This page lists all of our urban agricultural conservation resources for Prince George’s County. In this list, you will find resources on urban farming, urban gardening, soil testing, cover crops, soil health, grants, and much more. Learn more about urban agriculture and the services that we provide.
- PGSCD Urban Ag Cooperator Resources
- Soil health and other conservation resources for urban farmers participating in our cooperator program – bit.ly/UAC-Resources
- Maryland Farmer Resource Guide and Beginning Farmer Guide
- Resources compiled by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and partners for funding and training opportunities in Maryland
- Maryland Urban Ag Collaborative Workgroup Resources
- Resources for urban farmers including technical service providers, funding opportunities, and upcoming events and training.
- Maryland Department of Agriculture
- MDA is a state agency that provides leadership and support to agriculture and the citizens of Maryland by conducting regulatory, service and educational activities that assure consumer confidence, protect the environment, and promote agriculture.
- MDA Small Farm & Urban Agriculture Program
- Provides financial assistance to support small-scale agricultural operations located in urban, peri-urban, rural, and suburban areas.
- Natural Resources Conservation Service
- The USDA-NRCS is a federal agency that works with private landowners (farmers, ranchers and foresters) to put conservation practices in place that will benefit the soil, water, air, and wildlife.
- NRCS and Urban Agriculture
- Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production
- Bloomin’ PGC Urban Farming Initiative
- Business planning, conservation, marketing and zoning resources for urban farmers in Prince George’s County.
- Bloomin’ PGC Open Mic Night Recordings
- Workshops on conservation, planning, policy and funding resources for urban farms
- ECO City Farms Beginning Farmer Training Program
- The training program is designed to help an aspiring, new, or beginning farmer learn the information and practice the skills they need to farm– from the ground up.
- Prince George’s Community College: Growing Urban Farmers & Farms
- The Urban Farm Incubator at Watkins Regional Park
- Fresh. Local. Fun. PGC
- Facebook Page: Listing of farms, farmers markets, and businesses supporting local farms as well as farm and food events in Prince George’s County.
- University of Maryland Extension Agricultural Marketing
- Resources to develop your business and marketing plans.
- University of Maryland Extension MD Rural Enterprise Development Center
- Not just for rural farms, this resource includes links to a wonderful business plan guidebook and registration for virtual coaching
- University of Maryland Extension Beginning Farmer Success Guide Book
- Resource for agricultural service providers and farmers in the region. The guide should be used as a companion to the Beginning Farmer Success website which contains additional resource material to support farmers in Maryland.
- University of Maryland Extension Urban Agriculture
- University of Maryland Extension Urban Agriculture Program helps urban residents learn what they need to better achieve their urban agriculture goals.
- University of Maryland Extension Soil Testing & Soil Testing Labs
- The University of Maryland no longer has a soil testing lab but HGIC maintains a list of recommended soil testing labs for you to choose from.
- On-Farm Processing and Starting a Specialty Food Business in Maryland
- Resources on product development, packaging, marketing, regulations, business planning, licensing requirements, and suppliers for starting a food business in Maryland.
- Maryland Cottage Food Laws
- A cottage food business (or a home-based business) is defined in the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 10.15.03 as a business that a) produces or packages cottage food products in a residential kitchen; and b) has annual revenues from the sale of cottage food products in an amount not exceeding $50,000*.
- SARE – Learning & Resources
- Find research-based, farmer-driven information about practicing sustainable agriculture on your farm.
- SARE – Best Practices for the Sustainable Urban Farm
- Whether you’re a consumer, urban farmer, researcher or policymaker, there are many ways to advocate for urban agriculture.
- Agricultural Conservation Low Interest Loans (LILAC)
- Low Interest Loans for Agricultural Conservation (LILAC) are available to help farmers to help farmers install best management practices (BMPs) on their farms, purchase conservation equipment and adopt new technologies that help protect natural resources and safeguard water quality in streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.
- Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) Program
- A system of materials and consistent instruction across the region, creating a community of certified professionals to be better stormwater partners and environmental stewards.
- Environmental Protection Agency – Urban Farm Business Plan Handbook
- The Urban Farm Business Plan Handbook (this document) provides guidance for developing a business plan for the startup and operation of an urban farm.
- Prince George’s County Climate Action Plan (CAP)
- The Prince George’s County Climate Action Plan (CAP) has been created to prepare for and build resilience to regional climate change impacts and to set and achieve climate stabilization goals. Get engaged with the climate action planning process in upcoming virtual public meetings.
- Prince George’s County Rain Check Program
- Prince George’s County is committed to improving the quality of life for its communities by promoting green solutions to stormwater runoff. There are several grant programs available to residents and organizations to implement Best Management Practices.
- University of Maryland Extension Bay-Wise Gardening
- The University of Maryland Extension Bay-Wise Program focuses on water quality and comprises a comprehensive set of environmental topics that affect the quality and quantity of water here in Maryland.
