Annapolis, MD (April 24, 2023) ~ The Maryland Department of Agriculture has announced that the sign-up period for its Small Acreage Cover Crop Program is now open and will run through May 26. This program provides grants to small farms and urban growers to help them plant cover crops on their production areas in order to build healthy soils, improve crop yields, protect local water quality, improve climate resilience, and provide other environmental benefits.

Secretary Kevin A. Atticks of the Maryland Department of Agriculture said, "Small-scale and urban farmers play a major role in growing fresh, healthy food for local communities. The Department is excited to provide these essential growers with conservation grants that promote healthy farming practices that support local food production. I encourage all eligible growers to apply for our small farm cover crop grants during the open enrollment period."

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The Small Acreage Cover Crop Program is open to urban and small-scale producers who do not qualify for traditional cover crop programs. This year, operations that plant less than ten acres of qualifying cover crops—including cereal grains or cover crop seed mixes—may apply for grants with a maximum payment per grower of $1,500 per year. Growers will be reimbursed based on paid receipts and should follow cover crop planting recommendations made by the seed manufacturer or the University of Maryland Extension for eligible species. Cover crops may be planted in open plots/fields, raised beds, or a high tunnel following the harvest of a production crop (vegetables, herbs, flowers, corn, sorghum, soybeans, hemp, millet or tobacco).

Growers may download grant applications on the Maryland Department of Agriculture's website and must postmark them by May 26th for consideration in this year's program. 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. For more information or questions about applying for these small acreage cover crop grants contact Bill Tharpe at bill.tharpe@maryland.gov or 410-841-5869.

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