Agriculture
Arundel Ag connects Anne Arundel County’s agricultural businesses with the tools, resources, and partnerships they need to succeed. Whether you’re expanding operations, navigating regulations, accessing funding, or reaching new customers, our team is here to support every stage of growth.
450+
farms in Anne Arundel County
36K+
acres of agricultural land in the county
$25M+
market value of ag products sold
$19.9M+
came from crop sales
$5.5M+
came from livestock and animal products
Overview & Benefits
How Arundel Ag Supports Agricultural Businesses
Arundel Ag, powered by AAEDC, supports Anne Arundel County’s agricultural industry from family farms and value-added producers to agritourism entrepreneurs. We provide strategic guidance, operational resources, marketing support, and access to financing to help farm-based businesses grow, diversify, and remain competitive.
Through hands-on assistance, signature events, and buy-local campaigns, Arundel Ag strengthens the connection between producers and the community, ensuring agriculture remains a vibrant and sustainable part of our local economy.
- Business Guidance & Advocacy – Support with permits, zoning, inspections, and regulations
- Operational Resources – Grants, equipment rentals, farmers market programs, and cost-saving initiatives
- Financing Access – Low-interest loans through the VOLT Fund for growth and investment
- Marketing & Buy Local Promotion – Arundel Grown campaign, guides, events, and market outreach
- Education & Community Engagement – Youth programs, agritourism support, and signature events
Ag Guides
Agriculture Guide
The Arundel Grown Agriculture Guide is an annually updated directory connecting residents and businesses with locally grown, raised, and produced goods across Anne Arundel County.
Featuring farm-based businesses, value-added producers, and on-farm experiences, the guide makes it easy to discover and support local agriculture year-round. There is no cost to be listed, and all agricultural businesses are encouraged to participate.
Farmers Markets Guide
Farmers Markets Guide
The Anne Arundel County Farmers Markets Guide helps residents find when and where to shop local throughout the year, highlighting farmers markets across Anne Arundel County and the wide variety of fresh, locally produced goods available.
From seasonal produce to specialty products, the guide supports both consumers and local producers while strengthening the county’s buy-local economy.
Ag Education
Arundel Ag is committed to investing in the next generation of farmers, producers, and agricultural leaders across Anne Arundel County. Through hands-on support, community partnerships, and engaging educational initiatives, we help young people understand the value of agriculture while creating pathways for future careers in the industry. From youth programs to interactive outreach, Arundel Ag works to ensure local agriculture remains strong for generations to come.
Education & Youth Initiatives Include:
- Supporting local FFA and 4H programs through events, fundraising, and livestock space at Rockhold Creek Barn
- Providing hands-on agricultural learning experiences for students across Anne Arundel County
- Engaging schools and community groups to build awareness of farming and local food systems
- Bringing agriculture to life through Aggy the Farm Owl at events, classrooms, and community programs
Invite Aggy to your school or event to inspire young learners and celebrate local agriculture.
Ag FAQs
What kinds of support does Arundel Ag provide to local farm businesses?
Arundel Ag provides one-on-one business guidance, operational support programs, grant and financing access, and marketing assistance to help agricultural businesses start, grow, and diversify. The Agriculture Business Development Director serves as your primary point of contact and connects you to AAEDC’s broader team when additional expertise is needed.
Are funding and grants available for agricultural businesses?
Yes! Arundel Ag offers access to the Agricultural Business Improvement Grant (ABIG), which provides matching funds to help farm-based businesses expand. Producers may also qualify for low-interest financing through AAEDC’s VOLT Fund to support equipment purchases, working capital, real estate, and other growth-related investments.
How can I get help navigating regulations for my agricultural business?
Arundel Ag provides hands-on guidance through local and state regulations, including zoning, permits, inspections, and compliance requirements. We work closely with county and state partners to help simplify the process and keep your project moving forward.
What types of businesses does Arundel Ag work with?
We support farm-based businesses, value-added food producers, agritourism operators, farmers market vendors, and agricultural entrepreneurs at every stage—from startup ventures to established operations seeking expansion.
How does Arundel Ag promote locally grown products?
Through marketing campaigns, annual Arundel Grown and Farmers Market Guides, signature events like A Taste of Arundel Grown, and direct community engagement efforts that encourage residents and businesses to buy local year-round.
This annual grant helps farm-based businesses and commercial watermen in Anne Arundel County expand operations and strengthen efficiency through targeted, matching grant funding. Designed to support growth-focused projects, ABIG invests directly in the tools and infrastructure that drive long-term success.
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.
A Taste of Arundel Grown
A Taste of Arundel Grown is Arundel Ag’s annual signature event celebrating the best of Anne Arundel County agriculture. This one-of-a-kind evening showcases locally grown, raised, and produced food, beer, and wine while raising awareness and funds to support local farmers, watermen, and agricultural programs. The event brings together producers, chefs, community leaders, and residents to highlight the importance of buying local and sustaining our agricultural economy.
August 5, 2026
Homestead Gardens | Davidsonville, MD
We’re excited to return to Homestead Gardens in Davidsonville for this year’s event. More details, including sponsorship opportunities, ticket information, and participating producers, are coming soon; stay tuned!
Resources for Agriculture Businesses
Arundel Ag connects agricultural businesses to trusted partners and resources that support growth, sustainability, and long-term success; from financing and marketing to conservation and compliance support.
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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
“We’re truly grateful to live in a county that does so much to support and promote local agriculture and farm businesses. From the ABIG grant helping us buy a van that allowed us to expand our delivery operations and market participation, to IVP giving me the knowledge and tools and confidence to keep growing our business, AAEDC has been an invaluable partner.
So, when we decided it was time for a loan, working with a group that so clearly supports businesses like ours felt comfortable and right.”
Vicki Haberkom
Morris Hill Farm
Support for Every Stage of Your Agricultural Journey
From funding and grants to marketing and regulatory guidance, connect with our team that understands Anne Arundel County agriculture and is committed to your long-term success.