Howard Soil Conservation District

07/06/2026

Howard SCD is hiring for an Engineering Specialist

Howard SCD is seeking an Engineering Specialist to review sediment and erosion control plans, ponds, and design agricultural BMPs. Position requires considerable knowledge of State and County pond and sediment control laws. Experience with AutoCAD, GIS ArcView, ArcMap, ArcGIS and Property View. BS degree in Engineering and three years of experience in engineering.

Submit cover letter and resume to Jackie Covington at [email protected], 410-313-0680 by 7/31/26.

For more details, please see Howard County Government's job opportunities: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/howardcounty?keywords=soil

06/22/2026

Sign-up for Maryland Department of Agriculture 2026-27 Cover Crop Program starts today (thru 7/17). Interested in planting at least 10 acres of cover crops this fall? Contact your local Soil Conservation District to learn more or to sign-up.

NEWS RELEASE 📰: The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) is pleased to announce that sign-ups for the 2026 Cover Crop Grant Program will open on June 22 and run through July 17, 2026 at local soil conservation districts. Read more here: https://bit.ly/3QuDr9R

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. 🪱🤎