MDA ANNOUNCES NEW SPECIALTY CROP GRANT PROGRAM Application Deadline is July 10

ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 29, 2009) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) today announced a new grant program to fund projects that solely enhances the competitiveness of specialty crops. The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program was established by the 2008 Farm Bill.

MDA has set up a competitive grant process to award these federal funds in 2009. The Department will be administering funds totaling $500,623 for the development of projects that will benefit Maryland’s existing specialty crop producers. MDA intends to fund projects that can produce the highest degree of measurable benefits to Maryland specialty crop producers in relation to each dollar spent. Grants will be issued from $25,000 to $200,000 per project in Maryland. Click here for entire article.   

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Cover Crop Program Enrollment to Run June 22 – July 8
$12 Million Available in Cost-Share Funds to Maryland Farmers

ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 28, 2009) – Following up on his pledge to accelerate the Chesapeake Bay cleanup, Governor Martin O’Malley has committed approximately $12 million in cost-share funds to farmers who plant cover crops on their fields this fall to reduce nutrient runoff, control soil erosion and protect water quality in the Bay and its tributaries.  Enrollment for the statewide program will take place from June 22 through July 8, 2009 at local soil conservation district offices. 
 
“Planting cover crops is one of the most cost-effective and environmentally sustainable ways to protect the Bay and all Maryland waterways from nutrient runoff,” said Governor O’Malley.  “Protecting and preserving our treasured Chesapeake Bay for future generations must remain a shared priority, even in tight times. Through our commitment to cover crops, we are putting our families first for a smart, green and growing future.” Click here for entire article.     

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Maryland Value Added Producer Grants Now Available From MARBIDCO

      ANNAPOLIS (May 18, 2009)….The Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) has announced a grant funding opportunity to encourage Maryland's independent agricultural producers to enter into value-added activities and pursue financial support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Value Added Producer Grants Program (USDA-VAPG).  The USDA-VAPG is a highly competitive nationwide funding program with approximately $18 million available for distribution in 2009. These grant funds can be used for planning or working capital purposes in accordance with USDA regulations. Eligible purposes include determining appropriate marketing techniques and creating business plans, or paying operating costs before a business has sufficient cash flow from operations. 

             MARBIDCO will make available through its Maryland Value Added Producer Grants Program (MVAPG) matching grants of up to 20% of the amount of an USDA-VAPG award to help an eligible applicant meet the non-federal financial matching requirement.  A MVAPG monetary award from MARBIDCO will only be provided to an applicant that is selected to receive USDA-VAPG funding. Click here for entire article.

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GOVERNOR O’MALLEY APPOINTS BUDDY HANCE AS SECRETARY TO THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Roger Richardson Retires After Decades of Service to Maryland Agriculture

ANNAPOLIS, MD (April 28, 2009) – Governor Martin O’Malley today announced the appointment of Deputy Secretary Earl “Buddy” Hance as Secretary to the Department of Agriculture, and thanked Roger Richardson for his dedicated service to the State of Maryland, and his work in the agricultural community.  Roger Richardson, 75, today announced that he would retire to travel and to spend more time with his family. His last day is May 5.

“I want to thank Secretary Richardson for his service to the State of Maryland and to the agricultural community,” said Governor O’Malley.  “Secretary Richardson is a lifelong farmer, has served in numerous capacities in Maryland’s agricultural community, and has been instrumental in working together with the environmental community to help build a sustainable future for Maryland.” Click here for entire article.

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Kilby Selected to be New MARBIDCO Chair

Annapolis, MD (January 2009) - Phyllis E. Kilby was elected by the MARBIDCO Board of Directors recently to serve as Chair of the Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation for 2009. MARBIDCO is a publicly supported rural business development organization established by the Maryland General Assembly in 2004 to help agricultural and other rural industries to prosper. Ms. Kilby, who is President of Kilby’s Inc., a family-owned and operated dairy farm and creamery in Cecil County, had served as Vice Chair since 2007. She replaces J. Robert Frazee, President and CEO of MidAtlantic Farm Credit, who had served for the past three years as MARBIDCO’s Founding Chair.

In addition to her extensive agricultural background, Ms. Kilby served two terms as a Cecil County Commissioner. During her tenure as a county commissioner, she served for three years as Chair of the Rural Maryland Council. She also served as a member of the State Task Force on Study the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation.

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NEW!

The 2009 Maryland Value Added Producer Grant Program
Click Here for Details

*We have been informed that USDA plans on extending the 2009 Value Added Producer Grant Program deadline for several weeks. Accordingly, the MARBIDCO deadline for the Maryland Value Added Producer Grant Program will be extended as well. Please check back soon for the details.*

Installment Purchase Agreements for Easement Sellers

See Loan Applications Now Available

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 directly from Maryland farmers who raise it. Farmers’  Market  Masters can use the directory to locate and recruit vendors form 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

Maryland Vineyards & Wineries Highlighted on MPT

Maryland Public Television has produced a 30-minute television program called "Chesapeake Wine Country" which aired during April and May. The program explores the five wine producing regions of Maryland:  the Eastern Shore, Southern Maryland, the East Central, the West Central and Western Maryland.  Financial support for "Chesapeake Wine Country" was provided by MARBIDCO, and Baltimore, Frederick, Queen Anne's and Washington Counties.

Now Available!
Study
"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

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

Now Available!
2008 Annual Report
Click Here to View PDF

Printed copies of the report are available upon request by calling (410) 267-6807.

Working Waterfront
Commission Created
Working Waterfront Commission has been meeting for the last year as a result of legislation enacted by the Maryland General Assembly. The purpose of the Commission is to study and make recommendations regarding protecting and preserving Maryland's commercial seafood industry's access to public trust waters. The Commission has a diverse membership including representatives from the seafood harvesting and processing industries as well as State and local government. MARBIDCO Executive Director Steve McHenry was appointed by Governor O’Malley to chair the Commission. For more information about the Commission [click here].

COMMISSION'S FINAL REPORT

Featured Websites

2009 Farmers Market Directory

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