FY 26 Approved Operating Budget

ABOUT THIS MEASURE:

Highlights the county's agricultural heritage and generational lifespan of farm businesses.

WHAT IS BEING DONE AND WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO TRACK:

Outreach for documentation and historical information; tracking helps ascertain the longevity of a specific farm businesses.

FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO CURRENT PERFORMANCE:

Maryland Farm Bureau, other partners' commitment to documenting county's ag history.

Performance Measure 3: Continue to provide access to fresh farm foods for seniors through coupon program

ABOUT THIS MEASURE:

Partnership with Office of Aging to offer local seniors discounted access to fresh produce; exemplifies commitment to promoting local agribusiness.

WHAT IS BEING DONE AND WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO TRACK: Produce from local farms is being taken to the senior housing areas for distribution.

FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO CURRENT PERFORMANCE:

Collaborative marketing; transportation access; cost effectiveness; participation of farmers markets and vendors.

Performance Measure 4: Increase marketing events and promotions for agricultural community.

ABOUT THIS MEASURE: Promotes our local farms to the community, and allows for increased traffic and business. WHAT IS BEING DONE AND WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO TRACK:

Promoting the Farm Finder site, distribution of Homegrown Harford, new programs such as Farm Fresh in "Lets Rallie", increased social media posts, Buy Local signage, newsletters.

FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO CURRENT PERFORMANCE:

Transitions from physical to digital marketing, new programs needing traction, farms doing their own marketing.

Performance Measure 5: Increase support in ag education and outreach events. ABOUT THIS MEASURE:

Ag education and outreach is important to the community for legislative purposes as well as keeping them interested in local

WHAT IS BEING DONE AND WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO TRACK: Ag Education Nights at schools, Farm Fair, Ag Night at Ripken, Ag Literacy Week etc.

FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO CURRENT PERFORMANCE: School participation, bandwith to keep growing programs. Performance Measure 6: Retain 100% of public facing farms. ABOUT THIS MEASURE:

It is important to help the farms that are public facing stay in business as our community relies heavily on them for food security.

WHAT IS BEING DONE AND WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO TRACK: Promotions, marketing and creating outlets for them to grow their businesses.

FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO CURRENT PERFORMANCE: Farmers market exposure, locations of the farms

Performance Measure 7: Increase financial support in grants throughout the farming community. ABOUT THIS MEASURE: Farms rely heavily on grants to promote and grow their businesses. Creating local oppurtunities allows them to do so.

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