Eastern Shore Land Conservancy Conserves 589 Acres in Dorchester County

Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC) has announced a new conservation easement in Dorchester County. The property, owned by Ed “Biff” Burns, protects 589 acres of land southeast of Cambridge. The permanent protection of the property helps to secure the agricultural and natural resources of the region, with approximately 227 acres planted in grain and 363 acres held in woodlands, with many qualifying as forested wetlands. The woodlands are especially important, as they provide significant habitat…

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USDA Invests $3B in Climate-Smart Practices on Agricultural Lands 

The USDA is investing $3 billion in climate-friendly practices on farms and other agricultural operations.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making more than $3 billion in funding available for agricultural producers and forest landowners nationwide to participate in voluntary conservation programs and adopt climate-smart practices in fiscal year 2024. These additional investments are estimated to help hundreds of thousands of farmers and ranchers apply conservation to millions of acres of land. The program will…

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Maryland Fall Foliage Report – Unveiling Maryland’s Fall Splendor

Most of Maryland’s tree canopies are still vibrant green, but there are pops of color to be found, even in southern Maryland, one of the last regions to reveal fall color change.  The western portion of our state remains very dry with drought conditions ranging from abnormally dry to moderate, but a system off the coastline promises to bring gusty winds and downpours over the weekend. Will this much-needed rain benefit fall leaf change? According…

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Navigating Multiple Priorities: Counties and the Challenge of Limited Resources

This article is part of MACo’s Deep Dive series, where expert analysts explore and explain the top county issues of the day. A new article is added each week – read all of MACo’s Deep Dives. Local autonomy is a core principle of Maryland’s political system. At its most basic level, local autonomy means empowering county leaders to solve county problems. This empowerment lends counties a unique and, at times, misunderstood perspective. Often, advocates and stakeholders…

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Register now for the NACo 2023 Rural Action Caucus (RAC) Symposium

Interested parties are invited to register today for the National Association of Counties (NACo) Rural Action Caucus (RAC) 2023 Fall Symposium in Greenbrier County, West Virginia. Elected and appointed county officials, national thought leaders, and partners will identify rural challenges and elevate solutions through information exchanges and policy discussions. This unique event is an opportunity to engage with your peers and national experts on topics important to rural America, including broadband deployment, rural development, workforce challenges,…

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State Leaders Look to the Future of Agriculture at #MACoCon

County leaders at the 2023 MACo Summer Conference heard from local, state, and federal leaders on how we can chart Maryland's agricultural future -- from farms and beyond. From food insecurity and urban blight to climate change-induced crop damage, agriculture presents solutions to major problems facing Marylanders. From Baltimore to Garrett and Worcester to Washington, counties use agriculture as a force multiplier in their communities. The 2023 MACo Summer Conference general session, "The Future of…

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County Leaders Delve Deep into Infrastructure at #MACoCon

At MACo's Summer Conference, an expert panel discussed some of the most overlooked facets of development, specifically human infrastructure.  Infrastructure is more than pipes, roads, and physical structures. Advocates, residents, and policymakers often overlook the critical programmatic and social side of what keeps our communities running. Childcare, housing, education, and reimagining neighborhoods are all important functions the counties perform and yet are often not considered infrastructure. Senator Benjamin Brooks led the conversation and moderated an…

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Carroll County Environmental Advisory Council Seeks Nominations for Awards – Deadline Sept 30th

The Carroll County Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) is seeking nominations for the 2023 Environmental Actions Awards. Awards are presented biennially to individuals and groups chosen from nominees submitted for consideration by their peers, although self-nominations will be accepted. Individuals and groups that have demonstrated and promoted awareness of the environment through their actions and projects may be recognized for their efforts. Awards will be granted for endeavors and projects that result in positive benefits to…

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The Future of Ag – It’s More Than Farming 

During the MACo Summer Conference panel, The Future of Ag – It's More Than Farming, panelists will discuss agriculture for the 21st century.  Agriculture is one of the most underutilized economic unlocks waiting to help further grow Maryland's economy. From food deserts to urban revitalization and everything in between, agriculture can be an amazing tool to address many of the challenges facing counties. The Future of Ag – It's More Than Farming  Description: From food…

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USDA Invests $300M in Studying Ags Impact on Climate

The US Department of Agriculture will invest $300 million in studying agriculture's impact on climate change.  Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest $300 million  to improve the measurement, monitoring, reporting, and verification of greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration in climate-smart agriculture and forestry. The new investments will advance priorities set by the broader Federal Strategy to Advance Greenhouse Gas Measurement and Monitoring for the Agriculture and…

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