Browse Ambrook’s collection of grants, loans, discounts, cost shares, easements, and insurance for operations interested in agroforestry.

To learn more about EQIP, contact your local NRCS office. Visit the Apply for EQIP page for more information on what to expect.
An NRCS conservationist will visit you and evaluate the natural resources on your land. NRCS will then present a variety of conservation practices or system alternatives to help you address those concerns or management goals to improve or protect the natural resource conditions on your land.  At some point, you will likely need to complete the EQIP application form below. 

Applications for EQIP​ financial assistance are accepted throughout the year, but specific deadlines are set for ranking and funding opportunities within each state. We therefore recommend you apply as soon as possible to maximize acceptance into EQIP before your state's next funding deadline.

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, increased soil health and reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, improved or created wildlife habitat, and mitigation against drought and increasing weather volatility.


**How It Works**

This voluntary conservation programs helps producers make conservation work for them.  Together, NRCS and&#x2004;producers invest in solutions that conserve natural resources for the future while also improving agricultural operations.


Through EQIP, NRCS provides agricultural producers with financial resources and one-on-one help to plan and implement improvements, or what NRCS calls conservation practices.  Using these practices can lead to cleaner water and air, healthier soil and better wildlife habitat, all while improving agricultural operations.  Through EQIP, you can voluntarily implement [conservation practices](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/technical/cp/ncps/?cid=nrcs143_026849), and NRCS co-invests in these practices with you.


**Benefits**

Some of these benefits include:

- Reduction of contamination from agricultural sources, such as animal feeding operations.

- Efficient utilization of nutrients, reducing input costs and reduction in non-point source pollution.

- Increased soil health to help mitigate against increasing weather volatility and improved drought resiliency.


**2018 Farm Bill EQIP Updates**


[Historically underserved](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/people/outreach/slbfr/?cid=nrcsdev11_001040) (HU) participants are eligible for[ advance payments ](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/programs/financial/eqip/?cid=nrcseprd1502414)to help offset costs related to purchasing materials or contracting through EQIP.  HU participants may elect to receive an advance of not less than 50 percent of the EQIP conservation practice payment amount.  If the participant elects to receive the advance payment, the funds must be expended within 90 days of receiving the advance.


The 2018 Farm Bill expanded eligibility regarding with whom NRCS can enter into an EQIP contract.  NRCS may enter into EQIP contracts with water management entities when they are supporting a water conservation or irrigation efficiency project.  These entities are defined as State, irrigation district, ground water management district, acequia, land grant-merced, or similar entity.


The 2018 Farm Bill requires a national 10 percent of mandatory program funding be targeted towards source water protection.  States will identify priority source water protection areas and may offer increased incentives and higher payment rates for practices that address water quality and/or water quantity.  


Beginning in 2020, States may provide increased payment rates for high-priority practices.  In consultations with the State Technical Committee, State Conservationists may designate up to 10 practices to be eligible for increased payments.  Eligible high-priority practices include those that address specific causes of ground or surface water impairment relating to excessive nutrients, address the conservation of water to advance drought mitigation and declining aquifers, meets other environmental priorities and other priority resource concerns identified in habitat or other area restoration plans, or is geographically targeted to address a natural resource concern in a specific watershed.


**EQIP Incentive Contracts**

The 2018 Farm Bill introduced EQIP incentive contracts to expand resource benefits to producers through incentive practices such as cover crops, transition to resource conserving crop rotations and precision agriculture technologies along with a similarly broad suite of incentive practices for ranchers and non-industrial private forest operators.  Every region within a State will have identified high-priority areas and each of these areas will target up to three priority resource concerns by land use.  In addition to the payment for practice implementation, incentive contracts offer annual payments to address operations and maintenance costs as well as foregone income.  EQIP incentive contracts can be a stepping stone for producers between EQIP classic and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) contracts.


You can [visit the 2018 Farm Bill Programs page](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/programs/farmbill/?cid=stelprdb1242382) for for more information about other NRCS conservation opportunities.


**Popular Practices**

- [Cover Crops](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/PA_NRCSConsumption/download?cid=stelprdb1263481&ext=pdf)

- [Forest Stand Improvement](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/PA_NRCSConsumption/download?cid=nrcseprd340673&ext=pdf)

- [Prescribed Grazing](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/PA_NRCSConsumption/download?cid=stelprdb1255132&ext=pdf)

- [Irrigation](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/PA_NRCSConsumption/download?cid=nrcseprd340699&ext=pdf)


**EQIP Initiatives**

Targeted EQIP financial assistance is available through general EQIP, and several other initiatives. These initiatives address priority natural resource concerns on the most vulnerable lands, target conservation assistance in high priority watersheds, or help stimulate the development and adoption of innovation and technology. [Learn about Landscape Conservation Initiatives here](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/programs/initiatives/?cid=stelprdb1042113).

