LinkedIn  YouTube  Web
 

Rural Maryland Council Newsletter

Spring 2026 | Policy, Programs, and Partnerships

Stay informed on the latest resources, programs, and initiatives supporting rural communities across Maryland.
Become A Member Today
 

Photo: Governor Wes Moore, Senate President Bill Ferguson, and House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk pictured with Charlotte Davis, Steve McHenry, Alice Settle-Raskin, Delegate Natalie Ziegler, Megan D'Arcy, and Leeza DeCheubel at the May 12, 2026, bill signing for HB 461.

Message from the Board Chair Susan O'Neill and Executive Director Charlotte Davis

As the 2026 legislative session comes to a close and spring unfolds across the state, the Rural Maryland Council (RMC) reflects on a season defined by progress, partnership, and meaningful engagement. The adjournment sine die of the Maryland General Assembly on April 13, 2026, marked the culmination of months of dedicated work, resulting in the passage of the Fiscal Year 2027 Operating Budget and a range of legislation addressing solar energy, land use, environmental stewardship, transportation, broadband expansion, and more. This session also delivered a significant investment in rural communities, with RMC and its affiliated grant programs receiving a combined $6,047,464 in funding for Fiscal Year 2027.


This work is further informed by the recently completed Resident Survey of the Rural Maryland Council, prepared by the Schaefer Center for Public Policy at the University of Baltimore. The survey highlights the critical importance of job opportunities and economic vitality across rural communities, with many respondents indicating that economic challenges remain a top concern. Click here to read the full report.


This winter and spring, RMC continued to strengthen its presence in Annapolis and beyond through a series of well-attended events and initiatives. Rural Maryland Day, held in person on February 12, brought together advocates from across the state to connect with representatives from more than 50 legislative offices. The event provided an important platform to highlight both the strengths and the ongoing challenges facing rural Maryland communities, while fostering meaningful dialogue with policymakers.


RMC also hosted several key gatherings that brought together leaders, partners, and stakeholders. The Quarterly Executive Board Meeting and Legislative Luncheon on January 27 welcomed approximately 60 participants, who braved the snowcrete in Annapolis. The luncheon was held in the President’s Conference Center in the Miller Senate Office Building, with generous support from Senator Mike McKay. Later, on April 3, the Spring Quarterly Executive Board Meeting, sponsored by Senator Mary Beth Carozza, drew more than 70 registrants and featured guest speaker Shelby Francis of the Regional Economic Studies Institute (RESI) at Towson University, who shared valuable insights on regional economic trends. Click here to learn more and read the full report prepared for the RMC by RESI.


RMC was also proud to celebrate Maryland Day on March 25 with an event on Lawyer’s Mall in downtown Annapolis, where approximately 200 lunches were distributed to legislators and stakeholders. This successful event was made possible through the support of numerous partners, including Maryland Broadband Cooperative; Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO); Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC); Maryland Forests Association (MFA); Horizon Farm Credit; Southern Maryland National Heritage Area; Delmarva Chicken Association (DCA); Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB); Maryland Horse Breeders Association (MHBA); Upper Shore Regional Council; Maryland Tech Council (MTC); Chesapeake Charities; Maryland Agriculture Education Foundation (MAEF); Choptank Electric; Easton Utilities; Preservation Maryland; and the Maryland Department of Agriculture. Together, these efforts reflect RMC’s continued commitment to elevating rural voices, building strong partnerships, and advancing opportunities for Maryland’s rural communities.


Finally, we are excited to share that Leeza DeCheubel has been promoted to Program Coordinator, and we’ve also welcomed a new contractual staff member, the Honorable Jim (James) Gilcrest, who will serve as Program Coordinator for the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program. Please join us in congratulating them both on these exciting updates!


We are also currently seeking to hire a new Communications Assistant and look forward to welcoming another talented team member soon.


