Grants for Farmers
- Commercial, Industrial & Agricultural Grant Program.
The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) is launching its Fiscal Year 2025 Commercial, Industrial & Agricultural Grant Program. This program is open to Maryland-based commercial, industrial, data centers, non-profits, farms, and agricultural entities. Grants are available for new construction and existing facilities to improve energy performance beyond current standards. The program offers grants on a first-come, first-served basis. Proposals submitted before the application deadline will be evaluated by MEA based on documentation quality and potential energy-saving and environmental benefits. Evaluation scores will influence the grant amounts awarded. FY25 CI&A grants do not cover all costs; applicants must fund the remainder through out-of-pocket funds or a separate Jane E. Lawton Conservation Loan application with MEA. It's encouraged to apply for the loan concurrently with the CI&A grant application. Applications are accepted until all funding is awarded or until Friday, February 14, 2025, at 3 PM. Early submission is strongly recommended to enhance the chances of receiving funding.
- Healthy Soils Competitive Fund
This competitive grant program is available to qualifying farmers interested in adopting various soil health and agroforestry practices. Selected applicants can receive grants of up to $50,000 to support enhanced soil health practices over a three-year period. Both individual producers and organizations aiming to improve soil health are encouraged to apply. The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) will accept applications from December to March (please visit website for deadline dates).Grant recipients will be announced in May. When submitting your application, you must provide proof of compliance with Maryland's nutrient management requirements. If you have any questions regarding compliance, please reach out to the regional nutrient management specialist for your county.
- Northeast SARE Farmer Grant Program
The goal of the Farmer grant program is to develop, refine, and demonstrate new sustainable techniques and to explore innovative ideas developed by farmers across the region. Grants average about $5,200 and are capped at $10,000. Application deadlines are usually in late November/early December.
- USDA Rural Development Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG)
VAPG Program is to enable viable agricultural producers to develop businesses that produce and market value-added agricultural products. Grants are made to agricultural producers (independent producers, farmer and rancher cooperatives, agricultural producer groups, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures). Grant funds must be used by the agricultural producer for either economic planning activities for the value-added venture or operational costs (working capital) limited to activities directly related to the processing and/or marketing of the value-added product.
Grants for Agricultural Professionals
- Northeast SARE Partnership Grant Program
The Partnership Grant is for agricultural professionals who work directly with farmers—specifically Cooperative Extension, NRCS personnel, non-governmental organizations, and others operating in the farm community—who are interested in developing on-farm demonstration, research, or marketing projects related to sustainable agriculture in the northeast region, and should offer both research and outreach components. Application deadlines are usually in late November/early December
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