(7/2023) Happy Independence Day! I hope everyone has an opportunity to enjoy the fireworks and carnivals planned for July. Summertime is for making memories. I can’t think of a better place to do that than in Frederick County. Visit our beautiful parks. Walk or bike along our scenic trails. Paddle in our rivers. This is the best time of year to enjoy all that our community offers.

One of the most popular activities that draws people to our county is agritourism. Agriculture adds $1.5 billion to Frederick County’s economy, and agritourism is an important and growing part of that economic impact. As agriculture has evolved in recent years, the laws and regulations affecting this sector have not kept up with changes.

At the recommendation of our Transition Team, I recently appointed a workgroup to identify major issues related to agritourism, examine existing regulations, and suggest ways we can promote agritourism while protecting the health, safety and quality of life of Frederick County residents. The group includes familiar faces from around the county, including Bob Black of Catoctin Mountain Orchard, Emma Jagoz of Moon Valley Farm, Sam Roop of Brookfield Pumpkins, Tom Mullineaux, of the Agriculture Business Council, and Denny Remsburg with the Frederick County Farm Bureau, among others.

I’ve asked the workgroup to issue a report no later than Dec. 1 of this year. You can find details about the workgroup’s meetings on the County’s website at FrederickCountyMD.gov/Agritourism.

Agriculture Innovation Grants

Agritourism is only one of the ways Frederick County farmers are adding value to their operations. In our most recent round of Agriculture Innovation Grants, we heard plans for a wide range of projects, from sparkling wine on tap, to edible flowers, and even poultry feed operations. Grants are awarded twice a year through a competitive application process. More than two dozen businesses applied this cycle, with winners announced the last week of June. I am excited to share that we were able to award more than $124,500.

Our award-winning program recognizes Frederick County’s rich agricultural history and positions farmers for a bright future. Grants are awarded in the amount of $5,000 or more. By supporting our agriculture community, we help industries to expand or diversify their operations. The eight businesses selected in this most recent round are expected to create 10 full-time jobs and 34 part-time jobs. Recipients include:

• Carroll Creek Whiskey LLC (Tenth Ward Distilling) and Guy Dell Farm, Frederick and Jefferson – to add smoked corn production as a new enterprise at Guy Dell Farm. The locally grown smoked corn will allow Tenth Ward to increase distribution to four new states. Grant funds will be awarded to both businesses for their joint application.

• Deer Run Farm, Emmitsburg – to add a farmer-grown, made, and used poultry feed product line to supplement the farm’s heritage chicken hatchery.

• Eastern Paradise Farm, Middletown – to expand a pick-your-own operation of rare Asian produce, berry bushes, fruit trees, vegetables, microgreens and edible flowers.

• Links Bridge Vineyards, Thurmont– to purchase kegs and equipment so sparking wine can be offered on tap to on-site customers. Additionally, kegs of sparkling wine on tap can be marketed to restaurants and bars.

• Loew Vineyards, Mount Airy – to increase efficiencies and reduce costs with the purchase of a tank mixer and semi-automatic wine labeler.

• Walnut Ridge Farm/Moo Cow Creamery, Middletown – to make electrical upgrades and purchase a generator and walk-in freezer. The grant will support the processing facility’s expansion and the addition of new product lines, including drinkable yogurt.

• Willow Oaks Cidery/Country Pleasures Farm, Middletown – to offer a new product line of Pet-Nat, an off-dry, low-alcohol fruit wine that is gluten free and carbonated. The operation will be the first in the state to offer Pet-Nat from fruits other than grapes.

We must support our agricultural community so our farms and our farmers can thrive for years to come. If you want to learn more about the Agriculture Innovation Grant Program, please contact Katie Stevens, Associate Director of Agriculture Business, at 301-600-3037.

Life Sciences

Frederick County may be known for agriculture, but we are also rapidly becoming known for our thriving life sciences sector. Our community is home to more than 130 life science businesses, such as Lonza, AstraZeneca, and Kite.

Last month, I had the honor of greeting hundreds of life science professionals who came to Frederick County for the BISNOW Mid-Atlantic Life Sciences and Biotech Summit. We showcased the fast-growing industry and the creative ways Workforce Services has partnered with firms to create a well-prepared workforce.

During the summit, our Office of Economic Development released its first-ever Life Sciences Industry Profile to highlight the advantages of locating or expanding companies in Frederick County. The profile is designed to be used by commercial real estate brokers, as well as education and government partners. The Life Sciences Industry Profile is available at www.discoverfrederickmd.com/lsprofile.