Agricultural Innovation & Equipment Grant

The Agricultural Innovation and Equipment Grant, administered by the Washington County Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED), supports the growth and modernization of agricultural enterprises within Washington County, Maryland. Originally approved by the Board of County Commissioners on June 6, 2023, the program is funded through the Washington County Hotel Rental Tax Fund and is currently in its third and final year of implementation. It provides financial assistance to local farmers, agritourism businesses, and other agricultural producers to improve operations and implement new technologies. This non-repayable grant helps ensure long-term agricultural sustainability in the county. The purpose of this grant is to promote innovation and resilience within Washington County's farming community. Funds may be used for a range of eligible expenses, including purchasing major equipment, improving or constructing agricultural buildings, launching value-added production, enhancing conservation efforts, hosting community-oriented events, or expanding marketing strategies. However, costs such as loan interest, insurance, zoning or legal fees, and salaries are explicitly excluded. All expenditures must occur within twelve months of receiving the grant and must not precede January 1, 2025. Eligibility is restricted to agricultural businesses that have operated within Washington County for at least two years. Applicants must meet minimum income thresholds or provide a business plan justifying their future growth. Acceptable applicants include crop or livestock farmers, value-added producers, agritourism operators, seafood processors, and agricultural cooperatives. Businesses must be in good standing with the IRS, State of Maryland, and Washington County, and must not have outstanding zoning or permit violations. The 2025 grant cycle opened on October 13, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. EST and will close on October 31, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. EST. Applications are evaluated by a panel using a structured scoring sheet. Stronger applications demonstrate clearly defined project goals, detailed budgets, innovation, economic impact, and comprehensive business planning. Awards are distributed based on score and submission time—making early applications critical. Only one application is allowed per business. Applicants must submit a completed application, supporting documents including financial statements, photos, quotes, and a detailed project description, via email or in person. Completed applications are to be sent to AgInnovation@washco-md.net. For assistance, applicants can contact Kelsey Keadle or Linda Spence using the same email or by phone. The total available funding for this cycle is $100,000, with individual awards ranging from $1,000 to $25,000. Given the program’s annual cadence and its initiation in 2023, this 2025 round is presumed to be the final installment under the current three-year plan. However, interested applicants are encouraged to monitor communications from the Department of Business and Economic Development for future funding opportunities beyond this cycle.

Submit early to secure funding due to first-come, first-served model. Clearly define project goals and include detailed budgets and innovation value.