Soil Health Information

Have an Innovative Idea to Improve Soil Health?

The application period for Maryland's Healthy Soils Competitive Fund is NOW OPEN! Grant proposals will be accepted from November 3, 2025 through January 9, 2026.

This funding opportunity is available to Maryland farmers and organizations that work with farmers to implement innovative conservation practices. Proposals should focus on soil health management strategies and systems that:

Minimize soil disturbance
Maximize soil cover
Enhance biodiversity
Increase the presence of living roots

Funding and Eligible Expenses

This competitive grant program awards selected applicants with up to $50,000 to support 3 years of enhanced soil health practices. Grant recipients will receive a portion of the funds (not to exceed 30%) upfront, with the reminder distributed annually following verification of progress.

Funds may be used to support the implementation of conservation practices, including the purchase of equipment, to cover project staff time, and to cover research costs.
Applicants are encouraged to rent equipment or purchase used equipment where possible.
Labor included in application budgets must be directly related to project implementation and should not be connected to existing activities, general farm operations, or the long-term implementation of practices.

Types of Projects Tree tube with leaves inside it

Financial assistance is available to manage conservation practices in new and innovative ways that improve soil health, yield, and profitability and capture carbon. You may apply for funding for more than one conservation practice. 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
Soil Carbon Amendment

The following agroforestry practices are also eligible for funding:

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

Who is Eligible? Two people wearing straw hats and weeding in a garden

There are no minimum or maximum acreage requirements.
Open to individual farmers or groups of farmers operating in Maryland.
Individuals or organizations working with farmers in Maryland are also eligible.
The agricultural operation(s) applying, or the agricultural operations partnering with an individual or organization, must have a gross annual income of $2,500 or more (or $2,500 or more of donated agricultural products if a non-profit entity) and/or manage 8 or more animal units (8,000 pounds of live animal weight).
Applicants must provide proof of compliance with Maryland's nutrient management requirements at the time of application by submitting a Current Nutrient Management Plan Certification Form. If you have any questions about compliance, please contact the regional nutrient management specialist serving your county.

Crimson clover cover crop and farm equipment

Maryland's Healthy Soils Program

Farmers in Maryland have established themselves as national leaders in on-farm conservation. They have demonstrated a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and soil health through the early and widespread adoption of conservation practices, such as cover crops and no-till farming.

The Healthy Soils Program aims to enhance and expand this leadership by supporting Maryland producers who want to elevate their conservation efforts. This program encourages the adoption and testing of new and innovative conservation management practices, amplifies their credible stewardship of soil and water resources, and fosters the development of soil health knowledge within the agricultural community.

Funding for this program is provided by the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund and the Moore Administration.

Updated 9/18/25