Maryland Horse Industry Board Awards Nearly $30,000 in Grants

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Horse Industry Board—a program within the Maryland Department of Agriculture—has awarded $29,983 in grants to 20 organizations and individuals that represent a variety of equine groups and disciplines across the state. Funding for these grants and the board is provided by the Maryland Feed Fund, which collects $6 on every ton of horse feed sold within the state.

“Horses are a critical component of Maryland’s agricultural industry. The Maryland Horse Industry Board and the Feed Fund help stimulate growth and opportunity in Maryland’s equestrian community without using any government funding,” said Board Chairman Jim Steele. “This self-funded commodity marketing entity is a model of how industry groups can help themselves without relying on taxpayer dollars.”

The committee selected this year’s projects from a pool of 27 applicants. This year’s grant recipients included projects that provide equine research, horsemanship scholarships, support for therapeutic and rescue programs, restoration of horseback riding trails and help for 4-H and Pony Club projects. A full list of this year’s grantees with detailed descriptions of each project is available on the board’s website.

Projects are evaluated based on their value to the industry, degree of industry promotion, size and scope of activity, financial need, potential for matching funds and overall quality of the written presentation. Grants are capped at $3,000 in order to award funds to as many groups as possible. Eligible projects should have a completion date no later than June 30. Grant recipients are required to file a project report with the Board detailing how the money was used. The board has awarded more than $400,000 to more than 300 projects across the state since the Maryland Feed Fund was established in 2002.

The Maryland Horse Industry Board was established in 1998 to promote and develop the equine industry in Maryland. More information about the grants program and the board is available online. For any further questions, contact Executive Director Ross Peddicord at (410) 841-5798 or ross.peddicord@maryland.gov

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