Maryland Producer Cold Storage Grant Program

Helping farmers and watermen purchase needed cold storage equipment

This grant assists those in the farming and commercial fishing industries with the purchase of cold storage equipment and installation assistance if needed. MARBIDCO will match up to 50% of the cost of the project purchase, with a maximum grant award of $2,000. The minimum grant award is $500 (meaning that the minimum project or equipment purchase size is $1,000).

Maryland Producer Cold Storage Grant Program

Overview

MARBIDCO's Maryland Producers Cold Storage Grant Program provides matching grants of up to $2,000 for farmers and watermen/commercial fisheries wishing to purchase cold storage equipment to continue or expand operations. Agricultural products include produce, livestock, shellfish, or horticultural products that are grown on the applicant’s farm. Seafood products include finfish and shellfish products that are harvested in Maryland.

This program connects farmers with vital cold storage funding assistance for their products. Applicants are asked to make a 50% matching contribution towards the purchase and installation of cold storage equipment. All grants will be awarded on a discretionary basis. Applications will be processed as they are received.

Funds will be disbursed as reimbursement, based on proof of payment.

Eligible applicants* include farmers and watermen with at least $1,000 in agricultural or seafood product sales in calendar years 2024 or 2025. Eligible applicants consist of sole proprietorships, partnerships, cooperatives, and LLCs. Agricultural products include produce, livestock, shellfish, or horticultural products that are grown on the applicant’s farm. Seafood products include finfish and shellfish products that are harvested in Maryland.

  • *Commercial Watermen must have an active Tidal Fisheries License (TFL) with the Department of Natural Resources and provide the TFL number on the application form.

  • *Shellfish Aquaculture farmers must be active leaseholders with the Department of Natural Resources and provide the lease number on the application form.

Grant funds and matching funds must be used to purchase and install cold storage equipment, including:

  • Large coolers

  • Ice machines

  • On-boat or on-dock cold storage

  • Reach-in refrigerator/freezer

  • Walk-in refrigerator/freezer

  • On-truck cold storage (does not include costs related to purchasing a truck)

  • Third-party costs related to the installation of the cold storage unit or the construction of a cold storage facility

Ineligible Costs Include: Purchases made before June 16, 2024

Terms and Conditions

Minimum / Maximum Grant: $500 / $2,000

Match Required: Applicants are required to pay for at least 50% of the eligible project cost. (The minimum overall project size is $1,000.)

Application Requirements

  • Submit a completed and signed application form and all required attachments.

    • Applicants who are Shellfish Aquaculture farmers must be active leaseholders with the Department of Natural Resources and provide the lease number on the application form.

    • Applicants who are Commercial Watermen must have an active Unlimited Tidal Fish License (TFL) or appropriate commercial harvesting license with the Department of Natural Resources and provide the license number on the application form.

    • Business operation income tax return for 2024 for corporations and LLCs, personal tax return for 2024 for sole proprietors and partnerships, OR third-party provided evidence of at least $1,000 of sales of products for businesses started in 2025. Third-party-provided evidence (Square, PayPal, etc.) must clearly show the dollar amount of sales made by the applicant and show the agricultural products sold for that amount. Spreadsheets containing sales data will not be accepted.

    • Businesses must be in good standing with the Maryland Department of Assessment and Taxation.

    • Project budget – provide an itemized list of equipment to be acquired with cost estimates.

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, and the deadline is August 27, 2025(electronic submissions are encouraged). Funding is limited. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Applications will be processed as they are received. All applicants should expect to purchase or order equipment by September 30, 2025. Funds will be disbursed as a reimbursement based on proof of payment. Acceptable proof of payment includes paid receipts, invoices from licensed retailers marked $0.00 balance or paid, and copies of cancelled checks (front and back images).

Send a completed and signed original application form, including all the required attachments, to: Send application electronically to brawlings@marbidco.org or mail to:
MARBIDCO, Maryland Producer Cold Storage Grant Program c/o Brittany Rawlings
1410 Forest Drive, Suite 21
Annapolis, MD 21403

cold storage