Grants, Loans, and Incentives

Grants & Incentive Programs
 

• Growing Grapes for Wine Program Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC)
  The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) is offering grants to farms in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George's, and St. Mary's counties to aid in the purchase of wine grape vines. These funds are being made available as a continuation of SMADC'S Growing Grapes for Wine Program which was established to encourage and support the development of a competitive wine industry in Southern Maryland. The grant program requires matching funds supplied by the farm owner for the purchase of grape vines of recommended grape varieties compatible with the region. The Grapes for Wine Program is offered together with the University of Maryland Extension which will provide ongoing training and production expertise.
  
  For more information about eligibility, guidelines and grant application, click here...
  
  
• Maryland Value-Added Produce Grant Program (MARBIDCO) 
  Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) is now offering to agricultural producers and other rural businesses value-added producer grants of up to $20,000. These competitive grants are available to Maryland's agricultural producers to expand or diversify their business operations by installing capital improvements to make a product that is "value-added." Eligible applicants must be a crop or livestock producer or processor, and have been in business for a minimum of two years. Cash matching funds are also required, and must be a least equal to the amount of grant requested. Bank loans for this purpose also qualify as matching funds.  For more information ...
  
  
• Kathleen A.P. Mathias Agriculture Energy Efficiency Program
  Kathleen A. P. Mathias Agriculture Energy Efficiency Program (Mathias Ag Program), MEA will distribute grants ranging in size from $25,000 to $200,000 to assist with the costs of installing energy efficiency technologies in farms and businesses in the agriculture sector.  The measures must enable a minimum 20% energy savings in the buildings or areas where they are installed.  MEA will showcase these projects as case studies within the agriculture sector. MEA will award at least $1,000,000 in grants in 2014 and anticipates granting 6 to12 awards for this program. All projects should be designed to have construction completed by October 31, 2014 and invoices submitted to MEA by November 30, 2014.
  
  
• Rural Cooperative Development Grants (RCDGs)
  The primary objective of the RCDG program is to improve the economic condition of rural areas by assisting individuals or entities in the startup, expansion or operational improvement of rural cooperatives and other business entities. Grants are awarded competitively on an annual basis to Rural Cooperative Development Centers who in turn provide technical assistance to individuals and entities.
  
  
• USDA Rural Development Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG)
  VAPG Program is to enable viable agricultural producers to develop businesses that produce and market value-added agricultural products. Grants are made to agricultural producers (independent producers, farmer and rancher cooperatives, agricultural producer groups, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures). Grant funds must be used by the agricultural producer for either economic planning activities for the value-added venture or operational costs (working capital) limited to activities directly related to the processing and/or marketing of the value-added product. For more information ...

Loans

• Farm Credit    
  
  
• Maryland Agricultural & Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO)  
  
  
• Maryland Vineyard Planting Loan Fund (MVPLF)
  This program makes available low-interest loans of at least $10,000 to qualified applicants. The requested loan relates to the installation of new vineyards, including, but not limited to, the prepping your land for vineyard installation, purchase of vines, vineyard equipment and supplies. The purchase of tractors, pick-up trucks, and wine-making equipment are not eligible for financing under this particular program, but are eligible for financing under other MARBIDCO programs.

•  Maryland Resource-Based Industry Financing Fund Loan (MRBIFF)
  MRBIFF offers low-interest loans to established Ag/RB industry firms for the purchase of land and capital equipment for production and processing activities. Monies may also be used to help finance environmental or water-quality enhancement projects. Priority will be given to niche market-oriented and value-added projects as well as beginning or transitioning producers and processors. MARBIDCO will provide up to 50 percent of financing needed for a project under this program, and a commercial lender and/or another public financing instrumentality must also have an equal financial commitment in any transaction

• Mid-Atlantic Farm Credit  
  
  

• USDA Microloan Program
  Microloans are direct farm operating loans with a shortened application process and reduced paperwork designed to meet the needs of smaller, non-traditional, and niche type operations. Apprentice and mentorship programs, non-farm business experience, and farm labor experience are acceptable alternative solutions for helping to meet farm experience and managerial requirements.

  Producers interested in applying for a microloan may contact their local Farm Service Agency office.