Frederick Co. announces latest Agriculture Innovation Grant awards

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Frederick County officials on Monday announced more than $100,000 in grant awards as part of its Fall 2025 Agriculture Innovation Grant Program cycle.

Five local agricultural businesses were selected as awardees and will receive funding for projects through the grant program.

Grant recipients included Bradley and Herbert L. Damazo ($25,542.50); DeFeo Family Farm LLC ($25,000); Maryland Solar Grazing Solutions LLC ($10,625); Pleasant Hill Produce LLC ($19,824); and Six Wicket Vineyards ($19,200).

“The Agriculture Innovation Grant Program helps local farmers and agri-businesses innovate, expand, adapt, and thrive,” County Executive Jessica Fitzwater said. 

“By investing in forward-thinking projects, we are strengthening our agricultural economy and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.”

Projects awarded in this cycle are expected to create nine full-time and eight part-time jobs across Frederick County’s agricultural sector, county officials said, adding that one of the ways the jurisdiction supports agricultural innovation and economic growth is through the agriculture grant program.

Grant awardees will use funds for a variety of agricultural purposes, including purchasing and installing seed mixer to provide multi species seed mixes to local farmers; constructing climate-controlled, heated greenhouse to extend the growing season of produce; buying roundbale feeders and fenceline feeders for sheep that will increase feeding efficiency and can be portable for agrivoltaics use on solar sites, and more.

The October 2025 Agriculture Innovation Grant cycle received 20 applications requesting more than $450,000, according to a county release.

Since its 2021 launch, the grant program has awarded more than $1.85 million toward 82 projects that promote innovation, economic growth, and business retention and expansion in the local agricultural sector. 

The next cycle of the Frederick County Agriculture Innovation Grant will open in March.