Howard Soil Conservation District

05/29/2026

Hey there! Are you interested in improving your farm’s productivity and protecting natural resources along the way? Meet us at the Maryland Horse Library & Education Center on June 11th! From 4-6pm, we’ll be talking about soil conservation and water quality planning, Best Management Practices, and how to access financial assistance. See you there!
(P.S. Do you have any friends who might want to learn a little something, too? Be sure to share!)

05/29/2026

📰 NEWS RELEASE: The Maryland Department of Agriculture is extending the cover crop termination deadline until June 5, 2026, for farmers enrolled in the 2025-2026 Cover Crop Program due to multiple days of rainfall that have caused excessively wet field conditions across much of the state. Read more here: https://tinyurl.com/35h9e3sb

05/26/2026

Key Topics: Soil Conservation & Water Quality Planning: Learn how a professional SCWQP acts as a roadmap to prevent erosion, promote water

05/26/2026

Mark your calendars! We're excited to announce our inaugural Equine Conservation Summit on November 14th. Join us for a day of learning, with workshops covering pasture and nutrient management, equine nutrition, and financial assistance for conservation practices.

Registration coming soon!

05/26/2026

05/04/2026

Maryland's 2026-2027 Cover Crop Sign-​Up
Opens June 22, 2026
Maryland Department of Agriculture

05/02/2026

Though they primarily have sand, both the ocean and the desert still rely on soil because it connects and supports their ecosystems by carrying nutrients and clean water, while storing moisture and anchoring life in dry landscapes.

How the Ocean Relies on Soil:
🌊 Soil filters and cleans water before it flows into rivers and oceans.
🌱 Nutrients from soil feed tiny ocean plants called plankton.
🏖️ Coastal soils support wetlands and mangroves that protect shorelines and wildlife.

How the Desert Relies on Soil:
💧 Soil stores water deep underground for plants and animals.
💨 It anchors roots and prevents sand from blowing away.
🐪 Healthy desert soil supports plants that provide food and shelter for wildlife.

05/02/2026

The healthier the soil, the more microorganisms it can support, along with greater diversity that helps cycle nutrients and support plant growth. In poor soils, both the number and variety of microorganisms drop, which weakens the soil system and reduces its ability to support healthy plants. 🪱🤎

05/01/2026

It takes over 100 years to form just 1 inch of topsoil.🌱📅

This rate depends on several factors, including parent rock material, climate and weathering conditions, organic material accumulation, vegetative cover and land use, and biological activity like worms, fungi, and microbes.

In areas with rich biological activity and moisture, topsoil might form in 100 years. In dry, cold, or heavily disturbed regions, it may take 500 to even 1000 years!

Soil is a living and slowly renewing resource. Protecting what we have is much easier than rebuilding what we lose.

04/30/2026

As water travels through soil, it slows down, spreads out, and many impurities are removed, helping protect water quality before it reaches streams and rivers.