Water Quality

Authors: Sarah Hirsh - Shannon Dill - Caroline Kuchta - Neith Little - Kelly Nichols - Margaret Todd

This guidebook aims to increase knowledge of conservation practices and resources available to help farmers and land managers plan for and incorporate conservation onto their land. The guidebook discusses how conservation can fit into whole farm planning, conservation plans, the Web Soil Survey resource, an overview of agencies and conservation programs, and Natural Resource Conservation Service program eligibility and contract requirements. Authors: Sarah Hirsh, Shannon Dill, Caroline Kuchta, Neith Little, Kelly Nichols, and Margaret Todd; Title: Cultivating Conservation for Maryland and Delaware’s Historically Underserved Farmers (EM-2025-0752).

Authors: Emily M. H. Woerner - Neith Little - Donald Murphy - Richard Francis - Rachel Rosenberg Goldstein

Interested in harvesting rainwater on your urban farm? Harvesting rainwater could provide a supplemental source of irrigation water. Learn about collecting rainwater on urban farms by adding gutters to high tunnels. Authors: Emily M. H. Woerner, Neith Little, Donald Murphy, Richard Francis & Rachel Rosenberg Goldstein; Title: Rainwater Harvesting on Urban Farms: Adding Gutters to Collect Rainwater from a High Tunnel (FS-2025-0765).

Authors: Eric Buehl - Jennifer Dindinger - Amanda Rockler - Jacqueline Takacs - Kelsey Brooks

The Watershed Stewards Academy (WSA) uses a train-the-trainer approach to instruct and manage a diverse group of Steward volunteer. The goal of the program is to develop Stewards conversant in watershed issues, who provide localized community outreach and assist with the implementation of best management practices focused on stormwater and improving local water quality.The Watershed Stewards Academy Curriculum is a 13-module curriculum, comprised of numerous lessons and activities, that provides participants the basic tools and information for those interested in stormwater management. Each module is approximately 2-3 hours long. This may vary based on local program goals and objectives. Authors: Kelsey Brooks, Eric Buehl, Jennifer Dindinger, Amanda Rockler, and Jackie Takacs; Key Contributors:Suzanne Etgen, Kate McClure, and Taryn Sudol; Title: Watershed Stewards Academy Curriculum (EC-2020-0518)

Authors: Jennifer Dindinger - Amanda Rockler - Amy E. Scaroni - Jacqueline Takacs - Krisztian Varsa

In 2012, the State of Maryland passed the Watershed Protection and Restoration Program (HB-987), which applies to the nine largest counties in Maryland (Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Charles, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s) and Baltimore City that are federally required to treat stormwater runoff. The purpose of the fee is to manage pollution carried by stormwater into local waterways. The collected fees are placed in a dedicated fund and used to finance projects that treat polluted stormwater. The fee structure is established independently by each county/city and differs across the State.

Authors: Amy E. Scaroni - Jennifer Dindinger - Amanda Rockler - Jacqueline Takacs - Krisztian Varsa

The stormwater remediation fee applies to the nine largest counties in Maryland (Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Charles, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s) and Baltimore City, which are federally required to treat stormwater runoff. Residents, businesses, and institutions in these areas are all required to pay the fee. The fee structure is established independently by each county/city and differs across the State.

Authors: Amy E. Scaroni - Jennifer Dindinger - Amanda Rockler - Jacqueline Takacs - Krisztian Varsa

The stormwater remediation fee requirement applies to the nine largest counties in Maryland (Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Charles, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s) and Baltimore City, which are federally required to treat stormwater runoff. The fee structure is established independently by each county/city and differs across the State.

Authors: Amy E. Scaroni - Jennifer Dindinger - Amanda Rockler - Jacqueline Takacs - Krisztian Varsa

Stormwater runoff originates during precipitation when water flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces such as streets and rooftops increase runoff by preventing water from soaking into the ground. Water running over impervious surfaces can pick up sediment, chemicals, debris, and toxins which are carried to local waterways. These pollutants prevent waterways from being fishable and swimmable.

Authors: Jennifer Dindinger - Amanda Rockler - Amy E. Scaroni - Jacqueline Takacs - Krisztian Varsa

Stormwater runoff originates during precipitation when water flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces, such as streets and rooftops, increase runoff by preventing water from soaking into the ground. Water running over impervious surfaces can pick up sediment, chemicals, debris, and toxins which are carried to local waterways. These pollutants prevent waterways from being fishable and swimmable.

Authors: Amy E. Scaroni - Jennifer Dindinger - Amanda Rockler - Jacqueline Takacs - Krisztian Varsa

Stormwater runoff originates during precipitation when water flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces such as streets and rooftops increase runoff by preventing water from soaking into the ground. Water running over impervious surfaces can pick up sediment, chemicals, debris, and toxins which are carried to local waterways. These pollutants prevent waterways from being fishable and swimmable.

Authors: Amanda Rockler - Krisztian Varsa

Stormwater Rebate and Reimbursement Programs (Baltimore City and County, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties, City of Rockville, City of Gaithersburg)