Annual Implementation Reports (AIR) Submittal **Extension**
The Maryland Department of Agriculture has extended the deadline for farmers to submit Annual Implementation Reports (AIRs) for 2025 nutrient applications to April 1, 2026. This extension also applies to Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs).
Due to unforeseen printing issues, AIRs for several regions of the state will not be mailed until later this week. To accommodate the delayed delivery of these personalized paper reporting forms, MDA has extended the deadline by one month. Thank you to the farmers who reached out with their concerns; your feedback is greatly appreciated!
As a reminder, electronic reporting is available through Maryland OneStop. Those who are new to this electronic reporting option will need to register for an account. In addition, blank paper reporting forms are available for download on the department’s website. For more information, farmers should contact their regional nutrient management office.
ATTENTION LIVESTOCK FARMERS:
If your pasture borders a stream, explore our financial incentives for stream protection practices that support healthy waterways and livestock. Cost-shared practices such as stream fencing can also help you comply with the Nutrient Management Program’s livestock setback requirements for streams.Keeping animals away from waterways:
- Protects local streams and drinking water.
- Prevents erosion, pollution, and habitat loss from animal traffic.
- Ensures compliance with livestock setback requirements.
- Reduces the risk of diseases and injuries to your herd, such as mastitis, scours, foot rot, and calving losses.
- Improves productivity and weight gain
MDA offers a full range of cost-share grants and incentives to enhance your herd’s health while protecting your stream.
Visit: https://mda.maryland.gov/resource_conservation/Pages/stream-protection.aspx or call the office for more information.
Annual Implementation Reports (AIRs)
Documenting nutrient applications for Calendar Year 2025 are due to the Nutrient Management Program by March 1, 2026. Farmers have two reporting options:
- Farmers who want to submit their 2025 AIRs electronically should visit the Maryland OneStop Portal. Farmers new to Maryland OneStop will need to register for an account. Returning farmers should log in using the email and password you used to set up the account.
- Farmers who want to submit paper reports may download either the standard AIR or the CAFO reporting form to their devices before completing.
- Instructions for Completing the 2025 AIR
- 2025 AIR Form (Please print out this form and complete using a pen.)
- 2025 AIR Form (Please print out this form and complete using a pen.)
- 2025 CAFO Form (Please print out this form and complete using a pen.)
Updated 1/14/26
$500 Annual Scholarship Opportunity
The Worcester Soil Conservation District Board of Supervisors is offering their third-annual $500 scholarship to support a High School Senior or College Student pursuing post-secondary education in 2026.
Students must be a resident of Worcester County and entering a field of study beneficial to Agriculture. Applications available here and at the SCD office in Snow Hill.
Deadline to submit an Application is May 1, 2026
Lower Shore Agronomy Day 01/21/2026
Please join us for the Lower Shore Agronomy Day, which will be held Wednesday January 21, 2026 at the Somerset Civic Center, Princess Anne, MD.
Registration: https://go.umd.edu/2026agday or call 410-651-1350.
Free event. Light breakfast and hot lunch included.
Maryland and Delaware continuing education credits offered in nutrient management (all categories), private and commercial pesticide applicator, and Certified Crop Adviser (CCA).
2026 Worcester PDA Annual Meetings Scheduled
NEW SCD Board Member – Valeria Nasir
Appointed by State Soil Conservation Committee per Worcester Farm Bureau Nomination on 10/16/25.
Val is a business woman, poultry producer, and Real-Estate Advisor who recently served on the Maryland USDA-FSA State Committee.
Oath of Office completed 11/12/25. WELCOME VAL!
