Dr. Brinsfield has been conducting research on the effects of best management practices on nutrient transport from various agricultural cropping systems since 1984. He has been the director of the Wye Research and Education Center since 1982 and has served as executive director of the Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology, Inc. since 1999. In addition, he is a co-founder of the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy which works with private land owners to preserve farms, forest and other unique natural areas for future generations. Since 1990, the Conservancy has preserved over 40,000 acres on Maryland's Mid-Eastern Shore. Dr. Brinsfield has co-authored over 100 publications, presentations and reports including the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation national award in 1999 for best journal article of the year. He currently serves as member of the Board of Trustees for the Chesapeake Bay Trust and was recently appointed to Governor O'Malley's BayStat Council to provide advice on agricultural and environmental issues.