Snow Disaster Assistance Is Available for Qualifying Farmers
Annapolis, MD (March 5, 2010) - MARBIDCO, working with its partners at the Maryland Energy Administration and Ensave (a private farm energy audits company), may be able to assist farmers wishing to rebuild poultry houses and dairy barns that were destroyed by the recent snow storms. Unsecured loans of up to $15,000 are available at favorable interest rates if farm operation energy savings can be calculated from the destroyed chicken house or barn versus what is planned for the reconstructed facility. Cash incentives, energy audits and technical assistance may also be available directly from EnSave, Maryland's farm energy efficiency service provider.
For more information please contact Corey Conant at EnSave (1-800-732-1399), or Kristen Robinson at MARBIDCO (410-267-6807).
Other federal and state programs may also be available to help producers trying to recover from the recent back-to-back snow storms. The Maryland Department of Agriculture has prepared a comprehensive guide of the resources that are available.
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State Agriculture Officials Announce Record Conservation Efforts by Farmers in 2009
Annapolis, MD (February 23, 2010) –The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) has released its 2009 annual report highlighting the 25th anniversary of the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share (MACS) Program in helping Maryland farmers do their part to protect water quality in the streams and rivers that feed the Chesapeake Bay. Funded through a mix of capital resources and user fee-based programs—including the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund and Chesapeake Bay 2010 Trust Fund, MACS provides grants to farmers who install best management practices (BMPs) on their property to protect natural resources on their property.
According to the report, during its fledgling year in 1984, MACS provided Maryland farmers with $434,000 in grants to install roughly 130 conservation projects on their farms. Twenty-five years later in 2009, MACS provided Maryland farmers with a record $19 million in conservation grants to install 2,370 capital and special projects on their farms to control soil erosion, manage nutrients and protect water quality in streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. “Farmers who received MACS grants over the last 25 years invested more than $14 million of their own money into these conservation projects and agree to shoulder additional maintenance and upkeep expenses for a minimum of 10 years,” said Maryland Agriculture Secretary Earl F. Hance. “Such action on the part of Maryland farmers dispels the notion that conservation takes a back seat—even in tough economic times."
According to the report, in FY 2009, $10.7 million in MACS grants were used to help Maryland farmers plant 239,000 acres of cover crops statewide. MACS also helped Maryland poultry farmers transport 52,000 tons of poultry litter out of the Bay Watershed, exceeding the milestone goal by 168 percent.
To learn more about the progress and accomplishments of the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share Program and download copy of the 2009 annual report, visit MDA’s web site at www.mda.state.md.us/pdf/macsar09.pdf.
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MARBIDCO Launches Farm Energy Efficiency
“Micro” Loan Fund
Annapolis, MD (October 16, 2009)…….A Rural Business Energy Efficiency Improvement Loan Fund has recently been established by the Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) to help farm operations and other resource-based businesses to install equipment or make operational improvements that reduce the consumption of energy. This new “micro” loan program is being offered thanks to important financial support provided by the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA). This program is also designed to complement existing farm energy audit and energy efficiency incentive programs being offered by MEA, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA) and MARBIDCO, in partnership with the Maryland Department of Agriculture, the Maryland RC&D Councils, and the private technical assistance provider EnSave. Click Here for entire Article.
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What's New at MARBIDCO?
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
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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
Other Rural Business
News of Note
Job Announcement - Program Coordinator
Future Harvest CASA
Click Here to View Job Announcement
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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
Upcoming Events
New Grape Grower Workshop
March 26, 2010, 8:00-4:30
Chesapeake College
Click Here for Information
Women in Agriculture Forum "Tilling the Fields of Knowledge"
March 30, 2010, 8:30-3:00
Howard County Fairgrounds
Click Here for Information
University of Maryland Extension Seminar
"Ag Entrepreneurship: Income Opportunities for Tight Times"
March 31, 2010, 9:00 - 3:00
Fairplay Community Volunteer
Fire Company
Click Here for Information
Featured Websites
2009 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
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