The Maryland Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for its 2026 Healthy Soils Competitive Fund.
Donor Name: Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA)
State: Maryland
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 01/09/2026
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The program offers financial support to eligible farmers and organizations to adopt innovative soil health practices, enhance their stewardship of soil and water resources, and promote soil health awareness within the agricultural community.
This funding opportunity is available to Maryland farmers and organizations that work with farmers to implement innovative conservation practices. Proposals should focus on soil health management strategies and systems that:
- Minimize soil disturbance
- Maximize soil cover
- Enhance biodiversity
- Increase the presence of living roots.
Eligible Practices
Financial assistance available to manage conservation practices in new and innovative ways that improve soil health, yield, and profitability and capture carbon. You may apply for funding for more than one conservation practice. Eligible practices include:
- Cover Crops
- Conservation Tillage
- Pasture and Hay Planting
- Conservation Cover
- Critical Area Planting
- Conservation Crop Rotation
- Nutrient Management
- Integrated Pest Management
- Prescribed Grazing
- Soil Carbon Amendment.
Funding Information
- Grant recipients will receive up to $50,000.
- The agricultural operation and/or its partners must generate a minimum of $2,500 in sales or donations annually and/or manage 8,000 pounds or more of live animal weight.
Eligible Expenses
- This competitive grant program awards selected applicants with up to $50,000 to support 3 years of enhanced soil health practices. Grant recipients will receive a portion of the funds (not to exceed 30%) upfront, with the reminder distributed annually following verification of progress.
- Funds may be used to support the implementation of conservation practices, including the purchase of equipment, to cover project staff time, and to cover research costs.
- Applicants are encouraged to rent equipment or purchase used equipment where possible.
- Labor included in application budgets must be directly related to project implementation and should not be connected to existing activities, general farm operations, or the long-term implementation of practices.
Eligibility Criteria
- There are no minimum or maximum acreage requirements.
- Open to individual farmers or groups of farmers operating in Maryland.
- Individuals or organizations working with farmers in Maryland are also eligible.
- The agricultural operation(s) applying, or the agricultural operations partnering with an individual or organization, must have a gross annual income of $2,500 or more (or $2,500 or more of donated agricultural products if a non-profit entity) and/or manage 8 or more animal units (8,000 pounds of live animal weight).
- Applicants must provide proof of compliance with Maryland’s nutrient management requirements at the time of application by submitting a Current Nutrient Management Plan Certification Form. If you have any questions about compliance, please contact the regional nutrient management specialist serving your county.
For more information, visit MDA.
