The 2024-2025 enrollment period has ended.
Please contact your local soil conservation district​ if you have questions about planting your cover crop.
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SIGN UP DATES

This year’s cover crop sign-up runs  June 21 through July 17, 2024, at soil conservation district offices statewide.  This is your opportunity to apply for attractive grants to help pay for seed, labor, and equipment costs to plant cover crops in your fields this fall. Note: The 2024-2025 Cover Crop enrollment period is now closed. Approval letters will be mailed the week of August 12, 2024.​

WHY COVER CROPS?

Fall-planted cover crops are your best defense against erosion and runoff in the winter. They build healthy soil by supplying organic matter, suppressing weeds and pests, reducing compaction, and protecting fields from too much or too little rain. They even help remove carbon from the atmosphere.

APPLY IN PERSON

Please contact your local soil conservation district to apply for our grants​. You will be asked for a copy of your completed Nutrient Management Certification. This form is included in your registration packet and can be downloaded from our website.

WHAT’S NEW

• ​This year, we’re offering increased incentive payments to farmers who use highly valued planting practices.​
  
• You can earn up to $95/acre with incentives.
  
• Aerially seeded cover crops qualify for up to $90/acre with incentives.
  
• Important Note: Due to the overwhelming response to this year’s Cover Crop Program, we have exceeded our funding threshold. To ensure we can accommodate all applicants, the "Delayed Termination Incentive" will not be offered this year.  If you requested this incentive on your application, your total eligible grant amount will be reduced accordingly. 
  

PLANTING OPTIONS​

• ​Plant cover crops after corn, soybeans, sorghum, tobacco, vegetables, hemp, or millet.
  
• You must sign up to plant at least 10 acres of cover crops ​to participate in this program.
  
• Total enrolled acres may not exceed acreage managed under the farm’s Nutrient Management Plan.
  
• Direct deposit of cost-share grants is available.
  

SEED REQUIREMENTS

• ​Homegrown and purchased seed must be tested and labeled following Maryland Seed Law and Regulations.
  
• Seed must be free of prohibited noxious weed seeds, have a minimum germination rate of 80%, and have no more than 16 restricted noxious weeds per pound.
  
• Cost-share is available for seed testing.
  

ELIGIBLE COVER CROP SPECIES

• Cereal Grains Wheat/Spelt, Rye, Barley, Triticale, Oats, and Ryegrass
  
• Brassicas​ Forage Radish and Canola/Rape
  
• Legumes ​Clover, Austrian Winter Peas, and Hairy Vetch  (must be planted with a cereal grain as part of a mix)

COVER CROP MIXES

Planting a cover crop mix can increase biodiversity on your farm and protect against weather extremes.

• ​Two-species cover crop mixes may be planted at a rate of 50% cereal grains and 50% brassicas or legumes.
  
• Three species mixes (50/25/25) must contain a minimum of 50% eligible cereal grains.

IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES

• ​Plant mixes containing legumes, forage radish, canola/rape, or oats by October 1, 2024.
  
• The aerial seeding deadline is October 10, 2024. Some species have earlier deadlines.
• Plant cereal grains by November 5, 2024. Some species have earlier deadlines.
• Terminate cover crops between March 1 and June 1, 2025.
  
• The latest date cover crops may be planted is November 15, with termination no earlier than May 1, 2025. 

FALL MANAGEMENT OPTIONS

After becoming well-established, eligible cover crops may be grazed or chopped for on-farm livestock forage. Manure may be applied in the fall following Maryland’s nutrient management regulations. Ask your soil conservation district about new guidelines for applying non-poultry manure to cover crops.

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENT

To receive payment, you must certify your cover crop with the local soil conservation district within one week of planting and by November 12, 2024. Certify late-planted cover crops by November 22, 2024. All follow-up documentation must be submitted to the local SCD by December 2​, 2024​ to receive payment.

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FIND A CONTRACTOR TO PLANT YOUR COVER CROP

Click here​ for a list of contractors who can plant cover crops in your fields

this fall.

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY

• ​You must be in good standing with the Conservation Grants Program and in compliance with Maryland’s nutrient management requirements.
  
• Additional restrictions may apply.​