{"id":28652,"date":"2024-12-02T09:00:30","date_gmt":"2024-12-02T14:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=28652"},"modified":"2024-11-19T10:59:27","modified_gmt":"2024-11-19T15:59:27","slug":"department-seeks-grant-proposals-for-its-healthy-soils-competitive-fund","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/press-release\/2024\/12\/02\/department-seeks-grant-proposals-for-its-healthy-soils-competitive-fund\/","title":{"rendered":"Department Seeks Grant Proposals for its Healthy Soils Competitive Fund"},"content":{"rendered":"<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/11\/Healthy-Soils-Program-A-Path-Foward-1.png\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"28653\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/press-release\/2024\/12\/02\/department-seeks-grant-proposals-for-its-healthy-soils-competitive-fund\/attachment\/healthy-soils-program-a-path-foward-1\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/11\/Healthy-Soils-Program-A-Path-Foward-1.png?fit=1080%2C1080&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1080,1080\" 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;0&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=\"Healthy Soils Program A Path Foward (1)\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/11\/Healthy-Soils-Program-A-Path-Foward-1.png?fit=760%2C760&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-28653\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/11\/Healthy-Soils-Program-A-Path-Foward-1.png?resize=300%2C300\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/11\/Healthy-Soils-Program-A-Path-Foward-1.png?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/11\/Healthy-Soils-Program-A-Path-Foward-1.png?resize=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/11\/Healthy-Soils-Program-A-Path-Foward-1.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/11\/Healthy-Soils-Program-A-Path-Foward-1.png?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/11\/Healthy-Soils-Program-A-Path-Foward-1.png?w=1080&amp;ssl=1 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;font-size: 12pt\"><strong>ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 2, 2024)<\/strong> \u2013 The <strong>Maryland Department of Agriculture <\/strong>will begin accepting grant applications for its <a href=\"https:\/\/mda.maryland.gov\/resource_conservation\/Pages\/Soil-Health.aspx\">Healthy Soils Competitive Fund<\/a> on <strong>December 2, 2024<\/strong>. This unique program offers financial assistance to qualifying farmers and organizations to adopt conservation practices aimed at improving soil health in the state.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;font-size: 12pt\">\u201cWe are excited to announce that for the third consecutive year, we are opening our Healthy Soils Competitive Fund to farmers who want to implement innovative soil health and agroforestry practices on their farms,\u201d said <strong>Maryland Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks<\/strong>. \u201cThese sustainable practices promote healthy food and clean water while boosting climate resilience. We look forward to partnering with Maryland farmers on this worthwhile investment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;font-size: 12pt\">Successful applicants will receive up to $50,000 to support three years of enhanced soil health practices. Funds are available for farmers, groups of farmers, or organizations working with farmers that want to manage the following practices in innovative ways:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;font-size: 12pt\">Cover Crops<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;font-size: 12pt\">Conservation Tillage<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;font-size: 12pt\">Pasture and Hay Planting<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;font-size: 12pt\">Conservation Cover\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;font-size: 12pt\">Critical Area Planting<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;font-size: 12pt\">Conservation Crop Rotation<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;font-size: 12pt\">Nutrient Management<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;font-size: 12pt\">Integrated Pest Management\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;font-size: 12pt\">Prescribed Grazing\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;font-size: 12pt\">Soil Carbon Amendment<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;font-size: 12pt\">The following agroforestry practices are also eligible for funding:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;font-size: 12pt\">Alley Cropping<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;font-size: 12pt\">Hedgerow Planting<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;font-size: 12pt\">Windbreak\/Shelterbelt Establishment<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;font-size: 12pt\">Silvopasture<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;font-size: 12pt\">Tree and Shrub Establishment<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;font-size: 12pt\">Farm size is not a factor in grant approval; there are no minimum or maximum acreage requirements. Grant recipients will receive a portion of the funds (up to 40%) upfront, with the remainder distributed annually following verification of progress. The upfront payment will be based on the proposed scope of work.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;font-size: 12pt\">Grants from the Healthy Soils Competitive Fund may be used to implement conservation practices, purchase equipment that supports soil health practices, and cover research, labor, and administrative costs needed to meet project goals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;font-size: 12pt\">This program was developed based on recommendations from <strong>Maryland&#8217;s Soil Health Advisory Committee<\/strong>. Funding for the Healthy Soils Competitive Fund comes from the <strong>Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund<\/strong> and the <strong>Moore Administration<\/strong>. During the 2024 grant cycle, the program funded 23 projects, for a total investment of $993,000.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;font-size: 12pt\">Grant applications, along with examples of awarded proposals, are available on the <a href=\"https:\/\/mda.maryland.gov\/resource_conservation\/Pages\/Soil-Health.aspx\">website<\/a>. Applications must be submitted to the department by 5 p.m. on March 7, 2025. Documentation of compliance with Maryland&#8217;s nutrient management program is required at the time of application. Grant recipients will be notified by May 30, 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;font-size: 12pt\">For more information, please contact the department\u2019s Healthy Soils Program Specialist\u00a0 Nick Miller at nicholas.miller2@maryland.gov or 410-980-2350.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: center\">###<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 2, 2024) \u2013 The Maryland Department of Agriculture will begin accepting grant applications for its Healthy Soils Competitive Fund on December 2, 2024. This unique program offers financial assistance to qualifying farmers and organizations to adopt conservation practices aimed at improving soil health in the state.\u00a0 \u201cWe are excited to announce that<a href=\"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/press-release\/2024\/12\/02\/department-seeks-grant-proposals-for-its-healthy-soils-competitive-fund\/\">&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-28652","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\/28652","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=28652"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28652\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28654,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28652\/revisions\/28654"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28652"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28652"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28652"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}