On July 1st 2021, the second round of Ag Innovation Grant applications opened for the public to apply. This grant is designed to help farmers be innovative through value added agriculture to help generate more profit on the farm and become more sustainable. The application consists of questions relating to your business along with submitting a business plan. These are then analyzed by a panel of four judges that are industry representatives in different sectors.
This round there were 33 applicants who applied with a total request of over $1.4 million dollars. We are excited to be granting money to 10 of these applicants. Projects consist of commercial freezer space, saw mill buildings, feasibility study for advanced technologies, HydroGeo territory mapping and well and septic for a farm store. Farmers in Frederick County are finding diverse ways to grow their businesses and to keep farming their land to be able to provide for their community.
Are you interested in growing your farm business and innovating the future for the agricultural industry in Frederick County? The Agriculture Innovation Grant may be the perfect opportunity for you. You can find more information about the grant HERE.
The next round of grants will open again on March 1, 2022. Feel free to reach out to Katie Stevens, kstevens1@frederickcountymd.gov or Kayla Umbel, kumbel@frederickcountymd.gov for more information about the grant as well.