Publications

Authors: Lori Lynch - Paul Goeringer - Wesley Musser

In 2014, the Maryland General Assembly recoupled the state estate tax exemption with the federal estate tax exemption. Recoupling is tying Maryland’s state estate tax exemption back to the federal estate tax exemption something that has not happened since 2001. Over the next 5 years, Maryland’s estate tax exemption will be gradually increased in 2015 and each year after until the state’s exemption is equal to the federal exemption in 2019. This will have ramifications on existing estate plans in the state. To aid Maryland residents understand this change and the estate planning process, Lori Lynch and I worked to update the Estate Planning For Maryland Farm Families fact sheet. This publication was originally developed by Lori and Wes Musser and provides a general overview of many of the tools utilized in estate planning and discusses potential tax implications that you should be aware of. Authors: Paul Goeringer, Lori Lynch, and Wesley Musser; Title: Estate Planning for Farm Families (FS-972)

Authors: Andrew Kling

Harvesting woodlands is an essential part of good management and supports the forest products industry. The careful stewardship of woodland resources may include periodic harvesting. This practice helps woodlands by removing certain trees that may be damaged, diseased, stressed, or mature.

Authors: Amy Burk - Lester Vough - Dr. Nicole Fiorellino - Tim Shellem - Mike Dwyer

Improper management of grazing horses can lead to the loss of vegetative cover, soil erosion and nutrient run-off into nearby water sources . An example of poor grazing management is to allow horses to continuously overgraze pasture without allowing for rest and regrowth of the plants. Best management practices (BMPs) are practices that farm operators can use to control and reduce the farm’s risk of negatively impacting the surrounding environment.

Authors: Jonathan Moyle - Dr. Nathaniel Tablante - Daniel Bautista - Dustan Clark

Avian pox is a disease that affects chickens and many other bird species, particularly in backyard, hobby, and exhibition flocks. It occurs in two forms—dry and wet—causing skin lesions, respiratory issues, reduced growth, decreased egg production, and occasional death in severe cases. The disease spreads through mosquitoes and contact with contaminated scabs, but can be prevented through vaccination. Avian pox poses no risk to humans, and early vaccination and biosecurity practices can help limit its impact on flocks. Authors: Jonathan Moyle, P.H.D., Dr. Nathaniel Tablante, Daniel Bautista, and F. Dustan Clark; Title: Recognizing and Preventing Avian Pox in Small Flocks (FS-979).

Authors: Jonathan Moyle - Dr. Nathaniel Tablante - Daniel Bautista - Tom Tabler - Dustan Clark - Kayleigh Moyle

Internal parasites (worms) can affect all types of poultry. They are found throughout the world and can cause production losses and increased mortality in flocks. Commercial poultry producers use confinement to help prevent infections from internal parasites. Free-range backyard flocks may acquire these parasites as they interact with the environment. Authors: Jonathan Moyle, Nathaniel Tablante, Daniel Bautista, Tom Tabler, F. Dustan Clark, Kayleigh Moyle; Title: Recognizing and Preventing Internal Parasites (Worms) in Small Flocks(FS-999).

Authors: Jennifer Timmons - Jonathan Moyle

The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) offers a voluntary certification program, in which participants are permitted to sell their poultry and rabbits anywhere intrastate (within the state) to restaurants and retailers. An additional license from DHMH (Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene) or local health department is required to sell at Farmers’ Markets.

Authors: Paul Goeringer - James C. Hanson

The Center for Agricultural and Natural Resource Policy and UME's Beginning Farmer Success program have developed a fact sheet to help beginning farmers understand the various credit sources available in the state of Maryland and the requirements associated with each credit source, such as USDA's Farm Service Agency, a Farm Credit lender, or MARBIDCO. Authors: Paul Goeringer and Jim Hanson; Title: Review of Lender Requirements for Beginning Farmer Loan Programs (FS-975)

Authors: Sara BhaduriHauck

If you are hauling horses, you may be subject to licensing and vehicle registration regulations. This publication outlines the state and federal regulations that may apply if you live in Maryland and/or operate vehicles that are tagged with Maryland license plates. The fact sheet includes information on requirements for personal and commercial transporting.

Authors: Paul Goeringer - Lori Lynch - Holiday Hull

Many individuals moving into agricultural areas in Maryland have no farm backgrounds and little understanding of agricultural operations. The same is true of commercial fishing and seafood operations in Maryland. Once there, the new residents may find the noises, insects, farm equipment on the roads, smells, and other characteristics of agricultural and commercial seafood life unexpected and objectionable. While neighbors should consider working together and developing open lines of communication to find solutions, in some cases, this cooperative approach may not work. In response, Maryland introduced a Right-to-Farm (RTF) law in 1981. All 50 states have RTF laws, which typically shield agricultural activities from complaining nonfarm neighbors by limiting the scope of and providing a defense for nuisance actions brought against farms and other agricultural operations. In 2014, Maryland extended these protections to commercial seafood operations and watermen. Title: Understanding Agricultural Liability: Maryland’s Right-to-Farm Law Can Limit Liability for Maryland Farm, Commercial Fishing, and Seafood Operators (FS-973). Paul Goeringer, Lori Lynch, and Holiday Hull educate producers on the issues associated with Maryland's Right-to-Farm law.

Authors: Ginger S. Myers

With just 2 percent of the American population actively engaged in producing food, CSA is a growing social and agricultural movement that offers a path to farm preservation, stability and profitability, at the same time it connects people with their food supply and builds community. CSA links the source of food (the farm and farmer) to the destination of the food (the consumer).