Talbot Soil Conservation District (Talbot SCD) has been assisting farmers, landowners, and the broader community in solving natural resource problems since 1958.

We take our responsibility to conserve soil and water resources seriously, recognizing that Talbot County’s landscape is inseparably connected to the health of the Chesapeake Bay. With more than 600 miles of shoreline along the Bay and its tributaries, we understand that decisions made on the land—whether on farms, woodlands, or developed properties—can have an immediate and lasting impact on local waterways and downstream water quality.

This commitment to conservation is shared by the agricultural community we serve. Year after year, Talbot County farmers and landowners have demonstrated outstanding stewardship through their willingness to plan, adopt, and maintain high levels of Best Management Practice (BMP) implementation. These practices help reduce soil loss, improve drainage and field conditions, protect streams and ditches, and support long-term productivity while also benefiting water quality and habitat.

In addition to agricultural conservation, Talbot SCD plays an important role in preventing erosion and sediment pollution associated with land disturbance and construction activity. The District reviews erosion and sediment control (ESC) plans required by state law to ensure they are complete, technically adequate, and designed to minimize off-site sedimentation. By promoting proper planning and effective on-the-ground controls, we help protect neighboring properties, public infrastructure, and local waterways from avoidable impacts during development.

Talbot SCD is unique among many agencies in that it is a unit of government itself. The District is governed by a board of appointed Supervisors who establish local priorities and policies, ensuring conservation efforts reflect the needs and conditions of Talbot County. We work cooperatively with landowners, farmers, and other partners on a voluntary basis to identify resource concerns, develop practical solutions, and implement conservation practices that make a measurable difference.

To carry out this mission, Talbot SCD is supported by a diverse team that includes Federal staff (USDA–Natural Resources Conservation Service), State staff (Maryland Department of Agriculture/Office of Resource Conservation), and District employees funded through local and grant-supported programs. Together, this partnership approach allows the District to deliver technical expertise, program support, and locally guided leadership—helping conserve natural resources, strengthen agriculture, and protect the Chesapeake Bay for future generations.

Learn about the District’s history

Formation of the Soil Conservation Districts

Talbot Soil Conservation District was organized in 1958, under provisions of the Maryland Soil Conservation Districts Law as a political subdivision of the State.