Trending...
- Kevin Francis Design Introduces CHROMA, a Collection of Saturated Solid Color Wool Rugs
- The $5 Million Man Still Begging: Incumbent Jimmy Panetta Hits Up Voters for More Cash Despite Massive War Chest
- Equipment Leases, Inc. Launches Updated Family Office Equipment Financing Page
ANNAPOLIS, MD (June 12, 2025) ~ The Maryland Department of Agriculture has announced that the annual Cover Crop Sign-Up will be open from June 23 to July 17, 2025. This popular conservation program provides financial assistance to farmers for planting fall cover crops, which helps to build healthy soils and protect the Chesapeake Bay. With a budget of $22 million for this year, the program aims to support as many farmers as possible in their conservation efforts.
According to Maryland Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks, planting cover crops is one of the best ways for farmers to protect soil and water resources. Last year's sign-up was one of the largest in the program's history, with nearly 500,000 acres of fall cover crops planted using over $30 million in department cost-share grants. This year's program has been streamlined to align with state budget projections and make funding go further.
The Cover Crop Program offers grants to Maryland farmers for planting a variety of cold-hardy cereal grains and mixes. These cover crops can be planted after corn, soybeans, sorghum, tobacco, vegetables, hemp, millet, and now sunflowers and sod. However, enrolled fields cannot be harvested but can be grazed or chopped for on-farm livestock forage once they are well-established.
More on Marylandian
Some highlights of the 2025-2026 program include a base payment of $35 per acre and the potential to earn up to $65 per acre with add-on incentives. Farmers who aerially seed cover crops into standing corn by October 10 will also qualify for a $10 per acre incentive. Additionally, non-poultry manure can be applied to cover crop fields in the fall at a flat rate of $25 per acre.
To participate in this program, farmers must sign up to plant at least 10 acres of cover crops. These fall-planted cover crops provide numerous benefits such as recycling unused plant nutrients from previous summer crops, fortifying soil for spring planting, and combating erosion, weeds, and pests. They also help to capture carbon from the air and store it in the soil.
In an effort to educate interested farmers about the program and the benefits of cover crops for water quality and soil health, the department is offering a webinar on June 18, 2025. Speakers from the University of Maryland's Wye Research and Education Center will discuss these topics, along with an update from department staff. Attendance at the webinar awards 1 Nutrient Management CEU or 1 credit towards renewing a nutrient management voucher.
More on Marylandian
The Cover Crop Program is administered by the department's Conservation Grants Program and the state's 23 soil conservation districts. It is open to Maryland farmers who are in good standing with the program and comply with nutrient management requirements. A completed Current Nutrient Management Plan Certification is required at sign-up, along with other restrictions and conditions. Funding for this year's program is provided by the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund and the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund.
Farmers can apply for cover crop grants in person at their local soil conservation district between June 23 and July 17. Those who participated in last year's program will receive an information packet in their mailboxes. More information can also be found on the department's website.
The Cover Crop Sign-Up is an important initiative that not only benefits farmers but also helps to protect Maryland's valuable natural resources. With a streamlined process and increased funding, it is hoped that more farmers will take advantage of this program to support their conservation efforts.
According to Maryland Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks, planting cover crops is one of the best ways for farmers to protect soil and water resources. Last year's sign-up was one of the largest in the program's history, with nearly 500,000 acres of fall cover crops planted using over $30 million in department cost-share grants. This year's program has been streamlined to align with state budget projections and make funding go further.
The Cover Crop Program offers grants to Maryland farmers for planting a variety of cold-hardy cereal grains and mixes. These cover crops can be planted after corn, soybeans, sorghum, tobacco, vegetables, hemp, millet, and now sunflowers and sod. However, enrolled fields cannot be harvested but can be grazed or chopped for on-farm livestock forage once they are well-established.
More on Marylandian
- Dominican Fashion Designer Raiza Bonaparte presents the Sovereign Despampanante Collection at the Library of Congress
- What Happens When Congress Says No? New Book Examines the Boland Amendments, Iran-Contra Affair & Jamaican Posse, as US Congress Debate Over Military
- Warm, Dry Summer Forecast Points to a Stronger Wasp and Yellowjacket Season Across the Pacific Northwest
- Qscription Technologies Appoints Anurag Velekkatt Sunil Kumar to Drive Enterprise Scale
- Coming Up on Moving America Forward: Kim Natovitz, Leading Long-Term Care Specialist and Retirement Expert, Joins Tom Hegna
Some highlights of the 2025-2026 program include a base payment of $35 per acre and the potential to earn up to $65 per acre with add-on incentives. Farmers who aerially seed cover crops into standing corn by October 10 will also qualify for a $10 per acre incentive. Additionally, non-poultry manure can be applied to cover crop fields in the fall at a flat rate of $25 per acre.
