In partnership with various public and private agriculture organizations, the county agriculture program provides assistance in promoting products and agri-tourism, establishing new agri-businesses and expanding markets for agri-businesses within the county.
Services available from the Calvert County Department of Economic Development include:
Assisting with the development of business plans to start or expand agricultural businesses
Promoting and educating county residents about the benefits associated with local agriculture
Promoting the retention and expansion of agri-businesses in the county
Acting as a liaison and information source for county agriculture
The University of Maryland Extension (UME) is a partnership between the US Dept. of Agriculture, land-grant universities and local governments. UME provides research-based information, educational programs and services on a variety of subjects, including agriculture. See the listing below for a sampling of UME's business assistance programs and publications.
Beginning Farmer Success Project: With a combination of hands-on experience, webinars and classroom and online resources, this program provides new farmers with the resources necessary to begin a new agriculture enterprise. Be sure to check-out their Pencil to Plow program, as well as the ‘Roadmap to Farming’ and beginning farmer matrix which will help you on your path to farming adventures.
Maryland Rural Enterprise Development Center (MREDC): This online resource provides a wealth of information for new and expanding agricultural operations including information on business plans, finances, regulations and pre-recorded podcasts and webinars on various topics.
Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC)
SMADC, focusing on the five Southern Maryland counties, is committed to connecting food, farms and health communities through a variety of funding, marketing and promotional programs. SMADC is working to create a sustainable future for Southern Maryland agriculture.
Southern Maryland Meats: A branding program offered through SMADC, the Southern Maryland Meats program is available to local meat producers who agree to raise, slaughter and package their products according to Southern Maryland Meats standards.
Maryland Farmlink: Maryland Farmlink is a resource for everything agriculture. Farmers can take advantage of this online community for advice, mentor matching services, online tutorials and a comprehensive list of training and workshops available throughout Maryland.
SMADC encourages Southern Maryland producers to participate in networking and educational opportunities by providing sponsorships for events that benefit the region's farming community and scholarships to individuals to help defray the cost of attending agriculturally-related workshops and training programs.
Maryland Agricultural & Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO)