Agricultural Cost Share Reimbursement Program

This Agricultural Cost Share Reimbursement (ACRE) Program provides matching grant cost-share assistance to farmers for agricultural business projects that improve, expand and increase the profitability of the agricultural enterprise. Examples of agricultural projects that may be eligible for this program include, but are not limited to: deer fence, agricultural well, vertical racks for microgreens, farm equipment and tools, hydroponics equipment, aquaponics equipment, and refrigeration.
Three important factors related to this program include:

  • The Farmer is responsible for paying at least half of the total project cost.
  • There is $15,000 maximum (lifetime) amount allowed per farm/farmer/agricultural operation.
  • There is a $25,000 maximum amount (total for all Montgomery County projects) per fiscal year.
IMPORTANT NOTE: the Applicant must apply and receive application approval from the OAG before making any purchases or beginning any phase of the project for any project expenses to be eligible for cost share.

Apply to ACRE Program

This program is made possible through a partnership between the County and the Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO),  a quasi-public corporation established in 2004 by the Governor and Maryland General Assembly to:

  • Develop agricultural industries and markets;
  • Support appropriate commercialization of agricultural processes and technology;
  • Assist with rural land preservation efforts; and
  • Alleviate the shortage of nontraditional capital and credit available at affordable interest rates for investment in agricultural and resource-based businesses.

MARBIDCO programs promote agricultural entrepreneurship and nurture emerging and expanding food and fiber markets.

To date, $266,720 (County funding: $139,360 – MARBIDCO funding: $127,360) in grant funding has been provided to support 56 agricultural projects to expand farming operations.

For more information or to make application for this program, please contact Jacqueline Arnold at
301-590-2859 or by email at [email protected].

Projects funded through ACRE cost share program

Fiscal Year # of Projects PROJECTS MARBIDCO FUNDING County FUNDING
    Deer Fencing $3000 $4000
$3000 $3000
$1,422 $1,422
$1,079 $1,080
$3,000 $4,000
   
$3,000 $4,000
$2,998 $2,998
   
   
   
   
    WSSC Sub Meter $354 $354
    Installation of Well $3000 $4000
$3,000 $3,000
    Irrigation Pond Repair $3000 $3000
    Farm Cultivation Equipment $2627 $2627
    Walk-in Cooler/Refrigeration $2,754 $2,754
$1,778 $1,778
$382 $382
   
    Equipment/Supplies $1,743 $1,743
    Mobile Refrigeration $1,961 $1,961
    Greenhouse $3,000 $3,000
    Hydroponic Equipment/Supplies $2,654 $2,654
$3,000 $3,000
    Aquaponic Farming System $3000 $4000
    Malt House Equipment $3,000 $3,000
    Composting Equipment $3,000 $3,000
    Farm Mechanization Equipment $2,644 $2,644
$2,331 $2,331