Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF) Grant

Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF) Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Rural Maryland Council
Last Updated: April 01, 2026

Summary

The Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF) Grant supports rural-serving nonprofits and community colleges in enhancing agricultural education, economic development, and community initiatives. The fund aims to strengthen their capacity to tackle rural challenges and foster partnerships that leverage additional funding. Key focus areas include agriculture, energy efficiency, broadband expansion, youth leadership, and community development, ensuring targeted assistance for sustainable growth and innovation in rural Maryland.

Overview

Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF) Grant The Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF) provides grants to rural-serving nonprofit organizations that promote statewide and regional planning, economic and community development, and agricultural and forestry education. Also eligible are rural community colleges that provide enhanced training and technical assistance to support agricultural and small businesses. The Fund’s goal is to increase the overall capacity of rural-serving nonprofit organizations and community colleges to meet a multitude of rural development challenges and to help them establish new public/private partnerships for leveraging non-state sources of funding. The Rural Maryland Council (RMC) serves as the administrative agency in receiving the applications and disbursing the grants to the successful applicants. Focus Topics Agriculture & Forestry:Agricultural Education Regional Food System DevelopmentForest Industry DevelopmentEnergy:Combined Heat PowerEnergy Efficiency BiomassRural Broadband:Rural Broadband Expansion Efforts, including municipal broadbandDigital Inclusion ProgramsYouth Engagement & Leadership Development:Career Technology CentersYouth Enrichment Programs, including summer programmingEconomic Development:Entrepreneurship Ecosystem DevelopmentEducation & Workforce DevelopmentRegional Marketing Efforts & Tourism ProjectsCommunity Development:Rural TransportationHousing repairsHousing counselingPoverty Alleviation Efforts

Eligibility

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