Howard County farms that suffered extreme heat and drought this past summer can now apply for Drought Relief Grants, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced Wednesday.Applications for the County’s Fiscal Year 2025 Enhanced Agricultural Grant (EAG) program are also now open. Both will be administered by the Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA) in cooperation with the County’s Office of Agriculture.June 2024 and July 2024 were the third and fifth hottest (respectively) in Howard County’s history. Temperatures were a mean of 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit above normal in June and 3.3 degrees Fahrenheit above normal in July. Add to that only half the normal rainfall levels over the summer, and the results came in the form of debilitating drought conditions.The county allocated $1 million for Drought Relief Grants in total. Up to $30,000 in primary and secondary grants will be available to Howard County farms impacted by the heat and drought. Offered on a rolling basis, primary grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded to applicants who incurred $5,000 or less in losses due to the extreme summer heat.Primary grant applications are being accepted now through Jan. 30, 2025. Secondary grants totaling up to $25,000 will be awarded to farming operations that experienced losses greater than $5,000. The secondary grant addendum application is due by Feb. 15, 2025.“Challenges faced and losses incurred from these extreme weather conditions, have tested the resilience of all Howard County farmers this summer, including commodity crop farms, produce growers and hay producers,” said James Zoller, Office of Agriculture administrator, in a statement. “Farmers have faced higher irrigation expenses and persistently low crop prices, compounded by rising input costs, such as seed, fuel and fertilizer.”Farmers have struggled financially as their businesses were upended and set off schedule by problems with crops, supplies, and lost income.“Our pastures were severely dried out and as a result, the weeds were out of control, leaving us having to mow or spray 50 percent more than the usual amount,” Howie Feaga, of Merry Acres Farm, said in a statement. “The same took place in the hay fields. We are currently 45 to 50 percent behind in production of our second cutting hay and are having trouble keeping up with the demands of our customers, who are supplementing their pastures because of the lack of rain. Monetarily we are probably looking at a loss of $10,000 to $15,000 so far this year.”  “As an organization dedicated to sustaining and growing Howard County’s economy, we recognize the essential role that our farmers play in the community,” said Jennifer Jones, CEO of HCEDA, said in a statement. “This grant program is an investment not only in our agricultural sector but in the resilience of our entire local economy. By supporting farmers facing unprecedented challenges, we’re reinforcing the backbone of our county’s food system and economy, ensuring that they can continue to thrive. HCEDA is committed to standing with our agricultural partners and providing them with the resources needed to navigate these difficult times and beyond.”Drought Relief Grant applications can be found online on the Office of Agriculture’s website by clicking this link. For questions and/or more information about this grant program, email the Office of Agriculture at [email protected] County launched a larger grant program in 2023 called the Enhanced Agricultural Grant, which is available again this year. The program offered up to $250,000 for farmers, nonprofits, and organizations serving Howard County’s agricultural community.This year Ball allocated an additional $250,000 in his FY 2025 budget, bringing the total funding for the grant program to $500,000. The EAG can be used for programming, research and/or capital investments, as long as the grant facilitates the expansion, sustainability and/or education of Howard County agriculture .“The Enhanced Agricultural Grant program is a strategic investment in Howard County’s agricultural future,” Jones said. “This expanded funding empowers our farmers and agricultural organizations to adopt new technologies, expand operations, and drive economic growth across our community, strengthening our local economy and supporting a more sustainable agricultural ecosystem.”In evaluating the EAG applications, the Agricultural Preservation Board will prioritize the ones that strengthen agriculture overall in Howard County. Applications are due by February 28, 2025, and awardees will be announced by early March. The grant application and additional information about the program are available by clicking this link.“Our farms face challenges from fluctuating input and sale prices, to weather, labor shortages, and low profit margins.”  Zoller said. “The Enhanced Agricultural Grant gives farmers and agriculture-supporting organizations the opportunity to meet today’s challenges and continue to farm for future generations.”Participants in the pilot EAG program were pleased and impressed with what the grant helped them achieve.Chesapeake Flower Exchange was awarded $35,214 to purchase a delivery van. “Howard County gave us wheels! The Enhanced Agricultural Grant funded the purchase of a delivery van for Chesapeake Flower Exchange,” said Lisa Derx, of Chesapeake Flower Exchange, in a statement. “This purchase fueled our ability to deliver fresh, seasonal locally grown flowers and foliage to customers in Maryland, Virginia, and the District.  Making it easy for florists to use our products means more business for our farmers, increasing the economic viability of our member growers.”“Our farms and rural heritage are essential elements of the economy and quality of life that make Howard County a great place to live, work, play, grow and thrive,” Ball said. “We lead in agricultural preservation, promotion and innovation, with grants like these which provide the resources essential to help our agricultural community continue to evolve and expand, as well as solidify our commitment to empowering our farmers to continue their invaluable work.”