Southern Maryland Farmer Mini-Grant Program

Southern Maryland Farmer Mini-Grant Program

The Farmer Mini-Grant Program was launched in FY’17 and has become more popular and competitive as each new round is offered. The program is open to applicants ages 16 and older, residing and farming in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s or St. Mary’s counties. Grant awards are up to $3,000 per applicant, as a one-to-one match and can be used for a variety of projects. The Mini-Grant program is designed to assist new and beginning farmers who own or lease existing agricultural properties with small start-up projects, and to assist experienced farmers who are looking to diversify or expand a current agriculture project. To date, the program has received 200 applications with 151 funded for a total of $241,763.

 

Additional Resources

A draft outline of the Mini Grant application and required budget template will be provided for prospective applicants to prepare their submission.

Please note: One letter of reference from your county’s Soil Conservation District, Farm Bureau, University of Maryland Extension or Economic Development Office, specific to your project is required.

Other Grants & Financing Programs

SMADC Programs

THE SOUTHERN MARYLAND AGRICULTURAL EQUITY INCENTIVE MATCHING FUND
Financing program offered in conjunction with MARBIDCO, helps qualified farmers meet certain down-payment (equity) requirements, in order to help improve the credit quality of their applications.

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THE SOUTHERN MARYLAND REVOLVING LOAN FUND FOR AGRICULTURAL & SHELLFISH AQUACULTURE PRODUCERS
Loan program designed exclusively for Southern Maryland applicants to assist with purchases and upgrades. Loans available from $10,000 – $20,000.

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Past Mini Grant Awards

Round 10 Mini Grant Awards – Winter 2023

Round 10 Mini Grant Awards – Winter 2023 

Congratulations to the recipients of our latest mini-grant – the ninth round of funding through the SMADC Farmer Mini-Grant:

 

                

Round 9 Mini Grant Awards – Winter 2022 

Round 9 Mini Grant Awards – Winter 2022 

Congratulations to the recipients of our latest mini-grant – the ninth round of funding through the SMADC Farmer Mini-Grant:

  • Hollywood Farm ($2,000) – in funds for pasture development pasture for livestock production in Anne Arundel County 
  • JB Showstock ($2,000) – in funds for cattle chute in Calvert County 
  • Prosperity Acres ($2,000) – in funds for meat transport cargo trailer in Calvert County
  • Zekiah Ridge Farm ($2,000) – in funds for planter, plow and plugs for flower production in Charles County 

                 

Round 8 Mini Grant Awards – Summer 2021

Round 8 Mini Grant Awards – Summer 2021

Congratulations to the recipients of our latest mini-grant – the eighth round of funding through the SMADC Farmer Mini-Grant:

  • 804 Cattle Company ($500) – In funds for farmers market marketing supplies in Prince George’s County
  • Ancient Oaks Farm ($2,000) – In funds for 2022 spring planting stock in Prince George’s County  
  • Berrywood Farm ($1,000) – In funds for a silo cistern in St. Mary’s County
  • Blue Berwyn Farm ($1,722) – In funds for a walk-in cooler in Prince George’s County
  • Bowensville Farm & Nursery LLC ($1,307) – In funds for raised bed construction in Calvert County
  • C3 Land and Cattle ($2,000) – In funds for a cleanup bull in St. Mary’s County
  • Curemore Farms ($1,500) – In funds for a no till roller/crimper in Prince George’s County 
  • Dahlstrom Farms ($2,000) – In funds for a hay maxilator accumagrapple in St. Mary’s County
  • Danny’s Lane ($1,000) – In funds for bird netting and planting stock in St. Mary’s County 
  • Elements of Nature – Botanicals and Farmaceuticals ($2,000) – In funds for a drip irrigation system in Prince George’s County 
  • Floating Lotus Farmstead ($2,000) – In funds for a mechanical transplanter in Anne Arundel County
  • Florencia Farm LLC ($900) – In funds for deer fence installation in Prince George’s County
  • Friendly Earth Farm ($1,246) – In funds for a walk-in cooler in Anne Arundel County
  • Griffith Family Farm ($2,000) – In fund for a poultry operation expansion in Anne Arundel County
  • Hole In The Woods Farm and Meats LLC ($700) – In funds for a display freezer in St. Mary’s County
  • Jubilee Farm Fermentations ($2,000) – In funds for professional bottle washer in St. Mary’s County 
  • My Mustard Seed, LLC ($2,000) – In funds for product line expansion in CalverCounty
  • New Brooklyn Farms ($1,526) – In funds for the installation of a food forest in Prince George’s County
  • Owl’s Nest Farm ($1,675) – In funds for a root crop washer in Prince George’s County
  • Quince Blossom Ridge ($2,000) – In funds for perennial plant stock in Charles County
  • Tobacco Barn Distillery ($2,000) – In funds for a distillery grains grain cleaner in St. Mary’s County
  • Ugly Duckling Farmstead ($2,000) – In funds for pasture fencing in Charles County
  • Victory Chapel Family Farms ($2,000) – In funds for expanding honey production and sales in Charles County
  • Willowmere Farm ($1,730) – In funds for plant stock in Charles County                   
Special Pandemic Mini Grant Awards – Summer 2020