We are grateful for your continued support and more energized than ever to carry this momentum into the second half of the year. Together, let’s keep pushing forward, building connections, and showing up for rural Maryland. As always, we strive to collaborate across federal, state, and local governments, as well as with for-profit, nonprofit, and grassroots organizations, to find ways to improve the quality of life for all of rural Maryland. We want to hear your thoughts and ideas, please feel free to contact us at (410) 841-5772 or rmc.mda@maryland.gov.


Sincerely,

Susan O'Neill

RMC Board Chair

Charlotte Davis

RMC Executive Director
 

FY2027 RMC Grant Application Period Has Closed


The Rural Maryland Council extends its sincere thanks to the many organizations that applied for Fiscal Year 2027 funding opportunities. The application period officially closed on May 15, 2026, and the Council appreciates the continued commitment of partners working to strengthen Maryland’s rural communities.


This year’s grant programs included:


The Maryland Agricultural Education & Rural Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF), supporting rural-serving nonprofits and community colleges engaged in economic and community development, agriculture, and forestry education initiatives.


The Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund (RMPIF), supporting local and regional public and nonprofit organizations advancing projects that improve quality of life and create lasting impact in rural areas.


The Maryland Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), introduced this year to support initiatives that expand access to healthy, locally sourced food and address food insecurity through infrastructure, education, and community partnerships.


Throughout the application period, the Council hosted virtual and regional information sessions to assist prospective applicants and provide guidance on program requirements and eligibility.


Thank you again to all who applied and participated in this year’s grant cycle. Additional information about RMC programs and future funding opportunities can be found on the Grant Opportunities page.
 

RMC Sponsorship Opportunities


Did you know RMC sponsors events? Have an event or initiative where you would like to see RMC involved? We would love to hear from you! You can now submit your request through our new Sponsorship Process by completing the Sponsorship Request Form. Let’s collaborate to support and elevate Maryland’s rural communities.
Get Started
 

Rural Maryland Foundation


Rural Maryland suffers from the highest unemployment in the state as well as high poverty rates. Citizens lack access to transportation and health care providers. Help us change that.

We have a simple mission: to support the efforts of citizens and government to meet the economic and social needs of rural Maryland; to serve as the Maryland Rural Development Council if the Rural Maryland Council ceases to function in that role and to support the efforts of the Rural Maryland Council.​​
Learn More

Want to Get More Involved?


Our committees are always looking for new members!


Upcoming Meeting Dates:

  • Thursday, May 28 - RMC Rural Housing Working Committee
  • Wednesday, June 10 - RMC Youth Engagement Committee
  • Monday, July 20 - RMC Legislative Committee
  • Wednesday, August 19 - RMC Health Committee
  • TBD - RMC Agriculture Committee


If you’re interested in joining a committee, let us know, we’d be happy to get you connected!

Making Headlines Across Rural Maryland

Community Links


Check out what's happening in rural Maryland...


Informational Opportunities and Conferences


Other Grants and Programs


Fairs, Festivals, and Fun


Email: rmc.mda@maryland.gov to share links to your events and programs.

Maryland Postharvest Infrastructure Grant


The Postharvest Infrastructure Grant Progr​am (PHI), administered by the Maryland Department of Agriculture, is a vital element of the federally funded Maryland Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). This initiative is designed to strategically establish cold storage infrastructure within Maryland rural communities to expand food aggregation and distribution capacities.


Program Funding at a Glance​ 

● Total Funding Available: $1.6 Million

● Minimum amount: $30,000


Empowering Rural Health Through Local Food

By strengthening the operational capacity of local food producers, this initiative seeks to enhance the accessibility of nutritious, locally sourced products for rural Marylanders. The program supports a wide range of providers encompassing fresh produce, dairy, grains for human consumption, meat and poultry, herbs, and Maryland seafood.

  • ​Food Bank Partnership MDA is partnering with the Maryland Food Bank to enhance cold storage for food banks to enable the distribution of fresh foods. Any food bank interested in cold storage should contact the Maryland Food Bank directly.


