SMALL ACREAGE COVER CROP PROGRAM

Small Acreage Cover Crop Program Overview

Maryland’s Small Acreage Cover Crop Program provides financial assistance to urban and small-scale producers who want to plant cover crops but do not qualify for traditional cover crop grant programs geared toward larger farm operations.

2026 Enrollment Dates

March 16 through April 24, 2026

About the Small Acreage Cover Crop Program

The Small Acreage Cover Crop Program was the first in a planned series of grants that are going to be available to small-scale farmers. Its goal is to increase community access to healthy foods by helping farmers improve the management of their natural resources.

Urban and small-scale producers who don’t qualify for traditional cover crop programs are encouraged to apply for these small farm cover crop grants. Here’s the facts.
 
  • Urban agricultural growers and small farmers who plant ten (10) or fewer acres of a cover crop are eligible.
  • Farms must generate $1000 per year in sales to be eligible.
  • Eligible species to be planted include cover crop seed mixes or single cereal grains. 
  • Cover crops could be planted in open fields, raised beds, or a high tunnel following the harvest of a production crop (vegetables, herbs, flowers, sorghum, soybeans, hemp, millet, or tobacco).
  • Growers are required to plant fall cover crops following seed company or UMD Extension recommendations for eligible species.
  • Growers are reimbursed based on paid receipts with a maximum payment of up to $1,500 per growing season.
  • Eligible expenses included the cost of seeds including shipping costs, labor up to $15 per hour, custom services, and equipment rental fees. Note that it only covered equipment rental fees and not equipment purchases.

The Small Acreage Cover Crop program was funded by the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund and managed by the department’s Conservation Grants Program. 

FIND MORE INFORMATION and THE APPLICATION WITH INSTRUCTIONS ON MDA’S WEBSITE

More About the Small Farm and Urban Agriculture Program

A group of white and red chickens on grass cover crops
What is the Small Farm and Urban Agriculture Program?

Maryland Department of Agriculture’s new Small Farm and Urban Agriculture Program provides financial assistance to support small-scale agricultural operations located in urban, peri-urban, rural, and suburban areas. It aims to increase community access to healthy foods by helping farmers improve their management of natural resources.

The Small Acreage Cover Crop Program, which was part of the Small Farm and Urban Agriculture Program, has been discontinued.

Individuals, organized for-profit agricultural businesses, or non-profit organizations may apply for the grants. The operation must produce farm products that generate a minimum of $1,000 of sales or donations annually.  In addition, the grantee is responsible for all local, state, or federal regulations and permits necessary for the agricultural operation. The farm product must be grown or raised in the state of Maryland. The following types operations are eligible: 

  • Any agricultural, horticultural, vegetable, or fruit product of the soil, whether raw or canned, frozen, dried, pickled, or otherwise processed;    
  • Livestock, meats, marine food products, poultry, eggs, or dairy products;  
  • Equine operations;
  • Wool, hides, feathers, or honey;
  • Any product of farm, forest, orchard, garden, or water. 

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VISIT MDA’S WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAM