Funding Announced for Agricultural Microgrant Program
Queen Anne’s County Economic & Tourism Development is excited to announce it has awarded 12 local Micro Agricultural Entrepreneurs with grants ranging from $2,300 to $10,000. Funding for the grants was made possible through a partnership between Queen Anne's County government and Upper Shore Regional Council. This is the third round of funding to be awarded to ag entrepreneurs looking to expand, diversify, or improve their marketing efforts, implement capital improvement projects, or conduct agricultural research initiatives.
- SunKissed Flower Farm: Funding will support supplies for climate protection of the flower farm and equipment for increasing operating efficiency.
- QAC Brewers Coalition: The funding will support marketing and expenses of a Bus Tour Weekend that will bring participants to each of the 5 QAC Breweries (Patriot Acres, Bull & Goat, Ten Eyck, Big Truck Farm Brewery, and Cult Classic) and provide education about the connection between agriculture and brewing and allow them to see the unique aspects of each location.
- Quillen Farms LLC: Funding will support the supplies needed to build a shelter for Waygu beef cattle operation.
- Rosy Side Farm: Funding to allow for the construction of two greenhouses.
- Calico Fields Environmental Education: A small greenhouse will be purchased to be used as an educational butterfly house for the Educational Center, along with the purchase of plants to be used to support the butterfly life cycle.
- Oksana’s Produce: Funds will be used to purchase vegetable processing equipment that will allow the business to create a higher volume of their value-added products and expand their business.
- Where Pigs Fly Farm: The operation recently expanded its poultry operation; funds will be used to cover equipment upgrades needed for the expansion.
- Unity Church Hill Nursery: Funding will support webstore design of the organization’s online sales platform.
- Mike Garner Hay & Livestock Equipment: A portable cattle chute will be purchased and can be rented to homesteaders, beginner and small farmers at a reasonable cost that would increase efficiency for renters.
- Native Enterprises – Tomahawk Farms: Funding will support the purchase of a precision guidance GPS system and book sprayer for the land services they provide to local farmers.
- Mindful Acres: Funds will support the purchase of a hoop house kit for a small farm operation aimed at producing pesticide free vegetables to locals and restaurants.
- Tidewater Organics: Supplies and equipment related to grain and cold storage will be purchased as the organization creates a retail sector of their specialty grain business through the development of a retail brand.
To learn more about the Upper Shore Regional Council visit https://usrcmd.org/
To learn more about our Economic and Tourism Development Department visit https://choosequeenannes.com/