Help Available for Dairy Farms

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Qualifying dairy farmers who wish to change their herd's diet to a pasture-based forage system are in luck! They can receive help with pasture improvements, installing a watering system and erecting fences. To assist in the conversion, they can also receive assistance from the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share (MACS) Program and the USDA's Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for other best management practices.

Thanks to a Conservation Innovation Program Grant provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Frederick and Washington County Cooperative Extension offices and the Soil Conservation District's are working with interested farmers to assist with conversion of dairy herd diet to a pasture-based forage system that can reduce operating costs, improve herd health, improve manure management, reduce soil erosion and improve water quality and expand marketing opportunities. Mark Seibert, District Conservationist, reports that presently four farmers are participating, two each from Washington and Frederick Counties.

Click here for additional information on the program.