Launch

County Offices provide local zoning, health, and business development resources and restrictions. On this page, you will find links to a variety of county-based agencies, offices, and organizations. Use these pages to 1.) Have access to current resources, 2). Determine which county agencies regulate your type of enterprise. 3). Develop a contact list of local business development contacts.

Your Ag Business Venture: Dream, Plan, Implement is a guide designed to put you in the driver's seat while on the road to making your ag business idea a reality. There are many good tools and resources within this guide to help you along the way.

Getting Things Right is part of the Maryland Retail Products Producer Program. This section will provide information on supply, storage, purchasing, establishing prices, ordering and delivery schedules, invoicing and payment terms, and product promotions.

Know Your Product and Brand is part of the Maryland Retail Products Producer Program. This section will provide information about packaging, USDA/FDA label and nutritional label requirements, and Allergen notification requirements.

Product Development and Production is part of the Maryland Retail Products Producer Program. This section provides information on product development and production practices.

Other Resources is part of the Maryland Retail Products Producer Program. This section will provide information on other resources that will help your product to become ready for retail.

Have you ever had a fleeting thought of starting a business or new enterprise but raked it from your mind thinking it would never work? Did you think your family and friends wouldn’t support you or were you lost because you had no idea where to start? If so, your thoughts were no different than those of other people who decided to go with the idea of becoming a business owner, revamping an existing business, or adding on a new enterprise. This module provides information on Coaching Assistance and resources on Growing Your Business

Agritourism—one of the fastest-growing segments of agricultural direct marketing—allows farmers to diversify their core operations and keep farmland in production while preserving scenic vistas and maintaining farming traditions. By providing authentic farm experiences for visitors, agritourism helps educate the public about the importance of agriculture to a community’s economic base, quality of life, history, and culture.

Explore the alternative sources of capital less than $50,000 that can be available for your business.

Whether a new farmer/food entrepreneur, or an established operation, you’re probably going to need to finance some aspect of your business. There are various loan programs for farmers and food entrepreneurs. There are also some specific grant programs, but these are very specific and very competitive to obtain. Obtaining grants require a lot of work, often have delayed payments or require up-front investment, and are not a reliable source of income. This article provides guidance for evaluating if your needs qualify for the grant’s targeted outcomes and how best to apply for a grant.