Urban farms in Maryland receive financial support

3 hours ago

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Source: Maryland Department of Agriculture

(Annapolis, MD) -- The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) recently announced that approximately $100,000 will be awarded to 11 urban farms and community gardens through the inaugural Urban Agriculture Grant Program. The funding will help urban producers grow their operations, strengthen neighborhood connections and expand access to healthy, fresh food, particularly in communities with limited access to grocery stores and local produce.

“Urban farms grow more than fresh food—they grow community,” said Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks. “This funding will help urban producers bring more fresh, local options to their neighbors while strengthening community connections and creating opportunities to learn about agriculture.”

Aerial view of a rowhouse neighborhood with back gardens, trees, a greenhouse and community garden plots under sunny skies. — *The Urban Agriculture Grant Program supports both urban farms and community gardens, whether they are startups or existing operations looking to expand.* ***Image credit: MDA***

The Maryland General Assembly has allocated funding for the Urban Agriculture Grant Program annually through Fiscal Year 2029. The program helps new and existing urban producers enhance their communities’ access to fresh, healthy produce grown using environmentally sustainable farming practices.

Awards will support capital improvements, including cold storage, post-harvest washing and packing stations, crop protection and food safety training. These investments enable growers to reduce food loss, maintain the quality of harvested produce and strengthen their ability to serve their communities. Funding for educational materials will also help connect residents with opportunities to learn about growing food and caring for natural resources.

The following organizations will receive funding under this inaugural program:

Anne Arundel County

Annapurna Farm: Owner Sridhar Nimmagadda will use $10,000 to fund a post-harvest wash and pack station, as well as cold storage equipment.

Baltimore City

Farm Alliance of Baltimore: Will use $10,000 to fund critical cold storage infrastructure and support essential operating expenses.
Mary Bee Honey Company: Plans to use $5,972 to expand hives and bee colonies, invest in cold storage infrastructure and upgrade honey extraction equipment.
The 6th Branch: The award of $8,031 will go toward the purchase of vertical propagation equipment.
Whitelock Community Farm: Will use $10,000 to upgrade their existing post-harvest wash and pack station, and to provide food safety training for staff and volunteers.

Prince George’s County

Agape Farm: The award of $10,000 will fund a cold storage system.
Asawana Farms: Plans to use $10,000 to fund crop protection; seasonal extension and soil health practices; tools for vertical propagation, harvesting and transport; and the development of educational materials.
Eco City Farms: Will use $10,000 to fund storage supplies, complete capital repairs from storm damage incurred earlier in the year, upgrade post-harvest wash area and develop educational materials.
Kathy’s Delicious Cakes: Plans to use $10,000 for supplies and to install fencing to protect crops.
Love Bug Farm: The award of $10,000 will go toward the purchase of a mobile cold storage unit.

Montgomery County

Practical Botanicals: Owner Kendra Ragland will use $5,997 to install fencing to protect crops.

The next round of grant funding is anticipated to open in June 2027. For more information, please visit MDA’s Urban Agriculture Grant Program website.