Maryland Horse Industry Board 2015 Grants: Application Period Opens August 4

All Grant Applications are Due by October 3

ANNAPOLIS, MD (August 4, 2014) – The Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB) is now accepting grant applications for 2015 research, educational and promotional projects that support horses or the equestrian community, or develop new opportunities for the Maryland horse industry. MHIB is a program within the Maryland Department of Agriculture.

Funding for these grants and for MHIB is provided by the Maryland Feed Fund, which collects $6 on every ton of horse feed sold in Maryland. Since the Maryland Feed Fund was established in 2002, MHIB has awarded nearly $325,000 in grants for more than 250 projects throughout Maryland.

“Horses are a critical component to Maryland’s agricultural industry. The Maryland Horse Industry Board and the Feed Fund do a terrific job in helping to stimulate growth and opportunity in Maryland’s equestrian community,” said Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance. “As a completely self-funded commodity marketing entity, consisting of private citizens who are stakeholders in the industry, MHIB is a model for how industry groups can help themselves, without relying on taxpayer dollars.”

Organizations eligible for MHIB grants include (but are not limited to) non-profit organizations, clubs and associations, businesses, farms and stables, government entities, schools and educational institutions. Projects of interest to the Board include (but are not limited to) those that develop new opportunities for the Maryland horse industry.

Projects will be 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. Grant requests should not exceed $3,000. The average grant amount is approximately $1,200. In 2014, 28 projects received $30,000 in grant allocations.

All grant applications are due by October 3, 2014. Grant recipients will be announced no later than January 1, 2015. Funding will be available after that date. Projects should be completed by June 30, 2015. For a copy of the grant guidelines and a grant application. 

The Maryland Horse Industry Board was established in 1998 to promote and develop the equine industry in Maryland. For grant guidelines, grant applications or more information on MHIB or the Feed Fund, please visit www.mda.maryland.gov/horseboard or call Ross Peddicord, Executive Director at 410-841-5798 or email [email protected]. 

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