Deadline to Report Extended Season Acres for Cover Crops Approaching

Participating Farmers Must Report Fields by April 15

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Department of Agriculture reminds farmers participating in its Cover Crop Program that they have until April 15 to report fields to be included in the extended season payment option. The 2019-2020 Cover Crop Program provides an additional $15 per acre incentive payment to qualifying farmers who agree to terminate their cover crops after May 1.

Farmers who plan to delay kill down of their cover crop should notify their local soil conservation district of their intention by telephone or email only. In-person visits to field offices have been suspended due to the current state of emergency. 

Maryland’s Cover Crop Program is administered by the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share Program and funded by the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund and the Chesapeake Bay 2010 Trust Fund. 

A list of soil conservation district websites and contact information can be found on the department’s website. For more information, farmers should contact the department’s Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share Program at 410-841-5864.

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