Ecosystem Incentives Program — Maryland

A Maryland Department of Agriculture pilot conservation-incentive program (complementing the federal-state CREP) that gives farmers and landowners a menu of incentive payments to plant streamside buffers and trees to improve local water quality. Provides a one-time bonus of $1,000/acre to install forest buffers (like CREP) plus features CREP does not offer: a buffer option for field ditches, flexible site management, and shorter contract terms. Eligible farmers also receive $2 for each new tree planted as part of an approved conservation practice, in addition to the regular cost-share rate, for: Windbreak Establishment ($2/tree plus up to 100% cost-share), Silvopasture ($2/tree plus up to 87.5% cost-share), Riparian Forest Buffer ($2/tree plus up to 100% cost-share), Hedgerow Planting ($2/tree plus up to 100% cost-share), and Tree and Shrub Establishment ($2/tree plus up to 100% cost-share). (Per-acre and per-tree rates and cost-share percentages stated here; no fixed per-recipient dollar cap.)

Maryland farmers and landowners installing qualifying conservation practices (streamside/forest buffers, windbreaks, silvopasture, hedgerows, tree/shrub establishment). Contact your local soil conservation district to determine eligibility and get free technical help.

Ongoing/continuous enrollment. Farmers see something they want and contact their local soil conservation district for free assistance in meeting their conservation needs; the $2-per-tree incentive is paid on top of the regular cost-share rate for the qualifying practice.