Dairy farmer Leroy Bupp discusses no-till and cover cropping practices at the MAEOE conference.

“Farming is science, economics, communications, medicine and so much more. I have so much respect for farmers now!â€_x009d_ said one of 17 environmentalists who visited Green Acres Farm in Lewes, Del., as part of ADA North East’s sponsorship of the Maryland Association for Environmental & Outdoor Education (MAEOE) conference.

In total, more than 600 formal and non-formal educators attended the event, making it the largest state-wide environmental education conference in the nation. ADA North East also sponsored former Pennsylvania dairy farmer and Pennsylvania No-Till Alliance board member Leroy Bupp who discussed no-till and cover cropping practices used to improve soil health while protecting local waterways from sediment and nutrient runoff.

To help build demand and sales of milk and dairy, ADA North East’s sustainability strategy is not only focusing on helping dairy farmers find more ways to show their commitment to stewardship, but also building relationships and increasing support from environmental groups.