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Arundel Ag ABIG Program

Designed to help farm-based businesses and commercial watermen in Anne Arundel County expand their operations, the Agricultural Business Improvement Grant (ABIG) Program offers matching grants of up to $10,000 to fund approved projects. 

Eligibility, Requirements & Scoring:

  • Applicant must be a resident of Anne Arundel County and either: 1. own or operate a farm in Anne Arundel County that is agriculturally tax assessed by the State of Maryland; or 2. possess a Commercial TFL License and provide proof of the docking of the harvesting vessel in Anne Arundel County. Acceptable proof of docking may be a watermen home use certificate or marina receipt.
  • If 1, applicant must submit letter of reference from Soil Conservation, UMD Extension, Farm Bureau, or 4-H/FFA Leader and all project details, including contractor/product estimates (if applicable).
  • The grant requires a one-to-one match from the applicant 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. Matching funds may not include in-kind labor or state and federal grants or cost share. Proof of completion of the project is due within the year of the grant award.
  • Examples of eligible projects include fencing, livestock, plant stock, equipment, and infrastructure upgrades. Administrative expenses, events, and décor are not eligible for funding.
  • Each grant application will be scored on its ability to meet the following objectives: impact to increase revenue, increase or retain employees, expand operations, increase efficiency, and/or ability to provide agricultural education opportunities.

The application period for the second round of ABIG funding ran from November 1 – November 30, 2024. 

View our announcement of projects funded in the second round of ABIG here: Anne Arundel Economic Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation, MARBIDCO Award More Than $50,500 to Farm-Based Businesses

View our announcement of projects funded in the first round of ABIG here: Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation, MARBIDCO Award Total of $38,250 to Farm-Based Businesses