HUGHESVILLE, Md. – The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) is pleased to announce that the Home Grown Farm Market, LLC, is the new managing entity for the farm equipment rental program previously managed by the St. Mary’s County Farm Bureau.
Recently, the St. Mary’s Farm Bureau advised SMADC that their Board of Directors had made the decision not to manage the rental equipment program and was ready to transfer ownership to another organization. The Homegrown Farm Market, LLC, stepped forward with the request to take on the equipment and rental program.
“The Homegrown Farm Market, LLC, believes this equipment should continue to be made available to the farmers of the Southern Maryland farming community”, stated Barry Roache, a managing partner. Mr. Roach confirmed the market board is willing and able to manage the equipment for as long as is needed and plans to offer rentals at affordable prices, as well as provide education and outreach to encourage more farmers to take advantage of the rental program. Guy Brothers Implements in Clements has also agreed to continue to house and maintain the equipment.
Since the initiation of the rental program in 2010, the St. Mary’s County inventory of SMADC-funded equipment has grown and now includes a wine grape vine hedger, seeder, plastic mulch layer/remover, grain vacuum and other cultivation/tillage equipment, and also the Southern Maryland Meats freezer trailer used by regional meat producers.
SMADC Chairman, Yates Clagett commented “the SMADC board appreciates the St. Mary’s Farm Bureau’s management of the equipment program over the years”. He also affirmed the SMADC board is delighted that the Homegrown Farm Market, LLC, will assume ownership and insure the continued, active use of SMADC-funded equipment for the benefit of the region’s agricultural community.
SMADC offered grant funds to support the purchase of farm equipment in the Southern Maryland Region. Priority was placed on equipment that promotes long-term environmental benefit to the Chesapeake Bay, supports new farm initiatives, is easily transportable and that may not be otherwise available or affordable to purchase by individual farm enterprises. Agricultural managing entities (Soil Conservation Districts, Farm Bureaus and Economic Development) made it possible for the equipment to be shared and rented by farmers across the five counties of Southern Maryland.
To find out more about regional farm equipment rental programs, visit the ‘Farmer Resources’ pages on the SMADC website at www.smadc.com.