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HOW MUCH MONEY IS AVAILABLE?

This competitive grant program awards selected applicants with up to $50,000 to support 3 years of enhanced healthy soil practices. Individual producers and organizations that want to take the next step to improve soil health may apply.
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WHEN CAN I APPLY FOR YOUR GRANTS?

You can apply for these grants during the open enrollment period, which typically begins in January and runs for approximately six weeks. Please bookmark this page and check back in January for applications and details on the latest signup.  

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WHAT TYPES OF PROJECTS ARE FUNDED?

Financial assistance is available to manage conservation practices in new and innovative ways that improve soil health, yield, and profitability and capture carbon. Eligible practices include:

• ​Cover Crops
  
• Conservation Tillage
  
• Pasture and Hay Planting
  
• Conservation Cover
  
• Critical Area Planting​
  
• Conservation Crop Rotation
  
• Nutrient Management
  
• Integrated Pest Management
  
• Prescribed Grazing

Forestry practices to improve soil health and build climate resilience​​​​​are also available for funding. These projects are highly ranked and include: 

• ​Alley Cropping
  
• Hedgerow Planting​
  
• Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment
  
• Silvopasture
  
• Tree and Shrub Establishment
  
  

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDS?

The following individuals or groups may apply for funding. You may apply for funding for more than one conservation practice:

• Individual farmers operating in Maryland
  
• Groups of farmers operating in Maryland
  
• Individuals or organizations conducting research with farmers in Maryland, participating farms must be named in the application ​  
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MORE INFORMATION

• ​There are no minimum or maximum acreage requirements
  
• Farm size is not a criteria for project selection 
  
• Funds may not be used to cover overhead or indirect costs
  
• Grant recipients will receive 20% of the funds upfront, with the remainder distributed annually upon verification of progress.  
  
• Funds may be used to:​​​
  
• Support implementation of conservation practices
  
• Cover staff and administrative time for organizations that provide technical support to producers
  
• Cover research costs 
  
• Purchase or rent equipment that supports the adoption of soil health practices 
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Funding for this program is provided by the Chesapeake and

Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund​​