Frederick County has long been home to one of Maryland’s most vibrant agricultural communities. Our farms produce everything from fresh produce and dairy to specialty meats and value-added goods. But as consumer habits evolve and new technologies reshape how people shop for food, our farmers face a fundamental question: how do we connect what we grow with the people who 
want to buy it?
That’s the driving force behind a new initiative from the Frederick County Office of Agriculture — the Center for Farm Retail Innovation, or CFRI. We’ve launched a feasibility study to explore whether a dedicated center could help local farmers and food entrepreneurs strengthen their direct connections with consumers, develop new products, and adopt modern retail tools that expand their market reach.
Think of the CFRI as a potential one-stop hub where agriculture meets innovation. The concept brings together retail space for direct-to-consumer sales, shared processing facilities for value-added products, educational programming, and access to technologies like e-commerce platforms and mobile payment systems. It’s modeled after successful centers in other parts of the country and tailored specifically to the needs and opportunities here in Frederick County.
The study, being conducted by ACDS, LLC — a firm with three decades of experience in agricultural economic development and a team that recently completed the Frederick County Value-Added Food Processing Center Feasibility Study — will examine everything from market demand and financial viability to potential sites and funding sources. The goal is to give county leaders, farmers, and community stakeholders the information they need to make a confident go or no-go decision about moving forward.
But here’s the thing: a study like this is only as good as the input it receives from the people it’s designed to serve. That’s where you come in.
We want to hear from you — especially if you’re a farmer, food producer, or agribusiness owner who sells directly to consumers. Whether you run a farmstand, sell at farmers’ markets, offer a CSA, or ship products online, your experience matters. We’ve put together a short survey to understand how you currently reach your retail customers, what challenges you face, and what kinds of support would make the biggest difference for your operation.
The survey takes just a few minutes, and your responses will directly shape the study’s findings and recommendations. You don’t need to be an expert in retail innovation — we just need to hear about your real-world experience.
Take the user survey here!
Take the consumer survey here!
We’re also interested in hearing from educators, nonprofit leaders, healthcare providers, and anyone else who cares about the future of local food access in Frederick County. The CFRI concept touches on health and nutrition, community education, economic development, and cultural connections between urban and rural residents. Every perspective helps build a clearer picture.
Frederick County’s agricultural heritage is something worth investing in. This feasibility study is our chance to explore how a Center for Farm Retail Innovation could carry that heritage forward — helping our farmers thrive, giving consumers better access to local food, and keeping our agricultural economy strong for generations to come.
Have questions about the study? Contact the Frederick County Office of Agriculture for more information.