The Howard County Drought Relief Grants are designed to assist farmers negatively impacted by the extreme heat and drought conditions of 2024. Administered by the Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA) in collaboration with the Office of Agriculture, the program offers financial support through two grant categories: a Primary Grant of up to $5,000 and a Secondary Grant for additional losses, with a combined maximum grant amount of $30,000 per farm operation.

The Primary Grant is awarded on a rolling basis, with applications accepted until January 30, 2025. Farmers experiencing losses greater than $5,000 may also apply for the Secondary Grant by submitting a separate application by February 15, 2025. Applicants for the Primary Grant are encouraged to submit their applications promptly, even if they intend to apply for the Secondary Grant later. All grant awards are at the discretion of the HCEDA, which may request additional documentation to verify losses.

Eligibility requires applicants to have actively farmed in Howard County during 2024 and to have experienced a verifiable loss due to extreme weather conditions. Both commodity farmers and those engaged in other agricultural activities, such as fruit and vegetable farming, hay production, livestock, or equine operations, are eligible to apply. New farms without a Schedule F form must undergo verification via a site visit conducted by the HCEDA.

The application process includes a detailed explanation of losses incurred, supported by financial calculations and invoices related to the expenses. The program strongly recommends attaching all relevant documentation to substantiate claims. Applications must be emailed to AGGRANTS@howardcountymd.gov.

For questions or further information, applicants may contact the HCEDA at the same email address. This targeted financial assistance aims to mitigate the financial strain on farmers, ensuring the sustainability of agricultural operations in Howard County amid challenging climate conditions.