Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share Program (MACS)

The Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share (MACS) Program provides farmers with grants to cover up to 87.5 percent of the cost to install conservation measures known as best management practices on their farms to prevent soil erosion, manage nutrients and safeguard water quality in streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. Grassed waterways planted to prevent gully erosion, streamside buffers of grasses and trees planted to filter sediment and farm runoff, and animal manure management systems are among more than 40 best management practices currently eligible for cost-share grants. Certain practices qualify for 100% cost-share (a Provision for 100% Cost-Share applies). The MACS Manual details the specifics of these best management practices and includes the eligible practices, per-practice cost-share rates, forms and instructions needed for a project to qualify for payment.

Available to Maryland farmers installing eligible best management practices. More than 40 BMPs are eligible, including waste storage structures, poultry mortality composting facilities, grassed waterways, riparian forest and herbaceous buffers, filter strips, fencing, heavy use areas, watering facilities, pasture management, silvopasture, and wetland restoration. Applicants must have a current nutrient management plan certification. Priority watersheds may be targeted for funding. See the MACS Manual (Sections I-IV) for the full list of eligible practices, cost-share rates, and required forms.

Apply through your local soil conservation district. The MACS Manual provides eligible practices, cost-share rates, the MACS Agreement, the Water Quality Project Application, and instructions. Contact MACS Program Manager Jason D. Keppler at 410-841-5864 or jason.keppler@maryland.gov, or the MDA Office of Resource Conservation, for assistance.