Maryland MACS Funding
Money Available to Help Local Farms with Eight or More Animal Units
There are two distinct pockets of funding that the Garrett Soil Conservation District offers to producers – Federal and State. Federal funding is handled by the NRCS, (Natural Resource Conservation Service), whereas State funding is facilitated by the MDA, (Maryland Department of Agriculture). We have both NRCS and MDA employees in our office.
This page deals with the MDA funding known as MACS.
MDA has other types of funding available as well, which you can read about on other pages of this website. But MACS is probably the largest MDA funding source for farmers who want to complete large projects.
MACS is a cost-share program, so the grant usually covers part of the costs, and the farmer pays the rest.
In an effort to obtain the highest level of funding for farmers, sometimes our office will combine MACS and NRCS (EQIP) funding for different projects on the same farm.
The first step to receiving MACS funds is to contact our office to get on the list to have a Conservation Plan written. MACS funding cannot be obtained without a Conservation Plan. There is no cost for the plan. To be added to the list, or for more information, please contact our office at 301-501-5886 or seth.metheny1@maryland.gov.
To learn more about MACS keep reading.
MACS Grants Funding
MACS stands for Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share Program. This program provides grants to help farmers protect natural resources and comply with environmental laws and regulations. MACS is only available to farmers who have 8 or more animal units. (15 or more animal units equals full funding, 8 to 15 is prorated funding). As of October 1, 2024, farmers with as few as 1 animal unit may qualify for MACS funding on a prorated basis.)
MACS can help with the following:
- Conservation Cover
- Cover Crops
- Critical Area Planting
- Dead Bird Composting
- Diversion
- Fencing around streams and for rotational grazing
- Field Border
- Filter Strip
- Grade Stabilization Structure
- Grassed Waterway
- Heavy Use Area Protection
- Lined Waterway or Outlet
- Manure Transport
- Riparian Forest Buffer
- Riparian Herbaceous Cover
- Roofs and Covers
- Sediment Basin
- Sediment Control Pond
- Spring Development
- Terrace System
- Waste Storage Structure
- Waste Treatment Lagoon
- Wastewater Treatment Strip
- Water Control Structure
- Water Well
- Watering Facility
- Wetland Restoration
- Stream Crossing
For animal waste management systems, up to $200,000 per project, $300,000 maximum. All other best management practices up to $50,000 per project, with a maximum of $150,000 per farm.
Must be a Maryland farm. Must meet MACS eligibility and cost-effectiveness requirements. Applicant must be in compliance with the Maryland Nutrient Management Program.
If your farm does not qualify because you do not have 8 animal units, there are other funding opportunities with the MDA Urban Ag and Small Farm Project and NRCS funding. The Urban Ag and Small Farm Project is still under development. Currently it is offering cover crop funding to farms who plant 5 or less acres, and grants for water and electricity instillation for Urban farms.
Contact the Garrett Soil Conservation District if you are interested in learning more about any of these programs. 301-501-5886 or seth.metheny1@maryland.gov.
For the 2022 Fiscal Year, there were 5 MACS projects completed in Garrett County. Three farms were funded for fencing, one for a heavy-use protection area, and one for a water well.
It should be noted that most of the projects funded through our office in Garrett County for 2022 were through NRCS’s EQIP. MACS is only a good fit for producers with high numbers of livestock.