Special Pandemic Round 7 Mini Grant Awards – Summer 2020

Due to the pandemic virus COVID-19, affecting all aspects of life, and certain agriculture/farm businesses severely, the SMADC board committed to a round of the Southern Maryland Farmer Mini-Grants specifically for pandemic relief in Spring 2020.

The mini-grant round was designed to support established farms that have been financially adversely affected by the onset of the pandemic and are at risk for being unable to pay bills and maintain an adequate standard of living and care for their farm operations, and/or those who have financial needs concerning pivoting their business models to effectively serve their customers safely and to implement state-recommended COVID-19 safety protocols and social distancing guidelines.

Applicants could apply for grant funds for equipment that help farm businesses transition to an online or alternative sales strategy and other projects that maintain or expand sales during the COVID-19 pandemic, including on-farm upgrades to meet state COVID-19 standards for safety and social distancing.

Congratulations to the recipients of our special pandemic mini-grant – the seventh round of funding through the SMADC Farmer Mini-Grant:

  • 804 Cattle Company ($2,000) – In funds freezers and insulated to go bags in Prince George’s County
  • Fairfield Farm ($2,000) – In funds for cold storage expansion in St. Mary’s County
  • Harmony Farms ($2,000) – In funds for a squeeze chute in St. Mary’s County
  • Holiday Memories Farm LLC ($1,500) – In funds for cold storage expansion in Anne Arundel County
  • Holly Hill Ranch ($995) – In funds for an upgrade in an egg incubator and hatcher combo and perimeter fencing in Prince George’s County
  • Hollywood Farm ($2,000) – In funds for an online store and livestock expansion in Anne Arundel County
  • Jacob Bowen ($1,000) – In funds for young meat goat expansion in Calvert County
  • Just Holden ($2,000) – In funds for breeding stock expansion in St. Mary’s County
  • Linden Farm ($1,560) – In funds for equine pasture maintenance in Charles County
  • Prosperity Acres ($2,000) – In funds for cold storage in Calvert County
  • Russell Farms ($2,000) – In funds for farm store equipment in St. Mary’s County
  • Serenity Farm ($1,680) – In funds for petting zoo animal/livestock upkeep and maintenance in Charles County
  • Thomas Family Farm ($2,000) – In funds for seasonal grain farming in St. Mary’s County
  • Trossbach Produce ($1,490) – In funds for online store in St. Mary’s County
Round 6 Mini Grant Awards – Winter 2020

Round 6 Mini Grant Awards – Winter 2020

Congratulations to the recipients of the sixth round of funding through the SMADC Farmer Mini-Grant:

  • Deale Farm ($2,000) – In matching funds for a greenhouse in Anne Arundel County
  • Dicot Farm ($2,000) – In matching funds for deer fence expansion in Charles County
  • Double Tree Farm ($2,000) – In matching funds for additional barn in Charles County
  • Hidden Lake Christmas Tree Farm ($2,000) – In matching funds for stump removal for new tree planting in Calvert County
  • Red Tree Farmstead ($1,325) – In matching funds for formation of a cut flower cooperative in Charles County
  • Rolling Stone Farm ($1,295) – In matching funds for cattle pasture establishment in St. Mary’s County
  • South Hatton ($2,000) – In matching funds for fencing for rotation grazing in Charles County
  • Suttler Post Farm Clydesdales ($2,000) – In matching funds for retail expansion in St. Mary’s County
  • Sweet Love Flower Farm ($550) – In matching funds for hydrangea grove for cut flower operation in Prince George’s County
  • Turtle Rock Farm ($2,000) – In matching funds for farm fencing in St. Mary’s County
  • Tyverne Creek Farm ($2,000) – In matching funds for a squeeze chute in Calvert County
  • Ugly Duckling Farmstead ($1,145) – In matching funds for a paper pot planting system in Charles County
  • Willowmere Farm ($2,000) – In matching funds for orchard establishment in Charles County
Round 5 Mini Grant Awards – Fall 2019

