COVID - 19 Resources for Agricultural and Resource Based Industries

Federal COVID-19 Resources

• COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide highlighting USDA and federal programs: The USDA has also released a COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide that highlight USDA and federal programs that can be used to provide immediate and long-term assistance to rural communities: https://www.rd.usda.gov/sites/default/files/USDA_COVID-19_Fed_Rural_Resource_Guide.pdf  

• FSA: FSA has made several changes to existing programs in response to COVID-19.
• https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-room/news-releases/2020/fsa-makes-changes-to-farm-loan-disaster-conservation-and-safety-net-programs-to-make-it-easier-for-customers-to-conduct-business
• • Relaxing its Farm Loan application process by: extending the deadline for applicants; preparing loan documents now without lien and record searches, with the understanding the loans won’t close until the searches are complete; closing on some loans when the lien position on the primary security is done even if the loan required additional security.
• Considering deferment of loans for distressed borrowers.
• • Temporarily suspending loan accelerations, non-judicial foreclosures and referring other foreclosures to the Department of Justice.
• • Allowing guarantee lenders to certify for their borrowers another year of operating loan advances on lines of credit and emergency advances on lines of credit.

MARBIDCO Financing Resources

• MARBIDCO: MARBIDCO’s existing loan and grant programs may provide assistance for businesses. Several programs of interest are listed below but information on all of MARBIDCO’s programs are available on our website.
  
• • Maryland Resource-Based Industry Financing Fund (MRBIFF) – Low interest loans for AG/RBI businesses for the purchase of land (up to $500K) and capital equipment (up to $250K). MARBIDCO can finance up to 40% of the project cost with commercial lender participation. Terms are 3.25% for the first 3 years, 4.75% for the next 3 years and 6% for the remaining term of the loan. MRBIFF
• • Pandemic Recovery Equipment and Working Capital Loan Fund – $15K to $100K loans to Ag/RBI businesses for working capital and equipment purchases. Terms for equipment is 3 to 8 years with up to 12 months interest-only possible. Interest rate with a partnering public sector lender involved 2.95% and without, 4.75%. PANDEMIC LOAN
• • Forestry Equipment and Working Capital Loan Fund – Loans for Maryland forest product businesses with respect to working capital equipment purchases. Maximum loan amount is $150K. FORESTRY
• • Maryland Shellfish Aquaculture Financing Fund – Loans between $5K and $100K to be used to purchase shell, seed, spat or equipment. Both bottom culture and water column projects are eligible. AQUACULTURE

Non-Government COVID-19 Resources

• American Farmland Trust Farmer’s Relief Fund: provided $1,000 grant for small and mid-size direct-market producers. Fund is continuing to raise money to help more farmers: https://farmland.org/farmer-relief-fund/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=637ece80-2dc9-49d1-9afb-6b97c772e470

Other Federal, State, Local and Non-Government Resources

• H-2A Visa program and Covid-19: https://www.farmers.gov/manage/h2a
• USDA Resources:: https://rd.usda.gov/coronavirus
• Maryland COVID-19 resource page:: https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/
• Maryland COVID-19 Business Information: https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/business-resources
• Maryland Department of Agriculture: https://news.maryland.gov/mda/category/covid-19/
• Maryland Small Business Development Center Guide for Small Businesses: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EAS90feseZIOXDzVbNJ1wgqkNjcNpQJzGRTAy1mUjFc/edit
• Maryland Comptroller Tax Extensions: https://www.marylandtaxes.gov/forms/Tax_Publications/Tax_Alerts/Income_Tax_Alert_02_23_2022A.pdf
• Regional Online Directory of Local Growers: Link to application form for farmers to become part of the directory: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfEXHdNU0WfQhjmCfBgVE9iIPqd37IEP8Cr1nsIAh5MM1mXcA/viewform?mc_cid=2325db22a2&mc_eid=404e333b3d&mc_cid=51cfa4c94c&mc_eid=9e0a52c731
• Maryland Farm Bureau: https://www.mdfarmbureau.com/coronavirus/
• Maryland Forestry Association: https://www.mdforests.org/
• Maryland Wineries Association: https://marylandwine.com/covid-19/
• Grow and Fortify: https://growandfortify.com/covid-19/
• Maryland Horse Industry Board: https://mda.maryland.gov/horseboard/Pages/horse_board.aspx
• Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission: https://smadc.com/covid19/
• Brewer’s Association of Maryland: https://marylandbeer.org/
• Rural Maryland Council: https://rural.maryland.gov/
• Maryland Waterman’s Association: http://marylandwatermen.com/
• Maryland Grain Producers: https://www.marylandgrain.org/
• Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc:. https://www.dpichicken.org/
• Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA): https://www.medamd.com/