Conservation
Corridor project
getting ideas
from farmers in
Md., Del., Va.
11/26/02
By MARK POWELL
In the Easton, Md., High School auditorium, Eastern Shore Congressman Wayne T. Gilchrest, R., sat talking to one of his constituents. In four corners of the large room, 75 farmers and concerned citizens discussed in groups their ideas for the future of farming and natural resources on the Delmarva Peninsula.
The congressman is a happy man.
Gilchrest is beginning to see some structure slowly evolve for his Delmarva Conservation Corridor, a project that beat almost everybody’s odds by making it into the 2002 Farm Bill. Gilchrest’s concept is a simple one: Use and enhance federal farm and conservation programs to pump up the agricultural economy on Delmarva and preserve the “working landscape.” However, the details of focusing federal dollars on the peninsula is a more complicated matter, involving a multitude of governmental agencies, at the state, local and federal levels.
In Maryland, officials hope to have a plan to the USDA’s Farm Service Agency by June 2003. Gilchrest said the USDA is waiting to see what can be put together to focus efforts on an area considered to be one of the nation’s most threatened patches of productive farmland and natural resource reserves.
The voluntary program was supported by property rights advocate Rich Pombo, a California Republican congressman and rancher during Farm Bill debates, a fact that helped the measure survive attacks from those who feared it would be some sort of land grab.
Early on, the program was tagged by critics as amorphous and too “green.” Lately though, agricultural leaders say they are seeing its potential as an instrument to devote resources to a region that’s not getting “its share” of federal farm support according to University of Maryland agricultural economists.
Jim Belote, Extension ag agent in Accomack County, Va., is among the leaders working with Gilchrest on that area. “We’re excited about it,” Belote said. Early on, he had been concerned about the intentions of Gilchrest. But, Belote said a small group of farmers appointed by the county’s board of supervisors has been studying the project and has met with Gilchrest. “We need to preserve the profitability of agriculture,” Belote said.
Gilchrest said he’s really pleased with the progress that’s being made and credited Delaware’s Secretary of Agriculture Michael Scuse, MDA Assistant Secretary Royden Powell III and Belote for moving the project forward.
The Nov. 18 forum in Easton was the first of three organized by Maryland Department of Agriculture on the Eastern Shore. The third will be today, Nov. 26, at Salisbury University from 7 to 9 p.m.
Dr. Phil Favaro of the University of Maryland led the groups of farmers and interested citizens through a process of thinking about what they want for rural Delmarva.
Robert Hutchison, a Talbot County grain farmer and agricultural leader, told his small break-out group that he would like to see an Eastern Shore “that’s similar to today.” But, he said, he would like to see a more viable economy. Agriculture on the Eastern Shore has one market — the poultry industry. That fact, recently restated by economists in a university study, needs to be worked on, Hutchison said. While the poultry industry is essential and a positive for the region, he said there needs to be complimentary business opportunities for farmers. Hutchison is a leader among Maryland’s grain farmers who are exploring the potential for producing ethanol in the state. He also said there may be a market for using straw as a building material.
In another group, farmer Howard Callahan said he was concerned that there needs to be some middle ground on development, with some growth needed, but too much being detrimental to agriculture.
Hagner Mister, Maryland’s secretary of agriculture, was at the Easton meeting as well. He said: “When I am asked to define the Conservation Corridor, my answer is simple: It is whatever the people of this region want it to be. The Conservation Corridor provides the citizens of the Delmarva Peninsula with a wonderful opportunity that we cannot pass up. It’s a chance for additional federal funding that can add immeasurably to the continued vitality of agriculture in this region.”
Officials from Maryland, Delaware and Virginia are cooperating on the Conservation Corridor. MDA’s Louise Lawrence will travel to the Eastern Shore of Virginia in the next few weeks to meet with Belote and others from Accomack and Northampton counties. Belote said Virginia Congresswoman JoAnn Davis is keen on the project and has offered to push for its continuance in the next farm bill if it looks as if that will be necessary. Although the project is described as a “pilot” or “demonstration” project with no specific funding, some observers say it has tremendous potential in establishing a system of involving local and state governments in “saving” their agriculture.