Round 5 Mini Grant Awards – Fall 2019

Congratulations to the recipients of the fifth round of funding through the SMADC Farmer Mini-Grant:

  • 5th Street Farm ($2,000) – In matching funds for livestock shelters in Charles County
  • Ancient Oaks Farm ($2,000) – In matching funds for vineyard planting in Prince George’s County
  • BoonDoggie Farm ($2,000) – In matching funds for expansion of farm value added products in Charles County
  • Chesapeake’s Bounty ($2,000) – In matching funds in in laying hens and pastured goats in Calvert County
  • Dahlstrom Farm ($2,000) – In matching funds for hay storage in St. Mary’s County
  • Destiny Acres ($1,000) – In matching funds for purchase of feeder calves in Charles County
  • Floating Lotus Farm ($1,000) – In matching funds for a potato digger in Anne Arundel County
  • Food Love Farm ($1,380) – In matching funds for high tunnels for season extension in in Charles County
  • Glory Fields ($1,650) – In matching funds for walk-in cooler and retail expansion in Prince George’s County
  • Hannah Knoll Farm ($1,300) – In matching funds for heritage turkey structure in Charles County
  • March Meadows ($1,000) – In matching funds for goat shelters and rotational grazing in St. Mary’s County
  • MIB Farm ($1,900) – In matching funds for a buck goat pen in Calvert County
  • One Tree Orchard ($1,800) – In matching funds for high tunnel for Aronia Berry Bush expansion in St. Mary’s County
  • Palmer Farm ($2,000) – In matching funds for a wagon and sprayer in Prince George’s County
  • Tobacco Barn Distillery ($900) – In matching funds for marketing of tasting room in St. Mary’s County
  • Windy Willow Farm ($2,000) – In matching funds for pasture fencing expansion in in Calvert County
Round 4 Mini Grant Awards - Winter 2019

Round 4 Mini Grant Awards – Winter 2019

Congratulations to the recipients of the fourth round of funding through the SMADC Farmer Mini Grant:

  • Bowling Zekiah Farm ($1,000) – In matching funds for feeding area for livestock in Charles County
  • Friday’s Creek Winery ($1,470) – In matching funds for vineyard expansion in Calvert County
  • Indiantown Farm ($1,000) – In matching funds in farm pasture fencing in St. Mary’s County
  • Jacob Bowen ($635) – In matching funds for meat goat embryo breeding project in Calvert County
  • Jadon Hand ($140) – In matching funds for a livestock scale in Calvert County
  • Harmony Farms ($1,000) – In matching funds for pasture expansion in St. Mary’s County
  • HopScratch Farm & Brewery ($2,000) – Hop Rhizomes & Pols – Starting Hopyard in Anne Arundel County
  • Legacy Farm ($1,860) – In matching funds in rotational grazing/pasture expansion in Calvert County
  • Milling Farm ($1,000) – In matching funds for pasture fencing in Calvert County
  • MKONO Farm ($1,000) – In matching funds for perimeter fencing in Calvert County
  • New Roots Farm ($1,000) – In matching funds for retail expansion in Anne Arundel County
  • Prosperity Acres ($1,800) – In matching funds for raw milk milking and safety testing in Calvert County
  • Russell Farms ($2,000) – In matching funds for expansion into value added in St. Mary’s County
  • Steptoe Organic Farm ($850) – In matching funds for fencing in Prince George’s County
  • Suttlers Post Farm ($1,620) – In matching funds for expansion into meats in St. Mary’s County
  • Taney Place Farm ($1,000) – In matching funds for value added expansion in dog treats from meat in Calvert County
  • Tennyson & Sons ($1,000) – In matching funds for livestock expansion in St. Mary’s County
  • Tobacco Coast Vineyards ($2,000) – In matching funds for vineyard expansion in Anne Arundel County
  • Xella Winery & Vineyard ($1,500) – In matching funds for vineyard expansion in St. Mary’s County
Round 3 Mini Grant Awards - Fall 2018

