2011-2012 Winter Cover Crop Program

The Maryland Department of Agriculture's (MDA) Winter Cover Crop Program provides farmers with attractive grants to plant cover crops on their fields immediately following the summer crop harvest of corn, sorghum, soybeans, vegetables, or tobacco. This year, approximately $15 million in cover crop funding is available to farmers through the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share (MACS) Program. Farmers may plant traditional cover crops at a base rate of $45/acre and receive up to $55/acre in add-on incentives for using hightly valued planting practives. Cover crops that are harvested pay $25/acre with a bonus payment of $10/acre for planting rye. Certain Restrictions apply.

Why Plant Cover Crops?

Cover Crops are important to the health of the Chesapeake Bay and the productivity of Maryland's farmland. Small grains, such as wheat, rye, or barley, when planted as cover crops in the fall, tie up unused nutrients, control soil erosion, and protect water quality in the Bay and its tributaries.

Traditional Cover Crops- Traditional cover crops may not be harvested. However, they may be grazed or chopped for livestock forage for on-farm use after becoming well established. Kill-down/suppression may occur at any time after March 15, 2012, but no later than June 1, 2012.

Commodity Cover Crops- This program option is available to farmers who want to harvest their cover crops. Farmers must indicate the number of acres they plan to harvest at enrollment.

Fertilizer use: After March 1, 2012

Certification with SCD: Within one week of planting and no later than November 15, 2011.

Please refer to the Maryland Department of Agriculture's website for updated details on the 2010-2011 program.

Montgomery Soil Conservation District
18410 Muncaster Road
Derwood, MD 20855
Phone: 301-590-2855
Fax: 301-590-2849
Email: info@montgomeryscd.org