{"id":27070,"date":"2023-01-26T12:00:06","date_gmt":"2023-01-26T17:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=27070"},"modified":"2023-01-26T10:06:30","modified_gmt":"2023-01-26T15:06:30","slug":"signup-period-for-marylands-conservation-buffer-initiative-opens-on-january-30","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/press-release\/2023\/01\/26\/signup-period-for-marylands-conservation-buffer-initiative-opens-on-january-30\/","title":{"rendered":"Signup Period for Maryland\u2019s Conservation Buffer Initiative Opens on January 30"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

$1,000\/Acre Bonus Payment Available to Farmers Who Plant Forest Buffers\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Annapolis, MD<\/b> (<\/span>January 26, 2023)- <\/b>The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) is opening the 2023 signup period for its Conservation Buffer Initiative from January 30 through March 10, 2023. New this year, qualifying farmers who plant forest buffers will receive a one-time $1,000\/acre signing bonus on top of the incentive payment for this practice.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe conservation practices supported by this program are helping Maryland to achieve its clean water goals for the Chesapeake Bay,\u201d said Acting MDA Secretary Kevin Atticks. \u201cThis year, we are pleased to offer an attractive signing bonus to landowners who plant forest buffers on agricultural land to reduce carbon emissions and meet water quality standards. This program is a win-win for the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland\u2019s climate action goals.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Now in its third year, Maryland\u2019s Conservation Buffer Initiative offers attractive incentive payments, easy sign-up, and a variety of management options for farmers who want to plant streamside buffers on their farms to improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.<\/span><\/p>\n

Maryland\u2019s Chesapeake Bay Restoration Plan includes a goal to plant 63,980 acres of buffers by 2025. As of June 30, 2022, Maryland has achieved more than 80% of this goal. <\/span>Three types of buffers are eligible for funding and free technical assistance from local soil conservation districts under this program:\u00a0<\/span>forest buffers<\/b>\u00a0planted next to waterways,\u00a0<\/span>grass buffers<\/b>\u00a0planted next to waterways or field ditches, and\u00a0<\/span>watercourse access control areas<\/b>\u00a0adjacent to pastures. Program highlights include:<\/span><\/p>\n