- [High Tunnel Initiative](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/programs/financial/eqip/?cid=stelprdb1046250)

- [Organic Initiative](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/programs/financial/eqip/?cid=nrcs143_008224)

- [Air Quality Initiative](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/air/quality/?cid=stelprdb1047144)

- [Landscape Initiative](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/programs/initiatives/?cid=stelprdb1042113)

- [On Farm Energy Initiative](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/programs/financial/eqip/?cid=stelprdb1046252)

- [Conservation Innovation Grant](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/cig)

- [Colorado River](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/co/programs/landscape/?cid=nrcs144p2_062765)



The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, increased soil health and reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, improved or created wildlife habitat, and mitigation against drought and increasing weather volatility.

How It Works
This voluntary conservation programs helps producers make conservation work for them.  Together, NRCS and producers invest in solutions that conserve natural resources for the future while also improving agricultural operations.

Through EQIP, NRCS provides agricultural producers with financial resources and one-on-one help to plan and implement improvements, or what NRCS calls conservation practices.  Using these practices can lead to cleaner water and air, healthier soil and better wildlife habitat, all while improving agricultural operations.  Through EQIP, you can voluntarily implement conservation practices, and NRCS co-invests in these practices with you.

Benefits
Some of these benefits include:
- Reduction of contamination from agricultural sources, such as animal feeding operations.
- Efficient utilization of nutrients, reducing input costs and reduction in non-point source pollution.
- Increased soil health to help mitigate against increasing weather volatility and improved drought resiliency.

2018 Farm Bill EQIP Updates

Historically underserved (HU) participants are eligible for advance payments to help offset costs related to purchasing materials or contracting through EQIP.  HU participants may elect to receive an advance of not less than 50 percent of the EQIP conservation practice payment amount.  If the participant elects to receive the advance payment, the funds must be expended within 90 days of receiving the advance.

The 2018 Farm Bill expanded eligibility regarding with whom NRCS can enter into an EQIP contract.  NRCS may enter into EQIP contracts with water management entities when they are supporting a water conservation or irrigation efficiency project.  These entities are defined as State, irrigation district, ground water management district, acequia, land grant-merced, or similar entity.

The 2018 Farm Bill requires a national 10 percent of mandatory program funding be targeted towards source water protection.  States will identify priority source water protection areas and may offer increased incentives and higher payment rates for practices that address water quality and/or water quantity.  

Beginning in 2020, States may provide increased payment rates for high-priority practices.  In consultations with the State Technical Committee, State Conservationists may designate up to 10 practices to be eligible for increased payments.  Eligible high-priority practices include those that address specific causes of ground or surface water impairment relating to excessive nutrients, address the conservation of water to advance drought mitigation and declining aquifers, meets other environmental priorities and other priority resource concerns identified in habitat or other area restoration plans, or is geographically targeted to address a natural resource concern in a specific watershed.

EQIP Incentive Contracts
The 2018 Farm Bill introduced EQIP incentive contracts to expand resource benefits to producers through incentive practices such as cover crops, transition to resource conserving crop rotations and precision agriculture technologies along with a similarly broad suite of incentive practices for ranchers and non-industrial private forest operators.  Every region within a State will have identified high-priority areas and each of these areas will target up to three priority resource concerns by land use.  In addition to the payment for practice implementation, incentive contracts offer annual payments to address operations and maintenance costs as well as foregone income.  EQIP incentive contracts can be a stepping stone for producers between EQIP classic and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) contracts.

You can visit the 2018 Farm Bill Programs page for for more information about other NRCS conservation opportunities.

Popular Practices
- Cover Crops
- Forest Stand Improvement
- Prescribed Grazing
- Irrigation

EQIP Initiatives
Targeted EQIP financial assistance is available through general EQIP, and several other initiatives. These initiatives address priority natural resource concerns on the most vulnerable lands, target conservation assistance in high priority watersheds, or help stimulate the development and adoption of innovation and technology. Learn about Landscape Conservation Initiatives here.
- High Tunnel Initiative
- Organic Initiative
- Air Quality Initiative
- Landscape Initiative
- On Farm Energy Initiative
- Conservation Innovation Grant
- Colorado River

Eligible land includes:
- Cropland and hayland
- Rangeland
- Pastureland
- Non-industrial private forestland
- Other farm or ranch lands
- Environmentally sensitive areas

Eligible applicants(s) include:
- Agricultural producers
- Owners of non-industrial private forestland
- Indian Tribes
- Those with an interest in the agricultural or forestry operations
- Water management entities

A lump sum of money for a specific purpose that does not need to be paid back.

Grant

A payment that requires some percentage of matching contributions by the recipient.

