by Katherine O. Rizzo (first published in the April 2025 Equiery)

The Maryland Bay-Friendly Farming program recognizes and supports certified bay-friendly farmers who strive to keep waterways and natural resources healthy. The program was created by the Maryland Association of Conservation Districts (MASCD) to promote farmers who “go the extra mile” to keep our water, farmland, and other natural resources healthy. The program believes these efforts of farmers benefit all by conserving water, soil, and open space.

Farmers throughout the state can apply to be a “Certified Bay-Friendly Farm” and are evaluated based on “measures related to soil health, water quality, nutrient management, and other criteria.” Farms are evaluated by a team of agricultural and environmental experts including those from the program’s core partners: MASCD, Maryland Farm Bureau, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Maryland Department of Agriculture and USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service.

The program is supported through grant funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Maryland Soybean Board, the Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and the Chesapeake Bay Trust.

By the Numbers
There are 124 Certified Bay-Friendly Farms in Maryland that, taken together, cover over 56,000 acres of conserved land. Thirty-two of these farms are horse farms. These 32 farms have conserved 3,237 acres of farmland.

Currently, 11 counties are represented in the program with Cecil County boasting the most acres conserved. Cecil County has a total of 675 acres in the program from two horse farms: Hilltop Farm and Tapeta Farm. Montgomery County is ranked second with 534 acres across four farms (Waredaca, Meadowbrook Stables, Wyndham Oaks, and Brooke Grove Farm). Baltimore County is third with 437 acres conserved, located at one farm (Sagamore Farm).

The top largest horse farms in the program are:

  • Sagamore Farm (Baltimore) – 437 acres
  • Hilltop Farm (Cecil) – 425 acres
  • Marriottsville Ridge (Howard) – 343 acres
  • Tapeta Farm (Cecil) – 250 acres
  • Waredaca (Montgomery) – 220 acres For a full list of certified Maryland horse farms, go to: https://bayfriendlyfarms.com/support-certified-horse-farms/

Certification Process
The Maryland Bay-Friendly Farming (BFF) program is a voluntary program to which farmers apply for certification. Maryland BFF staff work with the farmer and the county Soil Conservation District (SCD) to do a site visit and to review the farm’s existing nutrient management plan, soil conservation and water quality plans, and any other relevant documents to determine if the farm complies with the certification standard.

During the site visit, the Maryland BFF assessor and SCD technical staff will walk the farm to verify that any resource concerns have been addressed. If any additional Best Management Practices (BMPs) are needed, the farm owner can ask for free technical assistance from SCD to install additional conservation measures as needed.

Farms are assessed based on four criteria: i) successful implementation of a Nutrient Management Plan that meets all state standards; ii) high level of use of BMPs that address any concerns raised by assessors; iii) verification of the farm’s Soil Conservation and Water Quality plan; and iv) fencing around active pastures to prevent horses from wading in and through the streams.

Benefits of Certification
Once certified, farms in the program are issued a three-year waiver from state nutrient management inspections. The operator also receives signage to display at the property recognizing the farm as being a Maryland BFF farm.
Certified farms are recognized on MASCD’s website and social media platforms, and participating farms gain access to various marketing materials and new conservation opportunities.

Tenant farmers are eligible to receive $50 per acre (up to $2,500 per farm) to develop a five-year written lease with the landowner that includes conservation provisions.

For more information about the Maryland Bay-Friendly Farming program, go to: https://bayfriendlyfarms.com/