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SB 473

Agriculture - Maryland Food and Agricultural Resiliency Mechanism Grant Program - Expansion

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Katie Hester and 1 co-sponsor

SB 473 expands Maryland's agricultural grant program to increase funding and eligible projects supporting farmer sustainability and resilience practices statewide.

Hearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m. (Education, Energy, and the Environment)
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Bill Summary · SB 473

Legislative bill overview

SB 473 expands Maryland's Food and Agricultural Resiliency Mechanism (FARM) Grant Program, which provides financial assistance to farmers for sustainable agriculture practices and infrastructure improvements. The bill broadens the scope of eligible projects and/or increases funding available through the existing grant program to support agricultural resilience across the state.

Why is this important

Agriculture is economically significant to Maryland and faces increasing pressures from climate change, soil degradation, and market volatility. Expanding grant programs directly supports farmer viability, encourages sustainable practices, and helps maintain rural economies—issues affecting food security and land stewardship statewide.

Potential points of contention

  • Budget impact: Expansion requires state funding allocation during a period when many states face budget constraints; legislators may debate cost-effectiveness versus competing priorities
  • Program criteria ambiguity: Unclear whether expansion broadens eligibility to new farm types or sizes, potentially creating equity concerns about which farmers benefit most
  • Implementation timeline: The hearing is scheduled shortly after introduction, suggesting either urgent need or compressed review period that may limit stakeholder input from farming communities

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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