Queen Anne’s County Economic & Tourism Development (QACETD) is now accepting applications for Round 6 of the Upper Shore Micro Ag Grant Program.

The program awards competitive, cost-reimbursable grants to support local agricultural businesses seeking to expand, diversify, strengthen marketing, complete capital improvements, or pursue agricultural research. Funding for this initiative is made possible through the Upper Shore Regional Council and the Queen Anne’s County Commissioners.

Approximately $69,000 is available in FY2026 funding. Individual grant requests ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 will be considered on a competitive basis. The application deadline is February 15, 2026.

“The Micro Ag Grant Program is one of the ways we invest directly in the farmers and agricultural businesses that sustain Queen Anne’s County,” says Heather Tinelli, Director of Queen Anne’s County Economic & Tourism Development. “Whether a business is improving its marketing, adding value to products, or making targeted upgrades, these grants help move great ideas from planning to progress.”

Eligible applicants must operate an agricultural business in Queen Anne’s County and be actively engaged in the farming community. Eligible categories include crop and livestock production (including equine), agricultural product processing, agricultural education or support, agricultural cooperatives, timber production or processing, agritourism, and aquaculture.

Grant funds may be used for a range of projects, including strategic marketing campaigns, technology innovation or implementation, climate resiliency projects, capital improvements for business start-up/expansion/value-added production, research projects, animal welfare improvements, and agritourism initiatives.

“Sometimes a relatively small investment unlocks a major next step—new equipment, a marketing push, or a value-added upgrade,“ says Debbie Gill, Economic Development Coordinator for QACETD. “We encourage agricultural businesses across the county to apply.”

Beyond supporting individual farms and ag-based businesses, the Upper Shore Micro Ag Grant Program strengthens Queen Anne’s County’s broader agricultural economy and rural communities. By helping local producers invest in marketing, innovation, infrastructure, and value-added production, the program supports job creation, business sustainability, and long-term economic resilience. These targeted investments also help preserve working farmland, encourage agritourism, and reinforce agriculture’s role as a cornerstone of the county’s economy, benefiting residents, visitors, and future generations alike.

To learn more, review the guidelines, and apply, visit: https://choosequeenannes.com/micro-ag-grant/