Cost Share

- EQIP fact sheet (425.04 KB)
- Conservation Incentive Contracts (1.18 MB)

EQIP Initiatives
- High Tunnel Initiative
- Organic Initiative
- Air Quality Initiative
- Landscape Conservation Initiative
- On-Farm Energy Initiative
- Colorado River Basin Salinity Project


Air Quality

High Tunnel

Landscape

Soil Health

Wildlife & Pollinator Habitat

Trees

Biofuel

Hydro Power

Solar Power

Wind Energy

Reduced Tillage

Drought

Flood

Hurricane

Tornado

Trials

Fertilizer

Waste & Manure Management

Certified Organic

Certified Grassfed

Cover Crops

Weeds

Regenerative

Water Management

Infrastructure

Conservation

Certification

Carbon Capture

Disaster Relief

Weather

Marketing

Research

Compliance

Emergency

Practice-by-practice cost-share, normally paid after the practice is installed. No single rate is published: "NRCS financial assistance can cover part of the costs of implementing conservation practices" and "Payment rates for conservation practices are reviewed and set each fiscal year." The per-practice, per-unit rate lives in your state's NRCS payment schedule — that is the document to ask for. Planning help is free: "NRCS offers technical assistance at no cost."

Historically underserved producers (beginning, limited-resource, socially disadvantaged, military veteran) get two upgrades. First, "Historically underserved producers are also eligible for a higher payment rate." Second, the advance payment option pays before you spend: "The option provides at least 50 percent of the contracted payment for each conservation practice up front, before the practice is implemented, to purchase materials or contract services."

Two strings on that advance: "The advance payment must be expended within 90 days of receipt, and the practice completed as agreed to on the EQIP plan of operations," and "Any funds not expended within 90 days of receipt must be returned to NRCS." All practices qualify, and "Producers can use the option for as many or as few practices as they choose." You elect it on form NRCS-CPA-1155.

NRCS's own worked example: a beginning farmer approved for cover crops on 40 acres, where "the payment rate for implementation of a cover crop practice is $56.81 per acre," receives "$2,272.40" in total, of which "$1,136.20" can arrive in advance.

No per-producer dollar cap is stated on the program page. Applications are accepted continuously, with state deadlines set for ranking and funding.

Complete the Agroforestry Loan Application (PDF) and work with a local lender, who then applies to the RFA for participation. All lending institutions are eligible to participate but do so voluntarily, and each lender must enter into a Master Participation Agreement with the RFA. The application fee is $50. Questions go to the Rural Finance Authority Office at 651-201-6004 or RFA.Loans@state.mn.us.

Rural Finance Authority Office
Loan Programs

The Agroforestry Loan Program provides low-interest financing to farmers during the growing period required to convert agricultural land to agroforestry.


This is a loan participation program available through the MDA's Rural Finance Authority (RFA). Farmers work through their local lender; after the farmer completes an application, the lender applies for RFA participation. The RFA must have a completed Master Participation Agreement with the lender on file. The application fee is $50.



The Agroforestry Loan Program provides low-interest financing to farmers during the growing period required to convert agricultural land to agroforestry.

This is a loan participation program available through the MDA's Rural Finance Authority (RFA). Farmers work through their local lender; after the farmer completes an application, the lender applies for RFA participation. The RFA must have a completed Master Participation Agreement with the lender on file. The application fee is $50.

The farmer candidate must:

- Be a resident of Minnesota, or a general partnership, family farm corporation, authorized farm corporation, family farm partnership, or authorized farm partnership as defined in Minnesota Statutes section 500.24, subdivision 2
- Be or plan to become a grower of short-rotation woody crops on agricultural land suitable for their profitable production
- Be a member of a producer-owned cooperative that will contract to market the short-rotation woody crop to be planted by the borrower
- Not have received more than $150,000 in assistance under this program over the producer's lifetime
- Agree to work with appropriate local, state, and federal agencies and the marketing cooperative to develop an acceptable establishment and maintenance plan
- Agree not to plant short-rotation woody crops within one-quarter of a mile of state or federally protected prairie
- Demonstrate an ability to repay the loan
- Meet any other requirements the authority may impose by administrative procedure or by rule

A payment that must be returned to the provider following specified terms of repayment and interest rate.

Loan

- MDA Ag Finance Section: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/financebudget/agfinance
- Participating Lenders lookup: http://www2.mda.state.mn.us/webapp/lenders/lenders.jsp

The authority may participate with eligible lenders in agroforestry loans to eligible farmers and agricultural landowners. The authority's participation is limited to 45% of the loan, or $75,000 of total cumulative principal per loan, whichever applies. Interest rates and repayment terms on the authority's participation interest may differ from those on the lender's retained portion. The loan may be disbursed over a period not to exceed 12 years.

Depending on the availability of funds, a borrower may receive loans for planted areas up to 160 acres for up to:

- The total amount necessary for establishment of the crop
- The total amount of maintenance costs, including weed control, during the first three years
- Seventy percent of the estimated value of one year's growth of the crop for years four through 12

Security for the loan must be the crop, a personal note executed by the borrower, and whatever other security is required by the eligible lender or the authority. Lifetime assistance under the program is capped at $150,000 per producer.

Fill out BAV's inquiry form to connect with the Climate Smart Agriculture program team.

Ben Crockett

Berkshire Agricultural Ventures helps farmers implement climate-smart practices in its service area through technical assistance, financial support, outreach, and education. Supported projects include soil health improvements, no-till and cover cropping, season extension, energy efficiency, agroforestry planning and implementation, on-farm pollinator habitats, on-farm water management and irrigation efficiency, business planning and market analysis, and supplemental funding to enhance NRCS and other grant programs.



