This is the time of year when our fields are planted in young, green cover crops. They add organic matter to the soil, retain the nitrogen from last season, and add some more, so we don’t have to spread fertilizers. Don’t you wish all farmers did that?
Nitrogen pollution is a big problem in the Chesapeake Bay. Two years ago Maryland committed to improving the 66 largest sewage treatment plants in Maryland. This one action will, when completed, remove close to half the nitrogen pollution entering the Bay from Maryland sources. Congratulations!
So now it’s the farmers’ turn to reduce pollution from agriculture (another major source of nitrogen in the Bay). The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (the organization that owns Clagett Farm), is asking Governor Erlich to budget $120 million to help farmers use Bay-friendly agricultural practices, such as planting cover crops in their fields and forest buffers along the streams. That’s less than one half of one percent of the state’s budget. That money also includes additional funds for farmland preservation.
If you would like to read a more detailed description of this proposal, check out
In the meantime, write your Governor a Christmas card! Ask him to fully fund agricultural conservation programs in the 2007 budget.
Governor Robert Ehrlich, Jr.
Office of the Governor
State House
Annapolis, Maryland 21401-1925
Our members and volunteers have gone the extra mile to support our little farm, and I’m sure one big reason is that you want to encourage environmentally responsible farming practices and farmland preservation. Well now is your big chance to tell the Governor what you think.
Thanks everyone! This means a lot to us!
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