Warfield signs letter of intent to open grain elevator this fall; opening date to be determined in coming days
Annapolis, MD (September 25, 2023) County Executive Steuart Pittman announced the County has entered into a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Warfield to open the grain elevator. Warfield will conduct necessary repairs with County permission, beginning today.
“Getting this contract done to open the elevator for this fall’s crop was an all-hands effort by farmers, county staff, and the operators,” said County Executive Pittman. “We did an emergency procurement, a plan to fund repairs, and relied on advice from farmers to make it happen. It’s this kind of collaboration that will keep our farms producing for generations to come.”
“I am grateful for the County Executive’s leadership and the collaboration of the farming community in ensuring that the grain elevator can open this fall and benefit farmers throughout Anne Arundel County and all of southern Maryland,” said Senator Sarah Elfreth.
The County will assist with securing the required Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) air permit and will continue to work with the new operator with the goal of accepting grain through the facility in the coming weeks.
Perdue Farms first announced its intent to close the elevator in January, 2021. County Executive Pittman worked with Perdue to keep the elevator open for an additional two years to support local farmers, and then contracted with Perdue to purchase the elevator in March, 2023.