Maryland Cover Crop Grant 2026: $22 Million for Fall Planting and Carbon Sequestration

Maryland's Department of Agriculture is opening applications for its 2026 Cover Crop Grant Program from June 22 to July 17. The program offers farmers up to $65 per acre to plant cold-hardy cereal grains and mixes after harvest. Cover crops help prevent erosion, recycle nutrients, improve soil health, and store carbon in the soil, which directly mitigates climate change. The $22 million budget supports the state's goal of protecting the Chesapeake Bay from agricultural runoff. Farmers must apply in person at their local soil conservation district and commit to at least 10 acres. Base payment is $35 per acre with additional incentives available. Enrolled cover crops cannot be harvested but can be grazed or chopped for on-farm livestock forage once established. This program is a practical example of how agricultural policy can drive carbon removal and improve environmental outcomes at scale.