MarylandSB 05992026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

On-Farm Organics Diversion and Recycling Grant Program - Established

Sponsored By: Katie Fry Hester (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

EnvironmentAgricultureAgriculture, Department ofAgriculture -see also- Agritourism; Cannabis Prd; Farm; etc.Animals -see also- Birds; Dogs; Domestic An; Horses; LivestkAnnotated Code of MarylandAppropriationsCompost and CompostingCounties -see also- Chartered Counties; Code Counties; etc.Education, Boards ofEnvironment, Department of theEnvironmental HealthEnvironmental JusticeEnvironmental Matters -see also- Conserv; Nat Resrce; PollutFarmers and Farming -see also- Agriculture; FarmlandFood -see also- Meat, Poultry, & Seafood; Milk; etc.GovernorGrantsHigher Education -see also- Comm Colleges; Med Schools; etc.Job Training -see also- Continuing Ed; Vocational RehabMunicipal Corporations -see also- Annap; BaltNonprofit OrganizationsRecyclingReportsRevenue and Taxes -see also- (specific tax)Rules and RegulationsSoil ConservationStandards and Best PracticesUrban AreasWater PollutionWork, Labor, and Employment -see also- JobTrn; Leave; etc.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Grants for farmers to cut food waste

Beginning July 1, 2028, the Department of Agriculture runs a grant program for on‑farm organics recycling, compost use, food rescue, and wasted‑food prevention. Farmers, urban farmers, urban agricultural producers, soil districts, colleges, nonprofits, eligible businesses, and consortia can apply. Eligible projects include food rescue, composting of food separated from packaging, registered animal feed recovery, training, research on compost benefits, labor and wages, and permit application costs. The Department gives priority to projects with clear community benefits, local prevention and rescue, General Use compost with minimal contamination, service to overburdened or underserved areas, and living‑wage job creation and training. The agency must use a simple, common application with language help, and report results each December 31 starting in 2028.

Grants to cut wasted food statewide

Beginning July 1, 2028, the Department of the Environment runs a statewide grant program to reduce, rescue, and divert wasted food. Eligible applicants include state and local agencies, school districts, colleges, nonprofits, farmers and urban agricultural producers, eligible businesses, and consortia. Projects can build or expand collection, compost food separated from packaging, recover registered animal feed, fund education and technical help, and switch from single‑use to durable, reusable serviceware. The Department prioritizes projects with clear community benefits, local prevention and rescue, General Use and minimally contaminated compost, service to overburdened or underserved areas, and living‑wage job creation and training. The agency must use a simple, common application with language help and report results each December 31 starting in 2028.

Who counts as urban or underserved

Beginning October 1, 2026, an overburdened community is a census tract with at least three listed pollution or health indicators above the statewide 75th percentile. An underserved community is a tract where 25% or more are low‑income, or 50% or more are nonwhite, or 15% or more have limited English. An urban farmer is a person who farms in an urban area. An urban agricultural producer sells, or normally would have sold, $1,000 or more a year of farm products in an urban area defined by the U.S. Census or city boundaries.

County grants to reduce food waste

Starting July 1, 2028, the State gives counties yearly wasted‑food block grants based on county population. Counties must use funds to build or expand local infrastructure, programs, and education to reduce, rescue, and divert wasted food. Counties must favor projects with clear community benefits, General Use and minimally contaminated compost, service to overburdened or underserved areas, fewer local harms, and strong local benefits like job creation, training, and inclusive living‑wage hiring.

No double-dipping across two grants

Starting July 1, 2028, you cannot receive both state wasted‑food grants in the same calendar year. If you get an On‑Farm Organics grant, you cannot also get a Wasted Food Reduction and Diversion grant that year, and vice versa.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Katie Fry Hester
Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

Shelly Hettleman
Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 169 • No: 7

House vote • 4/8/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 127 • No: 7 • Other: 7

Senate vote • 3/23/2026