Conservation Buffer Initiative / Tree Planting Incentives

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.

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.

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.