Grants Available Through Maryland Horse Industry Board to Fund Equine-Related Projects; Grant Applications Due Sept. 30

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB) will accept grant applications for research, educational and promotional projects that support horses or the equestrian community, or develop new opportunities for the Maryland horse industry. Grant applications may be submitted between Aug. 1 and Sept. 30. Individual requests should not exceed $3,000. Nearly $30,000 is available for grants –a 15 percent increase in funding from the previous year.

Organizations eligible for MHIB grants include (but are not limited to) non-profit organizations, clubs and associations, businesses, farms and licensed stables, government entities, schools and educational institutions. Projects of interest to the Board include (but are not limited to) those that develop new opportunities and coincide with the board’s mission to increase awareness and growth of the Maryland horse industry. Projects are evaluated for their value to the industry, degree of industry promotion, size and scope of activity, financial need, potential for matching funds, benefits, and quality of the written presentation.

Funding for these grants and for the MHIB is provided by “The Maryland Feed Fund,” which was established by the General Assembly in 2002. The refundable $6 per ton assessment on equine feed costs about $3 per horse to the horse owner and supports this grant program as well as other promotional, research and outreach activities undertaken by the MHIB. Since the grants program started, the board has awarded 211 grants totaling more than $233,000.

Grant recipients will be announced in December 2013. Funding will be available after January 1, 2014. Projects must be completed by June 30, 2014.

For grant guidelines, grant applications or more information about MHIB or the Feed Fund, visit www.mda.maryland.gov/horseboard or contact MHIB Executive Director Ross Peddicord at 410-841-5798 or email ross.peddicord@maryland.gov.

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