Video Library

Dairy farm field with corn and a handshake image

Agriculture Protecting the Land and Water

Meet the farmers and conservation professionals who are working to protect the natural resources we depend on. Our videos spotlight Maryland farmers and the conservation projects they have installed to manage manure, safeguard local streams, build healthy soils and protect the Chesapeake Bay. Please watch, learn and share.

SALTWATER INTRUSION: ONE FARMER'S STORY

Large brown horse and foal in a pasture with link for video

Maryland Farms | Watch Now on YouTube | 3:38

Saltwater intrusion occurs when seawater flows into coastal areas like Maryland's Lower Eastern Shore. It can lead to unsafe drinking water, ghost forests, lower crop yields, and soils that can't support plant growth. Watch our video to learn how saltwater intrusion has affected this Dorchester County farmer.

TREE PLANTING INCENTIVE PROGRAMS FOR FARMERS Large brown horse and foal in a pasture with link for video

Maryland Farms | Watch Now on YouTube | 0:30

Discover how MDA's tree-planting and agroforestry incentive programs can help you increase farm income, enhance soil and herd health, and safeguard local streams and natural resources. It's a win-win for your farm and the environment.

FREE CONSERVATION HELP FOR SMALL HORSE FARMS Large brown horse and foal in a pasture with link for video

Maryland Farms | Watch Now on YouTube | 0:30

Watch our 30-second public service announcement to learn how Maryland's 23 local soil conservation districts support small horse farms with free planning and design services to restore overgrazed pastures, manage mud and manure, and protect local streams.

Tree tubes on a hillside with a fence in the foreground and video link, image copyright Edwin Remsberg

STREAMSIDE BUFFERS & LIVESTOCK EXCLUSION
Allegany County | Watch Now on YouTube | 2:30
Meet an Allegany County farm family that has taken advantage of incentives offered through MDA's Conservation Buffer Initiative to plant trees and exclude livestock from their farm stream.

STREAM PROTECTION PRACTICES FOR HORSE FARMS
Harford County | Watch Now on YouTube | 2:45
When Tim and Tracey Gay bought the property that would become Molly Hill Farm, they immediately began to restore the pastures. Over the years, they have installed a range of conservation practices to protect the stream that runs through their property, the quality of their pastures, and the health of their horses.

Woman with a horse in front of a barn with a video link, image copyright Edwin Remsberg

ASSISTANCE FOR SMALL FARMS
Anne Arundel County | Watch Now on YouTube | 4:04 
We help small farms too! Learn how this beginning farmer took advantage of the free services provided by the local soil conservation district to transform her small equine operation into a healthy home for her horses and the natural resources that we all depend on.

Farmer and Conservationist standing in a high tunnel with crops growing inside, image copyright Edwin Remsberg

URBAN AGRICULTURE
Baltimore City | Watch Now on YouTube | 4:06
Learn how this veteran-led non-profit is transforming vacant land into green space in the Oliver neighborhood of East Baltimore.

Farmer and conservation professional looking at a plan on the back of a truck with link to video, image© Edwin Remsberg

WATER CONTROL STRUCTURE
St. Mary's County | Watch Now on YouTube | 3:19
Learn how installing a new water control structure is helping this St. Mary’s County farmer keep his soil on his field and out of the St. Mary’s River.

Beautiful green grassed buffer next to soybean fields with link to video, image© Edwin Remsberg gu

GRASSED WATERWAYS
Cecil County | Watch Now on YouTube | 3:07
Grassed waterways protect fields from erosion and safeguard local water quality. They help prevent gullies from forming and are one of the most popular conservation practices installed by farmers. Learn why this Cecil County farmer is their biggest fan.

Farmer and conservation professional looking at a farm plan on a farm next to a river with a video link, image© Edwin Remsberg

WETLAND RESTORATION
Talbot County | Watch Now on YouTube | 3:59
Wetlands provide farmers with a range of water quality and enhanced wildlife benefits. Learn how this Talbot County farmer transformed unproductive areas of his farm into wetlands with the help of 100% cost-share.

Man standing next to a fence with a beautiful mature tree buffer in the background & video link, image copyright Edwin Remsberg

MEET A GROWN UP FOREST BUFFER
Carroll County | Watch Now on YouTube | 2:19
Ever wonder what a grown up forest buffer looks like? See for yourself the many benefits of streamside forests.

Lady standing next to a tree and a barn with a link to a video, image© Edwin Remsberg

ALL ABOUT BUFFERS

Carroll County | Watch Now on YouTube | 2:37
Get a bird's eye view of a Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) planting that has transformed this small Carroll County farm.

Farmer standing in a field with a green tractor nearby and video link, image copyright Edwin Remsberg

COVER CROPPING
Queen Anne's County | Watch Now on YouTube | 3:44
You’ve probably heard about the water quality and soil health benefits of cover crops. But did you know that cover crops can provide a stable source of nitrogen for spring crops? Meet a pair of Queen Anne's County farmers who have taken cover cropping to the next level.

Large round manure pit on a dairy farm with silos, image copyright Edwin Remsberg

FARMING WITH YOUR NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT PLAN
Washington County |Watch Now on YouTube | 4:03
Nutrient management plans help farmers protect quality and improve farm efficiency and profitability. Meet a Washington County dairy and grain farmer who gets the most out of his plan.

A female conservationist standing in front of a barn with a grey horse, image © Edwin Remsberg

PASTURE MANAGEMENT
Anne Arundel County | Watch Now on YouTube | 4:41
Sound pasture management provides health benefits for horses and local waterways. Learn how this Anne Arundel county barn manager uses rotational grazing to improve pasture grasses and save on feed costs.

Black angus cattle crossing a stream bridge on a farm, image © Edwin Remsberg

STREAM RESTORATION
Baltimore County | Watch Now on YouTube | 4:49
Learn how this Baltimore County beef farmer took advantage of Maryland's financial and technical assistance programs to restore the stream that runs through his property.

Man in a livestock barn with a hot link to a video about managing manure, image © Edwin Remsberga

MANURE MANAGEMENT
Frederick County | Watch Now On YouTube | 3:34
Waste storage structures come in all shapes and sizes. Hear what two Frederick County livestock farmers have to say about how these facilities protect local streams, improve their operations, and make daily chores easier.

Man surveying in a green farm field, image © Edwin Remsberg

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
Frederick County | Watch Now on YouTube | 2:33
Local soil conservation districts have a long history of helping farmers install conservation practices on their farms to protect natural resources. Learn how their free engineering and technology services save farmers both time and money.