Maryland's Healthy Soils Program

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.

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.