MARBIDCO Seeks Full-Time Loan Programs Officer/Credit Underwriter

Annapolis (March 26, 2013) - Qualified candidates are sought for a full-time loan programs underwriting and servicing position with a nonprofit economic development organization providing financial and business development assistance to agricultural and resource-based enterprises in Maryland.  The incumbent coordinates loan and grant transactions, reviews applicant business plans and financial statements, performs credit underwriting analyses, interfaces with lending institutions and development agencies, prepares written reports of program activities, assists farm clients and the general public, undertakes special projects, and provides other staff support in a small busy office.

Candidates should be well organized, self-motivated and able to work independently.  Applicants must also possess excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills; a good work and attendance record; and an aptitude for detail. The candidate must be able to manage several projects simultaneously, occasionally work flexible hours and travel around the State by personal automobile. Prior work experience in commercial lending or loan underwriting, or in agri-business or rural economic development is essential. Direct experience working with a farm, forestry or seafood business would be a plus, but is not required.

Candidates must possess at least three years of experience and have a bachelor’s degree. Candidates must have experience with Microsoft Office software including Word and Excel.  SALARY: Open, DOQ. EOE. Position will remain open until filled.

To apply submit a resume, cover letter indicating a salary requirement, and three professional references to:

MARBIDCO
Attn: Loan Programs Officer/Specialist
1410 Forest Drive, Suite 26
Annapolis, Maryland 21403

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

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Training workshops Offered for On-Farm Poultry and Rabbit Processing Certification Workshop to be held in Cambridge

Annapolis (March 28, 2013) – To help farmers meet growing consumer demand for local meats, the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) in partnership with the University of Maryland will conduct a training workshop for on-farm poultry and rabbit slaughter and processing from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on May 7 at the Eastern Shore Hospital Center, 5262 Woods Rd, Cambridge in the English Hall.  Registration check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. The training fee is $20 and includes lunch and materials. To download a copy of the registration form, visit: www.mda.maryland.gov/Documents/poultry_rabbit_reg.doc. Space is limited, so register early. 

This workshop is part of a voluntary certification program to assist small poultry and rabbit operations to meet the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s approved source requirements to sell poultry and/or rabbit (off-farm) at farmers’ markets or to restaurants and retailers in Maryland. 

Workshop participants will learn to recognize diseases of public health concern, take basic biosecurity measures, write and implement basic Standard Sanitary Operating Procedures, develop Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point plans, and properly dispose of offal and waste water.

To become certified for off-farm sales, producers must:
•     Complete the training;
•     Pass a brief test at the training;
•     Submit an application for certification along with a $75 annual fee; and
•     Be inspected by MDA, which will conduct an inspection at least once per year to verify that producers are following food safety requirements.

For questions, call Sherry Weygant at 410-841-5769 or email: sherry.weygant@maryland.gov.  

To learn more about Maryland’s Poultry and Rabbit Program, visit: http://mda.maryland.gov/foodfeedquality/Pages/poultry_rabbit_program.aspx

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GICA Survey Seeks Input from Farmers about County Zoning, Permitting and Health Regulations
(Farmers encouraged to participate in online survey)

Annapolis (January 28, 2013) – The Governor's Intergovernmental Commission for Agriculture (GICA), responding to concerns expressed by farmers, is launching an online survey to find out how Maryland farmers’ experiences with county zoning and permitting and health regulations have impacted their businesses. Farmers are encouraged to take the survey by Feb. 28.

GICA will share the findings with the Maryland Association of Counties and ask for its input into the survey results. GICA will then convene a work group to develop recommendations.

"We have heard from farmers and farming organizations that there are issues at the county level that need to be reviewed in light of the evolving changes within the agriculture industry,” said Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance. “At the same time, farmers need to know who to contact and what their rights are when a county zoning, permitting or health issue arises. Our goal is to provide guidance to farmers and counties to ensure both sides understand each other and the law. This survey is a first step toward meeting that goal. "

GICA was established by Executive Order in 2006 "to promote the economic profitability of agriculture in the State by ensuring that all appropriate State agencies work in a cooperative, coordinated manner with local government and industry groups in planning, implementing, overseeing and evaluating intergovernmental initiatives related to agricultural affairs of the State."