To participate in this program, farmers must sign up to plant at least 10 acres of cover crops. These fall-planted cover crops provide numerous benefits such as recycling unused plant nutrients from previous summer crops, fortifying soil for spring planting, and combating erosion, weeds, and pests. They also help to capture carbon from the air and store it in the soil.
In an effort to educate interested farmers about the program and the benefits of cover crops for water quality and soil health, the department is offering a webinar on June 18, 2025. Speakers from the University of Maryland's Wye Research and Education Center will discuss these topics, along with an update from department staff. Attendance at the webinar awards 1 Nutrient Management CEU or 1 credit towards renewing a nutrient management voucher.
More on Marylandian
- SafeBets Named Presenting Sponsor of IMCX 2026, Bringing Its No-Deposit Prediction Platform to the Creator Economy's Deal-Making Conference
- A New Pulse for Cardiac Care in Baltimore: St. Elizabeth Rehab & Nursing Welcomes Dr. Hakim Uqdah and Expands Advanced Heart Program
- Inframark–Slater Joint Venture Selected to Manage Fulton County Wastewater Operations
- Cancun International Airport Reports Strong Start to Summer 2026 Travel Season
- Freedomtech Solutions Launches the World's First Pre‑Installed Agentic AI Server — Instant, Sovereign, Infrastructure‑Native Intelligence
The Cover Crop Program is administered by the department's Conservation Grants Program and the state's 23 soil conservation districts. It is open to Maryland farmers who are in good standing with the program and comply with nutrient management requirements. A completed Current Nutrient Management Plan Certification is required at sign-up, along with other restrictions and conditions. Funding for this year's program is provided by the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund and the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund.
Farmers can apply for cover crop grants in person at their local soil conservation district between June 23 and July 17. Those who participated in last year's program will receive an information packet in their mailboxes. More information can also be found on the department's website.
The Cover Crop Sign-Up is an important initiative that not only benefits farmers but also helps to protect Maryland's valuable natural resources. With a streamlined process and increased funding, it is hoped that more farmers will take advantage of this program to support their conservation efforts.
0 Comments
Latest on Marylandian
- CCHR Condemns Behavioral Treatment After FDA's Missed Deadline to Ban Shock Device
- Brilliant Minds to Gather in Fort Worth for National Mensa Event
- UK Financial Ltd Completes One Of The Most Extensive CoinMarketCap Supply Verification Packages For Maya Preferred PRA (MPRA)
- Data Tiles Strengthens U.S. Presence with Chief Revenue Officer John Goode
- Haven Media Solutions Offers Web Design and PPC Services in Atlanta GA
- TREND Network Announces Miami Based Reality Series "Coming Up Miami" Premiering July 1
- Beemok Hospitality Collection And KLH Group Announce Preferred Partnership
- Maryland Department of Agriculture Announces Reduction in Electric Vehicle Charger Registration Fee
- Expanding Access to Mental Health Care in Toronto with Dr. Stephen Shainbart
- Dr. Stephen Shainbart Launches Expanded Mental Health Support for Anxiety and Depression in Toronto
- Equipment Leases, Inc. Launches Updated Family Office Equipment Financing Page
- The $5 Million Man Still Begging: Incumbent Jimmy Panetta Hits Up Voters for More Cash Despite Massive War Chest
- Kevin Francis Design Introduces CHROMA, a Collection of Saturated Solid Color Wool Rugs
- Maryland: Invasive Plant Advisory Committee (IPAC) Meeting Notice
- $150+ Million Contracted Backlog, Strategic Acquisitions Adding Millions In Recurring Revenue, Improving Margins & A Clear Path Toward Profitability
- Record Revenue Growth, AI-Driven Healthcare Innovation, Expanding Proprietary Brand and Targeting $200 Million Revenue By 2029: Cosmos Health Inc
- Bergey's Truck Centers Recognized in 2026 MACH Alliance Composable Impact Awards
- What Would you Do with Your Time if it Was Actually Money?
- Mr. Hospital Bed Showcases the Best Hospital Bed and Air Mattress for Bed Sores for 2026
- Traian TKD Tractari Auto Iasi: cum transporti legal la RAR o masina fara numere sau cu ITP expirat