ANNAPOLIS, Md. – As of yesterday, July 1st, 2024, when the laws from Maryland’s latest legislative session went into effect, the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC), a division of the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland (TCCSMD), now has permanent funding secured for their programming.
It is important to note that this is not new funding SMADC is receiving, nor is it taxpayer dollars; the commission and its funding, born out of the national Master Settlement Agreement (commonly known as the Tobacco Buyout) comes from the Cigarette Restitution Fund (CRF), a special fund that flows into the state each year as part of Maryland’s participation in the Master Settlement Agreement. While SMADC was previously receiving these funds yearly, they were not guaranteed in the annual CRF budget; a situation that has now been remedied.
SMADC plays a pivotal role in supporting local farmers, promoting agricultural education and diversification, and fostering sustainable practices in the five Southern Maryland counites of Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s and St. Marys, as well as co-hosting several agricultural programs that reach statewide.
SMADC utilizes their funding for the farm community in various ways; in FY23 alone they awarded 22 farm mini grants totaling $37,950, awarded scholarships and sponsorships totaling $15,052, awarded $14,500 to youth farmers in the SOMD Meats Program, awarded $93,238 in equipment grants, grew the Maryland Market Money matching program for low-income families at the farmers market to 60+ locations and over 720 farmers/producers, directly served 454 farms through grants, marketing, resources, and events, and much more through all of their active programming. (A full accounting of SMADC’s programs and activities can be found in the latest end-of-year report at SMADC.com).
“In the last eight years, we have doubled our programming, doubled our staff, and significantly increased the amount of grant dollars we receive from state, federal, and private partnerships, all in the pursuit of living out our mission, which is to cultivate a dynamic food system that is profitable for farmers and producers, empowering for communities, and environmentally sound”, says Shelby Watson-Hampton, SMADC Director. “This is truly an historic moment for SMADC and the TCCSMD, and one the Commission has long sought. It allows us to continue providing services and support to the farming community and secures our programming for future generations of young farmers. We are so pleased that the efforts of the SMADC staff and the SMADC Commission are recognized with overwhelming positivity by our farming community, our program partners (the Rural Maryland Council, the Maryland Farm Bureau, MARBIDCO and many others,) and our local legislators. We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to all of them for their support of SMADC and their support of our funding bills.”
“Special thanks go out to the following: Senator Jack Bailey, Senator Michael Jackson, Senator Joanne Benson, Senator Sarah Elfreth, Senator Author Ellis, Senator Jim Rosapepe, Senator Guy Guzzone, Delegate Jeffrey Long, Delegate Debra Davis, Delegate Kevin Harris, Delegate Todd Morgan, Delegate C.T Wilson, Delegate Brian Crosby, Delegate Gary Simmons, and of course, Governor Wes Moore. It was truly a bipartisan effort!”
See more about what SMADC is doing at their website www.smadc.com and make sure to check out their recent farmer workshop series and the upcoming Buy Local Challenge Event!
