MARBIDCO Announces Recipients for the Maryland Value-Added Producer Grant Program

Annapolis (December 22, 2011) – The Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) announced today the recipients of a total of $195,500 in grant award investments that will help a number of agricultural businesses with implementing value-added projects located in ten counties around Maryland.   Out of nineteen project requests that were submitted in a competitive process, thirteen were selected for funding after a thorough review. These grants will assist the recipients in diversifying their businesses to include activities ranging from making cheese and ice cream to enhancing opportunities for agritourism.

The Maryland Value Added Producer Grant – Capital Assets Option (MVAPG-CAO) Program was launched for the first time during the summer of 2010. The program has now been established as a yearly offering by MARBIDCO to encourage Maryland’s agricultural producers to expand or diversify their business operations by installing capital assets 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 may receive up to $20,000 to assist with purchasing or installing farm structures and major fixtures, livestock or seafood product processing facilities, fruit or vegetable processing facilities, timber or wood products facilities, or manure digesters. And each recipient must also provide at least a 100% cash match. The average award amount in 2011 is approximately $15,000. Click Here for entire Article.

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Buy Local for the Holidays
Unique Gift Ideas that are both Delicious and Support Our Local Economy

ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 13, 2011) – This holiday season, consider your Maryland agriculture options when purchasing gifts.  Maryland farmers and specialty food and beverage producers offer a wide range of items to enjoy.  Depending on individual tastes, options include a bottle of wine, local artisan cheese, fresh meats, plants, and much more.  For a gift that keeps on giving, why not give a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) membership.  A year’s share offers months of weekly produce from a Maryland farm. Other local gift ideas involve putting together a gift basket of fresh produce from farmer’s markets or purchasing a gift certificate to a farm bed and breakfast. 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 2011 is now Available!
Click Here to View

Maryland Shellfish Aquaculture Loan Fund Information

Farm Energy Efficiency Information

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

Do you need a farm Energy Audit 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

Attention Maryland Farm Women!

Give yourself a Christmas gift this year- register for an Annie’s project class near you.  In these classes you’ll receive:

1. Valuable information on farm management topics such as farm insurance, land titles, business planning and farm system accounting, and marketing and estate planning.
2. You’ll meet other farm women and share your experiences, forming friendships and support networks.
3. Have dinners provided prior to the start of the session- a night off in the kitchen.
4. Have an open and caring forum to ask questions and receive information about the management challenges you face daily as an active participant in your farm operation.

Take this opportunity to do something good for you, your family, and the future of your farming operation. Join the ranks of almost 300 other farm women in Maryland and Delaware who have experience “Annie’s Project”.  Registration information is attached or you can go to Annie’s Project web site: http://www.anniesproject.umd.edu/
Annie's Project Flyer
Annie's Project Registration

Future Harvest 13th Annual Conference
Farm to Institution: Making Local Food Economies a Reality
Click Here for Details

Date: January 13-14, 2012
Location: National Conference Center, Landsdowne, VA

Other Rural Business
News of Note

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

Farmers Market Directory

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

United States Department of Agriculture: Know Your Farmer Know Your Food:www.usda.gov/wps/portal/know
yourfarmer?navid=KNOWYOURFARMER

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

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

Seasonal Produce: Find out what
produce is in season when: www.marylandsbest.net/in_season.php

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