Last Week to Apply for Washington County’s Agricultural Innovation and Equipment Grant – Washington County, MD

Report on the Washington County Agricultural Innovation and Equipment Grant

Introduction and Final Call for Applications

The Washington County Department of Business and Economic Development has issued a final call for applications for its Agricultural Innovation and Equipment Grant program. This initiative is designed to strengthen the local agricultural sector by fostering innovation, enhancing productivity, and promoting sustainable economic growth, directly aligning with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The application period concludes on Friday, October 31, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. EST.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The grant program is a strategic initiative to advance key sustainability targets within Washington County. By providing financial resources for innovation and infrastructure, the grant directly contributes to the following SDGs:

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: The grant aims to end hunger and achieve food security by empowering local farms to increase productivity and adopt innovative practices. Funding for equipment upgrades and value-added ventures supports more resilient and efficient food production systems.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: By investing in agricultural businesses, the grant promotes sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth. It supports the creation of decent work opportunities within the local agricultural economy and encourages the expansion of farm-based enterprises.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: A core objective of the grant is to foster innovation and upgrade agricultural infrastructure. Funding for research, modern equipment, and structural improvements builds resilient agricultural systems and promotes technological advancement in the sector.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The grant encourages sustainable production patterns by supporting projects related to conservation and research. These initiatives help farms minimize their environmental impact and adopt more sustainable operational practices.

Grant Program Details

Funding and Timeline

The grant cycle provides a total of $100,000 in funding to support local agricultural projects.

• Application Period Opens: Monday, October 13, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. EST
• Application Period Closes: Friday, October 31, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. EST
• Available Funding per Applicant: $1,000 – $25,000

Eligibility and Scope of Projects

The grant is available exclusively to farms and farm owners in Washington County, MD. Projects eligible for funding are those that contribute to innovation, sustainability, and economic growth. Eligible project categories include:

• Business planning and marketing expansion
• Development of value-added agricultural ventures
• Implementation of conservation and research improvements
• Upgrades to agricultural buildings or structures
• Purchase of modern equipment or major fixtures

Submissions will be evaluated based on a predefined project scoring sheet to ensure a transparent and objective selection process.

Application and Submission Process

Application Procedure

1. Access the fillable PDF application form on the Washington County grant website: washco-md.net/business-development/agricultural-innovation-grant/
2. Complete the application in its entirety.
3. Compile all required attachments as specified in the application guidelines.
4. Submit the completed application package through one of the approved methods before the deadline.

Contact and Submission Information

• Primary Submission Method (Email):
  
  Completed applications and attachments should be sent to: AgInnovation@WashCo-MD.net
• Hard Copy Submission (Hand Delivery):
  
  Applications may be delivered to:
  
  Attn: Kelsey Keadle
  
  Washington County Department of Business and Economic Development
  
  100 West Washington Street, Suite 1401
  
  Hagerstown, MD 21740
• For Inquiries or to Request a Hard Copy:
  
  Contact Kelsey Keadle at 301-573-7039 or AgInnovation@WashCo-MD.net.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  The article is centered on the “Washington County Agricultural Innovation and Equipment Grant,” which directly supports the agricultural sector. By providing funding to farms and agricultural businesses to “fuel growth, encourage innovation, and strengthen the local agricultural economy,” the initiative aims to enhance food production and support food producers, which is central to SDG 2.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The grant’s explicit goal to “fuel growth” and “strengthen the local agricultural economy” aligns with SDG 8. It promotes economic productivity through funding for “Business planning or marketing expansion,” “upgrading agricultural buildings,” and purchasing “equipment,” which supports the growth of local small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

  The grant is specifically named an “Agricultural Innovation and Equipment Grant.” It supports the core principles of SDG 9 by funding “innovation,” the purchase of “equipment or major fixtures,” and the upgrading of “agricultural buildings or structures.” This promotes technological upgrading and infrastructure improvement within the local agricultural industry.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  The inclusion of “Conservation and research improvements” as an eligible project category connects the grant to SDG 12. This funding encourages farms to adopt more sustainable practices, contributing to the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources in food production.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   • Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers. The grant is designed for “Washington County, MD farms and farm owners” and provides funding amounts ($1,000 – $25,000) that are accessible to smaller operations, aiming to “fuel growth” and help them invest in productivity-enhancing equipment and ventures.
   • Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices. The grant directly supports this target by listing “Conservation and research improvements” as an eligible use of funds, encouraging the adoption of sustainable and resilient farming methods.

2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation. The grant’s focus on “innovation,” “value-added ventures,” and the “purchasing [of] equipment” directly promotes technological upgrading and diversification within the agricultural sector to boost economic productivity.
   • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities… entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the… growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises. The grant program itself is a local development policy that fosters innovation and supports the growth of local agricultural businesses.

3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development. The grant supports this by providing funds for “upgrading agricultural buildings or structures,” which is a form of rural infrastructure development.
   • Target 9.b: Support domestic technology development, research and innovation. The grant explicitly encourages “innovation,” “research improvements,” and “value-added ventures,” directly aligning with the goal of supporting local technological advancement and innovation in the agricultural sector.

4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. By funding “Conservation… improvements,” the grant encourages agricultural businesses to implement practices that lead to more efficient use of resources like water, soil, and energy.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not mention official SDG indicators, but it provides information that can be used as practical, proxy indicators to measure progress at a local level.

1. For SDG 2 (Zero Hunger):

   • Total funding available for agricultural support: The article states there is a “$100,000 pool” of funding, which serves as a direct measure of financial resources mobilized to support local food producers.
   • Number of farms/businesses supported: The number of applicants who successfully receive grants (from the $1,000 – $25,000 available per applicant) would indicate the reach of the program in supporting small-scale producers.
   • Amount of investment in sustainable practices: The number of grants and the total funds awarded specifically for “Conservation and research improvements” can be tracked to measure progress towards sustainable agriculture.

2. For SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth):

   • Financial flows to small/medium enterprises: The total grant amount of $100,000 disbursed to local farms is a direct indicator of financial services supporting local economic growth.
   • Investment in technological upgrading and innovation: The number of grants awarded for “purchasing equipment” and “value-added ventures” can be used as a metric for investment in economic productivity and innovation.

3. For SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure):

   • Number of enterprises receiving funding for innovation: Tracking how many farms receive grants for “innovation” or “research improvements” would measure the program’s impact on this goal.
   • Investment in infrastructure upgrades: The amount of funding allocated to projects for “upgrading agricultural buildings or structures” serves as an indicator for infrastructure improvement.

4. For SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production):

   • Proportion of projects with sustainability components: The number of funded projects that fall under the “Conservation and research improvements” category, relative to the total number of projects funded, would be a key indicator.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: washco-md.net