Drought Relief Grants Available Now For Howard County Farmers Who Faced Hardships

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Applications are being accepted now for Drought Relief Grants to help Howard County farms negatively impacted by the extreme heat and drought that blanketed Maryland this past summer and for the county's Enhanced Agricultural Grant.

The Maryland State Climatologist reported that mean temperatures in Howard County reached 3.6° Fahrenheit above normal in June and 3.3° Fahrenheit above normal in July, making it the third hottest June and fifth hottest July in Howard County’s history. This extreme heat was coupled with Howard County experiencing roughly half its normal rainfall levels during the summer months, resulting in drought conditions.

With $1,000,000 in total county funding allocated for Drought Relief Grants, up to $30,000 in primary and secondary grants will be available to Howard County farms negatively impacted by extreme heat and drought this summer 2024.

“Our pastures were severely dried out and as a result, the weeds were out of control, leaving us having to mow or spray 50 percent more than the usual amount,” said Howie Feaga of Merry Acres Farm. “The same took place in the hay fields. We are currently 45 to 50 percent behind in production of our second cutting hay and are having trouble keeping up with the demands of our customers, who are supplementing their pastures because of the lack of rain. Monetarily we are probably looking at a loss of $10,000 to $15,000 so far this year.”

Offered on a rolling basis, primary grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded to applicants who incurred $5,000 or less in losses due to the extreme summer heat. Primary grant applications are being accepted now through Jan. 30. Secondary grants totaling up to $25,000 will be awarded to farming operations that experienced losses greater than $5,000. The secondary grant addendum application is due by Feb. 15.

"Challenges faced and losses incurred from these extreme weather conditions have tested the resilience of all Howard County farmers this summer, including commodity crop farms, produce growers and hay producers. Farmers have faced higher irrigation expenses and persistently low crop prices, compounded by rising input costs, such as seed, fuel and fertilizer," said James Zoller, Administrator, Office of Agriculture.

Drought Relief Grant applications can be found online on the Office of Agriculture’s website. For questions and/or more information about this grant program, email the Office of Agriculture at aggrants@howardcountymd.gov.

Enhanced Agriculture Grant applications will be evaluated by the Agricultural Preservation Board, which will prioritize applications that strengthen agriculture overall in Howard County. Applications are due by Feb. 28 and awardees will be announced by early March. The grant application and additional information about the program are available on the Office of Agriculture’s website.