ANNAPOLIS, MD (February 25, 2025) ~ The Maryland Department of Agriculture has announced that the sign-up period for its Small Acreage Cover Crop Program will open on March 3, and will run through April 25, 2025. This program aims to support small farms and urban growers in their efforts to plant cover crops on their production areas.

Cover crops are an essential part of sustainable farming practices as they help build healthy soils, improve crop yields, protect local water quality, and enhance climate resilience. The program offers grants of up to $1,500 per grower, per year to assist with the cost of planting cover crops.

According to Maryland Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks, this program is specifically designed for small-scale producers who play a crucial role in providing fresh, homegrown food for their communities. He encourages eligible farmers who do not qualify for traditional cover crop grants geared towards larger operations to apply during the spring enrollment window.

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Interested urban and small-scale producers can download grant applications from the department's website. The deadline for submission is April 25, 2025. Some key highlights of the program include a maximum payment of $1,500 per grower per year and reimbursement for seed costs (including shipping), labor (capped at $15 per hour), custom services, and equipment rental fees.

The eligible species for this program include single cereal grains or cover crop seed mixes. These cover crops can be planted in open plots/fields, raised beds, or a high tunnel. It is recommended that growers follow planting recommendations from the seed manufacturer or the University of Maryland Extension for eligible species.

Funding for the Small Acreage Cover Crop Program comes from the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund and is managed by the department's Small Farm and Urban Agriculture Program. For those interested in applying for these grants, they can contact Bill Tharpe at bill.tharpe@maryland.gov or 410-841-5869. More information can also be found on the department's website.

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