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MARBIDCO Announces Maryland Value Added Producer Grant Program Recipients

Annapolis (November 19, 2012) – The Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) announced today the recipients of a total of $182,382 in grant awards that will help a number of agricultural businesses with implementing value-added projects located in ten counties around Maryland.  Eighteen project requests were submitted in a competitive process and fifteen were able to be funded.

The Maryland Value Added Producer Grant – Capital Assets Option Program (MVAPG-CAO) was launched for the first time in the summer of 2010. The MVAPG-CAO Program was established to encourage Maryland’s agricultural producers to expand or diversify their business operations by installing capital equipment to make or support a product that is “value-added”.  A by-product of this effort will help to spur job creation and retention in rural and urban-edge communities. Eligible applicants must be a crop or livestock producer or processor, agricultural cooperative, seafood processor, or timber products processor. Selected applicants could receive up to $15,000 to assist with purchasing or installing farm structures and major fixtures, livestock or seafood processing facilities, fruit or vegetable processing facilities, timber or wood products facilities, or manure digesters. Each selected recipient must also provide, at a minimum, a 100% cash match.
Click Here for Entire Article

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Maryland Energy Administration Announces The Kathleen A.P. Mathias Agriculture Energy Efficiency Program

Annapolis (August 15, 2012) — Today, the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) announced the Kathleen A. P. Mathias Agriculture Energy Efficiency Program. The program will provide grants to farms/businesses in the agriculture sector to cover up to 75% of the cost of energy efficiency upgrades. Named after the late Kathleen A. P. Mathias, one of the Eastern Shore’s leading advocates and the wife of Maryland State Senator James N. Mathias, the new program is funded through the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Better Buildings program. Under this program, $1 million will be available to farms/businesses in Maryland’s agriculture sector to help plan, implement, and complete the upgrades.

“This investment in Maryland’s agriculture sector will help our farms and farm businesses save money and energy, while helping the State reach its goal of reducing overall energy consumption 15% by 2015,” said Malcolm Woolf, Director of the Maryland Energy Administration. “These showcase projects will highlight to all of Maryland the gains that can be made through energy efficiency upgrades in the agriculture sector and indeed all sectors of our economy.” Click Here for Entire Article

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MDA Seeking Nominations for the Maryland Agricultural Commission Seven Positions Available

Annapolis (May 7, 2012) –  The Maryland Agricultural Commission is seeking nominations to fill seven positions on the Maryland Agricultural Commission.  The open positions represent: bio-fuels, food processing, direct farm marketing, aquaculture, vegetables, agri-tourism and nursery. Interested parties must have experience in the field of the position that they are interested in filling.  The appointments are made by Governor Martin O’Malley and each member is eligible to serve two, three-year appointed terms. 

The Maryland Agricultural Commission represents various commodities and organizations across the state and serves as an advisory body to Maryland’s Secretary of Agriculture, and includes both a consumer and a University of Maryland (ex officio) representative. As a group, the members address legislative and policy issues that affect Maryland agribusiness. The commission meets monthly.

For more information, contact Rachel Melvin at (410) 841-5882 or rachel.melvin@maryland.gov.

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Poultry Processing and Marketing Group launching in Central Maryland

Keedysville (March 22, 2012) - Got poultry? Need them processed? Looking to rein in production costs through group purchases and services? Could you use an additional volume market for your sustainable raised poultry? Then you need to attend an information and organizational meeting of a new group forming in Central Maryland whose mission is to:

There is a tremendous demand in Maryland for poultry produced under sustainable and environmentally appropriate management systems such as free-range and small flock production. In 2010, the Maryland Department of Agriculture and Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene implemented a training course for on-farm processing of poultry. While this process does allow for retail sale of on-farm processed poultry now, it requires:

Members in this new poultry processing and marketing group will still be required to complete the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Poultry Processing License training and receive a license from the State before processing birds with this group. Click Here for entire Article.

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Many of the items on this website are in PDF format. You will Adobe Acrobat Reader to access them. If you do not already have it, you can download it for free.

