MD Fishers, Farmers Push Through Pandemic As Relief Reaches $9M

ANNAPOLIS, MD — The bounties of the Chesapeake Bay and the fields of rural Maryland are the lifelines of many workers. Fishers and farmers are directly tied to the water and the soil.

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has threatened this connection, however. With diminishing profits, these laborers need relief.

On Tuesday, Gov. Larry Hogan said the state has allocated $9 million in aid for struggling agriculture and seafood producers. This is part of the state's $600 million economic stimulus effort.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented hardship for so many, and while Maryland’s farmers and producers are certainly no exception, they have continued to work hard every single day to support our food supply chain,” Hogan said in a press release. “We remain strongly committed to helping Maryland’s agricultural community as we weather this storm together.”

The Maryland Department of Agriculture has sent $5 million to farmers in need.

The effort gave $1,000 to growers for each poultry house they ran, with a cap at five houses per farm. They got $1,500 per house if pandemic interruptions decreased the population of their flock. The initiative also gave 15 percent bonus payment to farmers who received funding from the federal Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 1.

Altogether, MDA supported growers with $1.99 million in poultry benefits and $2.86 million in bonus payments. The aid, called the Maryland Farmer COVID-19 Relief Program, has helped 1,363 families since opening on Oct. 19.

“This year has been a challenge unlike any other, and that is especially true for the state’s food production businesses,” MDA Secretary Joe Bartenfelder said in the release. “While we understand this money will not make everyone whole, it is the least we can do to provide some relief to the men and women who have worked throughout this public health crisis to ensure that we continue to have reliable access to a safe food supply.”

The Department of Natural Resources has dedicated $3 million to seafood processing businesses that suffered a 35 percent revenue loss at the hands of the pandemic. The DNR has also set aside $1 million for seafood marketing and business support.

Since the program began Nov. 4, the DNR has paid out $330,000 to 340 applicants. Another 100 applications are still processing.

Marylanders can apply until Feb. 28, 2021. The next awardees will get their payments in the spring.

“This funding provides much needed relief to help eligible individuals in the seafood industry get through these tough market conditions,” DNR Secretary Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio said. “With the governor’s leadership and our strong federal partnerships, we have worked to make the application process as seamless as possible for those who need it. We will continue working with industry on long-term strategies to recover and strengthen Maryland’s markets post-pandemic.”

To apply for the MDA grants, click here. Head to this website to apply for the DNR funding.

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