Farms in BAV's Berkshire-Taconic service area: Berkshire County, MA; Columbia and Dutchess Counties, NY; and Litchfield County, CT.

Grants and technical assistance for climate-smart practices. Award amounts are not published; intake is contact-driven with no fixed deadline. Includes supplemental funding designed to enhance NRCS and other grant programs.

The first step in the process, is to notify NRCS of your interest in CSP. Then a conservation planner will schedule a visit to your property. During that visit, they will walk the land with you to discuss and review any resource concerns. Following the site visit, the conservation planner will develop a conservation plan that includes a variety of conservation practices, activities and enhancements to improve the level of conservation benefit and to address the resource concerns.
Applications for NRCS conservation programs are accepted on a continuous basis. However, application ranking dates are set at key times throughout the year.

- Find application ranking dates for your state.
- See payment schedules for your state.
- See application.


The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) offers technical and financial assistance to help agricultural and forest producers take their conservation efforts to the next level. The program is designed to compensate agricultural and forest producers who agree to increase their level of conservation by adopting additional conservation activities and maintaining their baseline level of conservation. CSP is for producers who are passionate about conservation and environmental stewardship.



CSP may be a good fit for your operation if: 
- You own or rent, and manage land for agricultural or forest production, such as cropland, rangeland, grassland or pasture.
- You have already been doing conservation work on my operation.
- You want to expand my existing conservation efforts to achieve a higher level of environmental stewardship.
- You intend or plan to maintain control of the land for at least five years.
- Your land complies with highly erodible land and wetland conservation determination provisions (if unsure, ask your local USDA Service Center)
- You have a social security number or employer identification number issued by the IRS. 
- You have an adjusted gross income is less than $900,000 (does not apply to Indian Tribes). 
- As a member of an entity or joint operation, you have the authority to make management decisions for the business.

Land Eligibility 
- Q. What lands are eligible for CSP? 
    - A. Eligible lands include private agricultural lands, agricultural Indian lands, nonindustrial private forest land, farmstead, associated agricultural lands, and public land that is under the control of the applicant and part of their operation. There is no minimum acreage requirement. CSP enrolls your entire operation into the program, not just one specific field or tract. All land must be in compliance with USDA highly erodible land and wetland conservation provisions to be eligible for CSP.

Eligibility Restrictions on Agricultural Production
- Q. I am new to farming and in the process of clearing non-ag land to create a farm. Am I eligible for CSP?
    - A. Not yet. The land must be actively used for producing an agricultural product. Lands being cleared or prepped for future agricultural production are not eligible for CSP until an agricultural operation has been established and crops, food or fiber have been successfully produced. Be sure that you check with USDA for highly erodible land and wetland compliance before clearing sod or ‘sod busting.’ 

Payment per unit of land to do or avoid certain practices related to land management.

Easement

Wildlife Habitat Planting

- CSP Fact Sheet
- Enhancements and Bundles

Education

CSP Contracts
The program represents a genuine commitment to conservation – CSP contracts are for five years, with the opportunity to compete for a contract renewal if you successfully fulfill the initial contract and agree to achieve additional conservation objectives. An NRCS conservation planner will work closely with you, throughout the entire contract process.
Contract payments are based on two components:
- Payments to maintain the existing level of conservation, based on the land uses included in the contract and an NRCS assessment of existing stewardship at the time of enrollment, and
- Payments to implement additional conservation activities.
Most participants will be eligible for a $4000 minimum payment during any year that their total annual contract payment falls below the minimum payment amount.
CSP Renewals
Existing CSP participants may be eligible to renew their contract for an additional 5-year term during the fifth year of their initial contract. Participants who have met the terms of their initial contract and who agree to implement more conservation activities can compete for a renewal contract. To meet the renewal stewardship threshold, the participant must agree to meet or exceed two additional priority resource concerns or agree to adopt or improve conservation activities to achieve higher levels of conservation for two existing priority resource concerns.

Apply online using the form on this page.

Contour Lines Corporation

Contour Lines supports tree-planting projects worldwide. Depending on the project, Contour Lines may offer technical services, work models, or direct&#x2004;funding for trees, training or tools. Taken on a case by case basis, Contour Lines select projects for their potential to regenerate land at scale and on their capabilities and willpower to create impacts in line with their [mission and vision](https://contourlines.org/about/mission-vision/).


Contour Lines USA officially started agroforestry pilot projects in 2018. To date the program has planted **84,913** **trees** in over **108 agroforestry systems** spanning **25 states**. Contour Lines refined implementation process results in a high seeding survival rate at a fraction of the establishment costs of other agroforestry projects. Contour Lines’s North American profile includes small farmers and larger institutions including: [Eckerd College](https://www.eckerd.edu/green/farm/), [Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservation Land Trust](https://appalachian.org/), and the Richland Correctional Institute. 


Contour Lines Corp provides grants in the form of free trees and technical assistance in exchange for project recipients implementing certain soil conservation methods such as planting on Contour and mulching. All project recipients will be asked to sign and uphold the [Contour Lines USA Working Agreement](https://contourlines.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/20260119-CL-USA-Working-Agreement-English-Google-Docs.pdf).



