Maryland's Cover Crop Program
Farmers can apply for grants to help cover the costs of seed, labor, and equipment to plant cover crops in their fields in the fall. Enrollment dates happen for only two weeks in early July, with the exact dates announced each year close to July. Farmers can only enroll during the enrollment period.
Farmers must plant a minimum of 10 acres of cover crops to be eligible.
Sign up for the 2026/2027 Cover Crop season at the end of June and beginning of July. Contact Miranda Rounds at miranda.rounds2@maryland.gov or 301-501-5884. Or stop by the District office Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm to apply.
Why Cover Crops Matter
- Cover crops add organic matter to the soil.
- Cover crops help suppress weeds and reduce compaction
- Cover crops protect fields from too much or too little rain
Program Overview - (Note that amounts given are for 2025 and may change yearly)
This year’s base payment is $35 acre but you can earn up to $65 acre with add-on incentives for using highly valued planting practices.
- Incorporated seed qualifies for a $15/acre early planting incentive.
- Aerially seed into standing corn by October 10, add $10/acre.
- Terminate your cover crop after May 1, 2026 to qualify for a $10/acre Extended Season incentive payment.
- Plant rye or multi-species cover crops for a $15/acre incentive payment.
- Plant cover crops after corn, soybeans, sorghum, tobacco, vegetables, hemp and millet.
- Enhanced payment options are available through the Cover Crop Plus program, which is a multi-year program.
- The maximum payment for the traditional cover crop program (this program) with base and all incentives is $65/acre No-Till, $65/acre Conventional, $65/acre Broadcast with minimum vertical tillage, $60/acre aerial, and $50/acre Broadcast Stalk Chop and Broadcast Cultipacker.
Seed Requirements
- All seed purchased must be tested and labeled following Maryland Seed Law and Regulations.
- Purchased seed must be free of prohibited noxious weed seeds, have a minimum germination rate of 80%, and have no more than 16 restricted noxiousweeds per pound.
- Homegrown seed with a germination rate between 65% and 79% may be used. Certain rules apply.
- Cost-share is available for seed testing.
- New – If you incorporate your cover crop into the soil, you will need to follow NRCS recommended seeding rates.
Eligible Species
- Cereal Grains: Wheat/Spelt, Rye, Barley, Triticale, Oats, and Ryegrass
- Brassicas: Forage Radish and Canola/Rape
- Legumes: Clover, Austrian Winter Peas and Hairy Vetch (must be planted with a cereal grain as part of a mix)
- Two-species cover crop mixes may be planted at a rate of 50% cereal grains and 50% brassicas or legumes.
- Three species mixes (50/25/25) must contain a minimum of 50% eligible cereal grains
- New – To maximize their soil health benefits, mixes containing legumes must be terminated after May 1. No additional incentives apply.
Planting Termination Dates
- Plant cereal grains by November 5, 2026. Some species have earlier deadlines.
- Plant Oats and mixes containing legumes, forage radish, canola/rape, or oats must be planted by October 10, 2026.
- The aerial seeding deadline for cover crops is October 10, 2026. Some species have earlier deadlines.
- Terminate cover crops between March 1 and June 1, 2027.
- Cover crops planted from November 6 through November 15 qualify for a reduced flat rate. Seed must be incorporated, the rye incentive is available, and termination must occur after May 1, 2026.
Fall Management Options
Eligible cover crops may be grazed or chopped for on-farm livestock forage after becoming well established. New – Non-poultry manure may be applied to cover crop fields in the fall at a base payment rate of $25/acre. No additional incentives apply.
Certification Requirement
To receive payment, farmers must certify cover crops with the Garrett Soil Conservation District within one week of planting and no later than November 12, 2026. Late season cover crops planted by November 22, 2026 must be certified by December 1, 2026.
Program Eligibility
- You must be in good standing with the Conservation Grants Program and in compliance with Maryland’s nutrient management requirements.
- You must submit a current Nutrient Management Plan Certification with your application. Forms are available under Cover Crop Forms and Resources at right.
- Additional restrictions may apply.
The Cover Crop Program is funded by the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund and the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund.
How to Apply
To sign up for the Cover Crop Program, farmers should come to our office at 1916 Maryland Hwy, Ste C, Mt. Lake Park, MD 21550 during the yearly enrollment period. If you are unsure of what to bring, please call ahead at 301-501-5886. You will need your Nutrient Management Certification.
Garrett County Totals
For the 2021-2022 Cover Crop Program, in Garrett County, there were 22 farms enrolled with a total of 1,388 acres. The total amount paid to our local farmers for the year was $86,406.
For the 2024 Cover Crop Program in Garrett County, there were 19 farms enrolled with a total of 1114.9 acres.
For questions, contact Garrett Soil Conservation District at 301-501-5886 or seth.metheny1@maryland.gov.