{"status":200,"message":"Success","data":{"id":"fb9301ad-ce72-5060-8bce-a5b32a3d1c8a","title":"Maryland's Healthy Soils Competitive Fund","description":"A competitive grant program that supports Maryland farmers and organizations working with farmers to implement innovative soil health conservation practices. Funded projects focus on soil health management strategies that minimize soil disturbance, maximize soil cover, enhance biodiversity, and increase living roots. Eligible practices include cover crops, conservation tillage, pasture and hay planting, prescribed grazing, nutrient management, integrated pest management, soil carbon amendment, and agroforestry practices such as silvopasture, windbreak establishment, alley cropping, hedgerow planting, and critical area plantings to improve soil health and build climate resilience. The program has been operating since 2023 and has funded 53 projects across the state.","status":{"value":"custom","customValue":"Recurring"},"source":"https://mda.maryland.gov/resource_conservation/pages/healthy-soils-competitive-fund.aspx","funding":{"details":"Competitive grants of up to $50,000 per selected applicant to support 3 years of enhanced soil health practices. Up to 30% of funds are disbursed upfront after agreement signing; the remainder is distributed annually in spring upon verification of progress (4 total payments). Funds may be used for implementation of conservation practices, equipment purchases (rental or used preferred), project staff time directly related to project implementation, and research costs. Funds may not be used for overhead, indirect costs, fertility inputs, or livestock.","maxAwardAmount":{"amount":"50000.00","currency":"USD"}},"keyDates":{"closeDate":{"name":"Application deadline","eventType":"singleDate","date":"2026-01-09","details":"The application period for the 2025-2026 program ran November 3, 2025 – January 9, 2026 (mailed applications postmarked by January 6, 2026) and is now closed. Grant award recipients were contacted on or around March 30, 2026. Open enrollment typically beg"}},"acceptedApplicantTypes":[{"value":"custom","customValue":"for-profit"},{"value":"custom","customValue":"non-profit"},{"value":"individual"}],"customFields":{"agency":{"name":"agency","fieldType":"object","value":{"name":"Maryland Department of Agriculture"},"schema":"https://commongrants.org/custom-fields/agency"},"contactInfo":{"name":"contactInfo","fieldType":"object","value":{"name":"Nick Miller","email":"nicholas.miller2@maryland.gov","phone":"(410) 841-5866"},"schema":"https://commongrants.org/custom-fields/contactInfo"},"additionalInfo":{"name":"additionalInfo","fieldType":"object","value":{"url":"https://compass.maryland.gov/incentives/#/incentive/marylands-healthy-soils-competitive-fund","description":"Maryland Community Compass record"},"schema":"https://commongrants.org/custom-fields/additionalInfo"},"eligibilityCriteria":{"name":"eligibilityCriteria","fieldType":"object","value":{"beneficiaryTypes":[{"code":"for_profit","name":"for-profit"},{"code":"non_profit","name":"non-profit"},{"code":"individuals","name":"individuals"}],"details":"Maryland farmers (individuals or groups) and individuals or organizations working with Maryland farmers to implement soil health conservation practices and build climate resilience through agroforestry and other practices.\n\nAgricultural operations must be operating in Maryland. Program is available statewide to all Maryland counties. No county exclusions. No minimum or maximum acreage requirements."},"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"attachments":{"name":"attachments","fieldType":"array","value":[{"downloadUrl":"https://mda.maryland.gov/resource_conservation/counties/Healthy%20Soils%20Competitive%20Fund%20FY26%20-%20Accessible.pdf","name":"Healthy Soils Competitive Fund FY26 - Accessible.pdf"},{"downloadUrl":"https://mda.maryland.gov/resource_conservation/Documents/2025-26SoilHealthAttachments/Project%20Narrative.docx","name":"Project Narrative.docx"},{"downloadUrl":"https://mda.maryland.gov/resource_conservation/Documents/2025-26SoilHealthAttachments/Project%20Budget.xlsx","name":"Project Budget.xlsx"},{"downloadUrl":"https://mda.maryland.gov/resource_conservation/Documents/2025-26SoilHealthAttachments/Cover%20Crop%20Template.docx","name":"Cover Crop Template.docx"},{"downloadUrl":"https://mda.maryland.gov/resource_conservation/Documents/2025-26SoilHealthAttachments/Grazing%20Template.docx","name":"Grazing Template.docx"},{"downloadUrl":"https://mda.maryland.gov/resource_conservation/Documents/2025-26SoilHealthAttachments/Tree%20and%20Shrub%20Planting%20Template.docx","name":"Tree and Shrub Planting Template.docx"},{"downloadUrl":"https://mda.maryland.gov/resource_conservation/Documents/2025-26SoilHealthAttachments/Grass%20and%20Forb%20Planting%20Template.docx","name":"Grass and Forb Planting Template.docx"},{"downloadUrl":"https://mda.maryland.gov/resource_conservation/Documents/MDA%20Soil%20Health%20Flyer_2025-26-F.pdf","name":"MDA Soil Health Flyer_2025-26-F.pdf"},{"downloadUrl":"https://mda.maryland.gov/resource_conservation/Documents/MDA-Tree-Planting-Incentives-ACC.pdf","name":"MDA-Tree-Planting-Incentives-ACC.pdf"},{"downloadUrl":"http://mda.maryland.gov/resource_conservation/counties/Healthy%20Soils%20Competitive%20Fund%20FY26%20-%20Accessible.pdf","name":"Healthy Soils Competitive Fund FY26 - Accessible.pdf"},{"downloadUrl":"http://mda.maryland.gov/resource_conservation/Documents/2025-26SoilHealthAttachments/Project%20Narrative.docx","name":"Project Narrative.docx"},{"downloadUrl":"http://mda.maryland.gov/resource_conservation/Documents/2025-26SoilHealthAttachments/Project%20Budget.xlsx","name":"Project Budget.xlsx"},{"downloadUrl":"http://mda.maryland.gov/resource_conservation/Documents/2025-26SoilHealthAttachments/Cover%20Crop%20Template.docx","name":"Cover Crop Template.docx"},{"downloadUrl":"http://mda.maryland.gov/resource_conservation/Documents/2025-26SoilHealthAttachments/Grazing%20Template.docx","name":"Grazing Template.docx"},{"downloadUrl":"http://mda.maryland.gov/resource_conservation/Documents/2025-26SoilHealthAttachments/Tree%20and%20Shrub%20Planting%20Template.docx","name":"Tree and Shrub Planting Template.docx"},{"downloadUrl":"http://mda.maryland.gov/resource_conservation/Documents/2025-26SoilHealthAttachments/Grass%20and%20Forb%20Planting%20Template.docx","name":"Grass