Supporting Agribusiness in Charles County

Charles County boasts a rich agricultural heritage, representing diversified agricultural opportunities for new and existing farmers, workers, and ag-related businesses.

To strengthen and advance the agricultural industry, the Charles County Economic Development Department provides a range of resources designed to help agricultural businesses thrive in Charles County.

Resources for New Farmers

Southern Maryland offers new farmers valuable financial, consultation, and education support. Key initiatives that can help first-time and growing farmers include:

Charles County’s Department of Planning and Growth Management’s Planning Division helps farmers understand zoning and permissible uses for acquired or expanded property.
From cost-share programs to soil nutrient management and beyond, the Charles Soil Conservation District (CSCD) offers agricultural businesses helpful soil-related resources and technical assistance.
The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) aims to streamline regulations, reduce obstacles, and help Southern Maryland-area farms grow through support, grants, and marketing and promotion offerings.
- A program of SMADC, Maryland FarmLINK connects farmers with a community of experts, farm property and equipment sales, and educational resources.
The University of Maryland Extension (UME) provides research-based, practical education, marketing support, and programming to enhance agriculture, business, and the lives of farmers and farm families. The Charles County Extension Office is conveniently located in Bel Alton, Maryland.
- Within UME, the Maryland Beginning Farm Success Project connects new farmers with resources and contacts to explore, develop, and implement profitable business plans and products.
Becoming a member of the Maryland Farm Bureau allows new farmers to join a community that can connect them with fellow farmers and potential consumers and foster the growth and education of Maryland's diverse agricultural sector.
The Maryland Department of Agriculture empowers Maryland's agribusinesses with a diverse range of programs, services, and resources. These initiatives are designed to ensure consumer protection, safeguard the environment, and enhance the economic prosperity of farmers, food and fiber processors, and related agricultural businesses across the state.

Funding Opportunities

Starting or expanding an agricultural business can include significant expenses. Numerous local, state, and federal programs exist to help mitigate financial investments.

Funding Sources Include:

Offering a wide variety of loans, grants, acquisition programs, and more to bolster agribusinesses, the Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) is a go-to resource for rural business development financing assistance.
Colonial Farm Credit serves those living and working in rural areas in Eastern Virginia and Southern Maryland through loans for land purchase, home construction or improvements, machinery, livestock or equipment, and other ag-related business needs.
Southern Maryland Agriculture Development Commission’s Mini-Grant Program assists new farmers with small start-up projects and helps established farmers looking to diversify or expand a current agriculture project.
Located in the La Plata Service Center, The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) helps farmers and ranchers get the financing they need to start, expand, or maintain a family farm. Also located in the service center, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) oversees and operates programs for farm commodities, credit, conservation, disaster relief, and loans.

Explore Value-Added Agriculture

Value-added processing, which enhances the value of raw agricultural products, has become a substantial aspect of Charles County’s agriculture industry, offering higher returns and diversified operations for farmers. The resources below can help advise and support farmers as they consider and implement value-added farming into their enterprises.

The Maryland Department of Health’s Center for Food Processing (CFP) helps license and inspect facilities that make, process, store, or distribute food to sell wholesale in the State—making it an important business consultation resource for those assessing value-added agriculture.
Specializing in value-added agriculture, agritourism, and craft alcohol manufacturing, Cultivate and Craft offers comprehensive consulting services to foster growth for Maryland’s farms and small enterprises.
A UME Community Resource and Economic Development Online Initiative, The Maryland Rural Enterprise Development Center (MREDC) provides resources for farm business planning, production, and management techniques.
The Charles County Health Department's Environmental Health Division collaborates with farmers to navigate health department regulations and ensure compliance.