Agricultural Programs

Conservation Programs

Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) provides financial assistance to agricultural producers to voluntarily address issues such as water management, water quality, and erosion control by incorporating conservation into their farming operations. In Maryland, producers may use AMA for new irrigation structures. The fiscal year 2026 batching deadline was January 15, 2026. Producers should submit their applications for AMA as soon as possible to be considered for limited funding.

Conservation Plans are written to promote natural resources conservation and agricultural productivity. Plans can be written for grain, fruit, vegetable, livestock, horse, oyster and nursery operations. Conservation plans also fulfill requirements for agricultural preservation programs and are required by the various cost share programs. Best Management Practices (BMPs) are techniques that balance ecology and technology to create a farm that is successful, while minimizing the environmental costs. Typical BMPs aim to reduce soil loss, improve water quality, promote biodiversity and keep our air clean. Locally, they can increase production of our profits and reduce the costs of farming.

Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is a federal-state partnership program that pays landowners to take environmentally sensitive cropland out of production for 10 to 15 years and install conservation practices that ​protect water quality and provide wildlife habitat. Farmers can receive attractive annual rental payments to take streamside property, certain highly erodible land or wetlands out of production and maintain grass, shrubs, trees, or wetlands for the life of the contract. CREP fact sheet

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA), is a voluntary program that encourages agricultural producers and landowners to convert highly erodible and other environmentally sensitive acreage to vegetative cover, such as native grasses, trees, and riparian buffers.  By enrolling in CRP, participants receive annual rental payments and cost-share assistance to establish long-term, resource-conserving vegetative covers. The program helps to improve water quality, control soil erosion, and enhance wildlife habitat, contributing to overall environmental health and sustainability. Contact (301) 475-8431 or visit 26737 Radio Station Way Ste A, Leonardtown, MD 20650 and is the FSA office servicing Calvert County. CRP fact sheet

Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) CSP is a 5-year program that offers opportunities for producers to expand on existing conservation efforts by applying new conservation practices and enhancements. These new activities will help enhance natural resources and improve the operation.  For example, if you have been planting a cover crop, you may decide to try an enhancement for a multi-species cover crop or implement a deep-rooted cover crop to break up soil compaction. If you decide to apply for CSP, a conservation planner will have a one-on-one consultation with you to evaluate your current management system and the resources on your land. This will calculate your “stewardship threshold” which determines your eligibility. CSP fact sheet

Cover Crop Program Cover crops are important to the health of local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay. They can also improve the quality of spring cash crops and lower input costs by recycling unused nutrients for spring cash crops, adding organic matter to the soil, controlling weeds and pests, reducing soil erosion and compaction, protecting fields from too much or too little rain. Apply at your local Soil Conservation District with your completed Nutrient Management Plan Certification and IRS Form W-9. More information: https://mda.maryland.gov/resource_conservation/pages/cover_crop.aspx

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) NRCS works one-on-one with producers to develop a conservation plan that outlines conservation practices and activities to help solve on-farm resource issues. Producers implement practices and activities in their conservation plan that can lead to cleaner water and air, healthier soil and better wildlife habitat, all while improving their agricultural operations. EQIP helps producers make conservation work for them. Financial assistance for practices may be available through EQIP. Some producers may also qualify for advance payment. EQIP fact sheet

Technical Assistance

Technical assistance provides help with improving the quality of natural resources for agricultural properties in a scientific manner. We help to survey, design and inspect the installation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) and management systems to address concerns including erosion, soil health, water quality, wildlife habitat, grazing, invasive species and waste storage.