Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) - Farmer Mini-Grant Program

Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) - Farmer Mini-Grant Program is sponsored by SMADC. Assists new and beginning farmers in Southern Maryland with small start-up projects.

Mini Grants | Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission 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 263 applications with 208 applications funded for a total of $361,763. A draft outline of the Mini Grant application and required budget template will be provided for prospective applicants to prepare their submission. Round 13 Criteria and Guidelines Contacts for Letter of Reference Have Questions?

View our FAQ Webinar 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 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. 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. Round 12 Mini Grant Awards Spring 2025 Round 12 Mini Grant Awards Spring 2025 Congratulations to the recipients of our latest mini-grant the tweltf round of funding through the SMADC Farmer Mini-Grant: The Garden International ($2,592. 00) – Medicinal and Edible Forest in Prince George’s County Jubilee Farm Fermentations ($1,250.

00) – Cellar Expansion in St. Mary’s County Agape Farm ($974. 30) – “Grow and Save” in Prince George’s County March Meadows ($2,703.

00) – Turkey/Laying hen coop in St. Mary’s County Anchored Roots ($2,545. 00) – Small Fruit Orchard in St.

Mary’s County Love Bug Farm ($1,500) – Increasing Seed Starting Production in Prince George’s County Suttler Post Farm ($3,000. 00) – Egg Washer in St. Mary’s County Asawana Farm ($500.

00) Drip Irrigation and Weed Barrier in Prince George’s County Owl’s Nest Cooperative Farm ($1,512. 00) – Upgrade to Wash/Pack Station in Prince George’s County Marcellus Farm ($1,875. 00) – Teff Grass Field in Prince George’s County Dahlia & Vine Flower Farm ($3,000.

00) – Green House Heater Purchase & Installation in Calvert County Perigeaux Vineyards & Winery ($3,000. 00) – Wine Barrels in Calvert County Ugat Urban Farm ($2,375. 00) – Drip Irrigation System in Prince George’s County Foggy Forest Mushrooms ($343.

97) – Mower for Perennial Fruit Cultivation in Calvert County Quince Blossom Ridge ($2,564. 00) – Update Irrigation in Charles County Spice Creek ($2,700. 00) – Mobile Egg Collection and Storage Unit in Prince George’s County Windmill Farms ($1,500.

00) – Livestock Enclosures in Calvert County Beuchert Farm ($1,500. 00) – Plant Stock in Charles County J&L Farms ($2,700. 00) – Grain Bin Aeration in St.

Mary’s County Legacy Farm ($2,000. 00) – Expansion of Rotational Grazing in Calvert County Hollywood Farm ($1,500. 00) – Concrete Slab for On-Farm Slaughter in Anne Arundel County Artesian Enterprises LLC ($1,500.

00) – Deer Fence in Prince George’s County Ad Astra Farm ($735. 20) – Fencing Expansion in Prince George’s County Old Field Farm Flower Patch ($2,575. 00) – Cut Flower Expansion in Charles County Willow Oak Farm ($3,000.

00) – Fencing Expansion in Charles County Turtle Rock Farm ($3,000. 00) – New Pasture Fencing in St. Mary’s County Circled Bark Botanicals ($1,500.

00) – Greenhouse/ Irrigation/Freeze Dryer in Prince George’s County Euphoria Farms ($1,500. 00) – Solar Powered Greenhouse in Prince George’s County Shalgel Farms ($1,555. 00) – Merchandiser Freezers in Charles County Epiphany Eight Farms ($3,000.

00) – Lily Forcing in Charles County Round 11 Mini Grant Awards Summer 2024 Round 11 Mini Grant Awards Summer 2024 Congratulations to the recipients of our latest mini-grant the eleventh round of funding through the SMADC Farmer Mini-Grant: Round 10 Mini Grant Awards Winter 2023 Round 10 Mini Grant Awards Winter 2023 Congratulations to the recipients of our latest mini-grant the tenth 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 s pring p lanting 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 S t. 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 p rofessional b ottle w asher in St.

Mary’s County My Mustard Seed, LLC ($2,000) In funds for product line expansion in Calver t County 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 e xpanding h oney p roduction and s ales 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 Georges County Fairfield Farm ($2,000) In funds for cold storage expansion in St. Marys County Harmony Farms ($2,000) In funds for a squeeze chute in St.

Marys 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 Georges 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.

Marys 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. Marys 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.

Marys County Trossbach Produce ($1,490) In funds for online store in St.

Marys 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.

Marys 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. Marys County Sweet Love Flower Farm ($550) In matching funds for hydrangea grove for cut flower operation in Prince Georges County Turtle Rock Farm ($2,000) In matching funds for farm fencing in St.

Marys 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 Georges County BoonDoggie Farm ($2,000) In matching funds for expansion of farm value added products in Charles County Chesapeakes 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.

Marys 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 Georges 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.

Marys 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. Marys County Palmer Farm ($2,000) In matching funds for a wagon and sprayer in Prince Georges County Tobacco Barn Distillery ($900) In matching funds for marketing of tasting room in St.

Marys 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 Fridays 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.

Marys 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.

Marys 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.

Marys County Steptoe Organic Farm ($850) In matching funds for fencing in Prince Georges County Suttlers Post Farm ($1,620) In matching funds for expansion into meats in St. Marys 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.

Marys 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.

Marys 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 Georges County Farrell Seafood ($2,000) In matching funds for refrigerated and freezing cases for farm store in St.

Marys 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.

Marys County Holly Grove Farm ($2,000) In matching funds for goat fence expansion in Prince Georges County Holly Hill Ranch ($1,635) In matching funds for sheep and turkey fencing and pens in Prince Georges 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 Georges 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 Georges County Townshend Vogt Farm ($900) In matching funds for marketing and brand awareness in Prince Georges County Truman Vineyards ($2,000) In matching funds for vineyard expansion in Prince Georges County Round 2 Mini Grant Awards - Winter 2018 Round 2 Mini Grant Awards – Winter 2018 Andersons Farm ($1,660) – Heritage Sheep Fencing & Egg Production in St.

Marys 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 Georges 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.

Marys County Kayla Griffith of Griffith Family Produce ($250) – Family Produce Revitalization: Marketing in Anne Arundel County Hereonthere Farm ($715) – Deer Exclusion Fencing in Prince Georges 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 Georges County Tobacco Barn Distillery ($1,000) – Whiskey Mash Dewatering System in St.

Marys 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