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 achieves its mission of helping farm, forestry, and seafood businesses achieve sustainability and profitability through a variety of programs that provide business assistance and financial services. The programs promote agricultural entrepreneurship and nurture emerging and expanding food and fiber markets.

The County Council, recognizing the importance of this program and the considerable impact it achieves through a relatively small investment, approved an additional appropriation of $15,000 to expand this initiative. To date, $97,509 (County funding: $50,755 – MARBIDCO funding: $46,754) in grant funding has been provided to support 25 agricultural projects to expand farming operations in several different ways including-deer fence, agricultural well, vertical racks for microgreens, farm equipment and tools, hydroponics equipment, aquaponics equipment, refrigeration and pond repair.

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
FY18




FY19







FY20
5




7







8
Deer Fencing (qty 3)
Well (qty 1)
WSSC Submeter (qty 1)


Deer Fencing (qty 1)
Cultivation Equipment (qty 1)
Aquaponic Equipment (qty 1)
Hydroponic Equipment (qty 1)
Well/Irrigation (qty 1)
Refrigeration (qty 1)


Deer Fencing (qty (1)
Refrigeration (qty 3)
Cultivation Equipment (qty 1)
Malting Equipment (qty 1)
Greenhouse (qty 1)
Composting Equipment (qty 1)
$12,776 $10,776
   
   
$20,535 $18,535
   
   
         
$16,943 $15,944
   
   
         
         
FY21 7 Deer Fencing (qty 3)
Produce Washing Table (qty 1)
Hydroponic Equipment (qty 1)
Lavender Debudder (qty 1)
Cultivation Equipment (qty 1)
$20,035 $19,035
   
         
FY22 8 Deer Fencing (qty 4)
Cultivation Equipment (qty 1)
Trellis System (qty 1)
Animal Watering System (qty 1)
Refrigeration (qty 1)
$16,097 $16,097
   
FY23 3 Deer Fencing (qty 1)
Cultivation Equipment (qty 1)
Kitchen Equipment (qty 1)
$7,930 $6,929
         
FY24 6 Deer Fencing (qty 1)
Lavender Distilling Equipment (qty 1)
Sheds (qty 3)
Potato Digging Equipment (qty 1)
$16,204 $15,204
         
FY25 6 Deer Fencing (qty 2)
Acquaponic Equipment (qty 1)
Irrigation (qty 1)
Refrigeration (qty 1)
Engraving Equipment (qty 1)
$14,654 $12,654
         
FY26