Carroll County Government | Carroll County, Maryland

Agricultural Best Management Practices

Agricultural Best Management Practices, or BMPs, are practices which are used by farmers to minimize soil loss, trap nutrients, and minimize the amounts of nutrients and pesticides used on the land. For more information please contact Carroll County Soil Conservation District. The following definitions related to best management practices used throughout Carroll County:

"Conservation Cover:"

"Conservation Cropping:"

"Contour Farming: "

"Mulch Till:"

Managing the amount, orientation, and distribution of crop and other plant residue on the soil surface year-round, while limiting the soil-disturbing activities used to grow crops in systems where the entire field surface is tilled prior to planting.

"No-Till"

Managing the amount, orientation, and distribution of crop and other plant residues on the soil surface year-round, while limiting soil disturbing activities to only those necessary to place nutrients, condition residue and plant crops.

"Critical Area Planting: "

Planting vegetation, such as trees, shrubs, vines, grasses, or legumes on highly erodible or critically eroding areas.

"Drain Tile "

"Fencing"

"Filter Strip:"

"Grassed Waterway: "

"Cover Crop: "

Crops including grasses, legumes and forbs for seasonal cover and other conservation purposes.

"Heavy Use Area: "

"Nutrient Management Plan:"

A site-specific combination of pest prevention, pest avoidance, pest monitoring, and pest suppression strategies.

"Pest Management: "

A site-specific combination of pest prevention, pest avoidance, pest monitoring, and pest suppression strategies.

"Riparian Forest Buffer:"

An area of predominately trees and/or shrubs located adjacent to and up-gradient from water bodies.

"Roof Runoff Management: "

Structures that collect, control, and transport precipitation from roofs.

"Spring Development:"

Collection of water from springs or seeps to provide water for a conservation need.

"Stream Crossing:"

A stabilized area or structure constructed across a stream to provide a travel way for people, livestock, equipment, or vehicles.

"Tree Planting:"

Establishing woody plants by planting seedlings or cuttings, direct seeding, or natural regeneration.

"Waste Storage Structure: "

A waste storage impoundment made by constructing an embankment and/or excavating a pit or dugout, or by fabricating a structure.

"Wastewater Treatment Strip: "

An area of vegetation designed to remove sediment, organic matter, and other pollutants from wastewater.