Frederick County Agriculture Innovation Grants Awarded For Spring 2024 Grant Cycle

They total more than $126,000.(Photo from Frederick County Government)Frederick, Md (KM) Eight agricultural businesses are receiving grants from Frederick County’s Agricultural Innovation Grant Program. The total amount going out for the Spring, 2024 grant cycle is $126.446.22 .One the recipients is the Kombucha Lady in Rocky Ridge. to purchase a mobile Kombucha Unit, and Kombucha equipment.. Kombucha is a fermented tea which has many health benefits such as improving digestion and boosting the immune system.Others receiving grants include Stone Pillar Farm in Frederick to expand a vegetable wash-and-pack processing facility, and Three Spartans Apiary in Walkersville to expand honey production and processing.Another grant recipient is Pleasant Hill Produce, LLC, in Walkersville, to buy  aeroponic growing towers for fruits and vegetables.Green Valley Harvesters of Union Bridge is also receiving a grant to establish a sterile houseplant culturing lab.There’s also Good Soil Farm in Emmitsburg which will use its grant money to expand its electrical system and hook into   a newly constructed barn for poultry processing and Community Supported Agricultural pickup area.Grant money has also been awarded to Flourish Flowers of Myersville to expand urban cut–flower production and offeringsFinally, Burall Farms of Mount Airy is getting a grant to construct and establish a farmstand to sell freezer beef by the cut directly  to consumers.The projects selected for this year’s cycle are expected to generate seven full time and 19 part time positions, the county says.The County says over the past three years, it has awarded more than $1.5 million in Ag Innovation Grant program funds  to encourage innovation and support retention, and expansion of the local agriculture and craft beverage industry.In this seventh cycle of the Agriculture Innovate Grant program, 25 applications were received, collectively requesting $650,000 in grant funding, The County says these grants start at $5,000, and are awarded twice a year to agricultural enterprises  to expand or diversify  their operations.”Farms are a major driver of Frederick County’s economy and farmers are an important part of our community,” says County Executive Jessica Fitzwater. “Our award-winning grants help to cultivate a prosperous future for our farms and farmers. The program also fulfills  out  community based Transition Teams’ recommendation to support a diversified agriculture economy.”By Kevin McManus