Agricultural Business Improvement Grant (ABIG)

Agricultural Business Improvement Grant (ABIG) is sponsored by Anne Arundel County Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC). The ABIG supports farm-based businesses and commercial watermen in Anne Arundel County to enhance efficiency, expand production, and strengthen long-term sustainability.

Agricultural Business Improvement Grants (ABIG) in Anne Arundel County, MD Matching Grants to Help Local Agricultural Businesses and Commercial Watermen Grow and Succeed Launched by AAEDC in December 2023, the Agricultural Business Improvement Grant (ABIG) Program is designed to help farm-based businesses and commercial watermen in Anne Arundel County succeed and grow by offering matching grants of up to $10,000 to fund approved projects.

ABIG is funded through a partnership with the Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) and the majority of profits (excluding a donation made to support agricultural education) from our annual A Taste of Arundel Grown fundraising event. Ideal For: Farm-based businesses and commercial watermen in Anne Arundel County.

Grant Amount: Matching grants up to $10,000 (one-to-one match required) Use of Funds: Eligible projects include fencing, livestock, plant stock, equipment, and agricultural infrastructure improvements that increase efficiency, revenue, or operational capacity.

awarded in first three rounds Residents of Anne Arundel County who meet one of the following criteria are eligible to apply during the annual application period: Own or operate a farm in Anne Arundel County that is agriculturally tax assessed by the State of Maryland Possess a Commercial TFL License and dock the harvesting vessel in Anne Arundel County Please Note: Individuals who meet one of these criteria and have submitted an ABIG application in the past or have received an ABIG grant in the past are eligible to apply in future rounds of the program.

All applicants must submit an online application that includes: Budget template of estimated costs In good standing with the State of Maryland All farmer applicants must submit a letter of reference from either the Anne Arundel County Soil Conservation District, University of Maryland Extension, Anne Arundel County Farm Bureau, or 4-H/FFA Leader All waterman applicants must submit a copy of their Commercial TFL License and a copy of either a watermen home use certificate or a marina receipt Each grant application will be numerically scored based on its ability to meet the following objectives: Increase or retain employees Provide agricultural education opportunities All grant recipients must agree to: Contribute a one-to-one match for the same amount requested For example, for a grant request of $5,000 the applicant must contribute $5,000 of his or her own funding to the project Please note that matching funds may not include in-kind labor or state and federal grants or cost share Submit invoices for all project expenses (both hard costs and labor) Complete the project within the year of the grant award Complete a project report including narrative and photos Examples of eligible projects include fencing, livestock, plant stock, equipment, and infrastructure upgrades.

Please note that administrative expenses, events, and décor are not eligible for funding.

Click below to read about the projects that were funded in previous years: Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation, MARBIDCO Award More than $53,500 to Farm-Based Businesses & Commercial Watermen Anne Arundel Economic Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation, MARBIDCO Award More Than $50,500 to Farm-Based Businesses Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation, MARBIDCO Award Total of $38,250 to Farm-Based Businesses “With our ABIG grant, Hollywood Farm built a pole barn on a concrete pad housing our sawmill and other woodworking equipment, so as to consolidate the heavy work areas, expand our woodworking operation, and increase our efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

It also creates added storage for hay, which is more efficient when feeding livestock that are in fields closer to this new barn, and safer operation of the tractor when we need to stack and remove bales. The project has allowed us to create safer spaces in our older barn for other important activities such as school group visits and special events, which in turn will allow us to substantially increase our agritourism revenue.

” “By helping us buy our van, the ABIG grant allowed us to streamline and expand our delivery operations and market participation. It’s hard to believe, but just a year later we’re already looking at buying a second vehicle to support our growth! ” The application period for ABIG funding typically opens in late fall, with award announcements made early the following year.

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