{"id":27886,"date":"2024-01-03T09:00:24","date_gmt":"2024-01-03T14:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=27886"},"modified":"2024-01-02T08:52:52","modified_gmt":"2024-01-02T13:52:52","slug":"2024-healthy-soils-grants-open-january-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/press-release\/2024\/01\/03\/2024-healthy-soils-grants-open-january-3\/","title":{"rendered":"2024 Healthy Soils Grants Open January 3"},"content":{"rendered":"<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/12\/2024healthysoil-scaled.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"27887\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/press-release\/2024\/01\/03\/2024-healthy-soils-grants-open-january-3\/attachment\/2024healthysoil\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/12\/2024healthysoil-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1905&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1905\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1275907789&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"2024healthysoil\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/12\/2024healthysoil-scaled.jpg?fit=760%2C566&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-27887\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/12\/2024healthysoil.jpg?resize=300%2C223\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"223\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/12\/2024healthysoil-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C223&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/12\/2024healthysoil-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C762&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/12\/2024healthysoil-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C571&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/12\/2024healthysoil-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1143&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/12\/2024healthysoil-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1524&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/12\/2024healthysoil-scaled.jpg?w=2280 2280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\"><strong>ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 3, 2023)<\/strong>\u2013\u00a0The <strong>Maryland Department of Agriculture<\/strong> will accept <strong>Fiscal Year 2024<\/strong> grant applications for its <strong>Healthy Soils Competitive Fund<\/strong> beginning <strong>January 3, 2024<\/strong>. This program provides financial assistance to eligible farmers and organizations to adopt conservation practices that benefit the climate, soil, and water. Regardless of farm size, Maryland farmers and organizations with innovative conservation ideas are encouraged to apply for these grants. Successful applicants will receive up to $50,000 to support 3 years of enhanced soil health practices.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">\u201cThis program funds innovative soil health and agroforestry practices that benefit cropland, improve water quality, and capture carbon from the atmosphere,\u201d said <strong>Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks<\/strong>. \u201cIt\u2019s a win-win for our farms, our Chesapeake Bay and our climate goals. I urge Maryland farmers with operations of all sizes to apply for these grants.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">Funds are available to farmers or organizations that want to manage the following practices in innovative ways:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type: disc\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">Cover Crops<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type: disc\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">Conservation Tillage<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type: disc\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">Pasture and Hay Planting<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type: disc\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">Conservation Cover\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type: disc\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">Critical Area Planting<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type: disc\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">Conservation Crop Rotation<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type: disc\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">Nutrient Management<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type: disc\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">Integrated Pest Management\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type: disc\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">New for 2024 &#8211; Soil Carbon Amendment<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">Additionally, the following Agroforestry practices are available for funding:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type: disc\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">Alley Cropping<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type: disc\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">Hedgerow Planting<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type: disc\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">Windbreak\/Shelterbelt Establishment<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type: disc\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">Silvopasture<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type: disc\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">Tree and Shrub Establishment<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">There are no minimum or maximum acreage requirements. Grant recipients will receive a portion of the funds (not to exceed 40%)\u00a0up front, with the remainder distributed annually upon verification of progress. The allowable up front payment will be dependent on the proposed scope of work.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">Grants provided by the Healthy Soils Competitive Fund may be used to support the implementation of conservation practices, purchase equipment that supports the adoption of soil health practices, and cover research and administrative costs for organizations that provide technical support to producers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">Developed with input from <strong>Maryland\u2019s Soil Health Advisory Committee<\/strong>, the program is funded by the \u00a0<strong>Chesapeake<span style=\"color: #0000ff\">\u00a0and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong>and the <strong>Moore-Miller Administration<\/strong>. Grant applications are available on the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mda.maryland.gov\/resource_conservation\/Pages\/Soil-Health.aspx\">website<\/a>. They should be submitted to the Maryland Department of Agriculture by 5 p.m. on March 6, 2024. Grant recipients will be notified by April 30, 2024.\u00a0For more information, please contact Nick Miller at\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:nicholas.miller2@maryland.gov\">nicholas.miller2@maryland.gov<\/a>\u00a0or 410-980-2350.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\"># # #<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', serif\">Follow Maryland Department of Agriculture on Facebook\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.twitter.com\/mdagdept\">@MdAgDept<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 3, 2023)\u2013\u00a0The Maryland Department of Agriculture will accept Fiscal Year 2024 grant applications for its Healthy Soils Competitive Fund beginning January 3, 2024. This program provides financial assistance to eligible farmers and organizations to adopt conservation practices that benefit the climate, soil, and water. Regardless of farm size, Maryland farmers and organizations<a href=\"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/press-release\/2024\/01\/03\/2024-healthy-soils-grants-open-january-3\/\">&nbsp;&nbsp;Read the Rest&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":222,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27886","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-press-release"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27886","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/222"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27886"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27886\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27896,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27886\/revisions\/27896"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27886"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27886"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27886"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}