Soil Health to Go! with Maryland Department of Agriculture

For their February Soil Health to Go, the Million Acre Challenge is focused on funding!

On Wednesday, February 14, 2023, from 12-12:30, two guests from the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) discuss opportunities for Maryland farmers to access financial assistance. Nick Miller, program specialist for MDA’s Healthy Soils Program will provide an overview of the Healthy Soils Competitive Fund, and Bill Tharpe, program administrator for the Urban Ag and Small Farms program, will offer insights into the Small Acreage Cover Crop program.

Healthy Soils Competitive Fund

Maryland farmers and organizations with innovative conservation ideas are encouraged to apply for these grants. Successful applicants will receive up to $50,000 to support 3 years of enhanced healthy soil practices. Funding can be applied to many practices, including but not limited to: cover crops, conservation tillage, pasture & hedgerow planting, silvopasture, tree & shrub establishment, and more! Grants may also be used to purchase equipment that supports the adoption of soil health practices. Deadline to apply for this program is March 6, 2024.

Small Acreage Cover Crop

New this Year: Urban agricultural growers and small farmers who plant less than ten (10) acres of qualifying cover crops—including cereal grains or cover crop seed mixes for both summer or winter cover crops—may apply for these grants. Financial assistance for this program has been raised to $1,500 per grower, per year. Urban agricultural growers and small farmers who plant less than 10 acres of a cover crop may apply for our grants. Growers will be reimbursed based on paid receipts.

Cover crops may be planted in open plots/fields, raised beds, or a high tunnel following the harvest of a production crop (vegetables, herbs, flowers, corn, sorghum, soybeans, hemp, millet, or tobacco). Enrollment Dates -- April 24 through May 26, 2023

REGISTER to get your questions answered by the experts at this free, virtual event. We look forward to seeing you soon!