Frederick County Agricultural Viability Fund Awards Grants

June 22, 2009: Three organizations will now be able to enrich Frederick County’s agricultural heritage through area farmers’ markets thanks to grants from the Community Foundation’s Frederick County Agricultural Viability Fund. Founded by the Agricultural Business Council and the Office of Economic Development, the Fund awards grants for Frederick County farmers or farmers’ markets seeking funding assistance for marketing and promotion of the farm, its activities and products, and farmers’ markets.

Grants for promotional purposes totaling nearly $5,000 were awarded to The Great Frederick Farmers Market, the new Urbana Farmers Market opening for the first time in July, and Brunswick Main Street to promote the Brunswick Farmers’ Market.

The Great Frederick Farmers’ Market received $1,350 for promotional door hangers. “The Great Frederick Fair is pleased to be a recipient of a grant from the Community Foundation’s Frederick County Agriculture Viability Fund,” said The Great Frederick Fair’s Robert Fogle, Jr. about Frederick County’s oldest and only year-round market. “Farmers markets are a great opportunity for consumers to buy local and to support local farmers.”

The Urbana Farmers Market received $1,205 for its website, advertising in local newspapers, and promotional flyers for its grand opening on July 5. Kevin Dolan, Market Manager, said that the Urbana Farmers Markets is part of a growing movement to provide fresh, locally-grown produce directly from farmer to consumer. “The Urbana Farmers Market will be open every Sunday from 1-4 p.m., July through September, and will also feature local crafters and artisans,” Dolan said. “The grant from the Community Foundation will help us get the word out.” 

Brunswick Main Street received $2,435.68 for direct mail and newspaper advertising to promote the Brunswick Area Farmers’ Market, which provides access to locally produced food for residents of all income levels and promotes the revitalization of downtown Brunswick. The Brunswick Area Farmers’ Market operates from May to October each year, said Patrick Kay, Executive Director of Brunswick Main Street. “The idea of the Farmer’s Market is something Main Street has been preaching for years – shop green, shop safe, and shop local,” Kay said. “The Community Foundation grant gives us the opportunity to give back to the residents and visitors of Brunswick.”

Colby Ferguson, Business Development Specialist, Agriculture, Office of Economic Development, said that the Agriculture Business Council felt a county fund and grant program were needed upon learning there were very few options for funding assistance for farmers and farmers’ markets looking to improve their marketing and promotion programs. “After seeing how the grant funds are being used, we hope the citizens of Frederick County will join in and support The Frederick County Agriculture Viability Fund.”

The Community Foundation of Frederick County is a leader in grant and scholarship funding throughout Frederick County. In FY08 alone, the Community Foundation awarded more than $2.7 million thanks to generous donors who seek the guidance and expertise of the Community Foundation to create positive and lasting change in their community.

Those who wish to support The Frederick County Agricultural Viability Fund may make a secure online donation. To do so, click here.  Checks made payable to The Community Foundation of Frederick County, with the Fund’s name in the check’s memo line, may be mailed to 312 East Church Street, Frederick, Maryland 21701. All contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.