Keystone Development Center helps develop cooperatives through a network of private, public, and educational entities.  KDC strives to improve rural economic conditions through cooperative development, with priority given to new and emerging groups, cooperatives, and communities. For more information contact Cathy Smith.  Telephone:  814-687-4937.  Email:  smith (at) kdc (dot) coop.  The KDC mailing address is c/o Adams Electric Cooperative, Inc., 200 Trinity Road, York, PA 17404.  Telephone:  717-792-2163. Fax:  717-792-2573

A cooperative development agency that provides a framework for cooperation among local, State and Federal resources in a comprehensive strategy.  The regional strategy includes; preserving agriculture as a viable industry, diversifying the economic base, preserving the environment, and managing growth and public services.  Mailing Address:  PO Box 745, Hughesville, MD 20637.  Physical Address:  15045 Burnt Store Road, Hughesville, MD 20637.  Telephone:  301-274-1922 or 301-870-2520.  

The RDC’s mission is to strengthen and diversify Maryland’s rural economy by providing technical assistance, strategic planning, and financial assistance for public development with an emphasis on creating public/private partnerships.  Contact:  Daniel Kuennen, Director at dskuennen (at) umes (dot) edu.   Address:  Richard A. Henson Center, Room 2147, UMES, Princess Anne, MD 21853.  Telephone:  410-651-6183.  Fax:  410-651-6207.  

Provides services within the state government; certification of documents, division of state documents, charities & fundraisers, notaries public, etc.  Mailing Address:  16 Francis Street, Annapolis, MD 21401.  Telephone:  410-974-5521 or 888-874-0013.  Fax:  410-974-5190.   

Provides assistance with registration of new businesses with all required departments.  Address:  301 W. Preston Street, Baltimore, MD 21201.  Telephone:  888-246-5941.

MDA is a state agency with branch offices within the state to address regulatory issues, education, consumer protection and to promote the economic well-being of farmers and agribusiness in Maryland.  Address:  50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401.  Telephone:  410-841-5700.  Secretary of Agriculture Roger L. Richardson at 410-841-5880.

Acts to protect and promote Maryland agriculture and rural life.  Farm Bureau’s purpose is to increase net farm income and improve the quality of life by providing a legislative voice, increasing public understanding and promoting member involvement.  Address:  8930 Liberty Road, Randalstown, MD 21133.  Telephone:  410-922-3426. 

Provides assistance and resources that promote self-sufficiency in low-income families and build strong, sustainable communities throughout Maryland. MRDC provides assistance with education, health services, transportation, housing and community development. Address:  PO Box 4848, 428 Fourth Street, Annapolis, MD 21403.  Telephone:  410-269-0910.  Call or check the website to locate an office near you.

Promotes public awareness of the value and economic impact of agriculture and supports farmers to preserve farmland and agriculture in Maryland.  Address:  18410 Muncaster Road, Derwood, MD 20855.  Telephone:  301-590-2823.

RMC’s mission is to work collaboratively with private and public sectors, for-profit and not-for-profit organization and all levels of government to assist in the preservation agriculture and natural resource-based industries, address the impact of change and advocate manageable regulatory process.  Address:  1410 Forest Drive, Annapolis, MD 21403.  Telephone: 410-267-6807.  Fax:  410-267-6809.  Call or check the website for resources, news and events.

SMECO is a non-profit electric co-op since 1937, providing power to more than 115,000 member-owners.  Address:  15035 Burnt Store Road, PO Box 1937, Hughesville, MD 20637-1937.  Telephone:  888-440-3311. 

The FSA administers and manages farm commodity, credit, conservation, disaster and loan programs as laid out by Congress through a network of Federal, State and County offices.  Address:  Maryland State Farm Service Agency, 339 Buschs Frontage Rd., Annapolis, MD 21240.  Telephone:  443-482-2760.  Fax:  410-757-9265.  Call or check the website to locate your county office. 

Conducts a rural development program designed to provide technical assistance to rural residents interested in organizing cooperatives or to existing cooperatives seeking to improve operations.  This technical assistance includes needs assessments, strategic planning, business planning, feasibility analysis, board training, along with distributing education materials.   Address:  1221 College Park Drive, Suite 200, Dover, DE 19904.  Telephone:  302-857-3580 or 800-670-6553.  Fax:  302-857-3640. 

Offers resources on a variety of topics including; agriculture, business, funding, economics, rural development, cooperatives, environmental, housing, labor etc..  Address:  National Agricultural Library, Room 132, 103o1 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD 20705-2351.  Telephone:  800-633-7701.  Email:  ric (at) ars.usda (dot) gov.

A division of teh USDA for food safety regulations and inspection services.  Address:  US Dept. of Agriculture; District 75, 5601 Sunnyside Ave., Suite 1-2288 B, Beltsville, MD 20705-5200.  Telephone:  301-504-2136.  Fax:  301-504-2140.

Provides a directory of websites of economic development agencis Nationwide and around the world.  Check the website for Maryland listings.

The Department of Business and Economic Development Centers’ mission is to assist businesses, stimulate private investment, create jobs, provide workforce training, offer financial assistance and encourage economic growth.  The Marland DBED has five regional offices to serve all the counties in the state.  Telephone 800-ChooseMD.  Website of regional and county office directory:  http://www.choosemaryland.org/regionsandcounties/randcindex.html.

Rockwell Associates is a financial consulting firm that uses a goal-oriented approach to assist clients with financial planning, investments and insurance; serving PA, MD and DE.  Address:  1521 Concord Pike, Suite 305, Brandywine Plaza West, Wilmington, DE  19803-3644.  Telephone:  302-655-7151.  Email:  methven.barbara (at) pmlmail (dot) com. 

