It may be cold and the fields are still blanketed with snow. But the farming at Burrier Farms isn't done until the paperwork is finished – lots of it.

Most Maryland farmers, like Dave and Linda Burrier of Union Bridge, Md., have to file a nutrient management plan with the state every year. The Burriers, who grow soybeans, hay, corn and wheat on more than 1,200 acres, also raise cattle.

For them, land stewardship isn't just a legal requirement. It's a personal, professional ethic shared with many Maryland farmers. Collectively, they planted a record 478,000 acres of cover crops last fall to control soil erosion, reduce nutrient runoff and protect Chesapeake Bay watershed water quality.

THE RIGHT THING: Conservation is the right thing to do, contend Dave and Linda Burrier. "It also rewards us with high-quality crops," points out Dave.

The state's 2014-2015 Cover Crop Program beat the previous record of 430,000 acres in 2012. They exceeded U.S. EPA's Phase I and II Watershed Implementation Plan milestone for cover crops.

"The Linganore Creek runs through our farm," says Dave. "To protect this valuable waterway, we've planted hay on both sides of the bank. The hay buffers any sediment or nutrients before they can get to the creek. Similarly, we keep a field that tends to flood permanently planted in grass to protect soil erosion."

Burrier Farms teams up cover crops with no-till, strip cropping and crop rotations. Cover crops are one of the most environmentally sustainable ways to protect water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, they note.

Collectively, the 478,000 acres of cover crops will prevent an estimated 2.9 million pounds of nitrogen, and 95,600 pounds of phosphorus from impacting waterways, according to Maryland Department of Agriculture experts.

Cover crops, such as cold-hardy wheat, rye and barley, are fall-planted. Once established, they recycle unused plant nutrients remaining in the soil from the previous annual crop. They also protect fields against wind and water erosion and improve soil health, increasing organic matter in the soil, reducing weeds and pests, and providing a habitat for beneficial insects.

"Farming's a business, but it's also a lifestyle," affirms Linda. "We deeply care about our land and we care about sharing our time in the community."
That's why Dave and Linda have made it a priority to serve on agricultural boards and committees, including the Maryland Soybean Board. In October, Linda was appointed to the national United Soybean Board.