Contour Lines supports tree-planting projects worldwide. Depending on the project, Contour Lines may offer technical services, work models, or direct funding for trees, training or tools. Taken on a case by case basis, Contour Lines select projects for their potential to regenerate land at scale and on their capabilities and willpower to create impacts in line with their mission and vision.

Contour Lines USA officially started agroforestry pilot projects in 2018. To date the program has planted 84,913 trees in over 108 agroforestry systems spanning 25 states. Contour Lines refined implementation process results in a high seeding survival rate at a fraction of the establishment costs of other agroforestry projects. Contour Lines’s North American profile includes small farmers and larger institutions including: Eckerd College, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservation Land Trust, and the Richland Correctional Institute. 

Contour Lines Corp provides grants in the form of free trees and technical assistance in exchange for project recipients implementing certain soil conservation methods such as planting on Contour and mulching. All project recipients will be asked to sign and uphold the Contour Lines USA Working Agreement.

- Must be an organized community or association of at least 5 smallholder farming families.
- Must have access to at least 1 acre (1/2 ha) of land per family, to plant these systems,
- Must understand and support the Contour Lines Mission and Vision,
- Must implement be willing and able to implement the required regenerative agriculture methods.


- Our Plants
- What are Contour Lines?
- Methods

An in-kind grant, not cash: "Contour Lines Corp provides grants in the form of free trees and technical assistance in exchange for project recipients implementing certain soil conservation methods such as planting on Contour and mulching." Recipients take on an obligation in return — "All project recipients will be asked to sign and uphold the Contour Lines USA Working Agreement."

Grants go to "individuals and institutions in the United States and its territories," and "We review grant applications biannually."

No dollar award, per-tree or per-acre cap, cost-share percentage, or match requirement is published. The only dollar figures on the page are donor-side, not award terms: a US crowdfunding goal of $15,000, and "Other organizations in the USA require $30-60 per tree. However, with Contour Lines unique Community Engagement Model every dollar you give plants a tree on a farm in the United States."

Source caveat: contourlines.org was refusing connections when this was checked on 2026-09-04; the quotes above come from the most recent reachable capture of contourlines.org/usa/ (Internet Archive snapshot dated 2025-09-16), which was then advertising the 2025-2026 planting season.

Apply through the individual grant programs. The Healthy Soils Competitive Fund opens applications in November 2026; Cover Crop Plus+ has its own application window. Contact Nick Miller, Healthy Soils Program Specialist, at nicholas.miller2@maryland.gov, (410) 841-5866 (office) or (410) 980-2350 (mobile), Maryland Department of Agriculture, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401.

Nick Miller

Healthy Soils Program Specialist

The Healthy Soils Program supports Maryland farmers who want to improve soil health by minimizing disturbance, maximizing biodiversity, and maintaining continuous soil cover and living roots. It offers grants and technical support to help farmers adopt innovative conservation practices, promote responsible management of soil and water resources, and foster the&#x2004;development of soil health knowledge within the agricultural community. Grant programs include the Healthy Soils Competitive Fund, which provides up to $50,000 for soil health and agroforestry practices over 3 years (applications open November 2026), and Cover Crop Plus+ Grants, which provide up to $100/acre for innovative cover cropping. Funding support is made possible through the Moore-Miller Administration's implementation of the Climate Solutions Now Act and a Climate Pollution Reduction Grant awarded to the Atlantic Conservation Coalition by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.



The Healthy Soils Program supports Maryland farmers who want to improve soil health by minimizing disturbance, maximizing biodiversity, and maintaining continuous soil cover and living roots. It offers grants and technical support to help farmers adopt innovative conservation practices, promote responsible management of soil and water resources, and foster the development of soil health knowledge within the agricultural community. Grant programs include the Healthy Soils Competitive Fund, which provides up to $50,000 for soil health and agroforestry practices over 3 years (applications open November 2026), and Cover Crop Plus+ Grants, which provide up to $100/acre for innovative cover cropping. Funding support is made possible through the Moore-Miller Administration's implementation of the Climate Solutions Now Act and a Climate Pollution Reduction Grant awarded to the Atlantic Conservation Coalition by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Maryland farmers adopting soil health and conservation practices. Specific eligibility applies to each grant track (see the Healthy Soils Competitive Fund and Cover Crop Plus+ program pages). Cover Crop Plus+ requires enrollment of 10 to 500 acres and good standing with MDA nutrient management and conservation grant programs.

The Healthy Soils Program is an umbrella with two grant tracks, each with its own money terms.

Healthy Soils Competitive Fund — a per-recipient award. "This competitive grant program awards selected applicants with up to $50,000 to support 3 years of enhanced soil health practices. Grant recipients will receive a portion of the funds (not to exceed 30%) upfront, with the re[mainder] distributed annually following verification of progress." Funds "may be used to support the implementation of conservation practices, including the purchase of equipment, to cover project staff time, and to cover research costs," and "[a]pplicants are encouraged to rent equipment or purchase used equipment where possible." No match or cost-share percentage is published. "There are no minimum or maximum acreage requirements," but the operation "must have a gross annual income of $2,500 or more (or $2,500 or more of donated agricultural products if a non-profit entity) and/or manage 8 or more animal units (8,000 pounds of live animal weight)." Applications open November 2026.

