~ The Maryland Department of Agriculture has recently launched a new outreach campaign aimed at promoting stream protection and herd health among farmers. The campaign, which began on January 29, 2025, aims to educate farmers about the benefits of fencing livestock out of streams and providing them with clean water sources.

According to Maryland Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks, farmers who have implemented these practices have reported improved productivity and weight gain in their livestock, as well as cleaner waterways. The department is encouraging farmers who own farmland next to streams to contact their local soil conservation district for free technical assistance in installing stream protection practices that comply with state setback requirements.

The campaign will run throughout the month of February and includes a 30-second public service announcement that will be aired on local news, cable, and broadcast networks, including Maryland Public Television. In addition, social media messaging will be shared across various digital platforms.

The department's Conservation Grants Program offers financial incentives to support a range of practices that promote healthy waterways and livestock. These include up to 87.5% cost-share for Livestock Watering Facilities, Livestock Exclusion Fencing, Stream Crossings, and up to 100% cost-share plus $2 for each tree planted for Stream Buffers. Additionally, the Conservation Buffer Initiative offers up to $4,500 an acre for installing a riparian forest buffer with pasture fencing. Farmers who participate in this program may also receive a one-time bonus payment of $1,000 per acre.

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Another program available is the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), which is a federal-state partnership that pays attractive land rental rates to remove environmentally sensitive agricultural land out of production for 10-15 years and install conservation practices to protect streams. Similar to the Conservation Buffer Initiative, new riparian forest buffers installed through this program may also qualify for a one-time bonus payment of $1,000 per acre.

Farmers and agricultural landowners who are interested in learning more about the department's stream protection practices can visit their website. Free technical assistance and application support for most projects are available through local soil conservation districts.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture hopes that this outreach campaign will not only benefit farmers and their livestock, but also contribute to the overall health of the environment. By promoting stream protection and herd health, they aim to create a sustainable future for both agriculture and the community.

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