MARBIDCO Success Stories
2022 Feature Articles
2007 Maryland Resource-Based Industry Financing Fund "MRBIFF" Recipient: Black Ankle Vineyards
MARBIDCO’s First Loan: A Look Back & Into the Future of Black Ankle Vineyards
In celebration of MARBIDCO’s 15th anniversary, we look back at our first loan recipient in 2007, their history, and where they are today.
Black Ankle Vineyards was conceived by two young professionals who walked away from lucrative consulting careers to follow their dream – to create a world-class vineyard and winery in Maryland.
Sarah O’Herron and Ed Boyce (pictured left) were serious about their new venture, and it took several years to bring their vision to fruition. Having no winemaking experience, they traveled to renowned wine regions from Chile to France to New Zealand learning the art of winemaking. Click to read more.
2022 Small Acreage Next Generation Farmland Aquisition Program Recipeint: Michael and Lauren Adams
Living the Dream via the SANG program; First Recipients of Small Acreage Next Gen Program Finding Success Michael and Lauren Adams (left photo), a young couple living in Keymar, Frederick County, had a dream. They wished to own a farm, make and sell hay, and buy and sell livestock. Both had experience in farming, and both wanted to purchase their own land. Unfortunately, they were finding it difficult to finance their desire to one day become self-sufficient. Click here to read more.
2022 Maryland Urban Agricultural Commercial Lending Incentive Grant Recipient: The Garden International
Passion for Healthy Living Grows into Superfood Mushroom Farm; MARBIDCO Maryland Urban Agricultural Commercial Lending Incentive Grant Award Enables Expansion of New Industry Elizabeth Robinson and Cory Moore (above photo) came to farming with divergent backgrounds. She was an accountant for Marriott International and he was a fitness businessperson for 25 years, opening Golds Gyms for many of those years. What brought them together into the health food industry was each suffered from painful physical conditions. At one point in her career, Robinson faced stomach issues so severe she had to go on disability at her job. Moore had slipped and fell on ice and suffered a back injury. During the Covid-19 pandemic, they decided to diversify and try an indoor crop – gourmet mushrooms.After researching how to grow the fungi, Robinson and Moore opened The Garden International. “The two companies mesh together,” said Robinson. “Everything is plant-based.” The two distinct products are manufactured in separate areas of their suite in Beltsville, Prince Georges County, MD. Click here to read more.
2021 Feature Articles
2021 Value-Added Producer Grant - Capital Assets Option Program Recipient: Milburn Orchard Inc.
Milburn Orchards Inc. is a family farm located in Elkton, in Cecil County. It is known for its you-pick produce, apple cider donuts and family-friendly atmosphere. Fifth-generation farmer Stephen Milburn (left) is planning to take apples from the family operation and turn them into a value-added product, hard cider, creating a new business venture. “We plan to take apples that would have been sold for next to nothing, ferment them into hard cider and we should make a good return,” said Milburn. “We will do the production and sell directly to the consumer.” Click to read more.
2021 Wood Products Industry Equity Incentive Relief Fund Recipient: Eastern Shore Forest Products Inc.
Prior to the pandemic, the Maryland forestry industry was facing challenges, having been greatly impacted by the closure of the Luke Paper Mill in Western Maryland in 2019. The pandemic further disrupted supply chains, affecting both the supply and demand side of the market for the industry. One company impacted was Eastern Shore Forest Products inc. (ESFP), with the subsidiary company Animal Comfort Group LLC (ACG). The company was founded in 1980 by Tom Johnson, (left) and is located in Salisbury, Maryland... Click to read more. Photo: Maryland Forest Association.
2021 Urban Farmer Relief Grant Recipient: Greener Garden Urban Farm
Lavette and Warren Blue (left) have owned and operated the Greener Garden Urban Farm, located in Baltimore City, for the last 35 years. Together they run the farm, sell produce, and teach good farming practices. When the Covid-19 pandemic initially hit, at first their product sales were just consistent. However, after a few months they began to experience a large drop in sales. Regular customers and healthcare workers that had continued to call the farm to place orders and pick-up, eventually stopped. This was coupled with bad weather that resulted in a decrease in crop production. And in the spring of 2021, Lavette contracted the coronavirus... Click to read more.
2020 Feature Articles
2020 Pandemic Adjustment Equipment Grant Fund Recipient: Venture Manor Farms
For many farms, the Covid-19 Pandemic caused disruptions and changes to their operations. For Henry Oakley and his family at Venture Manor Farms in Wicomico County, they lost a major revenue source when they were unable to host school field trips. This was compounded by difficulty in finding seasonal labor during the spring produce harvest season. The unexpected turn of events led them to MARBIDCO’s Pandemic Adjustment Equipment Grant Fund... click to read more.
2020 Pandemic Adjustment Equipment Grant Fund Recipient: Amaranth Acres
The COVID-19 Pandemic has led many consumers to seek local farm products. For Indhu Balasubramaniam, this meant a spike in interest for her Montgomery County farm Amaranth Acres, and an increase in demand for her produce and her community supported agriculture (CSA) membership program. When she heard about MARBIDCO’s Pandemic Adjustment Equipment Grant Fund (PAEGF) in June of 2020, she knew it would help her adjust her operations to meet the influx of new customers and help her remain economically sustainable now and in the future... click to read more.
