Deep Creek Experience
Agribusiness
Agribusiness

Agriculture & COVID-19

 

Resources for Agriculture during the COVID-19 Pandemic 

 

Agriculture Business

 

 

Buying Local

 

 

National & State Resources

 

 

Food Safety Resources

 

Health Resources

 

 

Small Business Relief Funding

 
Read through the requirements of these funding sources carefully before applying. 
  • New Agriculture Business Eligibility for Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Advance
    In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories were able to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000. This advance is designed to provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. This loan advance will not have to be repaid.
    • SBA has resumed processing EIDL applications that were submitted before the portal stopped accepting new applications on April 15 and will be processing these applications on a first-come, first-served basis. SBA will begin accepting new Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance applications on a limited basis only to provide relief to U.S. agricultural businesses.
      The new eligibility is made possible as a result of the latest round of funds appropriated by Congress in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • 'Agricultural businesses' include those businesses engaged in the production of food and fiber, ranching, and raising of livestock, aquaculture, and all other farming and agricultural related industries (as defined by section 18(b) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 647(b)).
    • SBA is encouraging all eligible agricultural businesses with 500 or fewer employees wishing to apply to begin preparing their business financial information needed for their application.
    • At this time, only agricultural business applications will be accepted due to limitations in funding availability and the unprecedented submission of applications already received. Applicants who have already submitted their applications will continue to be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. For agricultural businesses that submitted an EIDL application through the streamlined application portal prior to the legislative change, SBA will process these applications without the need for re-applying.
      https://covid19relief.sba.gov/#/ and https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance
  • Maryland COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund Programs for Businesses: Maryland has authorized $130 million in loan and grant funding for small businesses and manufacturers that have been negatively impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). This emergency assistance provides interim relief and proceeds that can be used to pay cash operating expenses including payroll, suppliers, rent, fixed debt payments and other mission critical cash operating costs. If you are a Maryland-based business impacted by the Coronavirus with under 50 full- and part-time employees, or a Maryland manufacturer, check out the programs below to see if you qualify for assistance:
  • Farmer Relief Fund Through American Farmland Trust
    • American Farmland Trust has created a Farmer Relief Fund, which will award eligible farmers with cash grants of up to $1,000 each to help them weather the current storm of market disruptions caused by the COVID-19 crisis. The initial focus will be on farms that sell at farmers markets or to restaurants, caterers, schools, stores, or makers who use farm products. That focus could change over time as the negative impacts of the crisis become more widespread within U.S. agriculture. Learn more at farmland.org/farmer-relief-fund/
  • MARBIDCO
    • MARBIDCO is offering loans through its new Pandemic Adjustment Loan Fund to help Maryland's agriculture, forestry, and seafood businesses adjust to the business disruptions caused by COVID-19. The program is targeted to assist existing agriculture or resource- based enterprises in making timely adjustments to their business operations to help take advantage of new or continuing market opportunities. Eligible farms and rural businesses can apply for loans up to $3,000 in working capital and up to $10,000 for equipment purchases at low interest rates with flexible terms. Loan repayments will be interest only for five months followed by payments for 12 to 36 months with a rate of 3.75%. Borrowers who make all their payments will receive a 10% grant back (of the original amount borrowed) at the end of the loan term. Applications for the Pandemic Adjustment Loan Fund must be submitted by June 15, 2020. The application form is available on the MARBIDCO website at www.marbidco.org. For questions, please call the office at (410) 267-6807. due to current social distancing procedures, phone calls may not be readily answered (but all calls will be returned).
    • MARBIDCO is also offering grants through its new Pandemic Adjustment Equipment Grant Fund to help Maryland's food and fiber producers, harvesters, and primary processors make necessary adjustments in their business operations which are necessitated by the impact of the pandemic. Grfants ranging from $1,000 up to a maximum of $50,000 (or $75,000 for wood and seafood processors or agricultural cooperatives) are available up to 80% of the eligible project cost. Applications requesting $20,000 or less will likely have a higher priority for funding. Applications must be submitted by June 10, 2020.