Queenstown, Maryland (September 28, 2023) – The Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board (MGPUB) is currently seeking proposals to help fulfill our mission of increasing the profitability of Maryland’s grain farmers and improve the public understanding of agriculture. Proposals will be accepted until November 17, 2023, at which time they will be distributed to our Funding Committee for review.
“Overseas and domestic market development, increasing demand for our grain, are top of mind for the grain producers board of directors, but our priorities don’t stop there,” said Steve Ernst. “Fulfilling our mission to improve public understanding of agriculture through promotion, education, and research are prioritized as well.”
Detailed priorities and proposal guidelines can be found online at MarylandGrain.org/Checkoff-Grant/. Each proposal will be eveluated and funding decisions will be made on January 4-5th, 2024. Applicants may be asked to present their projects in person or virtually at the funding meeting.
The Utilization Board receives check-off income from corn, wheat, barley, sorghum, and rapeseed/canola. Commodity specific projects are generally funded proportionately to check-off income received. In 2023, MGPUB funded 46 grants totaling $1,166,124 for research, education, and market development. A full list of funded projects and summaries can be found on the Maryland Grain Producers website, MarylandGrain.org/Checkoff-Grant/.
Funded grants are determined by farmer-leaders who serve on the Utilization Board which has farmer representatives from six regions of the state. Funding is provided by Maryland grain farmers through the state check-off program voted on every five years. Grain elevators collect one-half of one percent of the net market value on each bushel produced and sold in Maryland. For more information, visit MarylandGrain.org.
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Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board was established in 1991 to administer the Maryland Grain Checkoff Program. Grain producers in Maryland voted to institute this voluntary checkoff program, which is funded by participating growers donating 0.5% of each Maryland bushel sold. With this funding, the board can fulfill its mission to increase the profitability of Maryland grain production and to improve public understanding of agriculture through promotion, education, and research. Learn more about the organization here.
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