Happy New Year!
As we reflect on 2024, it’s clear that the agriculture sector in Anne Arundel County has had another exciting and productive year. From farm tours to new promotions, we’ve seen a strong focus on supporting our local farmers and connecting with the community.
Before we dive into an incredible 2025, here are a few highlights from the year that I am personally very proud of:
Arundel Grown Farm-to-Table Event: We kicked off Maryland’s Buy Local Week in July with the A Taste of Arundel Grown dinner, where a local chef teamed up with our farmers and producers to showcase the best of what Anne Arundel County locally grown agriculture has to offer. This event not only celebrated local agriculture and highlighted the delicious food grown and raised right here in Anne Arundel, but also helped raise awareness about the importance of supporting our local food systems and was an incredible collaboration between small businesses and the Agriculture community across our county.
Agriculture Business Improvement Grant (ABIG): AAEDC has historically provided matching grants for agricultural businesses and in late 2023, we expanded our efforts and officially launched the Agricultural Business Improvement Grant (ABIG) program, providing grants of up to $10,000 to agricultural businesses in the County. In 2024, the ABIG program funded over $38,000 of projects to enhance farming businesses’ success in partnership with MARBIDCO. We are excited that the grant program is returning in 2025, bringing more money to the table to help support our farmers. 2024 projects included support to our livestock producers, equine sector, produce production, and product marketing support.
Business Appreciation Week: Our Business Appreciate Week was a huge success and this year we were proud to visit four farms! Ambassadors from different County sectors explored these farms, met the farmers, and learned firsthand about the hard work that goes into producing the food we eat, right here in Anne Arundel County. The visits highlighted several farming operations and gave thanks to them for choosing here to call home for their farms.
Anne Arundel County Agriculture Commission: The commission has worked hard to create a new policy and code to benefit the agricultural community. The Commission has now been codified to keep its valuable insight and productivity for positive change to Anne Arundel County agriculture for the future. The Agriculture Commission is seeking to fill positions for voting members. If you have interest in being considered, you can apply here.
Promotions & Partnerships: Throughout the year, we partnered with local businesses to promote Anne Arundel-grown products. From “Buy Local” campaigns to showcasing our farmers at farmers’ markets, it’s been all about boosting the visibility and viability of our agriculture community. You can find that information in our two online flipbooks, the 2024 Arundel Grown Agriculture Guide and the 2024 Anne Arundel County Farmers’ Markets Guide, and get your products and farm services added in if you aren’t already there. Additionally, Arundel Ag partnered on several agriculture education projects to help influence and drive agriculture education in our school systems and 4H/FFA’s. One project was the sponsorship of the PA system for the Anne Arundel County Fair’s livestock area to better communicate with the crowds on the hard work the youth put in and to help sell their livestock at the auction. The County fairgrounds is also the emergency management location in a natural disaster for livestock. Communication is key, and we’re proud to sponsor the need.
Looking ahead, 2025 promises to bring even more opportunities for growth and collaboration. A huge thanks to all our farmers, supporters, and partners for making 2024 such a memorable year!
Until next time,
Shelley Garrett
Agriculture Business Development Director
Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation
For all media inquiries, please contact:
Victoria Zelefsky
P 410-222-7410
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