The Cumberland County Conservation District’s Cover Crop Incentive Program offers incentive payments to farmers who plant cover crops. The program started in 2006 and had 81 farmers participating last year with 7,476 acres of no-till and 1,649 acres of minimum till with a wheat, rye, barley, or triticale cover crop.

Cover Crop Benefits

Cover crops improve soil health, control weeds and pests, and protect local streams from sediment and nutrient runoff over winter.

Program Guidelines

• Must be no-till or minimum till
• Cover crop must be over winter
• May be single or multi-species
• Farms will be will be inspected for compliance of Ch. 91 and Ch. 102
• May be terminated or harvested after April 1, 2024

How to Apply

Deadline to apply is December 1, 2023

Farmers interested in applying or more information, please contact one of our Chesapeake Bay Technicians.