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.

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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.

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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.

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