A Smarter Path to 4R Success
Prom Planning to Practice,
With Support at Every Step
The Mid-Atlantic 4R program is designed to help farmers move confidently from planning advanced nutrient management practices to successfully implementing them in the field. Our two-tiered approach removes financial and technical barriers while encouraging data-driven decisions that improve yield, efficiency, and nutrient stewardship across the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Tier One: 4R Planning Voucher Program
The Mid-Atlantic 4R Voucher Program helps farmers work with a trusted advisor to explore advanced nutrient management practices for winter small grains. This phase focuses on planning, analysis, and decision-making, so you can identify which 4R practices make sense for your operation before implementation.
Voucher Values
- Standard Voucher: $1,000
- Historically Underserved Farmer Voucher: $1,250
Vouchers are paid directly to the trusted advisor for planning services related to advanced nutrient management practices.
Who Qualifies as a Historically Underserved Farmer?
A historically underserved farmer includes individuals who meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Beginning Farmer: Farming for 10 years or less
- Veteran: As defined under 38 U.S.C. §101(2)
- Limited Resource Farmer: Household income at or below the national poverty level or less than 50% of county median household income
Eligibility Requirements
To participate in the Voucher Program:
- Planning must occur within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed portions of Delaware, Maryland, or Pennsylvania
- Enrolled fields must:
- Have a current nutrient management plan in Delaware or Maryland, or
- Meet NRCS Core Nutrient Management requirements in Pennsylvania
- Planned activities must be documented
- A Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) must sign off on the voucher
- A W-9 must be submitted for the trusted advisor
- Both the farmer and advisor must agree to participate in a brief post-program interview with MA4R
Data collected is used only in aggregated form for reporting and presentations. No individual farm data is shared.
Example Planning Activities (Planning Only)
These vouchers support planning and evaluation, not implementation:
- Nitrogen modeling
- Variable rate nitrogen mapping
- Field zone generation
- Advanced soil testing
- Precision fertilizer recommendations
- Data management and analysis
Additional Notes
- No minimum or maximum acreage, but voucher value must be fully utilized
- Farms may receive multiple vouchers if the practice is new to the field
Voucher Timeline
- Submit Enrollment Form
- Include proof of nutrient management
- Forms are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis
- Approval Confirmation
- Issued within two weeks of submission
- Complete Planning & Reporting
- All documentation due by the deadline listed on the enrollment form
- Payment Issued
- Checks mailed to agribusinesses after all required data is received
Implementation vs. Non-Implementation Reporting
- Planning with implementation: Submit reporting form within 30 days of implementation
- Planning without implementation: Submit reporting form for payment
Tier Two: Implementation with Cost-Share
Once a voucher-supported plan identifies the right 4R practice, Tier Two provides cost-share funding to help farmers implement those practices in the field. This phase focuses on improving nutrient use efficiency by adjusting Source, Rate, Time, and Placement.
Eligibility Requirements
- Completion of the 4R Voucher Program is required prior to implementation
- All Tier One eligibility criteria apply
Implementation Timeline
- Submit reporting form within 30 days of implementation
- Reporting deadlines:
- March 1: Winter Small Grains
- July 1: Summer Crops
- Submit nutrient application history and current data within one month of reporting
- Final confirmation of implementation and yields due:
- August 1: Winter Small Grains
- December 1: Summer Crops
Payments are issued once all required data is received and approved.
Approved Cost-Share Practices
Eligible practices must include a timing, source, or placement improvement and a reduction in nutrient use:
- Precision nitrogen recommendations (variable rate, sensors, Greenseeker)
- Nitrogen claim reduction products (e.g., PivotBio, Source, Envita)
- In-season nitrogen management (PSNT, Adapt-N, in-season sensors)
- Split nitrogen applications (new split required)
- Nitrogen stabilizers with reduced total application
- Injection or banding (nitrogen, phosphorus, or both)
- On-farm replicated research or strip trials
Have an idea not listed here? Reach out—we’re happy to review it.
Cost-Share Payments
Farmer Payments
- Under 50 acres: $35 per acre
- Minimum: 20 acres (exceptions considered case-by-case)
- Maximum: $1,750
- Over 70 acres: Flat rate of $2,350
Trusted Advisor Payments
- $500 per farmer supported
- Advisors ensure implementation requirements, documentation, and data submission are complete
2025 Summer Voucher Information
Key Deadlines
- Non-implementing vouchers: Reporting form due ASAP
- Implementing vouchers: Enrollment and reporting due ASAP
- Final reports for implemented vouchers due December 1, 2025
All vouchers must submit the required Excel data sheet. Be sure to complete the correct tab for implementing or non-implementing practices.
2025 Summer Example Practices
- Precision fertilizer recommendations
- Nitrogen, phosphorus, manure, or combinations
- Nutrient claim reduction products
- Nitrogen (PivotBio, Source, Envita)
- Phosphorus (NutriCharge, Phospholutions)
- In-season nitrogen management
- Split nitrogen applications
- Injection or banding
- On-farm replicated research or strip trials
Questions or Ready to Get Started?
For enrollment, forms, or additional guidance, contact:
Jenell McHenry
Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic 4R
midatlantic4r@gmail.com
443-262-6969