ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 2, 2024) ~ Annapolis, MD - The Maryland Department of Agriculture has announced the opening of its Healthy Soils Competitive Fund for the third consecutive year. Starting on December 2, 2024, farmers and organizations in the state can apply for financial assistance to adopt conservation practices aimed at improving soil health.

According to Maryland Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks, this unique program offers up to $50,000 in funding for three years to support enhanced soil health practices. The goal is to promote healthy food and clean water while also boosting climate resilience. "We look forward to partnering with Maryland farmers on this worthwhile investment," said Atticks.

The grant is open to farmers, groups of farmers, or organizations working with farmers who want to manage various practices in innovative ways. These include cover crops, conservation tillage, pasture and hay planting, conservation cover, critical area planting, conservation crop rotation, nutrient management, integrated pest management, prescribed grazing, and soil carbon amendment.

In addition to these practices, the fund also supports agroforestry practices such as alley cropping, hedgerow planting, windbreak/shelterbelt establishment, silvopasture, and tree and shrub establishment. There are no minimum or maximum acreage requirements for grant approval.

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Successful applicants will receive a portion of the funds upfront (up to 40%), with the remainder distributed annually following verification of progress. The upfront payment will be based on the proposed scope of work. These funds can be used for implementing conservation practices, purchasing equipment that supports soil health practices, and covering research, labor and administrative costs needed to meet project goals.

The Healthy Soils Competitive Fund was developed based on recommendations from Maryland's Soil Health Advisory Committee. It is funded by the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund and the Moore Administration. In 2024 alone, the program funded 23 projects with a total investment of $993,000.

Interested parties can find grant applications and examples of previously awarded proposals on the department's website. The deadline for submission is 5 p.m. on March 7, 2025, and documentation of compliance with Maryland's nutrient management program is required at the time of application. Grant recipients will be notified by May 30, 2025.

For more information, interested parties can contact the department's Healthy Soils Program Specialist Nick Miller at nicholas.miller2@maryland.gov or 410-980-2350. This program presents a valuable opportunity for farmers and organizations to invest in sustainable practices that benefit both their land and the environment.

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