1. A. The Department to Approve or Disapprove an Application.

   1. (1) If the Department approves a project, it shall base the amount of State grant funds on:

      1. (a) The eligibility of the applicant;
      2. (b) Whether, and the degree to which, the project provides a benefit to socially disadvantaged urban farmers;
      3. (c) Whether, and the degree to which, the project increases the viability of urban farming;
      4. (d) Whether, and the degree to which, the project improves access to urban-grown foods; and
      5. (e) Whether, and the degree to which, the project provides urban grown foods to urban areas designated as a Healthy Food Priority Area.

   2. (2) The Department shall disapprove an application for any of the following reasons:

      1. (a) The application is incomplete or does not comply with these regulations;
      2. (b) The applicant’s land is not used for agricultural purposes;
      3. (c) The application is for a project which is already under construction; or
      4. (d) The Department has no available funds.
2. B. Within 30 days from receipt of an application, the Department shall notify the applicant whether the application has been approved and the amount of the grant funds awarded.

Authority: Agriculture Article, §§2-2001 et seq.; Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: April 14, 2025 (52:7 Md. R. 325)

Regulation .02B amended effective April 27, 2026 (53:8 Md. R. 356)

Regulation .04B amended effective April 27, 2026 (53:8 Md. R. 356)

Regulation .05A amended effective April 27, 2026 (53:8 Md. R. 356)

Regulation .06A amended effective April 27, 2026 (53:8 Md. R. 356)