Round 3 Mini Grant Awards – Fall 2018

  • Cabin Creek Heritage Farm ($2,000) – In matching funds for farm store expansion in Prince George’s County
  • Farrell Seafood ($2,000) – In matching funds for refrigerated and freezing cases for farm store in St. Mary’s County
  • Fox Run Farm ($2,000) – In matching funds for livestock buildings in Charles County
  • Hole in the Woods Farm ($500) – In matching funds for a freezer display case in St. Mary’s County
  • Holly Grove Farm ($2,000) – In matching funds for goat fence expansion in Prince George’s County
  • Holly Hill Ranch ($1,635) – In matching funds for sheep and turkey fencing and pens in Prince George’s County
  • Hollywood Farm ($2,000) – In matching funds for lambing sheds in Anne Arundel County
  • James Richards ($2,000) – In matching funds for fencing and irrigation in Prince George’s County
  • Langton Green Community Farm ($1,075) – In matching funds for blueberry plants in Anne Arundel County
  • Newport Valley Farm ($2,000) – In matching funds for pasture fencing in Charles County
  • On the Hill Farm ($410) – In matching funds for pasture fencing in Anne Arundel County
  • Rock Spring Hall ($625) – In matching funds to purchase a Jang Seeder in Calvert County
  • Stallworth-McKee Farms ($1,700) – In matching funds for livestock fencing and water supply system in Prince George’s County
  • Townshend Vogt Farm ($900) – In matching funds for marketing and brand awareness in Prince George’s County
  • Truman Vineyards ($2,000) – In matching funds for vineyard expansion in Prince George’s County
Round 2 Mini Grant Awards - Winter 2018

Round 2 Mini Grant Awards – Winter 2018

  • Anderson’s Farm ($1,660) – Heritage Sheep Fencing & Egg Production in St. Mary’s County
  • Jacob Bowen ($200) – Livestock Scale in Calvert County
  • Dicot Farm ($2,000) – Scaling Up Salad Greens Productions in Charles County
  • Fields of Valor Farm ($940) – Hoop House in Prince George’s County
  • Floating Lotus Farmstand ($1,575) – Season Extension with Hoop Houses in Anne Arundel County
  • David Wood of Forrest Hall Farm ($1,000) Addition of Hoop House in St. Mary’s County
  • Kayla Griffith of Griffith Family Produce ($250) – Family Produce Revitalization: Marketing in Anne Arundel County
  • Hereonthere Farm ($715) – Deer Exclusion Fencing in Prince George’s County
  • Honey Cove Farm ($2,000) – Cattle AI Equipment in Calvert County
  • Horsmon Farm ($2,000) – Hay Accumagrapple Project in Calvert County
  • Loblolly Farm ($1,000) – Transplant Nursery in Charles County
  • Matthew Mudd ($2,000) – Livestock Fencing and Waterline in Charles County
  • Pale Blue Dot Farm ($2,000) – Enhanced Food Safety and Product Marketability Through Installation of a Farm Cooler in Prince George’s County
  • Tobacco Barn Distillery ($1,000) – Whiskey Mash Dewatering System in St. Mary’s County
Round 1 Mini Grant Awards - Fall 2017

Round 1 Mini Grant Awards – Fall 2017

  • 804 Cattle Company ($2,000) — Cattle Corrals in Prince George’s County
  • Bowling Farm ($1,875) — Livestock Fencing in Charles County
  • Heart Barn Farms ($2,000) — Perimeter Fence in Anne Arundel County
  • HOLIDAY MEMORIES FARM, LLC ($2,000) — Pick Your Own Blueberries in Anne Arundel County
  • Indian Summers Farm ($2,000) — Perimeter Fence in Charles County
  • March Meadows ($2,000) — Goat Fencing in St. Mary’s County
  • OWL’S NEST FARM ($1,600) — Rainwater Catchment System in Prince George’s County for winter high tunnel production
  • Terra Alta Farm ($2,000) — Cattle establishment in St. Mary’s County
  • Trossbach Produce ($2,000) — High Tunnel Greenhouse in St. Mary’s County for vegetable production
  • Wyoming Farm ($2,000) — Orchard Establishment in Prince George’s County