Maryland encourages farmers and landowners to plant trees

December 11 - Maryland is offering tree-planting incentives to support a range of agroforestry practices that integrate farming and forestry. These practices can help generate additional farm income, create healthier conditions for livestock and crops, and promote cleaner air and streams.

Programs include:

Conservation Buffer Initiative​

​This program offers farmers attractive incentive payments to plant streamside buffers to improve the health of local streams and the Chesapeake Bay. Farmers can receive up to $4,500 an acre to install a riparian forest buffer with pasture fencing. ​Riparian forest buffers also qualify for a one-time BONUS PAYMENT of $1,000/acre. You can apply for this program by contacting your soil conservation district​ during its annual open enrollment period which runs from November 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026.

Image credit - MDA

Silvopasture​

Introducing trees into active livestock pastures helps improve soil and water quality, filters runoff, provides shade and shelter for livestock, and captures carbon from the atmosphere. This practice is funded by the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share (MACS) Program.​ MACS pays up to 87.5% cost-share to install this practice plus $2 per planted tree.

CREP

Maryland’s Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is a federal-state partnership program that pays farmers and rural landowners attractive land rental rates to remove environmentally sensitive agricultural land out of production for 10-15 years and install conservation practices to protect streams and create wildlife habitat. Farmers who plant new riparian forest buffers next to streams qualify for a one-time BONUS PAYMENT of $1,000/acre. ​Please contact your local USDA Farm Service Agency office to apply.

Healthy Soils Competitive Fund

This competitive grant program awards selected applicants with up to $50,000 to support 3 years of enhanced soil health practices. Agroforestry practices to improve soil health and build climate resilience are ​a great fit. You can apply for these grants during the program's​ open enrollment period, which typically begins in January and runs for approximately 8 weeks. Examples of popular tree planting practices include alley cropping and critical area plantings.

Farmers and landowners in Maryland can learn more by contacting their local Extension office.