Tree Planting Incentives

Our tree-planting incentives support a range of agroforestry practices that integrate farming and forestry . These practices can help you generate additional farm income create healthier conditions for livestock and crops and promote cleaner air and streams.  Please scroll down to  explore our programs. Conservation Buffer Initiative ​ ​This program offers farmers attractive incentive payments to plant streamside buffers to  improve the health of local  streams and the Chesapeake Bay. Farmers can receive up to  $4,500 an acre  to install a riparian forest  buffer with pasture fencing. ​Riparian forest buffers  also qualify for a  one-time BONUS PAYMENT of  $1,000/acre . You can apply for this program by contacting your   soil conservation district ​ during its annual open enrollment period which runs from November 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026 . Learn more about the Conservation Buffer Initiative . ​ ​ ​​ CREP Maryland’s Conservation Reserve Enhancement  Program (CREP)  is a federal-state partnership program that pays  farmers and rural landowners attractive land rental  rates to remove environmentally sensitive agricultural land  out of production for 10-15 years and install conservation practices  to protect streams and create wildlife habitat. Farmers who  plant new riparian forest buffers next to streams qualify  for a  one-time BONUS PAYMENT of $1,000/acre . ​ Please contact your local USDA Farm Service Agency  office to apply.  L earn more about CREP .​​ Healthy Soils Competitive Fund This competitive grant program awards selected  applicants with u p to $50,000 to support 3 years of  enhanced soil health practices . Agroforestry practices  to improve soil health and build climate resilience  are ​a great fit. You can apply for these grants during the program's​  open enrollment period which typically begins in January and runs for approximately 8 weeks. Examples of popular tree planting practices include alley cropping and critical area plantings. Please visit the Please visit the Healthy Soils website  to  learn more.​ Riparian Forest Buffer   ​​ Planting trees and shrubs along waterways helps filter runoff, enhance water quality, control erosion, and create wildlife habitat. Riparian forest buffers also provide essential shade to cool streams for trout and other aquatic animals. The Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share (MACS) Program offers farmers up to 100% cost-share funding to plant riparian forest buffers, including $2 for each tree planted.  ​ Please contact your local soil conservation district  to apply for this grant. ​ ​ Hedgerow Planting   ​ Small grasses planted along the  edges of farm fields or roads filter runoff and act as a  living fence and wildlife corridor. Hedgerows protect  air and water quality, reduce noise, provide shelter  for wildlife, and can improve your farm’s aesthetic  value. This practice is funded by the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share (MACS) Program. MACS provides up to 100% cost-share to plant  the hedgerow and an additional $2 per planted tree .  Please contact your local soil conservation district   to apply for this grant. ​ Silvopasture ​ Introducing trees into active livestock pastures helps  improve soil and water quality, filters runoff, provides  shade and shelter for livestock, and captures carbon  from the atmosphere. This practice is funded by the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share (MACS) Program. ​  MACS pays up to 87.5% cost-share   to install this practice plus $2 per planted tree .  Please contact your local  Please contact your local soil conservation district  to apply for this grant.