Rotem Controller Training
Wednesday, December 10th, 2025
9 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Register to Attend: https://forms.gle/dtoDe4dfJr9UKHpf6
Somerset County Agricultural & Civic Center,
11828 Crisfield Ln, Princess Anne, MD 21853
Snacks and lunch will be provided by Diversified Agriculture
Broiler Health Update
Wednesday, November 12th, 2025–11:30 -1:00 in Salisbury at the MDA Diagnostic Lab (27722 Nanticoke Rd., Salisbury, MD 21801)
https://forms.gle/uJosTr24UY6pQm6p7
Thursday, November 13th in Denton at Caroline County
4-H Park (8230 Detour Rd., Denton, MD 21629)
https://forms.gle/8JXk4pLJL2jggXqJ8
A light lunch will be provided to all who register
10/01/2025
Notice: USDA OFFICE CLOSED
As of 10/01/2025 our office is locked due to the federal government shut-down. State employees are still working and addressing MDA/SCD workloads. Call us at 410-632-5439 option 3. Thank you for your patience!
District Manager, Chelsea Tyson direct dial: 443-234-3016
08/18/2025
Commercial Poultry Expo September 3rd
On-farm Field Day ‘inside’ at the Somerset County Civic Center
Wednesday, September 3, 2025 from 9am – 2:00pm
Industry Vendors, Tradeshow, and Educational Programs
Somerset County Civic Center
11828 Crisfield Lane, Princess Anne, MD 21853
Cost: FREE! Lunch included
Nutrient Management Credits Available
Register here: Commercial Poultry Expo! Sept 3, 2025 9am-2pm
08/07/2025
Worcester County Fair August 8-10
John Walter Smith Park, Snow Hill, MD
Drone Demonstrations, Livestock, Full schedule: click here
07/29/25
CONSERVATION PRACTICES AT WORK ON AN EASTERN SHORE CHICKEN FARM
Learn how this local Maryland farm family works to raise healthy chickens while protecting the natural resources that we all depend on.
Thank you Far and Val!
07/23/25
Southern Maryland Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Program Support Specialist-CLOSED
RC&D has a job opening for Program Support Specialist here in Snow Hill. Applications will be accepted until August 3, 2025. Please click here to see full job description and apply.
06/23/25
Grant Applications Accepted: June 23 to July 17, 2025 – NOW CLOSED
The program has been simplified and aligned with state budget projections to support as many farmers as possible in their conservation efforts. Call the SCD office to speak with Alicia or Dana to signup by the deadline.
06/01/25
$500 Annual Scholarship Awards Announced
The Worcester Soil Conservation District Board of Supervisors has selected two local students to receive a $500 scholarship to support post-secondary education benefiting agriculture.
Congratulations and best wishes!
Carson Rayne – University of Kentucky
Madison Webster – Snow Hill High School (not pictured)
MDA Cover Crop Program – Spring Certification Deadline Extended
Due to rain events and extremely saturated fields the termination deadline for the MDA Cover Crop Program has been extended to June 10, 2025.
Call the SCD office to notify Alicia if you need to utilize this extension.
05/19/2025
New SCD SEC/FHP Plan Reviewer
Starting June 26th Chelsea Tyson will be taking over SEC workload. The SCD will no longer be offering same-day services on plan review; submittals will be reviewed, as received, in a timely manner.
Notification letters going out to SCD clients this week. See the SEC Letter here and FHP Letter here.
05/8/2025
Worcester SCD Board Supports Worcester FFA Students
A team of 11 Worcester County Students are headed to a State Competition in Garrett County, Maryland later in the year. The SCD voted to contribute $100 per student towards this trip for a total of $1,100 in support.
Best of luck students!
04/24/2025
Mark Your Calendars: Adopt A Cow Enrollment Opens on May 1!
If you are new to Discover Dairy, register for a free account at https://www.discoverdairy.com/register/. Once you are registered, you will get an email on May 1 notifying you when enrollment for the Adopt A Cow program is open!
Discover Dairy is a resource provided at no cost to educators and others who are interested in teaching students about the dairy industry. An engaging, interactive, cross-curricular educational series that meets Common CORE Standards for Math, Science and Reading.
04/10/2025
Worcester SCD Board Supports UMD Soil Judging Team
The team of 15 Terrapins will be heading to the 2025 Soil Judging Contest in Stevens Point, Wisconsin for a 9-day trip. The SCD voted to contribute $500 towards this venture and wishes them well!
04/11/2025
REMINDER for Poultry Farmers – Submit Your NOCO Forms to MDE by May 7, 2025
Existing Growers: In the interest of continued permit coverage and the notification of your intent to continue growing chickens within the State of Maryland for the next permit cycle.
A fillable MDE NOCO Form and completion assistance from the SCD is available upon individual request.
01/09/2025
CLOSED – $500 Annual Scholarship Opportunity
The Worcester Soil Conservation District Board of Supervisors is offering their second-annual $500 scholarship to support a High School Senior or College Student pursuing post-secondary education in 2025.
Students must be a resident of Worcester County and entering a field of study beneficial to Agriculture. Applications available here and at the SCD office in Snow Hill.
Deadline to submit an Application is May 1, 2025
12/2/2024
2025 MDA Healthy Soils Competitive Fund OPEN – December 2nd to March 7th
Program flyers available at the SCD office in Snow Hill. To apply or for further information contact Nick Miller at 410-841-5866 or nicolas.miller2@maryland.gov.
11/25/2024
NOTICE: Middle Branch PDA Annual Meeting
Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at 6pm
Showell VFD 11620 Worcester Hwy, Showell, MD 21862
Contact: PDA Manager Dean Smith 443.614.2191
MDA Conservation Buffer Initiative: OPEN October 1 to March 31, 2025.
11/19/2024
2025 Worcester PDA Meeting Schedule
11/14/2024
In partnership with University of Maryland Extension Service and MDA Resource Conservation, the Worcester, Wicomico, Somerset, and Dorchester Soil Conservation Districts have planned a Poultry Composting Course for Lower Eastern Shore growers.
11/06/24
NOTICE: Franklin Branch PDA Annual Meeting
Saturday, December 21, 2024 at 10am
Berlin Public Library – upstairs conference room
13 Harrison Ave, Berlin MD 21811
Contact: PDA Manager Richard Holland 410.726.1577
11/01/24
Lower Shore Agronomy Day Scheduled
Free event with hot lunch included. 2 hours of nutrient management credits and 2 hours of pesticide credits will be offered.
Wednesday January 22, 2025 at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center, Salisbury, MD.
Register online: https://go.umd.edu/2025agday or call the Somerset County Extension Office at 410-651-1350.
10/22/24
Upcoming Pesticide Recertification Courses
Nov 18, 6-8pm at Wicomico Extension Office. Call 410-749-6141 to register.
Dec 9, 6-8pm at Worcester Extension Office. Call 410-632-1972 to register.
Dec 17, 9-11am at Somerset Extension Office. Call 410-651-1350 to register.
Dec 30, 9-11am at Worcester Extension Office. Call 410-632-1972 to register.
10/18/24
Food Processing Residuals Emergency Regulations Approved
ANNAPOLIS, MD (October 18, 2024) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture has announced that the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review (AELR) has approved emergency regulations to establish a new permit program for food processing residuals (FPRs) and make corresponding amendments to the Maryland Nutrient Management Manual.
- A Food Processing Residuals Utilization Permit is required if you plan to transport, store, or land apply FPRs on Maryland farmland.
- A separate permit is required for each activity (transport, storage or spreading).
- Permit holders are required to post a bond to ensure compliance.
- Applications for transport and storage received by November 15 to be issued by January 1.
- Farmers who have submitted their applications by November 15 may continue to transport or store FPRs until the permit determination has been made.
- Applications for land application of FPRs are due to the department by January 15. Permits will be issued by March 1, when land application of nutrient sources resumes.
- All FPRs must be applied to fields following Maryland’s Nutrient Management Regulations. Nutrient management staff will be making site and field inspections to ensure compliance.
For more information on the new regulations, please visit mda.maryland.gov/conservation.