Cover Crop Plus+ — a per-acre rate, not a lump sum, on a 3-year contract for the same field(s). Published rate chart: Base $40.00/acre, plus $15.00/acre each for the Diversity Bonus, Summer Bonus, Biomass Bonus and Nitrogen Reduction Bonus, to a "Maximum: $100.00" per acre. Bonus conditions: Diversity — three or more species from three or more functional groups; Summer — planted after a small grain or after a fall/winter cover crop for field rest; Nitrogen Reduction — "documentation showing at least a 15% reduction in commercial fertilizer application from the prior year's baseline"; Biomass — "[d]elay termination until a minimum biomass yield of 2,000 pounds per acre dry matter is documented." "You may enroll 10 to 500 acres in this program." Plant no later than November 5 and terminate no earlier than April 15 unless an approved Technical Service Provider scenario applies. "Applications will be approved on a first come, first served basis." The 2026-2027 application window is now closed.

Working Trees™ works directly with landowners to make the transition to silvopasture as&#x2004;simple as possible, and then helps them earn revenue through carbon storage. During to process. Working Trees does helps you does the following with you:

- Analyzes your farm’s current operations

- Connects you with a technical service provider who can provide regionally-specific advice (as needed)

- Helps you finding private and government funding sources to cover the upfront cost of implementing silvopasture

- Monitors ongoing carbon storage, translating to a steady annual stream of revenue once established (often higher than cash rental rates)



Working Trees™ works directly with landowners to make the transition to silvopasture as simple as possible, and then helps them earn revenue through carbon storage. During to process. Working Trees does helps you does the following with you:
- Analyzes your farm’s current operations
- Connects you with a technical service provider who can provide regionally-specific advice (as needed)
- Helps you finding private and government funding sources to cover the upfront cost of implementing silvopasture
- Monitors ongoing carbon storage, translating to a steady annual stream of revenue once established (often higher than cash rental rates)

Working Trees is currently accepting applications from farmers into their pilot program. Any pasture or hay farmer east of the Great Plains is eligible as long as their land has been free of trees or shrubs for the last 10 years. When applying, Working Trees will provide a free Land Use Analysis to determine your final eligibility.

Silvopasture

Other Commodities

- WorkingTrees.com
- Video Explainer
- Webinar

Per-acre establishment money plus optional carbon income, delivered through Virginia Tech's USDA Conservation Innovation Grant (the "ASSETS" program) with Working Trees and Appalachian Sustainable Development:

- Establishment: "Up to $1200 per acre to cover establishment costs (in select states)."
- Ongoing: "Optional annual ongoing income up to $90 per acre for carbon credits."
- Additional upside: "Eligible producers can also pursue additional income via carbon credit sales or delayed timber harvests."
- Free to explore: "Submit this form for program details. You'll receive a free eligibility check, and if you're eligible we'll reach out to you directly." Support is included — "We provide one-on-one technical assistance to program applicants, ensuring you choose the right species and design for your farm."
- Current offer is seasonal: "This winter, we're offering funding and technical support to livestock producers who want to get started planting trees in their pastures."

Not published anywhere on the page: which states qualify for the $1,200/acre, any per-farm dollar cap, any acreage minimum or maximum, the length of the carbon or establishment commitment, and whether any match is required. All of that comes out of the eligibility check, so treat the two per-acre rates as the only firm numbers.

Apply for the Conservation Buffer Initiative and MACS-funded tree-planting practices by contacting your local soil conservation district. For CREP, contact your local USDA Farm Service Agency office. Program information: Maryland Department of Agriculture, Office of Resource Conservation, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401, phone 410-841-5865.

Jason D. Keppler

Program Manager

MDA's tree-planting incentives support a range of agroforestry practices that integrate farming and forestry to generate additional farm income, create healthier conditions for livestock and crops, and promote cleaner air and streams. The Conservation Buffer Initiative offers farmers up to $4,500 an acre to install a riparian forest buffer with pasture fencing, plus a one-time bonus payment of $1,000/acre for riparian forest buffers, during its annual open enrollment period (November 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026). Additional&#x2004;practices funded through the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share (MACS) Program include riparian forest buffers, hedgerow planting, tree & shrub establishment, and windbreak establishment (up to 100% cost-share plus $2 per planted tree) and silvopasture (up to 87.5% cost-share plus $2 per planted tree). Maryland's CREP pays land rental rates and a one-time $1,000/acre bonus for new streamside riparian forest buffers. The Healthy Soils Competitive Fund provides up to $50,000 to support 3 years of enhanced soil health and agroforestry practices, with an open enrollment period that typically begins in January and runs for approximately 8 weeks.



