Regional Conservation Funding

Maryland Department of Agriculture Invests $670,000 in Innovative Soil Health and Agroforestry Practices

State-Funded Grants Support 19 Climate-Resilient Projects Across Maryland’s Central and Coastal Regions

The Maryland Department of Agriculture has officially awarded $670,000 through its Healthy Soils Competitive Fund to advance climate-smart agriculture and agroforestry across the state. The initiative, established in 2023 following Soil Health Advisory Committee recommendations, provides grants of up to $50,000 per project to support three years of soil health enhancement. This year’s 16% increase in application volume supports 19 new projects, ranging from Baltimore City to Washington County, focusing on diverse techniques including alley cropping, adaptive grazing, reduced tillage, and pollinator habitat restoration.

ANNAPOLIS, MD — The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) continues to expand its commitment to environmental stewardship by funding projects that strengthen farm resilience. Since the program’s inception, the Healthy Soils Competitive Fund has successfully supported 88 projects statewide.

2026 Project Implementation Breakdown

Grant recipients across Maryland are implementing specific, science-backed conservation practices:

• Agroforestry & Grazing: Innovations in adaptive grazing, silvopasture, and alley cropping systems are being deployed in Caroline, Charles, Frederick, Howard, Prince George’s, and Washington counties.
• Soil Biology & Tillage: Projects in Carroll, Frederick, Harford, and Prince George’s counties focus on reduced tillage, roller crimper utilization, and comprehensive soil biology analysis.
• Habitat Enhancement: Baltimore County and Baltimore City projects prioritize pollinator habitats and soil health resource development for equine operations.

“Healthy soils are the foundation of productive farms, thriving ecosystems and long-term resilience,” said Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks. “It’s exciting to see more Maryland farmers embracing innovative conservation practices each year”.

Funding & Future Cycles

This funding is made possible by the Moore-Miller Administration’s implementation of the Climate Solutions Now Act and a Climate Pollution Reduction Grant provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the Atlantic Conservation Coalition. The MDA has announced that the 2026-2027 grant cycle is scheduled to open for new applicants in November 2026.

Maryland Department of Agriculture — Healthy Soils Competitive Fund

Annapolis, Maryland | July 13, 2026