Ag Law | University of Maryland Extension

Updated: April 1, 2022

Developing Proactive Legal Strategies for Handling Protesters and Hiring Employees to Limit Legal Issues on Your Farm (FS-1163)

Authors: Paul Goeringer - Ellen Pearson

Managing legal risks can mean following a well-thought-out process to hire new employees, correctly training new employees, allowing them additional training to stay current on the most recent chemical application and animal welfare practices, and developing other proactive strategies to limit legal challenges impacting a farm operation. This publication assists readers in better understanding what can go into this process. Title: Developing Proactive Legal Strategies for Handling Protesters and Hiring Employees to Limit Legal Issues on Your Farm (FS-1163). Author: Paul Goeringer, Ellen Pearson

Updated: March 29, 2022

Understanding Agricultural Liability: Legal Risk Management Considerations (FS-995)

Authors: Paul Goeringer

This fact sheet can serve as another tool in a farmer’s risk management plans by providing information on how farmers can protect themselves from legal challenges from a nuisance or violation of an environmental permit. The information discussed in this fact sheet will not eliminate threats of lawsuits. Elimination of 100 percent of legal risk is not possible. Understanding Agricultural Liability: Legal Risk Management Considerations is available here http://drum.lib.umd.edu/handle/1903/16345. Author: Paul Goeringer, Title: Understanding Agricultural Liability: Legal Risk Management Considerations (FS-995)

Updated: December 20, 2021

Farmland Transition

Depending on your source, it is estimated 40% to 70% of family farms will transition over the next 15 years, and 80% of the rented farmland in our country could be owned and controlled by those who didn't grow up on the farm or operate it themselves. While there are many causes for concern in these statements, you should be asking yourself if you have done all I can to ensure your farm business survives. In some cases, it will not because you have no successor within your family and you have chosen not to seek one from outside.

Updated: November 3, 2021

Commercial Poultry News-January 2021

Commercial Poultry Newsletter - Jan. 2021: Farm Manager is Not a Joint Employee of Poultry Farm; Extension Resources; DCA's New App 'Littr.' to Connect Litter Customers/Suppliers; CAFO Update; 7 Fundamentals for Antibiotic-Free Poultry Growing

Updated: August 4, 2021

Aquaculture Policy

A brief history and overview of aquaculture industry, political changes, as well as the problems and potential solutions for aquaculture farmers.

Don Webster presenting at ALEI Conference

Updated: July 19, 2021

Commercial Poultry News-July 2021

Commercial Poultry News July Issue 2021. Newsletter Topics: State Court Declines to Use Public Trust Doctrine in Lawsuit Over Water Quality, Prepare for Natural Disaster on Commercial Farms, Celebrating Outstanding Growers on Delmarva At the DCA BBQ, Vegetative Environmental Buffers, and coming events.

Updated: June 4, 2021

Agritourism Operations and Liability Concerns this Fall Season

With so many concerns for the Fall agritourism season, here is an informative podcast that helps outline how to mediate some of the risks of hosting events this Fall season. While Marylanders must follow Governor Hogan’s mandates about group gatherings, staying informed about how vendors in other states are addressing Covid-19 protocols for group gatherings can help make more informed decisions as the Fall season approaches.

Updated: May 13, 2021

Adoption of Household Stormwater Best Management Practices

Authors: David Newburn - Amanda Rockler - Anna Alberini

This report summarizes the findings of a household survey conducted by the University of Maryland (UMD) regarding the adoption of stormwater best management practices (BMPs), including rain gardens, rain barrels, low fertilizer lawn care, and conservation landscaping.

Updated: February 17, 2021

To Fence or Not to Fence: That is the Question

According to the 2007 Census of Ag, Maryland had roughly 5,970 livestock operations and Delaware had roughly 1,372 livestock operations. These livestock operations are asked to co-exist among grain, vegetable, or orchard production, or commercial or residential development. For these livestock producers, a good fence can be one way to be a good neighbor and limit disputes. But who exactly has the duty to build the fence, how costs are allocated, and what standards should a fence be built to?

Rotational grazing of stockpiled non toxic tall fescue in December at Maple Grove farm in Fallston Maryland

Updated: January 21, 2021

Maryland Farm Internships and Labor Laws

Authors: Sarah Everhart

Many farms across Maryland use interns to lighten the overall farm workload and help young people gain practical farming knowledge. Although interns can be a welcome addition to a farm’s workforce, farm employers need to be aware of how to properly compensate interns and the legal consequences of adding them to the payroll.