Maryland Horse Industry Board Awards $30,000 in Grants; Projects designed to build awareness, support for horse industry

ANNAPOLIS, MD – An environmental study to research manure composting practices, programs to support and expand equine youth activities, projects that will develop and improve public access horseback riding trails, and other initiatives to help therapeutic, rescue and retired racehorse rehabilitation programs are among the 28 recipients receiving $30,000 in grants from the Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB), a program within the Maryland Department of Agriculture. The annual grants program helps to strengthen the industry by building awareness in the horse industry through research, education and promotional activities.

The MHIB grants are funded through the Maryland Feed Fund, which was established during the 2002 legislative session and provides an ongoing source of revenue to promote the horse industry. The refundable $6 per ton assessment on equine feed costs about $3 per horse per year to the horse owner and supports this grant program as well as other promotional, research and outreach activities. MHIB was able to increase grants allotments 15 percent this year due to a robust feed assessment program.

“The equine industry is an integral part of Maryland’s cultural and economic heritage,” said Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance. “The scope and value of projects that the board evaluated illustrates the demand for these grants. The Feed Fund continues to make it possible to support more of these requests.”

Projects were evaluated for value to the industry, the degree of industry promotion, size and scope of the activity, financial need and quality of the written presentation. Since 2001, the board has awarded 239 grants totaling more than $266,000. For a summary of the most recent grants awarded.

The Maryland Horse Industry Board was established in 1998 to promote and develop the equine industry in Maryland. The year 2014 marks the board’s 16th anniversary. For more information about MHIB or the Feed Fund, contact MHIB Executive Director Ross Peddicord at 410-841-5798 or ross.peddicord@maryland.gov.

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