This page was updated on November 15, 2020.
Since the mid-1970s, TNC has been working on Maryland’s Eastern Shore to protect some of the state’s most iconic habitats. During that time, TNC built a reputation of trust and respect with local farming communities.
Working with Farmers to Transform Agriculture
The world’s population is growing, and so is the demand for food. Over the past century, agriculture has become the dominant land use and largest source of freshwater pollution across the globe and here in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Despite the fact that the human population in the region has more than doubled in the past 50 years, water quality in the Bay has actually improved. How have farmers contributed to this great success story? The answer is regenerative agriculture.


This method of food production incorporates practices that improve biodiversity, water quality and climate resiliency on farmland. The Nature Conservancy, in collaboration with the Delaware Maryland Agribusiness Association and U.S. Department of Agriculture, along with over 30 other NGO, government and private partners formed the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) in 2014 to support farmers, landowners and agribusinesses across Delmarva in the implementation of regenerative agriculture practices. A first of its kind, the partnership achieved incredible results before it concluded in 2020.
Field to Stream Report
Final summary of the Delmarva Conservation Partnership From Field to Stream RCPP project.
DownloadOver the five-year program lifespan, the RCPP assisted local farmers in the implementation of advanced in-field technological practices on more than 13,700 acres of Delmarva farmland. These advanced practices improved not only water quality and habitat, but also the farmers’ bottom lines. The Delaware–Maryland 4R Alliance was formed as part of the RCPP and will serve as the mechanism through which TNC and partners will work with farmers on regenerative agriculture into the future.
This project was only possible with the support of our partners. Collectively, they supported the goals of this venture with science, outreach and restoration projects totaling over $9M in contributions. Partners include the Chesapeake Conservancy, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), Ducks Unlimited, NOAA, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, Soil Country Conservation Districts, France Merrick Foundation, the Maryland Department of Agriculture, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES), Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Freeing a Trapped River
The RCPP also helped permanently protect and restore more than 2,900 acres of wetlands, a substantial portion of which stemmed from one of the largest ecological restoration projects in Maryland’s history, the Pocomoke River restoration project.
The 73-mile long Pocomoke River drains water from four Delmarva counties. In the mid-20th century, an 18-mile section of the Pocomoke was dredged and channelized, disconnecting the river from thousands of acres of floodplain.
To date, working with parners, we have restored more than 3,000 acres of floodplain wetlands which will help reduce erosion and improve water quality and habitat for wildlife and for people who depend on a healthy Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.
When this project is complete in the next two to three years, the Pocomoke River will see an annual reduction of 71,000 pounds of total nitrogen, 7,600 pounds of total phosphorus and 47,500 pounds of total sediment into the Chesapeake Bay.
Scaling Sustainable Agriculture
Our work with agricultural partners isn't limited to the Eastern Shore. Around the world TNC is fostering innovations in technology, collaborating with agricultural communities and agribusinesses, and promoting policies that enable sustainable framing practices.

TNC is making important investments in growing our sustainable agriculture program in China, the world’s most populous country. Agriculture is a vital industry in China, employing over 300 million farmers. For context, that’s roughly the entire population of the United States.
Improving efficiencies and reducing the environmental impacts of the agricultural industry in China will be a huge win for people and nature. However, China is behind the U.S. when it comes to the widespread adoption of sustainable farming practices. To accelerate the adoption of these practices in China, Ying Li and Nan Zeng, leaders of TNC’s China Ag team, spent two weeks touring U.S. farms with local TNC staff and partners during a visit in 2019.
Ying and Nan’s first stop was Harborview Farms in Rock Hall, Maryland where they learned about precision nitrogen application, cover crops and soil health from farm owner/operator Trey Hill and agribusiness partner Mike Twining of Willard Agri-Service.
From Maryland to China






Contact
Amy Jacobs
Agriculture Program Director
Email: ajacobs@tnc.org
Additional Resources
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Delmarva Conservation Partnership Fact Sheet
Working together for clean water, habitat for plants and animals, and thriving agriculture.
DOWNLOAD -
Improving Soil Health Through Partnership
When landowners and farmers collaborate to adopt soil health practices, everyone wins.
DOWNLOAD -
Pocomoke River Floodplain Restoration Fact Sheet
Reversing a legacy of ditching and draining to reconnect the Pocomoke River to its floodplain wetlands.
DOWNLOAD
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