Maryland Shellfish Aquaculture Disaster Relief Loan Program
The new Maryland Shellfish Aquaculture Disaster Relief Loan Program will provide zero-interest loans of $10,000 to eligible shellfish aquaculture producers to help cover personal and business expenses associated with their oyster farming operations.
Explore Funding Options
Select the path that best matches your business, project, or application need
Featured Programs
Explore MARBIDCO programs by category
MARBIDCO offers many programs to help Maryland farmers, seafood businesses, foresters, and resource-based businesses start, grow, modernize, and finance their operations.
What financial assistance programs are available for Maryland farmers looking to expand their operations?
With years of collective experience in commercial lending and agriculture, our team assists agribusinesses of all sizes in securing the capital needed to seize new opportunities. We combine financial expertise with commercial lender support to streamline the borrowing process and provide low-cost financing that meets specific objectives.
Livestock & Animal Agriculture
Programs supporting livestock operations, animal agriculture, and specialty agricultural service providers.
Crop, Produce & Value-Added
Programs that support crop production, value-added agriculture, produce-related growth, and urban farming.
Seafood & Aquaculture
Financing options for seafood businesses, aquaculture operators, and commercial fishing-related activities.
Land & Beginning Farmer Programs
Programs that help new and growing farmers secure land and strengthen long-term farm operations.
Equipment, Forestry & Working Capital
Flexible financing to support equipment purchases, forestry operations, and day-to-day business growth.
For New & Beginning Farmers
Helping new farmers purchase farmland, build experience, and prepare for long-term success
One of our goals is to assist new and beginning farmers in purchasing farmland that can eventually be preserved, while also inspiring a new generation of farmers in their entrepreneurial endeavors.
Good fit for
New farmers, beginning farmers, and producers preparing to purchase farmland or strengthen a farm business plan.
Testimonials
What People Are Saying About MARBIDCO
“As a young farmer with no collateral or credit history to purchase such a big investment, it is hard to get started in the ag business. MARBIDCO and Horizon Farm Credit have allowed us to establish a future for our family business. Since purchasing our farm, we have been steadily improving our operation.”
– Ryan Rhodes
Poultry Farmer, Queen Anne’s County, MD
“The fact that there is a program like this is amazing,” said Michael Adams. “We would not have been able to buy our property without it.”
Small Acreage Next Generation Farmland Acquisition Program (SANG) farmer recipients
“I’ve worked with MARBIDCO for ten years, and I’ve seen MARBIDCO mature and grow as well. And it’s always been a positive experience. They’re flexible and helpful.”
– Tal Petty
Hollywood Oysters (Shellfish aquaculture)
“We are very thankful that MARBIDCO was able to step in and fill a critical supportive role in the industry. But we are most thankful for the people who work at MARBIDCO ‐ they have been nothing short of helpful, professional, and on‐the‐ball from the get‐go. It’s been a pleasure dealing with them.”
– Patrick Hudson
True Chesapeake Oyster Company
“My personal experience is that MARBIDCO is the most user-friendly credit resource in today’s market, from both the lender and customer perspective. That fact, coupled with tremendous staff responsiveness and support, would draw me to MARBIDCO whenever a potential agricultural scenario was present in a proposed financing project.”
– Richard Van Gelder
Vice President of Provident State Bank - Salisbury, MD
“We were fortunate to receive a grant from MARBIDCO that truly transformed our business. With their support, we built a commercial kitchen on our farm, which allowed us to turn our homegrown herbs into a unique value-added product: Urban+Ade, an herb-infused lemonade. Thanks to this grant, we’ve been able to offer Urban+Ade in three versatile formats—by the cup, in fill-and-serve pouches, and unsweetened pouches—giving our farmers market customers more options and helping us expand into the online marketplace. This journey, made possible by MARBIDCO’s belief in our vision, has been a reminder of what’s possible when opportunity meets determination meets financial support. We’re incredibly grateful and inspired to continue growing and sharing something special with our community and beyond.”
– Julie Stinar
Owner of Evensong Farm