Regulations | University of Maryland Extension

Updated: October 19, 2023

Building a Farm Food Safety Culture

The end of the growing season is in sight, and apple and pumpkin harvest season has begun. For many operations, this is a time of increased numbers of visitors on the farm. Those operations that add agritourism to their offerings know that sunflower festivals give way to apple festivals and perhaps peak with Halloween and pumpkin events.

Updated: August 10, 2022

Food Safety Plans and Compliance for Beginning Farmers

Building a good food safety plan is a top priority for a new and beginning farm business. Food safe is incredibly important for every farm, regardless of size, methods of production, or marketing outlets. It is a common misconception that food safety and the need to implement the practices necessary to mitigate contamination of fresh produce are problems of scale, concerns only for larger farms.

Boxes lined up for a farmers market table of bright vegetables like zucchinis, and red peppers, and green peppers

Updated: August 10, 2022

Food Safety Resources for Beginning Farmers

Provides guiding principles for beginning farmers working with food safety regulations and important topics to explore in food safety.

Updated: August 5, 2022

Farm Establishment

Farm Establishment for Maryland Beginning Farmers. Includes information on: Considerations for Acquiring a Farm Property, Understanding Zoning For New Farm Enterprises, Understanding Soil and Soil Health, Overview of Farmland Preservation in Maryland, Resources and Web links, and Farm Establishment Review.

Maryland Beginning Farmer Guidebook text with pictures of cherry tomatoes, basil, chickens, and grapes

Updated: May 10, 2022

Valuing On-Farm Heir’s Sweat Equity Is Complicated and Agreements Should Be Developed to Fairly Compensate On-Farm Heirs (FS-1079)

Determining the value of sweat equity can be both challenging and controversial for farm families. Sweat equity arises as an issue when an on-farm heir receives payment at below market rate, and the farm business grows in size due to an on-farm heir’s below-market labors. Land in the farm may also appreciate in value due to the work of the on-farm heir. It is important to note that the best solution for handling sweat equity is to agree early on to pay the on-farm heir at a market rate. Handling sweat equity early on may necessitate the on-farm heir also working off the farm for additional income if the farm cannot support an additional person full-time. It is important to discuss the farm succession plan and limit the possibility of sweat equity claims at an early stage of farm expansion. Authors: Paul Goeringer, Catherine Onumajuru, Dale Johnson, and Mason Grahame; Title: Valuing On-Farm Heir’s Sweat Equity Is Complicated and Agreements Should Be Developed to Fairly Compensate On-Farm Heirs (FS-1079)

Updated: January 26, 2022