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 When this Baltimore County beef farmer learned about Maryland's free financial and technical assistance programs to restore the health of local streams, he never hesitated to say "yes" to clean water.

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ANNAPOLIS, MD — The Maryland Department of Agriculture has increased its one-time signing bonus to $1,000 per acre for eligible farmers and landowners who install forest buffers along qualifying stream corridors through the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). Farmers and landowners with new contracts for CREP practice CP22 riparian buffers effective on or after October 1, 2021, are eligible. All other CREP contracts and re-enrollments remain eligible for a $100 per acre signing bonus. For more Information: Click Here

 

Maryland’s Conservation Buffer Initiative

Back by popular demand, Maryland's Conservation Buffer Initiative provides farmers with attractive incentive payments to plant streamside buffers on farms to protect water quality. New this year, farmers can receive up to $4,500 an acre to install riparian forest buffers with pasture fencing. Financial assistance is also available to install deer fencing next to grass buffers. Other features include a buffer option for field ditches, flexible site management, and shorter contract terms. Three types of buffers are eligible for funding and free technical assistance from local soil conservation districts: riparian forest buffers, grass buffers planted next to waterways or field ditches, and watercourse access control areas adjacent to pastures.

• Payment rates range from $500/acre for an existing grass buffer to a maximum of $4,500/acre to install a riparian forest buffer with pasture fencing.
• Financial assistance is offered to install deer fencing next to grass buffers.
• Mowing and hay harvesting are allowed; nutrient applications are not.
• Famers receive a one-time payment for enrolled land; contracts are for 5 or 10 years.
• All work must be completed by June 30, 2023.

Apply online or by mail between January 10, 2022, and February 18, 2022. For more information and application instructions form: Click Here

FORMS

Application Form: Maryland Conservation Buffer Initiative Application Nutrient Management Plan Certification: Current Nutrient Management Plan Certification Special Power of Attorney Form: Special Power of Attorney Form Certificate of Sole Proprietorship: Certificate of Sole Proprietorship Certificate of Resolution: Certificate of Resolution