ABIG
Matching Grants to Help Local Agricultural Businesses and Commercial Watermen Grow and Succeed
Launched by AAEDC in December 2023, the Agricultural Business Improvement Grant (ABIG) Program is designed to help farm-based businesses and commercial watermen in Anne Arundel County succeed and grow by offering matching grants of up to $10,000 to fund approved projects.
ABIG is funded through a partnership with the Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) and the majority of profits (excluding a donation made to support agricultural education) from our annual A Taste of Arundel Grown fundraising event.
Ideal For: Farm-based businesses and commercial watermen in Anne Arundel County.
Grant Amount: Matching grants up to $10,000 (one-to-one match required)
Use of Funds: Eligible projects include fencing, livestock, plant stock, equipment, and agricultural infrastructure improvements that increase efficiency, revenue, or operational capacity.
$142K+
awarded in first three rounds
25
projects funded
$250 – $10K
project range
Program Eligibility
Residents of Anne Arundel County who meet one of the following criteria are eligible to apply during the annual application period:
- Own or operate a farm in Anne Arundel County that is agriculturally tax assessed by the State of Maryland
- Possess a Commercial TFL License and dock the harvesting vessel in Anne Arundel County
Please Note: Individuals who meet one of these criteria and have submitted an ABIG application in the past or have received an ABIG grant in the past are eligible to apply in future rounds of the program.
Application Requirements
All applicants must submit an online application that includes:
- Project Details
- Completed W-9 Form
- Budget template of estimated costs
- In good standing with the State of Maryland
In addition:
- All farmer applicants must submit a letter of reference from either the Anne Arundel County Soil Conservation District, University of Maryland Extension, Anne Arundel County Farm Bureau, or 4-H/FFA Leader
- All waterman applicants must submit a copy of their Commercial TFL License and a copy of either a watermen home use certificate or a marina receipt
Application Evaluation
Each grant application will be numerically scored based on its ability to meet the following objectives:
- Increase revenue
- Increase or retain employees
- Expand operations
- Increase efficiency
- Provide agricultural education opportunities
Award Conditions
All grant recipients must agree to:
- Contribute a one-to-one match for the same amount requested
- For example, for a grant request of $5,000 the applicant must contribute $5,000 of his or her own funding to the project
- Please note that matching funds may not include in-kind labor or state and federal grants or cost share
- Submit invoices for all project expenses (both hard costs and labor)
- Complete the project within the year of the grant award
- Complete a project report including narrative and photos
Project Examples
Examples of eligible projects include fencing, livestock, plant stock, equipment, and infrastructure upgrades. Please note that administrative expenses, events, and décor are not eligible for funding.
Click below to read about the projects that were funded in previous years:
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Success Stories
“With our ABIG grant, Hollywood Farm built a pole barn on a concrete pad housing our sawmill and other woodworking equipment, so as to consolidate the heavy work areas, expand our woodworking operation, and increase our efficiency and cost-effectiveness. It also creates added storage for hay, which is more efficient when feeding livestock that are in fields closer to this new barn, and safer operation of the tractor when we need to stack and remove bales.
The project has allowed us to create safer spaces in our older barn for other important activities such as school group visits and special events, which in turn will allow us to substantially increase our agritourism revenue.”
Gwen Manseau
Hollywood Farm
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Success Stories
“By helping us buy our van, the ABIG grant allowed us to streamline and expand our delivery operations and market participation. It’s hard to believe, but just a year later we’re already looking at buying a second vehicle to support our growth!”
Vicki Haberkom
Morris Hill Farm
How to Apply
The application period for ABIG funding typically opens in late fall, with award announcements made early the following year.
To ensure that you know when the application period opens: