Chester, Maryland (October 1, 2024) – The Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board is accepting proposals for checkoff grants until November 15th. Check-off funded projects must fulfill the Utilization’s Board mission to increase the profitability of Maryland’s grain farmers and to improve the public understanding of agriculture through research, market development, and education.
The recipients will be funded by the Maryland Check-Off Program which was formed in 1991 to promote the greater utilization of grain through expanded promotion, research, education, information, and other similar activities. The Program is voted on by producers and landowners every five years and remits 0.5% of the net market value of corn, wheat, barley, sorghum, and rapeseed/canola grown in Maryland. You can find the 40 funded grants totaling $1,093,484 in 2024 online at MarylandGrain.org/Checkoff-Grant/.
In January, the farmer member board will join together to review each proposal and make funding decisions. Recipients will be notified by the end of January 2025.
For the 2025 grant cycle, board members gathered to update their priorities. Much discussion around controlling slugs was had. There was also great interest in increasing the availability of processing and donation for venison. Lastly, the board also talked about products claiming to allow reduced nitrogen and phosphorus application with no yield loss.
You can find the detailed priorities and proposal guidelines online at MarylandGrain.org/Checkoff-Grant/. Thank you to all the grain farmers who voluntarily remit their check-off dollars. If you have any questions, please contact Lindsay Thompson at 443-262-8491 or at Lindsay.mdag@gmail.com.
