A well-established program that helped farmers in Maryland comply with nutrient application and reporting will be discontinued, according to a recent Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) announcement. For more than three decades, many farmers in the state relied on University of Maryland Extension county advisers to develop their nutrient management plans at no cost. However, as of August 31, the MDA will no longer fund the nutrient management program through the University of Maryland’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

The MDA said the shift in the program will “focus on a new approach to education, training, and farmer empowerment.” Farmers will now need to hire paid consultants or become trained and certified to write their own plans.

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