Soil Health Implementation Grant RFA Opens Feb. 11
The Maine Department of Agriculture’s Soil Health Implementation Grant application opens on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. The purpose of the grant is to support on-farm projects that help address barriers to improving soil health and integrating soil health best practices into farm management. DACF anticipates awarding up to $500,000 through this grant opportunity. Grants up to $65,000 per selected recipient will be available.
Eligible applicants must:
- Own and/or operate a farm in Maine
- Produce agricultural products with a gross annual value of at least $2,000, intended for commercial sale in one of the last three years; or produce agricultural products with a gross annual value of at least $2,000 to support community access to agricultural products.
- Have access to at least one (1) acre of farmable land (land does not need to be contiguous or fully in production).
- Be enrolled in the Maine Healthy Soils Program by signing up for program email updates.
- Commit to working with Maine Healthy Soils Program staff to complete soil health testing and management planning if awarded funds, unless the applicant has a current soil health management plan that includes soil health testing conducted within the last three years.
- Have not received a Soil Health Implementation Grant in any of the previous three funding cycles.
If you would like more information, they are hosting an online information session via Microsoft Teams. You can register for the session below.
- Register: Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 1:00 p.m.
You can review the Request for Applications (RFA) and all related documents using the following link: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/ard/resources/healthysoils/index.shtml
Applications are due by submitting the online form by March 17, 2026, no later than 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time Zone. Applications submitted that do not follow the application instructions described in the RFA will not be considered for award.