Agriculture Archives

USDA Designates Nine MD Counties as Drought Disaster Areas

Ongoing dry conditions during the growing season led the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to designate nine Maryland counties as drought disaster areas. Allegany, Carroll, Charles, Frederick, Garrett, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s, and Washington counties qualify for assistance through the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA). Eligible farmers may apply for FSA emergency loans. The agency reviews each application based on the farm’s specific circumstances and needs. Farmers have eight months from the disaster designation…

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April 22, 2026

Agriculture / County Budgets / County News / Economic Development

Howard County Doubles Down on Agriculture

Howard County is putting more money, and more long-term planning, behind local agriculture. During his annual State of Agriculture address, County Executive Calvin Ball announced $600,000 in grant funding for local farms and agricultural businesses, alongside several new initiatives aimed at strengthening the county’s agricultural economy and preserving its future. While the grant awards drew the headlines, the bigger takeaway is this: Howard County is continuing to build out a broad, county-level strategy to support…

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March 25, 2026

Agriculture / County News / Economic Development / News You Can Use

Harford Tackles What’s Next for County Agriculture

Agriculture is constantly changing and Harford County’s upcoming Agriculture Symposium promises a snapshot of the issues shaping county agriculture right now. Set for May 9, the county’s 2026 symposium titled “Rooted in Change,” will bring together farmers, agricultural professionals, and community members for a day of discussion around some of the biggest issues facing local agriculture today. And while the event is local, the themes are anything but. From emerging farm technology to business diversification…

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March 25, 2026

Agriculture / Energy / MACo Testimony / Planning and Zoning

Practical Clarification Necessary To Balance Solar Energy Growth and Farmland Preservation

On February 26, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko submitted written testimony to the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee in support of SB 683 - Public Utilities - Solar Energy Generating Stations - Siting (Solar Siting and Preservation Credit Act of 2026). This bill would clarify that solar projects located on certain sites within a Priority Preservation Area (PPA) count toward the five percent ground-mounted solar cap established under the Renewable Energy Certainty Act…

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March 4, 2026

Agriculture / County News / Economic Development

Montgomery To Connect Local Farmers With Institutional Buyers

Montgomery County has launched a new grant program to help small local farms sell their food to schools, hospitals, senior centers, and other institutional buyers, strengthening the region’s food system and expanding market access for farmers. The FY26 Food Aggregation Grant Program, administered by the Montgomery County Office of Food Systems Resilience (OFSR), is designed to close a long-standing gap in the regional food system: strong demand from public institutions for locally grown food, and limited market access for small farms that…

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February 12, 2026

Agriculture

Cecil County Expands Agricultural Development Capacity

The Cecil County Office of Economic Development is expanding its capacity to support local farmers and agribusinesses by adding a dedicated Agricultural Business Development Specialist, reinforcing the County’s long-term commitment to strengthening its agricultural economy. The County has hired Malik J. Grace, MBA, as the new Agricultural Business Development Specialist. From the county press release: “I’m excited to join Cecil County and work alongside its farming community,” said Grace. “The county has a strong agricultural…

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February 5, 2026

Agriculture / County News / Economic Development

Queen Anne’s Announces Round 6 of Grant Program To Support Local Ag

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…

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January 27, 2026

Agriculture / Environment / Feature / News You Can Use

Maryland Agriculture Land Preservation Foundation Now Accepting Applications

The Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) Program is now accepting applications for the Fiscal Year 2027 Easement Cycle. Eligibility requirements include a minimum of 50 contiguous acres, land outside of the 10-year water and sewer plan for the county, and a minimum of 50% Class I, II or III soils. For more information on eligibility and the MALPF easement acquisition process, visit https://mda.maryland.gov/malpf/Pages/Fact-Sheets.aspx The mission of MALPF is: to preserve productive farmland and woodland for the…

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January 15, 2026

Agriculture / Economic Development / Energy / Environment / Housing and Community Development / Intergovernmental Relations / Planning and Zoning / Transportation and Public Works / Winter Conference

#MACoCon Recap: Environmental Finance Center’s Rural Offerings

At the MACo Winter Conference, attendees learned about how UMD's Enviro. The Finance Center can help rural counties secure additional resources. MACo’s Rural County Coalition provides a forum for Maryland’s rural counties to share their unique perspective on critical state and federal policy issues. At this meeting, the University of Maryland’s Environmental Finance Center walked through services and opportunities to help rural leaders access grant funding and other resources to better serve their communities. Additionally, rural…

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December 16, 2025

Agriculture / County Budgets / County News / Taxes and Revenues

SDAT Proposes New Regs for Woodland Ag Assessments

The Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) has proposed changes to the agricultural use assessment for woodland, now published in the Maryland Register. Maryland’s agricultural use assessment assigns a lower assessed value to farmland and qualifying woodland than to market-rate property. The goal is to keep land in active farm or forestry use. The draft regulation states that woodland must include at least five contiguous acres to qualify. Additionally, landowners cannot combine smaller parcels…

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December 4, 2025