What's New at MARBIDCO?

MARBIDCO's Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2012 is now Available!

Click Here to View

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Two Oyster Aquaculture Loan Programs Available:

Maryland Shellfish Aquaculture Loan
(Deadline: May 20, 2013)

Maryland Remote Setting Shellfish Aquaculture Loan
(Deadline: May 20, 2013)

Farm Energy Efficiency Information

Rural Business Energy Efficiency
"Micro" Loan Fund
Click Here for Application

Do you need an Agricultural Energy Management Plan done?
Click Here for Details

Interested in solar, wind or renewable energy, please visit the Maryland Clean Energy Center or the Maryland Energy Administration.

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Installment Purchase Agreements for Easement Sellers!
Click Here for Details

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See Loan Applications Now Available
Click Here for Details

Upcoming Events

Check back here for local upcoming events.

Other Rural Business
News of Note

Keystone Development Center
Keystone Development Center (a non-profit, cooperative development center), is dedicated to providing technical and research assistance to groups who wish to organize as cooperatives. News and informative articles can be found at http://www.kdc.coop/blog/.

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Northeast SARE Awards Almost $700,000 for Sustainable Agriculture
The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program recently awarded $669,276 to fund 51 projects across the region. These mini-grant awards are capped at $15,000, and are for exploratory work on topics ranging from marketing to new tool development to farm community enhancement. The focus is on new ideas that improve profits, stewardship, and quality of life for farmers. SARE's larger Professional Development and Research and Education awards have been delayed by the late passage of the federal budget. Northeast SARE will announce these separately as soon as the award amounts are final. For more information on Northeast SARE, click here.

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Funding Sources for Agriculture
Check out this list prepared by University of Maryland Extension which was developed to assist farmers and producers locate funding sources and technical assistance for their operations. The list includes funding sources from federal, state and non-profit agencies.
Click Here for Details

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Are you looking to start a farm or
rural business?
The Maryland Rural Enterprise Development Center (MREDC) announces new website to assist the agricultural and natural resources community:www.mredc.umd.edu
Click Here for Information

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"The Impact of Resource Based Industries on the Maryland Economy"
Prepared by: BEACON, Business, Economic, and Community Outreach Network at Salisbury University
Click Here to View PDF

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2007 Census of Agriculture Farms & Farmlands in Maryland
Click Here to View PDF

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Maryland Niche Meats and Poultry Producers Directory

Maryland's niche meats and poultry producers and the Ag Marketing Program of the University of Maryland Extension have joined together to produce the first, "Maryland Niche Meats and Poultry Producers' Directory". The purpose of this directory is to help restaurants, consumers, food brokers, producers, or anyone looking to purchase the freshest, best quality farm-raised meats available directy from Maryland farmers who raise it. Farmers' Market Masters can use the directory to locate and recruit vendors from Maryland's rapidly growing number of farmers' markets.

This directory has been organized by product for ease of aggregating suppliers. Many producers offer multiple products. The list is always growing and expanding, so the latest listings will be available online at:
www.agmarketing.umd.edu
Click Here to View PDF

Start2Farm and Beginning Farmer & Rancher Development Program was developed to assist people new to farming or ranching and those who have less than 10 years experience.
www.start2farm.gov

Farmers Market Directory

Your Guide to FSA Farm Loans

Annie's Project focuses on many aspects of farm management and is designed to empower women in overall farm decision making. Visit Annie's online at:
www.anniesproject.umd.edu

The Keystone Development Center's mission is to sustain communities, economies, and resources in rural areas through cooperatively owned businesses. For more information click on www.kdc.coop/welcome.

USDA: Know Your Farmer Know Your Food

Maryland Rural Enterprise
Development Center (MREDC)
www.mredc.umd.edu

Find the Best Local products
from Maryland Farmers: www.marylandsbest.net

Maryland Agriculture Exchange: Buy, Sell and Trade Agricultural products: www.agtrader.org

Find local products in grocery stores, restaurants and farmer's markets: www.localharvest.org

Celebrate local sustainable food and
serve healthy food choices: www.sustainabletable.org