Grants of up to $10,000 to Maryland agricultural businesses in eligible regions to strengthen capacity and improve operations. Funding is intended to help local companies with diversification and expansion efforts, and to assist with marketing projects and agricultural research initiatives. The goal of the grant program is to support the development, expansion, and coordination of agricultural enterprises and initiatives within Kent County.
Priority will be given to projects that:
Benefit the entire Ag community,
Include two or more businesses working in cooperation,
Involve new or emerging markets,
Promote a Buy Local campaign.
Grant funding can be used for the following purposes:
Strategic marketing campaigns;
Technology innovation or implementation;
Capital improvements for business expansion or value-added production;
Others (see text field entitled "Additional Eligibility Criteria" for clarification)
Additional Criteria for Eligibility
Applicants must operate an agricultural business in Kent County, MD, and be actively engaged in farming in the county in one or more of the following categories:
- Crop and/or livestock production;
- Agricultural product processing;
- Aquaculture
- Ag Cooperative; or
- Timber production or processing.
Eligible applicants and projects that meet all grant requirements not previously awarded funding may be considered and/or given priority over previously awarded applicants.
Pre-Application Information
Applications open on Monday, January 2, 2023, at 8 am. The deadline to apply is 5 pm Monday, January 31, 2023.
Applications will be reviewed by the grant review committee in February/March. Award recipients will be announced in March.
Grantees must complete a reimbursement request showing proof of expenses by June 30, 2023. Expenses on the project that occurred dating back to October 2022, can be retroactively reimbursed.
Estimated Size of Grant
Grant requests ranging from $2,500 up to a maximum of $10,000 will be considered on a competitive basis.
