University of Maryland Extension

production

Marketing laws and social media

Urban Ag home | Table of contents Many farmers, including urban farmers, use a variety of tools, including social media, to market their farms and farm products. Be aware that there are federal and state advertising and marketing laws that do need to be followed when you’re advertising, especially...

Contracts

Urban Ag home | Table of contents A contract is any agreement (written or oral) where the parties (the people making the agreement) exchange mutual promises in return for some sort of consideration (typically money or a good) or benefit (e.g., a service). Contractual arrangements in agriculture...

Resources for food safety laws

Urban Ag home | Table of contents Your Extension agents are a good source for questions about the food safety laws that may impact your farming operation. You can also contact your state’s department of agriculture. You might also check with your local food policy council, food hub or farmers...

Food safety laws for processed, “cottage,” or value-added foods

Urban Ag home | Table of contents There is no comprehensive set of guidelines to determine whether a product is “value-added.” The term, however, generally refers to raw products that have had their value enhanced through some method of production (e.g., popped corn, jam, salsa) or marketing (e.g...

Food safety certifications

Urban Ag home | Table of contents Urban farmers who sell fresh produce to large retailers or other distributors may also be required by those buyers to certify their fruits and vegetables through one of many third-party voluntary quality certification programs for agricultural producers like USDA’s...

State food safety laws

Urban Ag home | Table of contents States share regulatory authority with the federal government in many areas, but states enjoy complete jurisdiction over farmers markets and other types of direct farm sales, retail sales, restaurants, and many types of small-scale agricultural production and...

Federal food safety laws

Urban Ag home | Table of contents In general, federal regulations apply to all foods that are sold in interstate commerce (meaning across state borders) or foreign commerce, and states have the power to regulate most foods that are only sold intrastate (see “What’s federalism got to do with it?”...

Food safety

Urban Ag home | Table of contents Food safety is an area of significant legal risk for farmers, and a culture of food safety must be a priority on your farm. