MSCD News

Close Encounters with Agriculture

MSCD director John Zawitoski accepts NRCS award for volunteerism

Recently, the District was recognized by USDA-NRCS for our volunteer conservation outreach and education efforts associated with the Close Encounters with Agriculture Program (CEWA).

We are very proud of this program and the countless hours our staff and volunteers contribute in delivering the CEWA program to County elementary schools.

Learn more about the CEWA program at the UMD Extension's website.

Welcome to Natalia Salazar

Please join us in welcoming Natalia Salazar to the MSCD team!

Natalia moved to Montgomery County from Spain almost 10 years ago. She attended Montgomery College, then transferred to Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts. From there, she attended the University of Maryland, where she earned her Master’s Degree in Soils and Agriculture.

During this period, she has worked on two small farms in Montgomery County (Calleva Farm in Dickerson and Chocolates & Tomatoes Farm in Germantown). She has aspirations of applying her knowledge of soils and agriculture by tending to her own small vegetable garden one day. While this is her first experience working in the field of Nutrient Management, she has really enjoyed working with the farmers as well as working with the resource professionals in Extension and the partner agricultural agencies in the County.

We are very excited to have Natalia on board to help our farmers comply with navigating the Nutrient Management process and regulatory requirements. Natalia replaces Amanda Laudwein who provided assistance with Nutrient Management Planning needs. Natalia’s office is located at the Agricultural History Farm Park in the Extension Office. She can be reached at 301-590-2840 or via email at nsalaza1@umd.edu.

Welcome to Travis Gorleski

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Thank you everyone that came out to meet and greet Travis Gorleski, the MSCD Equine Conservation Planner, this July at The Surrey in Darnestown.

Many thanks to Jane Thery and the good folks at The Surrey for hosting this event. Travis is very excited to get to work in serving the conservation needs of our Equine Community.

If you weren’t able to get to the event but would like to welcome Travis aboard, he can be reached via email at