Ecosystem Incentives Program

Ecosystem Incentives Program Main_Content ​​​ ​ The Ecosystem Incentives Program   provides farmers with a menu  of conservation incentives that  promote clean water, healthy soil  and climate solutions. Please read on to learn more about our offerings. ​See something you like? Contact your  local soil conservation district  for free help from the experts in meeting your conservation needs ​. ​​ Conservation Buffer Initiative ​ This pilot program complements  CREP by offering farmers and landowners   attractive incentive  payments to plant streamside  buffers on farms to improve  local water quality. Like CREP, f armers receive a one-time  bonus payment of $1,000/acre  to install forest buffers.  However, this program  provides features not offered by  CREP including:​ ​A buffer option  for field ditches Flexible site management Shorter contract terms Learn more about Maryland's Conservation Buffer Initiative.​​ ​ Tree Planting Incentives​ ​ A tree-planting bonus is now available to farmers and landowners who install qualifying conservation practices financed through the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share Program . The incentive aims to help Maryland achieve its ambitious tree-planting goal to capture greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. Under this incentive program, eligible farmers will r eceive $2 for each new tree planted as part of an approved conservation practice This payment is in addition to the regular cost-share rate for the qualifying practice. It is available for the following conservation practices: Windbreak Establishment – $2 per tree plus up to 100% cost-share Silvopasture – $2 per tree plus up to 87.5% cost-share Riparian Forest Buffer – $2 per tree plus up to 100% cost-share Hedgerow Planting – $2 per tree plus up to 100% cost-share Tree and Shrub Establishment – $2 per tree plus up to 100% cost-share ​ Lear​n more about our Tree Panting Incentives. ​ Read the news release. ​ CREP Signing  Bonus ​ The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is a federal-state partnership program that gives farmers a one-time signing bonus to take environmentally sensitive land out of production for 10 to 15 years and plant conservation practices that protect wildlife. The bonus is on top of attractive annual rental payments farmers receive to maintain wetlands on sensitive land for the life of their contracts.  Newly enrolled farmers and landowners who plant riparian forest buffers receive a one-time signing bonus of up to $1,000 per acre. ​ Learn more about CREP   and how it can provide you with steady income on marginal land that is no longer profitable to farm. ​ Cover Crop Plus ​ This program pays higher incentives for enhanced cover crop implementation to encourage greater biodiversity and residue management to improve soil health. Enrolled farmers agree to grow cover crop mixes on the same field for three consecutive years, maintain a living root system, and manage the cover crop for maximum benefits. Learn more about Cover Crop Plus. ​ Conservation Equipment Tax Break  ​ The Maryland Income Tax Subtraction Modification for Conservation Equipment helps farmers offset costs to buy certain types of conservation equipment to control soil erosion, manage nutrients, and protect local water quality. The incentive allows farmers to subtract eligible equipment purchases from taxable income on Maryland individual and corporate tax returns. Learn more about the tax break. ​​ Download an application.  ​ ​ Center_Content

Under this incentive program, eligible farmers will r eceive $2 for each new tree planted as part of an approved conservation practice This payment is in addition to the regular cost-share rate for the qualifying practice. It is available for the following conservation practices: