1. Ag Conservation Planner Paul Spies pspies@chesterriverassociation.org

2. Employees ~ 350,000 people (largest commercial industry in the State). 2.05 million acres in agriculture use (largest single land use in the State)

3. Us problem not a you problem? “Increasing human populations and the associated land-use changes continue to be the primary factors causing water quality and habitat degradation in the Bay and its watershed.” Source: 2009 USGS Report (United States Geological Survey)

4. Agricultures Role

5. Goal of New Ag Technologies Goal: Farm practices that are environmentally beneficial and economically self sustaining.

6. CRA GreenSeeker Program

7. Vigor-Based Nitrogen Management NDVI = Normalized Difference Vegetative Index Uses red and near-infrared light Outputs NDVI- A biomass/vigor measurement Operates day or night Not affected by clouds or sun

8. N Application Model NDVI = Normalized Difference Vegetative Index

9. How are recent changes in agricultural practices affecting nitrate in groundwater?

10. CRA Director of Ag Programs Paul Spies 410-829-2902 pspies@chesterriverassociation.org Thanks!