County Executive Makes Record Funding Available
FREDERICK, Md. – Farmers looking to expand or diversify their operations can apply for funding through Frederick County’s award-winning Agriculture Innovation Grants Program. Applications for the Spring 2022 cycle of grants will be accepted March 1 through March 31. County Executive Jan Gardner launched the Agriculture Innovation Grants Program in 2021 to support Frederick County’s agriculture industry. This year, she dedicated an additional $500,000 of one-time federal funds to the grant program.
“I am pleased to make record funding available this year to help our farmers recover and diversify,” Executive Gardner said. “My administration has worked hard and taken bold action in order to leave a legacy of agriculture for future generations. Thanks to our Agriculture Innovation Grants, farmers are able to grow their operations and create new jobs, which helps the industry stay economically viable – a win-win for Frederick County’s economy.”
In its first year, the grant program awarded approximately $500,000 to 24 Frederick County agriculture operations, which in turn created 61 full-time positions and 63 part-time positions.
Agriculture Innovation Grants of $5,000 or more are available twice a year to crop and livestock producers, value-added producers, agricultural cooperatives, seafood processors, and primary and secondary timber products processors. Funds may be used for research and development, production buildings, major fixtures, or processing facilities. Grants are competitive. A review committee scores all applications based on established metrics and then recommends awards to the County Executive.
Information on the program, including how to apply, is available online from the Frederick County Office of Economic Development at www.DiscoverFrederickMd.com/ag_innovation_grant. If a printed application is required, contact Katie Stevens, Associate Director of Agriculture Business Development. She can be reached by phone at 240-285-2795 or by email at KStevens1@FrederickCountyMD.gov.
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