In 1977 — having graduated from University of Maryland with degrees in Agriculture — Allen and Olin Davis joined their father becoming the 6th generation on Rich Levels Farm. The farm had been a dairy and grain farm originally. Over the years we transitioned from dairy, to a farrow-to-finish hog operation, to poultry and grain as it is today. In 1992 our father retired from farming. In 2010 Chris joined the farm followed by Rob in 2010 to become the 7th generation to continue the family farm.
It’s very gratifying to play a part in producing food using methods and technology that not only promotes sustainability for the soil and the Chesapeake Bay but also our family farm.
Over the past 40 years, Maryland farmers have begun implementing numerous conservation measures and practices — such as conservation/no-till farming, nutrient management, and construction of waterways and buffers — to lessen any negative impacts they had on the Chesapeake. This program offers acknowledgement and a reward to the participants for their efforts. It also sheds a positive light on Maryland farmers.
Benefits we have realized through conservation practices include reducing runoff and nutrient loss following significant rain events as well as conserving soil moisture to help crops through the dry spells.
I’d recommend farmers to certify into the program because it will provide them, as well as Maryland farmers in general, acknowledgment of their efforts taken to clean up Chesapeake Bay. Certification in the program also lessens the requirement for nutrient management audits.
For the sake of maintaining the productivity of our soils, the health of the Chesapeake Bay, and farming for future generations — it’s the right thing to do.
Maryland Bay-Friendly Farming is a program of the Maryland Association of Conservation Districts.
Thank You to Sponsors & Funders of the Bay-Friendly Farming Program!
