Construction of new drainage water management system to better manage water levels in-field.
On February 5, ShoreRivers will host a workshop in Princess Anne on building farm resiliency through improved water management and soil health. The workshop is free and open to the public and will focus on innovative practices that benefit both farm productivity and conservation efforts. Farmers, landowners, and agricultural professionals are encouraged to attend.
This workshop is being held in partnership with University of Maryland Extension and will be at their Somerset Office at 30730 Park Drive in Princess Anne, MD. The workshop will run from 9 am - 2 pm with lunch provided. To RSVP, please contact Laura Wood at lwood@shorerivers.org or 410-810-7556 ext. 276.
Water availability and soil health have a big impact on farm productivity and resiliency. The workshop will feature presentations from ShoreRivers and University of Maryland Extension staff on innovative conservation drainage practices, the agronomic benefits of building healthy soils, and an overview of Chesapeake Bay water quality goals and how agricultural conservation practices can help meet them.
Farmers located on the upper eastern shore can expect a similar event hosted more locally in late Spring of 2020 as a part of this series of workshops funded by Northeast Extension Risk Management Education.
Agenda
9:00 am - Arrive
9:15 am – Welcome and Introductions
9:30 am – Conservation Drainage Practices
Tim Rosen, ShoreRivers Director of Agriculture and Restoration, will describe innovative drainage water management and conservation drainage practices that can be utilized to maximize agronomic benefit in both wet and dry spells.
10:15am – Benefits of Building Healthy Soils
Sarah Hirsh, University of Maryland Extension Agriculuture Agent, will discuss the importance of soil health and the agronomic and conservation benefits it provides, as well as the practices that promote it.
11:00am – Water Quality Regulations in the Chesapeake Bay
Matt Pluta, ShoreRivers Choptank Riverkeeper, will provide an overview of current water quality regulations in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. He will discuss the Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) that define nutrient and sediment goals and Watershed Implementation Plans (WIPs) aimed at reaching them, and how implementing conservation practices proactively can reduce regulatory pressure down the line.
11:45pm – Lunch and Evaluations
12:30pm – Field Visit
We will visit a nearby farm that has used cover crops and no-till and has a conservation drainage project that includes drainage water management and a structure for water control at the outlet. Tim Rosen will discuss the practices, installation process, and effectiveness – at 10010 Arden Station Rd., Princess Anne, MD.