Farmers looking to expand or diversify their operations can apply for funding through Frederick County’s award-winning Agriculture Innovation Grants Program. Applications for the Fall 2022 cycle of grants will be accepted now through October 28. County Executive Jan Gardner launched the Agriculture Innovation Grants Program in 2021 to support Frederick County’s agriculture industry.

"The best way to ensure our agriculture industry thrives is to invest in innovation," Executive Gardner said. "Our Agriculture Innovation Grants allow farmers to grow their operations and create new jobs, which helps the industry stay economically viable. Our goal is to leave a legacy of agriculture for generations to come."

To date, the grant program has awarded approximately $1,000,000 to 31 Frederick County agriculture operations, which in turn created 85 full-time positions and 89 part-time positions.

Agriculture Innovation Grants of $5,000 or more are available twice a year to crop and livestock producers, value-added producers, agricultural cooperatives, seafood processors, and primary and secondary timber products processors. Funds may be used for research and development, production buildings, major fixtures, or processing facilities. Grants are competitive. A review committee scores all applications based on established metrics and then recommends awards to the County Executive.

Information on the program, including how to apply, is available online from the Frederick County Office of Economic Development at www.DiscoverFrederickMd.com/ag_innovation_grant. If a printed application is required, contact Katie Stevens, Associate Director of Agriculture Business Development. She can be reached by phone at 240-285-2795 or by email at KStevens1@FrederickCountyMD.gov.

Applications Now Being Accepted For 2022 Creek ReLeaf Program

Frederick County's Creek ReLeaf Program is a reforestation program designed to increase forest acres in Frederick County and to meet goals for clean streams. The program is an integral part of County Executive Jan H. Gardner’s efforts to reverse the trend of tree loss in Frederick County. Trees are planted on both private and public land. The Creek ReLeaf Program plants eligible areas with native trees/shrubs and provides the first 5 years of maintenance to ensure successful planting efforts, at no cost to the landowner.

Forested lands provide stormwater control, reduce temperature impacts on county streams, and increase wildlife habitat. The area that is planted will have lasting protection by a permanent conservation easement, which will continue even if the property is sold. If accepted into the program landowners will receive payment for the permanent conservation easement, which is based on 75% of fair market value of the land to be planted, up to $9,000 per acre. The landowner still owns and uses the land under an easement as long as the use does not violate the terms of the easement. Selective harvesting is allowed as part of a forestry management plan under certain conditions, that may provide long-term revenue to the landowner from having a healthy forest.

The application period for the 2022 Creek ReLeaf Program will run through December 15. Plantings are tentatively scheduled for spring/fall 2025.

To learn more visit www.frederickcountymd.gov/reforest. For more information, contact Linda Williamson, project manager by phone: 240-608-7426 or by email: LWilliamson1@FrederickCountyMD.gov.

County Advances Initiatives to Increase Transportation Options

Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner announced four initiatives that will be funded through a portion of Frederick County’s $50.4 million American Rescue Plan Act allocation. The community-based initiatives connect people to the services they need by removing barriers such as transportation and language. Each is managed by nonprofit organizations.

"These programs will help to lift our families and support our community’s long-term health and well-being," Executive Gardner said. "We are laying a foundation for a strong and equitable recovery with meaningful and lasting change, so that together we can ensure a bright future for everyone who calls Frederick County home."

The Love for Lochlin Foundation will receive $313,000 to purchase a mobile unit to hold medical and educational clinics in underserved communities. The Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership will receive $395,000 to help youth obtain drivers licenses and to plan next steps toward regular use of a vehicle. United Way of Frederick County will use $250,000 to implement a ride-hailing program, Ride United Network. The Maryland Deaf Community Center will receive up to $500,000 toward establishing a community center in Frederick for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Previously approved projects have been reported publicly during the County Executive’s public information briefings and in presentations to the County Council. Additional applications for ARPA funds are being considered by a Frederick County Government review committee to ensure proposals meet strict federal guidelines. Additional information on Frederick County’s ARPA allocation can be found online at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/ARPA.

Frederick County Rural Legacy Program Receives $1.88 Million State Grant

On October 12th the Maryland Board of Public Works approved a $1.88 million grant to Frederick County’s Mid-Maryland Frederick-Carrollton Manor Rural Legacy Area as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 Rural Legacy Program.

Maryland’s Rural Legacy Program provides the focus and funding necessary to protect and preserve large, contiguous tracts of rich agricultural and forested land from sprawling development. The program partners with local governments and private land trust sponsors across the state, who work with willing property owners to acquire conservation easements. The Maryland legislature appropriated approximately $27 million for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ program. Rural Legacy purchases conservation easements or fee simple interests in real property from willing property owners, based on Rural Legacy Plans that have been reviewed by the Rural Legacy Board.

"I am very excited that Frederick County has received a Rural Legacy grant to help advance our goal of preserving our best farmland to ensure we leave a legacy of agriculture for future generations," Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner said.

To date, 7,157 acres have been permanently preserved in Frederick County through the Rural Legacy Program. In total, the Frederick County Agricultural Land Preservation Program has permanently preserved over 69,083 acres of land in the County.

Information about the Rural Legacy program, and about all of the agricultural preservation programs in the county, may be found by visiting the Ag Preservation webpage. For additional details, contact Program Administrator Anne Bradley at 301-600-1474 or via e-mail at abradley@frederickcountymd.gov.

Crisis Stabilization Center Details Unveiled

Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner announced plans to renovate a County-owned facility to house a new crisis stabilization center. When it opens in the Summer of 2023, the center will provide immediate care to people experiencing a behavioral health emergency, such as substance use disorder or mental health concern, and connect patients to ongoing community-based care. The Mental Health Association of Frederick County will operate the center under the direction of the Frederick County Health Department. The Mental Health Association plans to move its existing walk-in clinic to the center and offer services around the clock.

"We know a crisis stabilization center will save lives," Executive Gardner said. "By providing this much-needed service, residents will be able to receive the full continuum of care without leaving Frederick County."

Design work has begun on the center, which will be located at 340 Montevue Lane in Frederick. The building currently houses the Board of Elections. Elections operations will relocate to Riverside Corporate Park in early 2023.

Funding to start the center comes from two federal grants totaling over $1.5 million, a $1 million grant from the State of Maryland, and $850,000 from Frederick County’s American Rescue Plan allocation. Ongoing costs will be funded in part from payments opioid manufacturers will make as part of legal settlements. Frederick County’s share of the settlements is $11.2 million paid out over 18 years.

The Frederick County Crisis Stabilization Center will provide an alternative to hospital services and reduce the burden on first responders and the local emergency department. Behavioral health issues account for approximately 20% of emergency department visits to Frederick Health Hospital. People will be referred to the center by the Mental Health Association’s crisis hotlines (211 and 988), as well as by first responders, law enforcement, mobile crisis response teams, community providers, and families of those who are in crisis.