by the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Horse Outreach Workgroup

-first published in the February 2026 issue of The Equiery

There are many grant programs available for horse farm owners to implement best management practices (BMPs) on their operations. In this article, we will focus on the two most popular: the Maryland Agricultural Cost-Share Program (MACS) and the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

Maryland Agricultural Cost-Share (MACS)

State-level cost-share program administered by the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), in partnership with local Soil Conservation Districts (SCDs).

  • Funded through state bond money, plus some federal and other grant funds.
  • Tailored to Maryland’s water-quality priorities (e.g., Chesapeake Bay, local watersheds).
  • Primarily focused on water quality: reducing soil erosion, managing nutrients, and protecting streams, rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay.
  • Supports a wide menu of “best management practices” (BMPs). As of the latest manual, there are over 40 eligible BMPs.
  • Designed to be flexible and responsive: MACS grants can be used with other cost-share programs, including federal ones.
  • Uses “flat rates” for many BMPs to streamline application and reduce administrative burden.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

  • Federal program run by the USDA Natural Resources ConservationService (NRCS).
  • Uses a competitive ranking system whereby applications are scored based on environmental benefit, local/state priorities, and resource concerns.
  • Broader natural resource goals: soil health, water quality, air quality, wildlife habitat, and more. Prioritizes both structural and management practices, depending on the conservation needs.
  • Payment rates are determined by NRCS and vary by practice and local resource concerns.
  • Because EQIP is competitive, the “cost-share percentage” for producers can vary based on program rules, practice, and applicant status (e.g., socially disadvantaged, beginning farmers).

Eligibility, Application, & Timing

MACS

  • More than 40 BMPs are eligible. Some prime examples for horse farms include:
    • Watering Facilities
    • Pasture Management
    • Heavy-Use Area Protection
    • Roof Runoff Structures
    • Stream Exclusion Fencing
    • Interior Pasture Fencing
  • Applicants complete forms, propose BMPs, submit for grant approval, construct the practices, then request reimbursement.
  • Relies on “flat rates” for BMP costs to simplify budgeting and reduce need for competitive bidding.

EQIP

Offers many of the same or similar BMPs to address resource concerns.

BMP list is determined in part by state priorities (e.g., nutrient runoff, concentrated erosion, storage and handling of pollutants).

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis, but NRCS sets cutoff dates for ranking and funding.

Contracts must be signed, practices installed per NRCS specifications, and then verified before payments are made.

Key Take-Home Points for a Horse Farm Owner

  • Contact your local Soil Conservation District (SCD) and your NRCS office: they can walk you through the process of selecting the appropriate BMPs for your conservation goals and guide you through the application process.
  • You don’t necessarily have to choose one program. In many cases, MACS and EQIP can be combined (co-cost-shared) to maximize funding and technical support.
  • Make sure to understand cost-share caps and maintenance obligations (don’t worry, your SCD can help). Funded BMPs must be maintained for a set number of years, and both programs will have rules about eligibility and reimbursement.