MDA Cover Crop Program Sign-Up Runs June 21 – July 16

ANNAPOLIS, MD (June 4, 2012) – Following up on the restoration goals outlined in Maryland’s Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay, Governor Martin O’Malley has allocated approximately $18 million for the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) 2012-2013 Cover Crop Program.  This popular program provides grants to farmers who plant cover crops in their fields in the fall to conserve nutrients, reduce soil erosion and protect water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Farmers may sign up for this year’s cover crop program by visiting their local soil conservation district office between June 21 and July 16, 2012.

“Over the years, we have learned that we can count on Maryland farmers to plant cover crops on their fields to help the Bay,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “For two years running, Maryland farmers have planted more than 400,000 acres of cover crops on their fields and their efforts are making a difference.  We are pleased to provide farmers with this important cost-share program so that they can continue to lead the Bay restoration effort.”

This year, farmers who plant traditional cover crops receive a base rate of $45/acre and up to $55/acre in add-on incentives for using highly valued planting practices.  Traditional cover crops may not be harvested, but can be grazed or chopped for livestock forage for on-farm use after becoming well established.

Farmers who want to harvest their cover crops receive $25/acre plus a $10/acre bonus if rye is planted as the cover crop.   Farmers may fill out one application to enroll in both program options.  There are no enrollment caps and certain restrictions apply.

“The cover crop program provides a tremendous boost to the Bay restoration effort,” said Maryland Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance.  “Last year’s statewide cover crop planting of 429,000 acres prevented roughly 2.5 million pounds of nitrogen and 85,000 pounds of phosphorus from reaching the Bay and its tributaries.”

Cover crops are cereal grains and winter annual brassicas (plants in the cabbage family) that are planted to take up nutrients that remain in the soil following production of corn, soybeans, sorghum, tobacco or vegetables.  Barley, canola, rapeseed, kale, rye, rygrass, spring oats, triticale and wheat planted in the fall of 2012 are eligible.  Special incentives are available to farmers who plant rye.  Farmers may use seed they have saved, however, all seed used is required to meet Maryland Seed Law and Regulatory Standards and have a minimum germination rate of 80 percent.

MDA’s 2012-2013 Cover Crop Program is administered by the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share (MACS) Program and funded by the 2010 Chesapeake Bay Trust Fund and the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund.  Applicants must be in good standing with MACS to participate and must be in compliance with the Nutrient Management Program.

Farmers should visit their local soil conservation district office during the June 21 – July 16, 2012 enrollment period.  Additional information is available on MDA’s website.

Learn more at www.baystat.maryland.gov. Created by Executive Order in February 2007 by Governor Martin O’Malley, BayStat is a powerful statewide tool designed to access, coordinate and target Maryland’s Bay restoration programs, and inform citizens on Maryland’s progress in meeting Maryland’s Bay restoration goals.