Maine Healthy Soils Program Awards Nearly $1 Million to Help Farmers Build Resilience

*Soil Health Implementation Grants support 19 farms with projects that improve productivity, protect natural resources, and strengthen Maine agriculture* AUGUSTA, Maine - The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) has awarded nearly $1 million through its Maine Healthy Soils Program to help 19 farms implement projects that improve soil health, increase farm resilience, and strengthen long-term agricultural sustainability. The DACF awarded $960,000 through the competitive Soil Health Implementation Grant (SHIG) program, which provides grants of up to $65,000 to help farmers overcome practical barriers to adopting proven soil health practices. Projects include investments in equipment, drainage improvements, irrigation upgrades, cover cropping, reduced tillage, rotational grazing, and other practices that improve soil function while protecting Maine's working lands. "The Maine Healthy Soils program helps farmers to incorporate new practices into their production systems that are aimed at enhancing resilience and long-term productivity," said DACF Commissioner Amanda Beal . "Investments in soil health now will pay dividends for our farms, our environment, an