Sussex Conservation District

10/15/2026

Getting ready for our TEDI Tree Giveaway wouldn’t be possible without the tree-mendous work of our SCD family! From getting hundreds of native trees organized and tagged, our team has been branching out and going above and beyond to make this event unbe-leaf-able! 🍃

🗓️ The TEDI Tree Giveaway is THIS SATURDAY, October 17!

📍 23818 Shortly Rd, Georgetown, DE 19947
🕘 9 a.m. – Noon
🌳 500 native trees across 12 species!

Trees are available on a first-come, first-served basis, with one tree per person. The event will take place rain or shine!

We are "rooting" for a great turnout and hope to see you there!

10/15/2026

HOLY COW – ONLY 2 DAYS LEFT!

Delaware farmers, don't have a cow-niption over the deadline! There's still time to explore financial assistance opportunities through USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) conservation programs.

From planting cover crops to managing livestock, and everything else in between, the Regenerative Pilot Program (RPP) offers a pathway to build on your efforts and take the next step in regenerative agriculture!

🗓️ Application Deadline: October 16, 2026
📞 Sussex County NRCS Field Office: 302-856-3990, ext. 3

Click below to find your local NRCS Field Office and explore the programs!

10/14/2026

Rising energy costs create a significant financial strain on American farmers. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial and technical conservation assistance to help eligible farmers identify opportunities to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy use.

Examples of energy improvement practices include:
Lighting
Ventilation and fans
Insulation and building envelope sealing
And more!

These upgrades can help reduce energy consumption, improve operational efficiency and support long-term farm sustainability.

🗓️ Application Deadline: October 16, 2026
📞 Sussex County NRCS Field Office: 302-856-3990, ext. 3

Click below to find your local NRCS Field Office and explore the programs!

10/13/2026

Did you know? Research suggests that roughly 60-80% of the carbon in biochar can remain in the soil after 100 years, compared to 2-14% of the carbon in compost!

Interested in improving soil health through Soil Carbon Amendment? The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) provide technical and financial assistance to help farmers build on their existing conservation efforts while strengthening their farming practices.

The Conservation Stewardship Program is an opportunity to expand on your conservation efforts and take your operation to the next level!

🗓️ Application Deadline: October 16, 2026
📞 Sussex County NRCS Field Office: 302-856-3990, ext. 3

Click below to find your local NRCS Field Office and explore the programs!

10/13/2026

Beautiful weather, delicious blue crabs, and wonderful company made for a memorable evening at the Sussex Conservation District’s annual Crabs & Conservation Dinner! 🦀

We’re grateful to our cooperating farmers, legislators, and community partners who joined us to celebrate the important connection between agriculture, environmental stewardship, and protecting water quality across Sussex County. Your continued support helps make this work possible!

10/12/2026

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications for financial assistance through the following conservation programs :
🌾 EQIP – Environmental Quality Incentives
🌱 CSP – Conservation Stewardship Program
🌿 RPP – Regenerative Pilot Program

Don't miss this opportunity to explore conservation funding that can help support your farm's future, improve soil health, and implement best management practices!

🗓️ Application Deadline: October 16, 2026
📞 Sussex County NRCS Field Office: 302-856-3990, ext. 3
📍Find your local NRCS Field Office: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/find-a-service-center

🔗 Click below for more information:
🌾 EQIP – Environmental Quality Incentives Program: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/environmental-quality-incentives-program
🌱 CSP – Conservation Stewardship Program: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/conservation-stewardship-progam
🌿 RPP – Regenerative Pilot Program: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/regenerative-pilot-program

10/09/2026

Soil health testing is a crucial step in the NRCS Regenerative Pilot Program, giving farmers an established baseline to measure changes as they implement regenerative management practices.

Understanding your soil is key to making informed decisions, improving soil health, and supporting long-term farm productivity.

Learn more about the Regenerative Pilot Program: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/regenerative-pilot-program or contact your local field office.

Fall = the perfect time for football, pumpkins AND soil sampling.

We know. One of those things sounds considerably less exciting than the others. 🏈👀

If you think about it, soil testing is like an important halftime report for a producer’s field. It helps build understanding to support good management decisions and is useful for tracking changes overtime to evaluate what conservation practices are delivering positive soil health results. Because before you make the next play, it helps to know what you’re working with.

Contact your local USDA Service Center to learn more about how soil testing can benefit your conservation goals.

09/24/2026

📢 Calling all Cover Crop Participants 📢

The early cover crop planting deadline is quickly approaching!

Don't forget, we're offering a $5 per acre incentive payment for all aerial application.

📅 Planting Deadline: Oct. 1
📋 Self-Certification Deadline: Oct. 7

For questions, contact the Sussex Conservation District at 302-856-3990, ext. 3.

09/22/2026

Did you know that more than 70% of Delawareans rely on groundwater for their drinking water? 💧

If your farm is located within a Source Water Protection Area (SWPA), you may be eligible for up to 90% cost-share on conservation practices that protect groundwater while improving your operation!

Eligible practices include:
🌱 Cover Crops
🚜 Residue & Tillage Management
🌾 Nutrient Management
🌲 Riparian Forest Buffer.. and many more!

Want to see if your farm qualifies? Check out our website or talk to a Conservation Planner today.
🖥️ https://www.sussexconservation.org/resources/swpa
📞 (302) 856-3990, ext. 3

09/16/2026

Our Stormwater Program has been busy this week!

Over the weekend, SCD was invited to participate in the first annual Bays to Backyards Community Summit, hosted by the DE Center for the Inland Bays. Jessica Watson, Director of SCD’s Sediment and Stormwater Management Program, delivered a “lightning talk” focusing on nature-based stormwater BMPs. This summit provided a valuable opportunity for HOA leaders, residents and conservation partners to collaborate, share success stories and gain fresh ideas for taking sustainable actions to their own communities.

Today, we also kicked off our first 2026 Stormwater Seminar Series session with UD Cooperative Extension and welcomed a record-breaking turnout! Attendees joined us to learn from the following presentations:
💧 Stormwater 101: Led by Jess Watson, Sussex Conservation District
🦋Dragonfly Pond Works – Your Partner in Stormwater Management: Led by Jackie Toggart, Sarah Sipe, and Andrew Kasydar, Dragonfly Pond Works
🌱 Native by Design: Led by Ashley Game, Advanced Ecology LLC

A big thank you to all of our speakers and attendees for making the first session a success!
Our last two sessions are still open for registration! Learn more and register at: https://www.sussexconservation.org/events