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The future of farming across the Chesapeake Bay watershed is precarious. We're losing farms because of sprawling suburban development, diminishing profits, increases in the cost of fuel and other operational expenses, and a steep decrease in the share of consumer food dollars received by farmers.
Preserving farms and open space is essential, because these lands serve as precious natural filters for our water. CBF supports land use programs and policies that slow the loss of farmland and prevent sprawl.
But agricultural lands also contribute nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution to our rivers and streams. CBF advocates for conservation programs to establish on-the-ground projects that limit polluting runoff: stream buffers, cover crops, rotational grazing, and other "best management practices."
These agricultural measures are the most cost-effective way to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus pollution to the Bay. In fact, scientists estimate that we could achieve almost two-thirds of the nitrogen and phosphorus reductions necessary to restore the Chesapeake Bay, at only 13 percent of the total cost of Bay restoration, by implementing them.
Watershed-wide, farmers are adopting these conservation and preservation measures, and they are making progress. But they can't do it alone. Federal and state government investments in conservation practices, like programs contained in the federal Farm Bill, are crucial to helping farmers reduce pollution, remain profitable, and improve water quality for everyone.
Be sure to check out our series of farmer success stories across the watershed.
November 2, 2022—Fully funding the farm pollution-reduction practices needed to restore the Chesapeake Bay would inject $655 million annually into the region’s economy, including $269 million per year in higher earnings for businesses and workers, according to a report released by CBF. Agricultural Conservation Practices: Clean Water and Climate Smart Investments examined 17 conservation practices states are implementing to achieve the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint’s pollution cuts.
Read the press release | Read the report
