Financing for agricultural objectives is likely to come from multiple sources, such as collateral, loans and grants. Depending on the objective, one funding source or multiple sources may meet your needs.
The Department of Economic Development is a resource to explore grants and financing or assist with gathering information that will help you start or diversify your agriculture enterprise. The lists of financing partners may not include all possibilities and funding opportunities may only be open for a short time. Please contact us at 410-535-4583 or email us. To find other grant opportunities visit www.calvertcountymd.gov/3535/Business-Grant-Opportunities.
MARBIDCO (Maryland Agricultural & Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation) offers a variety of grants as well as matching funds for other agencies’ grants for natural resource-based businesses such as forestry, aquaculture and livestock.
Maryland Department of Agriculture offers a variety of grants to support natural resources conservation by limiting erosion and nutrient runoff. For more details, contact Calvert Soil Conservation District.
Maryland Department of Agriculture has a Small Farm and Urban Agriculture Program with two grants to support water and power connections, and small acreage cover crops.
Maryland Department of Agriculture grant that supports groups of similar producers or industry segments including fruits, vegetables, culinary herbs, spices, honey, hops, grapes, Christmas trees and nursery crops.
Maryland Department of Commerce grant that supports the establishment of a new winery or vineyard, or capital improvements at an existing winery or vineyard.
Rural Maryland Council offers grants to support rural-serving nonprofit organizations and small or agricultural businesses that provide enhanced training and technical assistance.
Maryland Horse Industry Board awards grants for research, educational, and promotional projects that support horses or the equestrian community, or develop new opportunities for the Maryland horse industry.
USDA–FSA (United States Department of Agriculture – Farm Service Agency) financial assistance grant for food safety certification for specialty crops, for expenses related to obtaining or renewing food safety certification. Eligible expenses include developing, maintaining, or updating a food safety plan, food safety certification, certification upload fees, microbiological testing, and training expenses.
USDA – AMS (United States Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Marketing Service) grant to support the development of new and expanded organic markets to help increase the consumption of domestic organic agricultural commodities.
USDA – NIFA (United States Department of Agriculture - National Institute of Food and Agriculture) grant to support small business’ scientific research for new opportunities in agriculture which benefit the public.
USDA – NRCS (United States Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service) offers a variety of grants to support natural resources conservation over a variety of land uses.
USDA – RD (United States Department of Agriculture - Rural Development) program providing grants and loans for energy efficiency improvements or renewable energy systems.
USDA – RD (United States Department of Agriculture - Rural Development) grant to plan for activities or provide working capital expenses related to producing and marketing a value-added agricultural product.
American Farmland Trust sponsors Real Farmer Care, a program offering a survey and an application for $100 awards to encourage farmers to prioritize self-care.
Braiding Seeds Fellowship, a project of Soul Fire Farm Institute, has a stipend included with the fellowship's professional development. The fellowship is for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color farmers with one to three years of experience.
Catalyzing Agroforestry is an initiative of multiple non-profits to increase diversity by scaling up agroforestry practices through funds and technical assistance.
Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT) offers grants including a Fund-a-Farmer Welfare Improvement Grant and a Fund-a-Farmer Systems Change and Innovation Grant.
FACT awards scholarships of up to $400 for livestock and poultry farmers to attend educational events to learn best practices in animal management, business and farm finance, and value-added production. Scholarships cover registration costs only.
MAEF offers a Let’s Gro Together grant for projects that give students hands-on experience with growing, harvesting and preparing fresh foods while learning plant science.
The Maryland Grain Producers’ CDL Grant helps farmer members offset the cost of earning a CDL under new federal training requirements, awarding two $2,000 reimbursements each year and recognizing grantees at the Maryland Commodity Classic. The 2026 application is open through Jan. 9, with notifications by March 1.
Natoora Farm Fund offers one-off financial grants to growers aged 35 and under, for farmers cultivating less than 100 acres, to take actions that reinforce a resilient, productive, and nutritious food system.
Celebrates beginning farmers throughout the United States with 10 years or less of farming experience who are utilizing or aspiring to regenerative organic farming practices that strengthen community well-being and environmental health.
RAFI offers $3,000–$5,000 stipends to historically underserved beginning farmers (farming up to three years) to help grow their farm operations, with eligibility determined via a required quiz. More information can be found here.
RAFI offers $5,000–$10,000 stipends to historically underserved farmers (farming for three years or more and at their current location for at least two years) to help upgrade farm infrastructure, with eligibility determined via a required quiz. More information can be found here.
SMADC offers a food testing reimbursement program for partial coverage of lab testing services needed for cottage foods or value-added food products; up to $250, first come, first served.
The Livestock Conservancy offers microgrants for breeds on the Conservation Priority List, including support for youth, farm operations and emergency response.
Serving Southern Maryland as part of the nationwide Farm Credit System, a financial cooperative owned by its member-borrowers providing loans for land, structures, related construction, equipment, and production capital for both full-time and part-time farmers.
MARBIDCO (Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industries Development Corporation) is a quasi-governmental organization which assists qualifying businesses in securing affordable capital and credit for equipment, commercial facilities, and real estate purchases, often partnering with commercial lenders and state and other governmental organizations.
MDA - LILAC (Maryland Department of Agriculture - Low Interest Loans for Agricultural Conservation) loans are available to install best management practices (BMPs) on farms, purchase conservation equipment, and adopt new technologies to protect natural resources. Guaranteed by the Maryland Water Quality Revolving Loan Fund, LILAC loans are typically offered below market rates and are available at lending institutions statewide.
Maryland Energy Administration - Lawton Conservation Loan is offered for cost-effective energy efficiency and conservation improvements for existing or to-be-constructed facilities.
USDA - NIFA (United States Department of Agriculture - National Institute of Food and Agriculture) Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program helps qualified veterinarians offset a significant portion of the debt incurred from receiving their veterinary medicine degrees in return for their service in certain high-priority veterinary shortage situations.
A conduit for project-based lending, providing flexible loans for regenerative agriculture to human-scale farms, ranches, fisheries, and food producers.
USDA - FSA
USDA - FSA (United States Department of Agriculture - Farm Service Agency) offers a wide variety of loans for conservation, disaster recovery and income support