2020 Pandemic Adjustment Equipment Grant Fund Recipient: Hollywood Oysters
Tal Petty started Hollywood Oysters in 2010, anticipating that it would be his “retirement plan.” The 20-acre aquaculture operation is located on the Patuxent River near his family’s farm in St. Mary’s County. He started the business after learning about a small income tax credit program for growing oysters offered by the State of Maryland, and later acquiring a shellfish aquaculture lease from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources... click to read more.
2020 Pandemic Adjustment Equipment Grant Fund Recipient: Marsh Creek Cattle and Company
Henry Spies V always knew he wanted to farm fulltime after growing up on his family’s farm and raising 4-H livestock. While in college (at the University of Maryland), and with help from his brother Austin Spies, he started Marsh Creek Cattle & Company, located in Caroline County. They raise beef cattle, pigs, and have recently expanded into poultry. When the pandemic started, Marsh Creek Cattle experienced a surge of interest from new customers seeking to purchase their products... click to read more.
2020 MVAPG (CAO) Grant Recipient: Sudlersville Frozen Meat Locker
The COVID-19 Pandemic has caused many challenges for businesses. For Dwayne and Dawna Nickerson, owners of Sudlersville Frozen Meat Locker, LLC, a meat processer in Queen Anne’s County, the pandemic resulted in a surge of customer interest. Thanks to the Maryland Value Added Producer Grant – Capital Assets Option (MVAPG- CAO) that they received in Fall 2019 from MARBIDCO, they have been able to keep up with the demand for their products. Grant funds from this program were used to purchase a new vacuum pack machine. ... click to read more.
2020 Pandemic Adjustment Equipment Grant Fund Recipient: Galvinell Meat Company Inc.
Located in Cecil County, the Galvinell Meat Company Inc. is a USDA-inspected “old school” butcher shop that has served local farmers and the community since 1968. Today the shop is operated by Jen and Dan McGrath. Jen’s father initially operated the business, and in 2013, Jen and her husband Dan took over the operation... click to read more.
2019 Feature Articles
2019 Grant Incentive Recipient: Bella Vita Farm
Amy Falcone grew up in Somerset, Ohio, on her family’s farm, and for most of her life worked as a nurse. It was only after a vacation in Utah that she was inspired to start her own farm, an aquaponics operation producing microgreens.In 2017, Falcone and her family were on a back roads tour of Zion Canyons, when they were taken to a restaurant with amazingly fresh vegetables, fish and chicken... click to read more.
2019 The Baltimore Natural Dye Initiative Farmer Project
In early 2019, MARBIDCO was approached with the opportunity to help the Baltimore Development Corporation on a project in Baltimore City to bring natural dye production to Maryland, including growing indigo. This project is known as the Baltimore Natural Dyes Initiative Pilot Farmer Project... click to read more.
2019, A Look Back on MRBIFF: Black Ankle Vineyards
Located off the beaten path in Frederick County, Black Ankle Vineyards received one of MARBIDCO’s first Maryland Resource-Based Industry Financing Fund (MRBIFF) loans in 2008. The loan was used to build a straw bale building for hosting wine tastings and storing products. Now, over 10 years later, the vineyard is a thriving business looking to expand... click to read more.
2018 Feature Articles
2018 Next Gen Program Recipient: Rocky Spring Farm
When most families sell their farm, it is rare to have an opportunity to buy it back. However, Scott Shank and his family were given that chance in 2017, after applying to MARBIDCO’s Next Generation Farm Acquisition Program. From a young age, Scott and his brother Tom worked on the family farm... click to read more.
2018 Next Gen Program Recipient: Duley Farms
Farming is often passed down through generations, and this is true for the Duley family. In 2013, Paul Duley, and his wife Missi, took over his father’s farming operation, Duley Farms. It is comprised of 2,000 acres, which are mostly leased and in Prince George’s and St. Mary's Counties. Click to read more.
2018 Next Gen Program Recipient: Hidden Acres Farm
Brittanie and Andy Collier always knew they wanted to own a piece of land to operate and to raise kids on. For over five years they searched for an affordable property when they heard of MARBIDCO and the new Next Generation Farmland Acquisition Program, or the Next Gen Program... Click to read more.
Referring Lender Profile: Lisa Cunningham
Loan officers are a critical partner to MARBIDCO, helping prospective borrowers benefit from our programs. One loan officer is Lisa Cunningham, who works with various types of farmers in Dorchester, Talbot and Caroline Counties to get access to commercial and financial assistance... Click to read more.
Shellfish Aquaculture Loan: W.M. Abbott & Son Oyster Company
When Wylie Abbott Jr. decided to enter the aquaculture industry and grow oysters, he researched various programs to support his new business endeavor. Thus, when he heard about MARBIDCO while at a meeting, he knew he had to make a phone call to find out more. In May of 2018, he... Click to read more.
Southern Maryland Revolving Loan Fund Recipient: 804 Cattle Company
While specializing in beef cattle at veterinary school, Roxann Motroni, DVM, PhD, realized she wanted to have a beef herd. However, that day came much sooner than she anticipated when she moved to Upper Marlboro in Prince George’s County. After starting her family business, 804 Cattle Company, in 2016, she heard about an opportunity to expand her farm... Click to read more.
Maryland Vineyard Loan Fund Recipient: Three Sisters Vines LLC
The number of Maryland wineries has been increasing over the past several years, but the number of wine grapes grown in the state has not been keeping up. Thus, when Vince and Tami Gesiskie decided to start a vineyard, it was because they knew there was a demand for Maryland grown grapes... Click to read more.