MDA's tree-planting incentives support a range of agroforestry practices that integrate farming and forestry to generate additional farm income, create healthier conditions for livestock and crops, and promote cleaner air and streams. The Conservation Buffer Initiative offers farmers up to $4,500 an acre to install a riparian forest buffer with pasture fencing, plus a one-time bonus payment of $1,000/acre for riparian forest buffers, during its annual open enrollment period (November 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026). Additional practices funded through the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share (MACS) Program include riparian forest buffers, hedgerow planting, tree & shrub establishment, and windbreak establishment (up to 100% cost-share plus $2 per planted tree) and silvopasture (up to 87.5% cost-share plus $2 per planted tree). Maryland's CREP pays land rental rates and a one-time $1,000/acre bonus for new streamside riparian forest buffers. The Healthy Soils Competitive Fund provides up to $50,000 to support 3 years of enhanced soil health and agroforestry practices, with an open enrollment period that typically begins in January and runs for approximately 8 weeks.

Maryland farmers and landowners installing eligible agroforestry/tree-planting practices. MACS-funded practices follow MACS eligibility and are applied for through the local soil conservation district. The Conservation Buffer Initiative is available during annual open enrollment (November 1, 2025 - April 30, 2026). CREP is applied for through USDA FSA. Tree & shrub establishment may be applied on any site capable of growing woody plants, including land in USDA and other federal, state, and private conservation programs.

Forest Management

These are per-acre and per-tree rates, not fixed awards — except the Healthy Soils Competitive Fund, noted last. This page bundles several separate incentives:

Conservation Buffer Initiative — "Farmers can receive up to $4,500 an acre to install a riparian forest buffer with pasture fencing." Riparian forest buffers "also qualify for a one-time BONUS PAYMENT of $1,000/acre." Apply through your soil conservation district during annual open enrollment (November 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026).

CREP (Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program) — pays "attractive land rental rates to remove environmentally sensitive agricultural land out of production for 10-15 years and install conservation practices." Farmers who plant new streamside riparian forest buffers "qualify for a one-time BONUS PAYMENT of $1,000/acre." The rental rate itself is not published here. Apply through your local USDA Farm Service Agency office.

Practices funded through MACS (apply through your soil conservation district):
- Riparian forest buffer — up to 100% cost-share, including $2 for each tree planted.
- Hedgerow planting — "up to 100% cost-share to plant the hedgerow and an additional $2 per planted tree."
- Tree & shrub establishment — up to 100% cost-share plus $2 per planted tree. Can be applied on any site capable of growing woody plants, including land already in USDA, other federal, state and private conservation programs.
- Windbreak establishment — up to 100% cost-share and $2 per planted tree.
- Silvopasture — "MACS pays up to 87.5% cost-share to install this practice plus $2 per planted tree."

MACS-funded practices also carry MACS's own dollar caps and 5–15 year maintenance obligations — see the MACS program record.

Healthy Soils Competitive Fund — the one fixed-dollar award in the bundle: "This competitive grant program awards selected applicants with up to $50,000 to support 3 years of enhanced soil health practices." Open enrollment typically begins in January and runs about 8 weeks. Alley cropping and critical area plantings are cited as popular tree-planting fits.

How to Apply
1. Review the full Request for Applications (FY 2024 linked as a sample) for the complete details on eligible projects/applicants and the full application process.
2. Register in WebGrants (may take up to two business days).
3. Visit the Working Lands application frequently asked questions for resources and to get support on your application. 
4. Complete your application in WebGrants using our Application Guide.

Clare Salerno

Diana Ferguson

WebGrants Technical Assistance

The mission&#x2004;of the Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Initiative is to strengthen and grow the economies, cultures, and communities of Vermont's working landscape. The Working Lands Enterprise Board achieves this by making essential, catalytic investments in critical leverage points of the Vermont farm and forest economy, and facilitating policy development to optimize the agricultural and forest use of Vermont lands.


This grant is currently closed for applications. Check back in fall 2024 for the next round, which will be the fiscal year 2025 cycle. Below is information about the most recent round. Many aspects of the application will stay the same but the award amounts, funds available, timeline, process, eligibility, and application questions are all subject to change. 


## **Grant Overview**

- Award amounts $15,000 - $50,000

- Project types:

    - **Market development** – professionalizing a marketing and/or branding approach to new or expanded markets; hiring a professional marketing/branding contractor to develop strategy and/or content; implementing the strategy and/or content developed by the contractor (e.g., branding, website, or social media development) 

    - **Research and development** – testing new systems or technology 

    - **Infrastructure development** – project-specific planning, permitting, engineering or architectural plans; building and equipment costs, including for labor and/or energy efficiency enhancements, such as lighting, refrigeration/cooling, heat pumps, solar panels, low-energy water management, ventilation systems, and/or energy generation; may include equipment installation and/or technical assistance costs 

    - **Workforce training and development** – technical skill training for staff, business management training, and/or business succession planning, including hiring a consultant to support any of these processes 

- Grant recipients must provide matching funds at a 100% (one-to-one) rate using cash (e.g., funds in the bank, paid staff labor hours) or a combination of cash and in-kind items (e.g., businesses time contributed to project, use of equipment, donated goods, pro bono services, volunteer labor) that the grantee organization has a from other sources. Match sources must be identified by the time of application submission and commitments in place by the time of grant agreement signing. Matching funds may not be sourced from other federal funding opportunities. Under limited circumstances, the matching requirement may be reduced or waived for applicants who demonstrate a clear need for this accommodation.




