The Maryland Department of Agriculture reminds farmers that cost-share funding is available to help transport and inject all types of liquid manure into fields.

Funding is available for spring- or fall-planted crops, and may be used to transport manure, hire custom operators, rent or lease equipment, or offset operating costs associated with injecting liquid manure.

Cost-share grants to transport dairy and livestock manure can pay up to 87.5% of all eligible costs. Eligible farmers can receive up to $45 an acre in cost share to inject liquid manure based on a maximum application rate of 6,000 gallons per acre. Rates for manure transport are based on the distance between the manure source and the field. 

The department’s Conservation Grants Program administers manure transport and injection grants. Applicants must be in good standing with the program and in compliance with Maryland’s nutrient management regulations.

Some key points to remember:

Farmers should apply for manure injection, and dairy and livestock transport grants through their local soil conservation district. Visit the Maryland Department of Agriculture website to download an application to apply for FastTrack grants to haul poultry litter, which is not eligible for injection due to its low moisture content. Farmers may also contact the Maryland Department of Agriculture at 410-841-5864.

Free course covers land issues

The University of Maryland’s Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics has a new online course for rural landowners in the state.

The course “So You Want to Own Farmland in Maryland” is available through the University of Maryland’s Enterprise Learning Management System, called Canvas.

The free program will cover legal issues Maryland landowners may face. A grant funds the program through the Northeast Risk Management Education Center.

The course will feature Paul Goeringer, an Extension specialist in agricultural law. He will address leasing, landowner liability issues, the right-to-farm law, fencing laws, livestock liability and estate planning.

Participants can work through the course at their own pace and will receive copies of Extension fact sheets and other valuable documents as a part of the online course.

For more information or to register, visit the document site online. For more information, email Goeringer at [email protected].

Farm in NJ? Get reimbursed for BMPs

The AgAssist cost-share program from the nonprofit North Jersey Resource Conservation & Development is offering a reimbursement of 75% to 95% — depending on the practice and historically underserved status — toward supplies and expenses, up to $15,000, required to implement a variety of best management practices.

This opportunity is available throughout the North Jersey RC&D six-county service area of Hunterdon, Warren, Sussex, Morris, Somerset and Union counties, and priority watersheds.  

Opportunities are dependent on farm location due to funding and can include:

Learn more and apply at northjerseyrcd.org.