{"id":27941,"date":"2024-01-22T09:00:47","date_gmt":"2024-01-22T14:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=27941"},"modified":"2024-01-17T11:19:37","modified_gmt":"2024-01-17T16:19:37","slug":"enrollment-period-for-marylands-2024-conservation-buffer-initiative-opens-on-january-29","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/press-release\/2024\/01\/22\/enrollment-period-for-marylands-2024-conservation-buffer-initiative-opens-on-january-29\/","title":{"rendered":"Enrollment Period for Maryland’s 2024 Conservation Buffer Initiative Opens on January 29"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 22, 2024)<\/strong>– The Maryland Department of Agriculture<\/strong> has announced that the 2024 enrollment period<\/strong> for its Conservation Buffer Initiative<\/strong> runs from January 29<\/strong> through March 8<\/strong>. Qualifying farmers who plant forest buffers receive a one-time $1,000\/acre signing bonus in addition to the attractive incentive payment for this practice.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now in its fourth year, Maryland’s Conservation Buffer Initiative offers generous incentive payments, easy enrollment, and a range of management options for farmers who plant streamside buffers on their farms to improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.<\/span><\/p>\n

“The department takes pride in crafting attractive programs that resonate with farmers and foster widespread participation and commitment,” said Maryland Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks<\/strong>. “This program is helping Maryland to meet its clean water goals for the Chesapeake Bay. Additionally, it aligns with the objectives of the Tree Solutions Now Act of 2021, which calls on Marylanders to plant and maintain 5 million native trees by 2031. Once again, Maryland farmers are meeting these challenges head-on.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay Restoration Plan<\/strong> aims to plant 63,980 acres of forest buffers by 2025 to protect water quality in the Bay and its tributaries. As of June 30, 2023, Maryland has achieved over 85% of this goal. According to the 5 Million Trees Tracking Dashboard<\/strong>, 471,890 trees have been planted across the state as of October 26, 2023.<\/span><\/p>\n

Three types of buffers are eligible for funding and free technical assistance from local soil conservation districts under the Conservation Buffer Initiative:\u00a0forest buffers\u00a0planted next to waterways,\u00a0grass buffers\u00a0planted next to waterways or field ditches, and\u00a0watercourse access control areas\u00a0adjacent to pastures. Here are the 2024 program highlights:<\/span><\/p>\n