COCKEYSVILLE, Md. — On Wednesday, January 12, from 12:00-12:30, Kevin Warring of Persistence Creek Farm, recent recipient of the prestigious Leopold Conservation Award, will be the featured guest on Soil Health to Go, the Million Acre Challenge’s monthly lunch & learn series.
The southern Maryland farm is a 245-acre grain, seafood and timber business. Kevin, his wife Lauren, and family use crop rotation, no-till or low- till, careful nutrient management, in-field and edge-of-field conservation practices to boost soil microorganisms, minimize chemical inputs, maximize yields, and help protect the Chesapeake Bay.
Kevin, a self-described “flower geek,” has planted acres of wildflowers and native grasses to attract insect pollinators and to provide diverse habitat for species such as wild turkeys, deer, and rabbits. He notes, “On the farm, we focus on soil, water, wildlife, and creating a sustainable business. We’re also interested in building community. One farm is not enough.”
Working alongside his father, Kevin is also a waterman. He fishes for crabs in the summer and oysters in the winter. Recently, he helped start the Wicomico River Oyster Cooperative together with 11 other watermen. He is an active member of the Maryland Farm Bureau, the Charles County Waterman’s Association, and the Charles Soil Conservation District. Kevin has a master’s degree in economics from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree in physics from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and he works off farm with the U.S. Navy.
The Maryland Leopold Conservation Award, which recognizes agricultural landowners actively committed to a land ethic, is made possible through the generous support of American Farmland Trust, Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment, Maryland Association of Conservation Districts, Maryland Farm Bureau, Inc., Sand County Foundation, Maryland Department of Agriculture, Farm Credit, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Delmarva Chicken Association, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Chesapeake Conservancy, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, ShoreRivers, and The Nature Conservancy.
THE MILLION ACRE CHALLENGE
The Million Acre Challenge helps Maryland farmers build soil health, increase farm profitability, and improve water quality – while making farms resilient and active in the face of climate change. Our farmer-focused collaborative uses soil health science, economics, education, and incentives to achieve our mission. Our vision is enhanced soil and ecosystem health and increased farm profitability on at least one million agricultural acres in Maryland, with significant progress and partnerships in the Chesapeake region, by 2030.
–Million Acre Challenge