Ecosystem Incentives Program
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The Ecosystem Incentives Program provides farmers with a menu of conservation incentives that promote clean water, healthy soil and climate solutions. Please read on to learn more about our offerings. See something you like? Contact your local soil conservation district for free help from the experts in meeting your conservation needs.
Conservation Buffer Initiative
This pilot program complements CREP by offering farmers and landowners attractive incentive payments to plant streamside buffers on farms to improve local water quality. Like CREP, farmers receive a one-time bonus payment of $1,000/acre to install forest buffers. However, this program provides features not offered by CREP including:
- A buffer option for field ditches
- Flexible site management
- Shorter contract terms
to learn more about Maryland's Conservation Buffer Initiative.
Tree Planting Incentives
A tree-planting bonus is now available to farmers and landowners who install qualifying conservation practices financed through the
Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share Program. The incentive aims to help Maryland achieve its ambitious tree-planting goal to capture greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.
- Under this incentive program, eligible farmers will receive $2 for each new tree planted as part of an approved conservation practice
- This payment is in addition to the regular cost-share rate for the qualifying practice. It is available for the following conservation practices:
- Windbreak Establishment – $2 per tree plus up to 100% cost-share
- Silvopasture – $2 per tree plus up to 87.5% cost-share
- Riparian Forest Buffer – $2 per tree plus up to 100% cost-share
- Hedgerow Planting – $2 per tree plus up to 100% cost-share
- Tree and Shrub Establishment – $2 per tree plus up to 100% cost-share
Learn more about our Tree Planting Incentives.
Click here to read the news release.
CREP Signing Bonus
The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is a federal-state partnership program that gives farmers a one-time signing bonus to take environmentally sensitive land out of production for 10 to 15 years and plant conservation practices that protect soil, water, and wildlife. The bonus is on top of attractive annual rental payments farmers receive to maintain grass, shrubs, trees, or wetlands on sensitive land for the life of their contracts. Newly enrolled farmers and landowners who plant riparian forest buffers receive a one-time signing bonus of up to $1,000 per acre.
Learn more about CREP and how it can provide you with steady income on marginal land that is no longer profitable to farm.
Cover Crop Plus 
This program pays higher incentives for enhanced cover crop implementation to encourage greater biodiversity and residue management to improve soil health. Enrolled farmers agree to grow cover crop mixes on the same field for three consecutive years, maintain a living root system, and manage the cover crop for maximum benefits.
Conservation Equipment Tax Break
The Maryland Income Tax Subtraction Modification for Conservation Equipment helps farmers offset costs to buy certain types of conservation equipment to control soil erosion, manage nutrients, and protect local water quality. The incentive allows farmers to subtract eligible equipment purchases from taxable income on Maryland individual and corporate tax returns.
Click to learn more.
Download an application.
Low Interest Loans
Low Interest Loans for Agricultural Conservation (LILAC) are offered to help farmers install BMPs on their farms, purchase conservation equipment, and adopt new technologies to protect natural resources. These loans are guaranteed by the Maryland Water Quality Revolving Loan Fund.
