Cecil County
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FY 2024 Upper Shore Agriculture Grant Program
Overview
The Cecil County Office of Economic Development provides grant funding to local agricultural businesses looking to expand, diversify, or improve their marketing efforts, implement capital improvement projects, or conduct agricultural research initiatives. The purpose of the program is to help support and sustain the development, expansion, and coordination of agricultural enterprises and initiatives within Cecil County. This grant is funded in part by the Upper Shore Regional Council.
A total of $84,000 is available to fund applications under this program in Fiscal Year 2024. Grant requests ranging from $1,000 to a maximum of $10,000 will be considered on a competitive basis.
Priority will be given to projects that:
- Benefit the entire ag community;
- Include two or more businesses working in cooperation;
- Involve new or emerging markets;
- Enhance climate resiliency;
- Support BIPOC, Women, or Veteran Farmers; or
- Promote the Cecil Grown Buy Local campaign.
*New this year, agricultural enterprises that have not received a Micro Ag Grant in any of the 3 prior rounds will receive priority; however, we still encourage past grant recipients to submit an application for new projects/initiatives.
Eligible Applicants
Applicants must operate an agricultural business in Cecil County, MD and be actively engaged in the farming community in one or more of the following categories:
- Crop and/or livestock production (including Equine),
- Agricultural product processing,
- Agricultural education or support,
- Agricultural Cooperatives, or
- Timber production or processing.
In addition, all applicants must be in good standing with the State of Maryland and Cecil County and registered with the state, if required to do so by law.
Eligible Projects
Grant funding can be used for the following purposes:
- Strategic marketing campaigns,
- Technology innovation or implementation,
- Climate resiliency projects,
- Capital improvements for business start-up, expansion, or value-added production,
- Educational or research projects, or
- Animal welfare improvements.
Required Documentation
- Fully completed & signed application;
- Completed & signed W9 (fillable PDF can be found at www.cecilcountyag.org and linked below);
- Completed & signed Electronic Funds Transfer Authorization Form (last page of the grant application) if you wish to receive electronic payment/direct deposit, otherwise a check will be mailed; and
- Copy of a voided check (if submitting Electronic Funds Transfer Authorization Form noted immediately above).
Application Submittal Date & Deadline
Applications will be accepted starting January 15, 2024. The DEADLINE to apply is 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 15, 2024. Award recipients will be announced in early March. Grants shall be reimbursement only, with paid invoices and receipts required as proof of at the time of the reimbursement request. Reimbursement requests must be submitted no later than May 25, 2024.
Application Review Process
Applicants will be sent a confirmation email that their application has been received. Applications will be reviewed by a grant review committee. Applicants will be contacted via email regarding whether their application has been approved for full funding, partial funding, or declined.
Reimbursement Request
Grantees must complete a reimbursement request and include proof of qualifying expenditures by May 25, 2024. Expenses on the project that occurred dating back to October 2023, can be reimbursed retroactively. Reimbursement request forms can be found online at www.cecilcountyag.org and linked below.
Grant Reporting
Grantees must complete a final grant report due to the Cecil County Office of Economic Development by June 15, 2024. Final reporting documentation is available online at www.cecilcountyag.org and linked below.
Have a Question?
Email questions to Ag Industry Coordinator Ariel Balog at abalog@cecilcountymd.gov or call her at 410-996-8469.
Program Overview and Application