Mid-Atlantic 4R Announces Voucher Program to Support Advanced Nutrient Management Planning for Summer Crops

Chester, MD – November 21, 2026 – Farmers and trusted advisors in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed have an opportunity to collaborate on advanced nutrient management practices through a voucher program organized by the Mid-Atlantic 4R Nutrient Stewardship Association (MA4R).

Funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Innovative Nutrient Sediment and Reduction Grant, the program provides $1,000 vouchers to support planning efforts that help farmers meet their specific farm goals. Vouchers are paid directly to trusted advisors, enabling them to assist farmers with tasks such as data management and compilation, analysis of existing data, and collection of new soil tests to plan next steps in advanced nutrient management.

Program Details

• Eligibility: Enrolled fields must have a current nutrient management plan in Maryland or Delaware or meet NRCS Core Nutrient Management requirements in Pennsylvania.
• Examples of support practices: Nitrogen modeling, precision fertilizer recommendations, generating field zones, and data management.
• Implementation: No implementation is required. Participants must provide proof of their plan and complete a follow-up interview to share how the funds supported their goals.
• Availability: 30 vouchers are available
  • Up to four vouchers per agribusiness may be enrolled until December 9, 2025.
  • Beginning December 10, 2025, vouchers will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• Deadlines:
  • Enrollment forms are due no later than February 15, 2026.
  • Voucher reporting is due to MA4R by July 1, 2026. Payments to agribusinesses will be made once all reporting data is collected.
• Additional Vouchers: There are also four vouchers available at $1,250 for historically underserved farmers (beginning, veterans, and/or limited resource). Enrollment forms for these vouchers are due on the same timeline mentioned above.

In addition to planning support, cost-share funding will be available for implementation of specific nutrient management practices. More information on this opportunity will be announced soon, providing farmers with added resources to put their plans into action.

Over the past two years, MA4R has successfully supported 60 vouchers with funding from NFWF, grant match, and the Keith Campbell Foundation. Currently we have 11 winter small grains vouchers on the ground and have 9 available, these are due no later then December 1^st.

Learn More

• Check out a previous webinar discussing the 2025 voucher program here.
• Voucher program information can be found online here.
• Enrollment forms and other important documents can be accessed here.

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