and Forb Planting Template.docx"},{"downloadUrl":"http://mda.maryland.gov/resource_conservation/Documents/MDA%20Soil%20Health%20Flyer_2025-26-F.pdf","name":"MDA Soil Health Flyer_2025-26-F.pdf"}],"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"fundingSource":{"name":"fundingSource","fieldType":"string","value":"Public","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"fundingInstrument":{"name":"fundingInstrument","fieldType":"string","value":"grant","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"lastSyncedAt":{"name":"lastSyncedAt","fieldType":"string","value":"2026-10-17T08:01:11.292Z","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdCompassId":{"name":"mdCompassId","fieldType":"number","value":1020,"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdSlug":{"name":"mdSlug","fieldType":"string","value":"marylands-healthy-soils-competitive-fund","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdDataQuality":{"name":"mdDataQuality","fieldType":"string","value":"medium","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdGeographicScope":{"name":"mdGeographicScope","fieldType":"string","value":"statewide","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdAcceptingApplications":{"name":"mdAcceptingApplications","fieldType":"boolean","value":false,"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdRecurring":{"name":"mdRecurring","fieldType":"boolean","value":true,"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdAssistanceTypes":{"name":"mdAssistanceTypes","fieldType":"array","value":["grant"],"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdEligibleIndustries":{"name":"mdEligibleIndustries","fieldType":"array","value":["Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting"],"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdEligibleCounties":{"name":"mdEligibleCounties","fieldType":"array","value":["All"],"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdEligibleOrganizationTypes":{"name":"mdEligibleOrganizationTypes","fieldType":"array","value":["for-profit","non-profit","individuals"],"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdBusinessStage":{"name":"mdBusinessStage","fieldType":"string","value":"any","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdApplicationDeadlineRaw":{"name":"mdApplicationDeadlineRaw","fieldType":"string","value":"The application period for the 2025-2026 program ran November 3, 2025 – January 9, 2026 (mailed applications postmarked by January 6, 2026) and is now closed. 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Grant awards are announced on or around March 30 following the application period.","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdProgramAudience":{"name":"mdProgramAudience","fieldType":"string","value":"Maryland farmers (individuals or groups) and individuals or organizations working with Maryland farmers to implement soil health conservation practices and build climate resilience through agroforestry and other practices.","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdUseOfFunds":{"name":"mdUseOfFunds","fieldType":"string","value":"Implementation of eligible soil health conservation practices including cover crops, conservation tillage, pasture and hay planting, adaptive/prescribed grazing, nutrient management, integrated pest management, soil carbon amendment, agroforestry practices (silvopasture, windbreak establishment, alley cropping, hedgerow planting, critical area plantings), woody plant establishment (trees and shrubs), grass and forb establishment; equipment purchase or rental (used equipment encouraged); project staff time directly related to project implementation; and research costs. 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No minimum or maximum acreage requirements.","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdRequirements":{"name":"mdRequirements","fieldType":"array","value":["No minimum or maximum acreage requirements","Open to individual farmers, groups of farmers, or individuals/organizations working with Maryland farmers","Agricultural operation must have gross annual income of $2,500 or more (or $2,500 or more in donated agricultural products for non-profits) and/or manage 8 or more animal units (8,000 pounds of live animal weight)","Applicants must submit a Current Nutrient Management Plan Certification Form showing compliance with Maryland's nutrient management requirements at time of application","Must apply during the annual open enrollment period (typically beginning in November, running through January)","Application is competitive","Must answer all narrative questions in the project narrative (applications lacking any answer will be rejected)","Project narrative maximum 10 pages (images not counted toward page limit)","Must include a separate project budget","3-year implementation period required","Soil health outcome measurement and tracking required","Technical assistance via Soil Conservation District (SCD) or NRCS required/preferred","Grazing projects require a grazing plan detailing management and rotation, plus paddock division maps (current and proposed)","Program has been operating since 2023 and has funded 53 projects across the state","Labor in application budgets must be directly related to project implementation and not connected to existing activities, general farm operations, or long-term practice implementation","Overhead or indirect expenses are ineligible","Livestock and imported livestock feed are ineligible","Soil fertility and liming inputs are ineligible","Applicants are encouraged to rent equipment or purchase used equipment where possible","Project narrative must address the 4 soil health principles (minimizing soil disturbance, maximizing soil cover, enhancing biodiversity, increasing living roots) as appropriate","Project must demonstrate an innovative approach to improving soil health","Project must demonstrate potential for greenhouse gas emission reduction and/or enhanced carbon sequestration","Applicants should explain how project outcomes can be shared and have the potential to inspire others","Budget must account for all needs for project establishment and continuation over the three-year grant period; 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