Agriculture (Archive)

10/14/08   CBFN Agriculture Workgroup Meeting

UMCES - University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
111 Cathedral Street
Annapolis, MD 21401

For the agenda, click here.

The Chesapeake Bay Funders Network (CBFN) Agricultural Initiative, Strong Communities, Healthy Waters, seeks to strengthen the economic sustainability of the Chesapeake Bay farming community, threatened by land development, while promoting conservation practices to improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay through the following mechanisms:

  • Building a network of agricultural community partnerships
  • Advancing market-based approaches to managing animal waste
  • Enhancing assistance to farmers for innovative conservation practices

Working from the "ground up", the CBFN has pioneered an innovative approach to identifying and supporting strategic partnership projects in key farming communities. Each of the projects includes strong evaluation and communication components that will then serve as a transferable model to other communities and critical regions.  The CBFN collaborative uses philanthropic funding and emphasis on public/private partnerships to establish these partnerships. In 2006, CBFN launched its first 3 pilot programs, for more information, click here.

The Chesapeake Bay Funders Network launches a farmer mentoring program

In, the CBFN launched a new program that helps improve the economic productivity of local farms and reduces pollution flowing into the Bay. The Chesapeake Bay Funders Network’s $425,000 contribution over three years establishes a first-of-its-kind Maryland farmer to farmer mentoring program to promote the economic and environmental benefits of an innovative agricultural practice called rotational grazing.

The newly established Maryland Grazer’s Network will help innovative farmers spread Bay-friendly farming practices among their peers while bringing healthy, grass-fed livestock to restaurants and local residents.  To learn more about this new program, click here.

Funding Partners

Abell Foundation,  Agua Fund,   Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment (Chair),  The Chesapeake Bay Trust,  The Edith and Curtis Munson Foundation,  National Fish and Wildlife Foundation,   Prince Charitable Trusts,  Town Creek Foundation,  Virginia Environmental Endowment, Wallace Genetic Foundation,  and the Western PA Watershed Protection Program