Survey to count Md. farm conservation efforts

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Maryland's secretary of agriculture is urging farmers to participate in a federal survey of conservation practices.

The survey by the National Agricultural Statistics Service is being conducted from November through February at selected farms across the state.

Maryland Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance says the survey is the ideal opportunity for farmers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to showcase voluntary practices already in place.

That will ensure the most accurate information is available as the Environmental Protection Agency's bay restoration plan is implemented.

The EPA's restoration strategy, which will require additional pollution reductions from all sectors, has faced criticism that farm conservation efforts already in place are not being accurately counted.

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