Conservation Grants for Small-Scale and Urban Farms
Maryland’s Small Farm and Urban Agriculture Program provides financial assistance to support small-scale agricultural operations located in urban, peri-urban, rural, and suburban areas. It aims to increase community access to healthy foods by helping farmers improve their management of natural resources by adopting Bay-friendly and climate-smart farming practices.
WHO SHOULD APPLY
Individuals, organized for-profit agricultural businesses, or non-profit organizations may apply for our grants. The operation must produce a farm product that generates a minimum of $1,000 of sales or donations annually. In addition, the grantee is responsible for all local, state, or federal regulations and permits necessary for the agricultural operation. The farm product must be grown or raised in the state of Maryland. The following types operations are eligible:
- Any agricultural, horticultural, vegetable, or fruit product of the soil, whether raw or canned, frozen, dried, pickled, or otherwise processed;
- Livestock, meats, marine food products, poultry, eggs, or dairy products;
- Equine operations;
- Wool, hides, feathers, or honey;
- Any product of farm, forest, orchard, garden, or water.
TYPES OF GRANTS
The Small Farm and Urban Agriculture Program offers Small Acreage Cover Crop Grants in the spring and fall and Water and Power Grants for qualifying operations located in urban areas . Other grant programs are currently under development. Check the right column for new offerings.
FUNDING
This program is funded by the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund and managed by the department's Conservation Grants Program.
