State Flower: Black-Eyed Susan
Updates in 2024:
HB1328/SB1082 [LS/LS] Solar Energy and Energy Storage – Development and State Procurement; includes “The owner or operator of a ground-mounted solar energy generating station shall: (I) in consultation with the University of Maryland Extension, plant and maintain on the land on which the station is located a cover crop that is beneficial to soil health and regeneration and provides carbon sequestration; and (II) submit to the University of Maryland Extension a vegetation management plan designed to mitigate harm to native vegetation and pollinator habitats.” – stalled in committee
Updates in 2023:
HB1139 [LS] Solid Waste Disposal and Diversion and On-Farm Composting and Compost Use; includes among priority projects those that improve soil health – unfavorable report by Environment and Transportation Committee
Updates in 2022:
HB1070 [LS], Solid Waste Disposal and Diversion and On–Farm Composting and Compost Use; includes use of funds for “quantifying the benefits of compost application to soil health and carbon sequestration” – stalledin committee
Updates in 2021:
HB0008 (HB395 in 2020), Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund – Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative funds for Maryland Healthy Soils Program
HB0583/SB0414, Climate Solutions Now Act 2021 — Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund to Healthy Soils Program
HB0264/SB0483 (HB0589 in 2020) requiring food waste diversion for large producers (does not specifically mention soil health)
HB0455/SB0585 (HB1438 in 2020), Poultry Litter for Alternative Use (including soil health) — each withdrawn by sponsor
Legislative Information
Date:
Passed 2017
Legislation:
HB1063 (CH0373): Agriculture – Maryland Healthy Soils Program
Sponsors:
- Delegate Dana Stein
- Delegate Anne Healey
- Delegate Steve Lafferty
- Delegate Morhaim
- Delegate Andrew Platt
- Delegate Shane Robinson
Agencies Involved:
N/a
Rule Making Processes:
The program is run by the Maryland Department of Agriculture.
Program Summary
Description:
This Bill, now law, established the Maryland Healthy Soils Program to be directed by Maryland’s Department of Agriculture. The program aims to increase biological activity and carbon sequestration through improved soil management on Maryland’s farms. The program will be based on emerging soil science and will be modeled after California’s Healthy Soils Program. It will provide incentives, including research, education, technical assistance, and, subject to available funding, financial assistance to farmers to implement farm management practices. There is no additional funding associated with this bill and is currently educational in nature only.
Soil Health Definitions:
“Means the continuing capacity of soil to:
- Function as a biological system;
- Increase soil organic matter;
- Improve soil structure and water and nutrient holding capacity; and
- Sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions”
Stated Goals:
- To improve health, yield & profitability of Maryland soils
- To increase biological activity and carbon sequestration in agricultural soils in Maryland
- To promote widespread use of healthy soils practices by Maryland’s farmers
- To provide incentives (including research, education, technical assistance, and funding) to support farmers implementing best management practices
Program Required Measurements:
N/A
Tools & Guidance:
- COMET-Planner evaluates potential carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions from specific conservation practices.
- NRCS Practices
Funding Sources
Founding Source/s:
There is no current funding associated with this bill. It is assumed in the Fiscal Summary that the program can be implemented using existing MD Department of Agriculture resources.
Funding Type/s:
N/a
Practices Eligible for Funding:
N/a
Lessons Learned
The Bill passed with the support of climate activists as well as the Maryland Farm Bureau
Legislative Committees
State Universities & Researchers
Agricultural Organizations & Technical Assistance
Education & Advocacy Groups
Media & Additional Resources
Last Update: 04/02/2025