To request a permit application, please contact: Dwight Dotterer, Administrator, Nutrient Management Program, Maryland Department of Agriculture, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401 Phone: 410-841-5877 Email dwight.dotterer@maryland.gov
08/21/24
Lights, Camera, Action! – MDA Poultry Outreach Video Filmed in Pocomoke
Worcester Poultry farmers Val and Far Nasir hosted MDA at their farm Butt Sahib for a day of interviews and filming. See a few behind-the-scenes photos below. MDA Poultry Outreach Video coming June 2025! A big thank you to the Nasir Family.
08/07/24
Outreach – UMES Ag Day in Princess Anne
Lower Shore District Managers Chelsea Tyson (Worcester), Rick Glasgow (Wicomico) , and Mark Carey (Somerset) attended this farmer focused event hosted by John Deere, Simplot and UMES.
08/03/24
Outreach – Blessing of the Combines in Snow Hill
Worcester NRCS Staff Anderson, Maria, and Erin participated in this community focused event. Erin pictured.
07/15/24
Worcester SCD – FY24 Contributions Report
From July 2023 to June 2024 the Worcester SCD Board of Supervisors made contributions to support both local and statewide agricultural efforts. The SCD takes pride in supporting the community.
FY24 total Contributions utilizing District funds: $16,925. Report here.
06/27/24
Farmers Utilizing Cover Crop – Survey Opportunity with Perdue University
Perdue University is looking for farmers willing to conduct in-person interviews sharing your experience utilizing cover crops. This is part of an approved Perdue University Research Project (#IRB-2019-546). Additional information here.
$100 Gift Cards available for your time, following the interview.
Contact Elsie Assan: eassan@perdue.edu or 765-496-2221
06/19/24
06/01/24
$500 Annual Scholarship Awards Announced
The Worcester Soil Conservation District Board of Supervisors has selected three graduating Seniors to receive a $500 scholarship to support post-secondary education benefiting agriculture.
Congratulations and best wishes!
Hennessy Murphy – Stephen Decatur High School
Carson Rayne – Worcester Preparatory School
Emily Manning – Snow Hill High School
05/09/24
Worcester Tech FFA Students Present at SCD Board Meeting
The Worcester Tech FFA Agricultural Issue CDE Team presented at the SCD Board’s May Meeting on “Whitetail Deer Affecting Crop Profits.” This presentation helped prepare students for their National Competition.
04/05/24
MDA – Small Cover Crop Program
MDA has announced the sign-up period for the 2024 Small Acreage Cover Crop Program. Page link here. APPLICATION PERIOD – NOW CLOSED
04/03/24
MDA – Horse Owner Outreach Campaign
MDA has launched an educational outreach program aimed at small horse farms to encourage conservation practices that benefit local water quality and create a healthier environment for horses. MDA Equine page link here.
View the MDA 2023 Horse Owner’s Guide or pickup a copy from the SCD office.
02/09/24
CLOSED – $500 Annual Scholarship Opportunity
The Worcester Soil Conservation District Board of Supervisors is offering their first-annual $500 scholarship to support a High School Senior or College Student pursuing post-secondary education in 2024.
Students must be a resident of Worcester County and entering a field of study beneficial to Agriculture. Applications available here and at the SCD office in Snow Hill.
Deadline to submit an Application is May 1, 2024
01/26/24
WSCD Participates in Lower Shore Agronomy Day with Partners and Local Farmers
Staff attended the annual Lower Shore Ag Day event along with MDA, NRCS, UME, and private sector vendors to provide education on local resources and best management practices.
01/18/24
Job Posted – MDA Planner Position in Snow Hill
State of Maryland, MDA-Resource Conservation Planner Position Open until 02/01/2024. Apply here.
01/04/24
Now Available – Annual PDA Meeting Schedule
2024 Worcester Public Drainage Association Meetings have been scheduled. Contact PDA Coordinator Karen Hoy with questions/concerns at 410-677-0802 ext. 5.
12/21/23
Worcester SCD Online
Welcome to the Worcester Soil Conservation District’s website. We are pleased to offer our community an online system to access tools and resources offered.
