Protecting and improving water, soil, and other natural resources
Garrett Soil Conservation District
Important Announcements
2024 Cooperator's Dinner
The 2024 Garrett Soil Conservation District Cooperator’s Dinner will be held on Friday, November 15, 2024, at the Bittinger Mennonite Gymnasium. Doors open at 6:00 pm, and dinner starts 6:30 pm. A program will follow the dinner.
The Menu includes: Choice of roast beef or chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, corn, salad, rolls, dessert, and beverage.
Tickets are $12 for adults, $7 for children age 6-12, and free for children under age 5. Everyone must have a ticket to attend the dinner, including children age 5 and under. Tickets can be purchased online with a debit or credit card or through the mail with a check or money order made payable to Garrett Soil Conservation District, 1916 Maryland Hwy, Ste C, Mt Lake Park, MD 21550. TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED BY OCTOBER 31, 2024. No late reservations can be accepted because totals have to be in to the caterer by that date. Tickets WILL NOT be available at the door.
The Tree Sale is Back!!!
We are starting up the GSCD Fruit Tree and Fruiting Bush Sale for 2025! Order now for pick up in April of 2025.
We encourage you to order early because we won’t be able to get more of most of the items, particularly the trees.
All of our trees and bushes have been customized to the Garrett County and surrounding areas. We are using designer rootstocks for many of the trees to replace highly commercialized rootstocks that have proven to have problems, particularly in our area. Our trees, bushes, and rootstocks are cold-hardy to Zone 4 or below. What that all means is that you might find some of the same varieties in a chain store (like Crimson Crisp 15′ to 18′), but it likely won’t be the same tree because we customized the rootstock.
This year, we have varieties offered in three different sizes. We have dwarf (10′), shorter semi-dwarf (15′ to 18′), and regular semi-dwarf (18′ to 20′). Size is specific to the variety in most cases.
We have some great heirlooms like Northern Spy, Wolf Acres, Yellow Transparent, and Summer Rambo. And we have super-disease resistant varieties like Freedom and GoldRush apples and Kenmore, Bluebyrd, and Long John plums. Plus, we have super-cold hardy peaches that have been proven to produce great peaches as far north as Zone 4. What’s more, we are offering a northern Sweet Cherry that produces very well in areas as cold as Zone 4 and still has great taste!
Please check out our Tree & Bush sale shop and tell all your friends and family about it!
Drought Assistance through FSA
If you are a farmer affected by the drought in either Garrett, Allegany, Washington, or Frederick Counties you may be eligible for Drought Assistance through the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Funds are available for loses incurred by farms raising livestock, honeybees, farm raised fish, trees, bushes, vines, and crop loses for which crop insurance is not available.
2024 GSCD $1000 Scholarship Winner
Congratulations to the 2024 GSCD $1000 Scholarship winner – Anna Martin! We had quite a few applicants this year, all of whom were very worthy students with impressive achievements and goals. Anna was selected based on her educational and career goals, GPA, and work and volunteer experience in line with the District’s focus.
Equipment Rentals
The District has a No-Till Drill and a Fertilizer Spreader available for rent. The Drill is $10 per acre and the Spreader is $3 per ton. For more information, or to rent either piece of equipment, call our office at 301-501-5886 or email jeannie.frazee@maryland.gov
Erosion & Sediment Review Permit Fees
For more information about Erosion Sediment Review Fees, please visit the Erosion & Sediment Control page of this website.
More Announcements
Make sure you check out our “Announcements” tab at the top for more important updates.
District Board of Supervisors Meetings
Regular meetings of the Garrett Soil Conservation District Board of Supervisors will be held in person at the office on the 3rd Tuesday of each month.
Anyone having an item to discuss with the Supervisors is invited to attend any of the meetings. Please click on the “Current Agenda” button for the meeting agenda.
Meetings will begin at 7:00 PM. All dates and times are subject to change if weather conditions, workload, or other factors make it necessary.
The next Garrett Soil Conservation District Board of Supervisors Monthly Meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 15, at 7:00 p.m., at the Board Room in the GSCD office. The meeting is open to the public.
Current Agenda will be posted several days ahead of each meeting.
Helping Local Farmers
Find out more about grants that are currently available. From high tunnels to fencing to storage and more, your District helps supports our agricultural community.
Helping the Local Community
Find out what the District is doing in our local community. Learn how the Garrett Soil Conservation District supports community education, 4-H, FFA, and more.
GSC Newsletters
Keep informed about what is happening with the Garrett Soil Conservation District. Learn interesting facts. Find out what services are available to local farmers and community members.
Call us to be added to the mailing list if you do not use email. 301-501-5886.
Want to Know More About What the District Has Been Doing?
Read about the impact that your Soil Conservation District has had on Garrett County.
Did you know we have a No Till Drill and a Lime Spreader available for rent?
Be sure to follow us on Facebook for all the latest. And please tell your friends about us too!
Photo Gallery
Want to see some great old photographs from the county? Be sure to visit our Gallery, under the “Contact” tab and our old Oakland flood photos under “Education” > “County Dams”.
