Cover Crop Plus+ Program

Cover Crop Plus Main_Content ​​​ ​​ ​ The 2026-2027 Application Window is Now Closed. FARMERS…​ The Healthy Soils Program is pleased to launch our new Cover Crop Plus+  grant program. The updated program provides additional support for Maryland's innovative cover crop practitioners. Our goal is to provide a more flexible and streamlined program for effective cover crop strategies that aren't covered by existing programs.​ HOW IT WORKS You sign a contract to grow cover crops on the same field(s) for 3 consecutive years using practices not supported by MDA's Traditional Cover Crop Program or the Small Acreage Cover Crop Program. Funded practices include: Summer Cover Crops planted f ollowing a small grain harvest or as part of a summer field rest. Cover Crop Mixes with less than 50% grass. Legumes for Crop Nitrogen that are in flower before termination. Cover Crops Planted into Standing Crops before August 1. Cover Crops Interseeded into wide crop rows. Early Termination of Grasses in a cover crop mix that includes legumes. Cover Crops for Grazing Animals — adaptive/rotational grazing required; includes annuals planted into perennial pasture using no-till practices. Additionally we will accept alternative cover cropping scenarios supported by an approved  Technical Service Provider (TSP) or  supporting resource. See the application for a list of TSPs and resources. THE DETAILS You submit a signed application​ along with: A 3-year management plan. At least 2 of the 3 years require scenarios not supported by other MDA cover crop programs. Field maps. Grazing plan if grazing the cover crop. Letter of support if working with a Technical Service Provider. Applications will be approved on a first come, first served basis. REQUIREMENTS ​ You may enroll 10 to 500 acres in this program. You must plant the cover crop no later than November 5​ unless the planting is part of an approved scenario supported by a Technical Service Provider. You may terminate the cover crop no earlier than April 15,  unless summer planted or as part of an approved scenario supported by a Technical Service Provider. Seeding rates and mix calculations must follow NRCS Technical Guidelines, unless an alternative scenario supported by your Technical Service Provider or supporting resource is approved. COVER CROP PLUS+ RATE CHART WITH ADD-ON PRACTICES Practice​ Payment Rate/A​cre Base $40.00 Diversity Bonus $15.00 Summer Bonus $15.00 Biomass Bonus $15.00 Nitrogen Reduction Bonus $15.00 Maximum: $100.00 BONUS PAYMENTS ​ Diversity Bonus — Three (3) or more species are planted from three (3) or more functional groups (Grass, Legume, Forb, Brassica). If planting legumes for nitrogen, two different legume species and one species from a different functional group is permitted.  ​ Summer Bonus —The c over crop is planted after a small grain or after a fall/winter cover crop for field rest. Nitrogen Reduction Bonus — Provide documentation showing at least a 15% reduction in commercial fertilizer application from the prior year's baseline. Biomass Bonus — Delay termination until a minimum biomass yield of 2,000 pounds per acre dry matter ​is documented. ELIGIBILITY You must be in good standing with the Maryland Nutrient Management Program, the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share Program, the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation Program, and other MDA conservation grant programs. You must submit a current Nutrient Management Plan Certification Form  with your application. Additional restrictions may apply. HOW TO APPLY FOR COVER CROP Plus+ Submit your application materials to Nick Miller, Healthy Soils Program Administrator at [email protected] or mail to: Nick Miller Healthy Soils Program Administrator Maryland Department of Agriculture 50 Harry S Truman Parkway Annapolis, MD 21401 Visit our Traditional Cover Crop Program web ​page.​ Visit our Small Acreage Cover Crop Program web page.

ELIGIBILITY You must be in good standing with the Maryland Nutrient Management Program, the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share Program, the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation Program, and other MDA conservation grant programs.