Small Acreage Cover Crop Program
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The 2025 Enrollment Period for this Program is Now Closed
Maryland’s Small Acreage Cover Crop Program provides financial assistance to urban and small-scale producers who want to plant cover crops but do not qualify for traditional cover crop grant programs geared toward larger farm operations. Please check back next March for our 2026 program details.
2025 Enrollment Dates
March 3 through April 25, 2025
How it Works
- Urban agricultural growers and small farmers that plant
less than 10 acres of a cover crop may apply for our grants.
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The maximum payment per grower is
$1,500 per year.
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Growers will be reimbursed based on paid receipts.
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Eligible species include single cereal grains or cover crop seed mixes.
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Cover crops may be planted in open plots/fields, raised beds, or a high tunnel.
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Growers should follow cover crop planting recommendations made by the seed manufacturer or the University of Maryland Extension for eligible species.
Who Should Apply
Individual growers, organized for-profit agricultural businesses, or non-profit organizations may apply for our grants. The operation must produce a farm product that generates
a minimum of $1,000 in
sales or donations annually. Grant recipients are responsible for complying with all local, state, or federal regulations and securing required permits necessary for the agricultural operation. The farm product must be grown or raised in the state of Maryland. The following types of operations are eligible:
- Any agricultural, horticultural, vegetable, or fruit product of the soil, whether raw or canned, frozen, dried, pickled, or otherwise processed
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Livestock, meats, marine food products, poultry, eggs, or dairy products
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Equine operations
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Wool, hides, feathers, or honey
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Any product of farm, forest, orchard, garden, or water
Funding
The Small Acreage Cover Crop Program is funded by the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund and managed by the department’s Small Farm and Urban Agriculture Program.
About Us
Maryland’s Small Farm and Urban Agriculture Program provides financial assistance to support small-scale agricultural operations located in urban, peri-urban, rural, and suburban areas. Its goal is to increase community access to healthy foods by helping farmers improve their management of natural resources by adopting Bay-friendly and climate-smart farming practices. Additional programs aimed at urban and small farms are currently in the planning stages. Please check back often for new programs and updates.
Updated 3/10/25
