Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission

05/29/2026

05/29/2026

The beef we source….look like THIS. Coming to a farm stand near you soon.

Sourced from reputable farms and handled with care each step of the process. All beef are dry aged for a minimum of 10 days -a crucial step to achieve a tender and flavorful end product that you will not find in almost all grocery stores and many restaurants as well.

A lot of our customers mention they notice quite the difference in quality compared to steaks and even burger from the grocery store.

Find out for yourself. We currently have plenty of burger is stock. Just give us a call if you’d like to grab some!

05/27/2026

Governor Wes Moore has requested a USDA Secretarial Disaster Designation to assist Maryland farmers impacted by the severe freeze that occurred on April 21. The designation would make critical federal assistance programs, including emergency loan opportunities, available to support our producers recovering from historic crop losses.

05/26/2026

2026 Farmer Application for SMADC/Charles County Food Access Program

Charles County Farmers - Deadline to apply has been EXTENDED to June 1st! Farmers accepted into the program will be PAID for their products, which will then be available for free to those in need in our community.

The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) is now accepting applications for local farmers to sell their agricultural products through the SoMD Community Refrigerator Program!

This initiative aims to boost our local food economy and improve access to fresh, nutritious food for residents facing food insecurity. Community fridges are a zero-barrier resource—no documentation needed! They promote mutual support, reduce hunger, and help combat food waste.

Key Highlights:
Partnerships: Collaborative effort between SMADC, Christ Church La Plata, LifeStream Church of the Nazarene Food Pantry, and the Charles County Community Schools.

Funding: Supported by federal funding from the Charles County Commissioners via the American Rescue Plan Act.

What’s in the Fridges?: Fresh produce, eggs, meat, frozen items, and shelf-stable foods are all welcome!

Farmers accepted into the program will be compensated for their products, which will then be available for free to those in need. Plus, community members are encouraged to donate food to help stock the fridges, available 24/7!

Application Deadline: June 1st, 2026.
Apply Here 👉

https://www.cognitoforms.com/Smadc/_2026FarmerApplicationForSMADCCharlesCountyFoodAccessProgram

For details and guidelines, check out the Farm to Fridge Guide for Farmers at http://www.SMADC.com under the SoMD Community Fridges page

05/26/2026

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Maryland Department of Agriculture is excited to announce the 2026 Governor’s Buy Local Cookout will take place on Friday, July 17, 2026 in Annapolis, Maryland. This annual cookout celebrates Maryland agriculture by featuring Maryland restaurants partnering with Maryland far...

05/24/2026

The Maryland Department of Agriculture is inviting chef-farmer and watermen teams across the state to participate in the 2026 Governor’s Buy Local Cookout, an annual event that showcases the best of Maryland agriculture and seafood. The cookout is scheduled for Friday, July 17, 2026, in Annapolis ...

05/23/2026

New Roots Farm is hosting an awesome hands on workshops for youth - Sign up Now!!!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/handle-with-care-a-youth-stockmanship-workshop-tickets-1990201849306?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=&utm-share-source=mobile-search-results

05/22/2026

Attention Southern Maryland Farmers & Watermen! 👨‍🌾🐟

SMADC is preparing a grant application for the Maryland Department of MDA’s new Postharvest Infrastructure Grant Program. Our goal? To bring much-needed regional cold storage and freezer space to Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties.

But we can't do it without your voice.
We need to know your current postharvest challenges and infrastructure deficits to build a winning application for our community.

⚠️ CRITICAL DEADLINE: This survey is due by June 1, 2026.

Help us preserve product quality, scale local operations, and expand market access in Southern Maryland.

👇 The survey link is waiting for you in the comments below! 👇

05/21/2026

The Phase I assessment for a potential Regional Agricultural Center in Anne Arundel County is complete.

The study identified strong regional interest in expanded agricultural infrastructure and highlighted ongoing challenges related to USDA-inspected processing access and value-added agricultural services.

AAEDC is now seeking funding to advance a Phase II analysis, which would further evaluate site feasibility, operational considerations, and long-term viability.

Learn more and review the study findings here:
https://www.aaedc.org/agriculture/overview/

05/21/2026

Only ONE WEEK left until we kick things off! 🗓️ We have a few spaces remaining!

Secure your spot now! 👇

🚜 Ready to grow profits, not just crops?

The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) is hosting an intensive workshop designed to help regional producers bridge the gap between the field and the storefront!

In today’s market, innovation is the key to sustainability. Join us for “The Value-Added Vantage”—your comprehensive roadmap to transforming raw commodities into premium, market-ready brands.

📍 What You’ll Master:
• Navigating the Rules: De-mystify Maryland’s regulatory environment, cottage food laws, and commercial kitchen requirements.
• The Journey to Retail: Get step-by-step guidance on scaling your family recipe or farm surplus into a retail asset.
• Narrative Marketing: Learn to tell a brand story that truly connects with the modern consumer.

By the end of the night, you'll walk away with a personalized Action Plan and exclusive access to SMADC resources to help your farm thrive.

📅 Event Details:
• Date: Thursday, May 28, 2026
• Time: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Location: SMADC Headquarters | 15045 Burnt Store Road, Hughesville, MD
• Cost: $10 per person

🎟️ Tickets are available now on Eventbrite! Don't miss your chance to gain the competitive edge.

🔗Ticket link in comments