HUGHESVILLE, Md. – The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC), a division of the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland, is pleased to announce the 12th Round of the Southern Maryland Farmer Mini-Grant Program.
The Farmer Mini-Grant program was established by SMADC in 2016 based on feedback heard from the farming community about their needs. SMADC’s mission is to support farms and the future of agriculture in Southern Maryland, and we are committed to expanding and promoting a viable market-driven, sustainable, and profitable agricultural farming community.
This program is designed to assist both new and beginning farmers with small start-up projects and to assist experienced farmers who are looking to diversify or expand a current agriculture project. The projects should be simple in scope and must be successfully completed within one year. Both Urban and Rural farms are encouraged to apply.
$60,000 of funding is available. SMADC awards will be up to $3,000 per applicant and are a one-to-one dollar match by the farmer. To date, the program has received 230 applications with 178 applications funded for a total of $301,763.
Grant funds may be used for equipment and services that help transition a farm’s sales strategy (such as online sales, home delivery, on-farm sales, etc.), for other projects that allow the farm business to maintain and/or expand sales, for the purchase of foundation livestock and plant stock, marketing and promotion of current farm operation, new fencing for enhancement, expansion, or protection, hoop house, materials needed for value-added food production and on-farm upgrades to enhance food safety, packing and production, freezers and refrigeration.
A free informational webinar addressing frequently asked questions about the mini-grant program will be held on Thursday, February 13th, from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Interested parties are encouraged to register by 12:00 PM on February 12th at Sign-up Here
For complete details of the SMADC Southern Maryland Farmer Mini-Grant Program, including Round 12 Criteria and Guidelines, Eligibility, and to access the online Mini-Grant Application visit www.SMADC.com ‘Farmer Resources’ to find the Mini-Grants information page.
See Round 12 Mini-Grant Criteria, Eligibility and Guidelines HERE
Access the online Mini-Grant Application Form HERE