MACS
The Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share (MACS) Program has helped farmers protect natural resources on their farms, maintain farm productivity, and comply with a growing number of federal and state environmental requirements.
Typically, the MACS program can cover up to 87.5 percent of the cost to install best management practices (BMPs) to control soil erosion, manage nutrients, and safeguard water quality in streams, rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay. The MACS program will now cover up to 100% of the cost to install the following High-Priority Agricultural Conservation Practices:
- Conservation drainage practices
- Conservation cover
- Critical area planting
- Diversion
- Stream exclusion fencing
- Field border
- Filter strip
- Grade stabilization structure
- Grassed waterway
- Lined waterway or outlet
- Riparian forest buffer
- Riparian herbaceous cover
- Sediment basin
- Terrace system
- Tree and shrub establishment
- Wetland restoration or creation
Contact the District to learn more about these cost-share opportunities. For more information: https://news.maryland.gov/mda/press-release/2021/08/02/high-priority-agricultural-conservation-practices-now-available-for-100-cost-share-grants/
Cover crops planted after the fall harvest to soak up unused fertilizers, streamside buffers of grasses and trees planted to protect waterways from sedimentation and agricultural runoff, and animal waste systems designed to help farmers collect and use manure resources are among 30 BMPs currently eligible for funding.
The updated Conservation Choices for Maryland Farmers is now available for free download from MDA and includes several new best management practices that farmers can install to maintain farm production, improve soil health, safeguard water quality, provide wildlife habitat, and improve air quality.
Cover Crop 2023-2024 Program
Application Process
Sign up: June 21 – July 17, 2023
Apply in person; appointments are highly recommended; office is closed July 4; contact Jerry, Randy or Christopher to schedule an appointment
Information about the program was US Mailed to participants of the 2022-2023 program by MDA. The MDA flyer and more details can be found at: https://mda.maryland.gov/resource_conservation/Pages/cover_crop.aspx
Should you be interested in working through an application prior to visiting the office, forms can be found HERE
Program Requirements and Agreement (rules) will be provided in the mail with your approved application. One will be provided to you when you sign up with us. And they can also be found anytime HERE
Forms required at application:
- Form W-9 (we only need page 1); we will have forms on hand or you may complete or print one online ahead of time HERE
- A current Nutrient Management Plan Certification form; available online HERE
Seed testing of homegrown seed is cost-sharable. Prepared bags of seed and a Seed Sample Testing Form can be mailed directly to MDA or dropped off at our office for delivery to the Md Seed Lab. We will have forms in the office or forms can be found at: https://mda.maryland.gov/resource_conservation/counties/Seedform_web.pdf
Best contacts – all can be reached at the office number: 301-638-3028
- Randy Sweeney randy.sweeney@maryland.gov
- Christopher Swift christopher.swift@md.nacdnet.net
- Jerry Spence jerry.spence@md.nacdnet.net
Direct Deposit of State of Maryland Payments
Should you be interested in your cover crop and all other State of Maryland payments to be issued to you by direct deposit complete this form. Please note this will apply to any payment Maryland issues you. To cancel or change the account in which the direct deposit of future payments is received, complete and submit the form accordingly.
Room 205, P.O. Box 746
Annapolis, Maryland 21404-0746
(or) Fax to 410-974-2309
Maryland Water Quality Trading Program
Charles County, in collaboration with the Charles Soil Conservation District (CSCD), Maryland Department of Environment (MDE), and Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), is seeking agricultural landowners with interest in participating in the Maryland Water Quality Trading Program (WQT). Colloquially known as “Nutrient Trading”, this voluntary program creates a public market for nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment reductions to enhance the restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay and local waters by accelerating the pace and reducing the cost of Best Management Practice implementation efforts. To generate credits, landowners must meet baseline requirements as determined by MDA through an assessment of the current management and conservation efforts on the property. After baseline is determined to be met, landowners then implement an approved Best Management Practice on their land that supplies a nutrient and sediment load reduction credit value into the Chesapeake Bay. Once certified by MDA, these credits are published on Maryland’s Trading Registry, which notifies potential buyers of their availability. Purchasing of credits is conducted through individual agreements between the buyer and seller, whereby the price is determined by the forces of supply and demand. If you are interested in learning more about the WQT program, please visit MDE’s Water Quality Trading Program website at www.mde.maryland.gov/programs/Water/WQT. If interested in participating, please send an email expressing your interest to info@CharlesSCD.com. Please provide the best phone number for a representative to reach you to explain the details of the program.
Federal Conservation Programs Available for Cost-Share
EQIP – Environmental Quality Incentives Program provides cost-share assistance to producers for installing and maintaining conservation practices that enhance soil, water, and related natural resources, while sustaining production of food and fiber. With cost-share assistance through EQIP, producers make beneficial, cost effective changes to cropping systems, grazing management systems, waste management systems associated with livestock, and other practices on agricultural land.
WHIP – Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program is a voluntary program for people who want to develop and improve wildlife habitat primarily on private land. Through WHIP, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service provides both technical and cost-share assistance to establish and improve wildlife habitat. WHIP agreements between NRCS and the participant, generally last from 5-10 years from the date the agreement is signed.
AMA – Agricultural Management Assistance provides cost-share assistance to agricultural producers to voluntarily address issues such as water management, water quality, and erosion control by incorporation conservation into their farming operations. Producers may construct or improve water management or irrigation structures; plant trees for windbreaks or to improve water quality; and mitigate risk through production diversification or resource conservation practices, including soil erosion control, integrated pest management, or transition to organic farming.
CRP – Conservation Reserve Program provides technical and financial assistance to eligible landowners to address soil, water, and related natural resource concerns on their land in the environmentally beneficial and cost-effective manner. CRP encourages landowners to convert highly erodible cropland and other environmentally sensitive areas to permanent cover, such as introduced or native grasses, trees, filter strips, riparian forest buffers, wetlands, and shallow water habitats.
WRP – Wetlands Reserve Program is a voluntary program to restore and protect wetlands on private property. It is an opportunity for landowners to enhance wetlands in exchange for retiring marginal agricultural land.
Assistance with Preparing/Submitting Paperwork is Always Free
District, MDA and USDA assistance is available one-on-one and is always free of charge in local district offices across Maryland and USDA local field offices across the country. We can explain the forms and paperwork and help farmers complete and submit what is required. Additionally, language translation is available in all USDA Service Centers, so one-on-one assistance with a Service Center employee can be translated in real time. Please help us get the word out to the Maryland farming community that USDA staff can guide farmers through the process of preparing and submitting required paperwork – there is no need to hire a paid preparer or pay a fee. One-on-one support is available at district, MDA and USDA field offices throughout Maryland.