Eligible Applicants:​

● Agricultural producers or seafood processors. This category is a priority.

● Nonprofit Organizations.

● Local Government Entities.

● Institutions.


Eligible Project Activities

Funding may be utilized across five key categories to improve the cold chain and distribution process.

1. Cold Storage Infrastructure

2. Transportation and Fleet Upgrades

3. Distribution Logistics and Technology

4. Handling and Loading Infrastructure

5. Food Safety Modernization


Program Background

This initiative is a core component of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), a five-year federal initiative funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) through the Maryland Department of Health.


The Rural Health Transformation Program was authorized by H.R. 1 (2025)(Section 71401 of Public Law 119-21). It empowers states to strengthen rural communities across America by improving healthcare access, quality, and outcomes by transforming the healthcare delivery ecosystem. Through innovative system-wide change, the RHTP invests in rural healthcare

delivery ecosystem for future generations.


Grant Deadline: June 14, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EST

MDA Postharvest Infrastructure Information Session:

  • Wednesday, May 27th: 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. EST

Register for one or both he​re!


The Maryland Rural Health Transformation Program is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award to the Maryland Department of Health totaling $168,180,837.61 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents of this document are of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

Register Now for Upcoming AAHPP Workshops


Administered as a partnership between MHT and the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture (MCAAHC), AAHPP provides grants to assist in the preservation of buildings, sites, or communities of historical and cultural importance to the African American experience in Maryland. This spring, MHT and MCAAHC will host a series of webinars and workshops, where participants will learn about project eligibility, how to submit an application, selection criteria, and more. Attendance is free, but you must register to participate. You can learn more about the grant program on the program webpage.  

 

Schedule: 

4/27/2026 | 1:00 PM | Virtual

5/19/2026 | 10:00 AM | Virtual

6/4/2026 | 10:30 AM | Banneker Douglass Tubman Museum, Annapolis (In-Person)


The application link and materials are now available on the program webpage for the FY27 grant round. Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the grant guidelines, attend a workshop or webinar, and contact program staff with any questions or to learn if your project is eligible. All applications must be completed and submitted by 11:59 PM on July 1, 2026.


For assistance with developing project purpose and scope, programming, and project prioritization, contact Alex Anderson, Research Specialist at the MCAAHC, at alexandria.anderson@maryland.gov. 


For assistance with program eligibility and budgetary or construction and technical preservation questions, contact Stacy Montgomery, MHT Capital Programs Administrator, at stacy.montgomery@maryland.gov.

The Board of County Commissioners for Somerset County are seeking to fill vacancies on various boards/commissions listed below:


Code Appeals Board

Housing Board of Review Members

Agricultural Preservation Board

Seafood Reconciliation Board

Recreation & Parks Commission

Property Tax Assessment Appeals Board

Lower Shore Workforce Alliance

Somerset County Commission on Aging Board

Somerset County Social Services Board

Adult Guardianship Review Board

Tourism Commission

Eastern Shore Area Health Education Board


If you or someone you know is interested in serving on one of these boards, please contact the County Commissioners office at 410-651-0320 for more information.

Rural Maryland Council is an independent state agency and Maryland's federally designated State Rural Development Council under the United States Department of Agriculture's National Rural Development Partnership. Our mission is to bring together federal, state, county, and municipal government officials as well as representatives of the for-profit and nonprofit sectors to identify challenges unique to rural communities and to develop and implement policy solutions. As a collaborative partnership, the RMC operates under the guidance of a 40-member Executive Board, in a nonpartisan and nondiscriminatory manner.


Rural Maryland Council | 410-841-5772 | rmc.mda@maryland.gov | http://www.rural.maryland.gov/

50 Harry S. Truman Parkway

Annapolis, MD 21401

Copyright © 2026. All Rights Reserved.
 
 
 

Charlotte Davis | 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway | Annapolis, MD 21401 US

Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice

Constant Contact