years earned them recognition by the Allegany Soil Conservation District as Cooperator of the Year in both 1984 and 2016.
By recognizing farmers with a strong conservation ethic, FSCAP aims to encourage even more Maryland farmers to achieve certification and participate in new conservation programs, thus strengthening land conservation practices in the state and improving water quality in streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. Currently, there are 146 certified farms throughout the state including dairy, equine, poultry, vineyards, vegetable, grain and orchards among others. Washington County leads the state in the number of farms enrolled with more than 30 certified farms.
The Farm Stewardship Certification and Assessment Program works with local soil conservation districts to evaluate farms. As part of this voluntary comprehensive review, the farm’s nutrient management plan, and soil conservation and water quality plan are reviewed. A site assessment and evaluation is conducted on all owned and leased property to ensure no unaddressed environmental concerns exist.
A typical FSCAP evaluation is completed within two to three hours.