A regional economic development organization designated as a local development district that acts as a state data center and offers procurement and technical assistance.  Address:  One Technology Drive, Suite 1000, Frostburg, MD 21532.  Telephone:  301-689-1300.  Fax:  301-689-1313. 

“Counselors to America’s Small Business” is a nonprofit organization that provides free and confidential small business advice and training.  SCORE is dedicated to entrepreneurial education and the formation, growth and success of small businesses.  Address:  c/o Chamber of Commerce, 144 East Main Street, Salisbury, MD 21803.  Telephone:  410-749-0185.  Fax:  410-860-9925. 

SBDC’s offer comprehensive assistance to small businesses by providing a wide variety of information and guidance.  Staff will help with accounting, market research, and financial analysis.  Most services are free.  The website is full of useful information that will link you to any of the centers.

CSREES is an agency within the USDA whose mission is to advance knowledge for agriculture, the environment, human health, and communities through National program leadership and Federal assistance.  Mailing Address:  USDA/CSREES 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Stop 2201, Washington, DC 20250-2201.  Telephone:  202-720-4423.  Physical Address:  CSREES 800 9th St., SW, Washington, DC 20024.

A statewide, non-formal education system within the college of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.  MCE provides educational programs and problem-solving assistance to the community. Check the website to locate your county extension office.   Address:  2122 Henson Center, Princess Anne, MD 21853.  Telephone:  410-651-6206.  Fax:  410-651-6207.  

Provides academic programs in several agricultural-related disciplines including agribusiness.  UMES also houses several organizations that provide assistance in cooperative development and business.  Address:  11868 Academic Oval, Princess Anne, MD 21853.  Telephone:  410-651-2200.  

FCS is a network of independently owned credit and financial service institutions that serve farmers and ranchers.  They offer operating & equipment loans, tax planning, financial management, record-keeping services and a variety of other services. 

A member owned cooperative financial institution serving the Cumberland area.  Address:  PO Box 1377, Cumberland, MD 21501.  Telephone:  301-784-3000 or 800-655-8335.

A Credit Union directory service.

Provides contact information to locate your local credit union for information and financial services.  Address 8975 Guilford Road, Suite 190, Columbia, MD 21046.  Telephone:  410-290-6858 or 800-492-4206.  Fax:  410-290-7832. 

A member owned cooperative financial institution serving the Frederick area.  Address:  One State Farm Drive, Frederick, MD 21709.  Telephone:  301-620-6789.

A farmer association/cooperative through which value-added premiums can be achieved for MD’s Eastern Shore farmers.  Address:  709 Morgnec Rd., Chestertown, MD 21620.  Telephone:  410-810-2081.  

A member owned retail food market that strives to provide high quality products to the community, support local farmers, encourage fair prices and sustainable living.  Address:  5728 Evergreen Square, Buckeystown Pike, Unit 1-B, Frederick, MD 21704.  Telephone:  301-663-3416.

FCA is a cooperative that offers premium feed, fertilizer and petroleum products at competitive prices serving MD, WVA, VA and PA.  Address:  820 E. South Street, Frederick, MD 21701.  Telephone:  800-255-0023.  

An online cooperative resource and natural food directory service.  This on-line site provides good access to food cooperative resources and links to other sites of interest.  For Maryland listings check:  http://www.coopdirectory.org/directory.htm#maryland

A not for profit, natural food cooperative market.  The market is worker managed and offers quality products at prices that cover only the food cost plus their operating expenses.  Address:  4005 34^th Street, Mt. Rainier, MD.  Telephone:  301-779-1978.

A marketing and purchasing cooperative that is organized to support individual growers in the emerging horticultural model of contract hydroponic greenhouse production.  Email:  tshandworker (at) mail.umes (dot) edu   

Also: http://www.lsbc.us

LSBC is a cooperative consisting of various private and public entities that share wireless broadband services at comparable prices.  Contact: Michele Holochwost at 410-957-6060.  Address:  1731 Broad St., Pocomoke, MD 21851. 

PWIC is a cooperative targetd to wine enthusiasts, viticulturists, brewers, and winemakers interested in enhancing the quality and perception of Mid Atlantic wines.  Contact the Worcester County Department of Economic Development at 410-632-3112 or contact Jerry Redden at jredden (at) co.worcester,md (dot) us

Data processing, telemarketing and e-commerce activities.  Address:  3019 Union Church Rd., Smith Island, Tylerton, MD 21866.  Telephone:  888-825-2077 or 410-968-9000.

This rural co-op consists of nine crabmeat pickers who work as independent businesses that produce 23,600 pounds of crab meat annually.  Address:  3019 Union Church Rd., Smith Island, Tylerton, MD 21866.  Telephone:  888-825-2077.

One of the Nation’s largest farmer owned cooperatives serving 23 states.  Since 1923, the cooperative has used the collective resources of its members to increase research capabilities which benefits the farmers and helps increase farm income.  The cooperative has branches in farming & ag, lawn & garden, horses, pets, and energy.  Address:  Main Office at PO Box 26234, Richmond, VA 23260-6234.  Telephone:  804-281-1000.  Berlin Farm Supply at 115 Broad Street, Berlin, MD 21811.  Telephone:  410-641-3600.

TPSS is a member owned cooperative grocery store that offers a variety of products from fresh produce, cheeses, coffees, herbs, and natural remedies.  Address:  201 Ethan Allen Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912.  Telephone:  301-891-2667.  Address:  8309  Grubb Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910.  Telephone:  240-247-2667.  

An all natural, member owned cooperative market that offers quality products and community classes in parenting, cooking and knitting.  Address:  2429 Saint Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21218.  Telephone:  410-235-3255.