Developing Soil Conservation and Water Quality Plans for Wicomico County farms is a key function of the district’s technical staff. These are comprehensive farm management plans that identify existing and potential pollution concerns.

They allow the farmer to implement best management practices to both protect the area’s natural resources and improve profitability. The district aims to develop a plan for each of the county’s farming operations. Conservation plans are not mandatory unless a farm is granted state or federal money for cost-share programs, agricultural land preservation programs, or if the farm falls within the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area.

If you are interested in having a plan created for your farm, please contact our office.

Tools

• Agricultural Conservation Leasing Guide
• Beginning Farmer Guidebook
• Chesapeake TMDL Maps & Tracker
• Custom Farm Rates
• Maryland Noxious Weed ID Guide
• Spotted Lanternfly Guide ( Report a sighting )
• Maryland Real Property Search
• Web Soil Survey (WSS)
• Northeast Cover Crop Council Cover Crop Species Selection Tool
• Concrete Contractors
• Pollinator Planting Contractors
• CRP Planting Contractors
• Energy Contractors
• Excavation Contractors
• PWSS and DPCF Contractors

Forms

• Cover Crop Tracking Form
• Cover Crop Seed Testing Form
• Conservation Agreement Form
• Maryland Income Tax Subtraction Modification for Conservation Equipment Brochure
• Income Tax Subtraction Form

State Programs

• Ag Land Preservation
• Animal Waste Technology Fund
• Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
• Cover Crop Program
• Manure Transport & Matching Service
• Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost Share Program (MACS)
• University of Maryland Extension

USDA/NRCS Programs

• Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
• Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP)
• Wetland Reserve Program (WRP)
• Working Lands For Wildlife (WLFW)