Agricultural Innovation Grants Awarded To Frederick County Businesses

The businesses were selected through a competitive process.Frederick, Md (KM) Frederick County recently  awarded seven Agricultural Innovation Grants totaling $125,000. .Projects awarded funding in the March, 2025 Cycle include:*Orlowski Farms, LLC for a niche sparkling wine production expansion…*Treasured Roots to establish a two-acre orchard to grow native Appalachian truffles*Inspiration Acres LLC to upgrade the HVAC system for an indoor gourmet mushroom growing facility.*Huffer Family Farm to construct a greenhouse to diversify plant offerings and expand the growing season..*Loew Vineyards to upgrade processing equipment to begin converting the operation to become the first certified Kosher winery in Maryland.*Way-Lu Far to purchase a drone to enhance the efficiency and efficacy of specialty grain crop management for the craft beverage industry*Black Rock Vineyards to purchase a livestock trailer to be able to offer cow-to-classroom mobile agritourism visits.The County says these projects are designed to create 16 jobs across the local agricultural sector.There were 32 grant applications totaling $1,250,000  received during the March, 2025 cycle. The county says the grants are competitive.Since the Agriculture Innovation Grants Program began in 2021, the County has awarded $1,750,000 to 77 projects that encourage innovation, economic growth and business retention and expansion in the agricultural sector.”The Agriculture Innovation Grants Program is a strong and successful partnership between County Government and our farmers,” says County Executive Jessica Fitzwater, in as statement. “Our targeted investment will help make farming more viable and sustainable, which is good for our economy and quality of life.”By Kevin McManus