- University of the District of Columbia A Toolkit for Stormwater Best Management Practices for Urban Farming
- Toolkit providing an overview and guidance on potential stormwater impacts and subsequent pollution control practices of urban farming in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
- Homeowner Guide for a More Bay-Friendly Property
- Guide developed by the Chesapeake Stormwater Network to decrease the impact that your property has on the Bay by reducing the amount of pollutants and stormwater generated from your lot through landscaping practices.
- Xerces Society Pollinator Conservation Resources – Mid-Atlantic Region
- The Xerces Society provides a list of pollinator-friendly plants for urban farms and landscapes.
- M-NCPPC Beekeeper Collective
- Watkins Regional Park provides a special area set aside for people who want to establish hives in a beautiful natural and agricultural area
- Bowie-Upper Marlboro Beekeepers Association (BUMBA)
- BUMBA meetings are free and the public is welcome.
- Million Acre Challenge Soil Health Information
- Learn how to protect and regenerate soil in ways that can improve farm profitability and resilience in the long run.
- How to Build a Low-Cost, Small-Scale Aquaponic System
- Aquaponics is a soilless farming method that combines aquaculture (fish production in a system that re-uses water) and hydroponics (vegetable production in a soilless environment).
- University of Maryland Extension Home & Garden Information Center
- HGIC develops and delivers science-based, sustainable gardening and integrated pest management education for better human and environmental health.
- University of Maryland Extension Master Gardeners Program
- The Master Gardener Program educates Maryland residents about safe, effective, and sustainable horticultural practices that build healthy gardens, landscapes, and communities.
- University of Maryland Extension Food Safety Program
- Information on the Produce Safety Rule, food safety and home preservation
- University of Maryland Extension Backyard/Small Flock Poultry Program
- Information on small flock production basics and best management practices
- Maryland Department of Health Facility & Process Review
- Reviews plans for all processing operations in the State, including on-farm home processing
- Maryland Department of Agriculture Poultry & Egg Information
- Any person with poultry in Maryland must register their birds. In addition, the Maryland Egg law requires all eggs sold in the state meet standards for safety, quality, labeling and weight. Everyone selling eggs, even small backyard producers, must comply with it.
- Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture Two Vegetable Wash Station Designs
- After touring several smaller vegetable producers across Iowa, the Fruit and Vegetable Working Group identified a need to publish a low-cost system design for washing vegetables on the farm.
- Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District – Control Heavy Runoff – Solving Drainage and Erosion Problems
- If you have heavy runoff from roof downspouts and neighboring properties, redirecting or capturing runoff can provide better control. These techniques will minimize the amount of water that accumulates or that causes erosion in the problem area.
- Maryland Agricultural & Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation
- Provide financial and other services that helps retain existing resource-based industry production and commerce, promote rural entrepreneurship, and nurture emerging or expanding agricultural enterprises. Check out the Maryland Urban Agriculture Commercial Lending Incentive Grant (MUACLIG).
- RAFI Farmers of Color Network Infrastructure Fund Grants
- RAFI-USA’s Farmers of Color Network Fund provides support to farmers for new and innovative agricultural projects and ideas that will increase farm viability, support community food sovereignty efforts, preserve traditional and cultural farming practices, as well as assist local food economies.
- Foodshed Capital
- Foodshed Capital makes low to zero interest loans between $5k and $50k to agriculture producers as well as provides assistance with business plans, bookkeeping, and marketing.
- USDA Urban Agriculture Grants and Engagement Opportunities
- The 2018 Farm Bill directed USDA to create a new office to better focus on the needs of urban farmers.
- USDA Urban Agriculture Toolkit
- The toolkit lays out the common operational elements that most urban farmers must consider as they start-up or grow their operations. It also contains a special section on resources for developing indoor growing operations, such as aquaponics facilities.
- A Guide to USDA Resources for Historically Underserved Farmers and Ranchers
- This guide can help you get started with USDA, whether you are new to farming, ranching, or forestry management, or just new to working with us. From farm loans to crop insurance, and conservation programs to disaster assistance, USDA is here to support you and your operation.
- USDA National Agricultural Library Urban Agriculture Resources
- Explore information and tools on urban agriculture from federal agencies and partners.
- NRCS Plant Materials Center: Cover Crops & Soil Health
- Evaluates cover crops used in conservation practices to support healthy soils and cropland sustainability efforts.
- Northeast Cover Crops Council Cover Crop Decision Support Tools
- Cover crop recommendations based on expert opinions.
- Rodent Prevention at Community Composting Sites
- Oh, Rats! How to Avoid Rodents at Community Composting Sites is designed to support composters at community gardens, schools, urban farms, and other community venues in successfully managing their composting process to avoid rodents.
- Equipment & Tools for Small-Scale Intensive Agriculture
- This publication focuses on equipment and tools for intensive crop production on a small-scale commercial farm. It details equipment and hand tools for soil preparation, planting, weed management, and harvesting.
- UMD Extension Farm Lease Agreement Resources
- This guide provides an overview of various land leasing issues facing agricultural landowners and agricultural land tenants and raises issues important from both a landowner’s and tenant farmer’s perspective.
- Land-linking Resources
- WSSC Water Meters for Landscaping