The mission of the Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Initiative is to strengthen and grow the economies, cultures, and communities of Vermont's working landscape. The Working Lands Enterprise Board achieves this by making essential, catalytic investments in critical leverage points of the Vermont farm and forest economy, and facilitating policy development to optimize the agricultural and forest use of Vermont lands.

This grant is currently closed for applications. Check back in fall 2024 for the next round, which will be the fiscal year 2025 cycle. Below is information about the most recent round. Many aspects of the application will stay the same but the award amounts, funds available, timeline, process, eligibility, and application questions are all subject to change. 

Grant Overview
- Award amounts $15,000 - $50,000
- Project types:
    - Market development – professionalizing a marketing and/or branding approach to new or expanded markets; hiring a professional marketing/branding contractor to develop strategy and/or content; implementing the strategy and/or content developed by the contractor (e.g., branding, website, or social media development) 
    - Research and development – testing new systems or technology 
    - Infrastructure development – project-specific planning, permitting, engineering or architectural plans; building and equipment costs, including for labor and/or energy efficiency enhancements, such as lighting, refrigeration/cooling, heat pumps, solar panels, low-energy water management, ventilation systems, and/or energy generation; may include equipment installation and/or technical assistance costs 
    - Workforce training and development – technical skill training for staff, business management training, and/or business succession planning, including hiring a consultant to support any of these processes 
- Grant recipients must provide matching funds at a 100% (one-to-one) rate using cash (e.g., funds in the bank, paid staff labor hours) or a combination of cash and in-kind items (e.g., businesses time contributed to project, use of equipment, donated goods, pro bono services, volunteer labor) that the grantee organization has a from other sources. Match sources must be identified by the time of application submission and commitments in place by the time of grant agreement signing. Matching funds may not be sourced from other federal funding opportunities. Under limited circumstances, the matching requirement may be reduced or waived for applicants who demonstrate a clear need for this accommodation.


- Value-added food businesses that source at least 50% of raw ingredients from Vermont OR are applying for a Working Lands grant to significantly increase use of ingredients sourced from Vermont are eligible. • Businesses that sell “unique food products” are not eligible unless the business will use grant funds to increase production of raw ingredients in Vermont. o Unique food products are processed foods made from ingredients that are not regularly produced in Vermont or are not available in sufficient quantities to meet production requirements. 
- Secondary forestry businesses are eligible if at least 50% of the wood they use is grown in the Northeast OR the Working Lands grant project will significantly increase use of wood sourced from the Northeast.
- Applicant organizations/businesses must be based in Vermont. Businesses or organizations headquartered outside of VT may be eligible if the project or service being proposed is 100% focused on Vermont’s working landscape and businesses. Please contact Clare.Salerno@vermont.gov to discuss eligibility for out-of-state applicants.
- All structures are eligible (e.g., Partnerships, Limited Liability Corporations, Sole Proprietorships, Cooperatives, Corporations, S Corporations, L3Cs, B Corporations, and/or non-profits that are involved in the support of production of agriculture and/or forest products).
- All legally incorporated enterprises must be registered with the VT Secretary of State. Sole proprietors using a business name other than their own name must have their assumed business name (formerly known as a trade name) registered with the Secretary of State. 
- Previous Working Lands Standard Business and COVID-19 Response Business Development grantees are eligible to re-apply for funding during Fiscal Year 2024. Previous Working Lands Supply Chain Impact, Market Level Infrastructure Impact, ARPA Primary Producer, or Meat Slaughter and Processing Development Grants are eligible to apply for further Working Lands funding after three years, meaning that Fiscal Year 2021 and earlier grantees are eligible to apply this year.


- Working Lands Business Grant 2024 Presentation Power Point
- Working Lands Business Development Directory

Distribution

Diversification

Events

Trade Show

Buildings

Construction

Fencing

Greenhouse

HVAC

Irrigation

Lighting

Repairs

Storage

Trade Relief

Labor

- Grant recipients must provide matching funds at a 100% (one-to-one) rate using cash (e.g., funds in the bank, paid staff labor hours) or a combination of cash and in-kind items (e.g., businesses time contributed to project, use of equipment, donated goods, pro bono services, volunteer labor) that the grantee organization has received from other sources. Match sources must be identified by the time of application submission and commitments in place by the time of grant agreement signing. Matching funds may not be sourced from other federal funding opportunities. Under limited circumstances, the matching requirement may be reduced or waived for applicants who demonstrate a clear need for this accommodation.
- Match waiver or reduction request: • In budget table, enter amount of match you can realistically commit to (if full waiver requested, enter $0) • Explain why match waiver is needed at this time


List of Agricultural Funding for Agroforestry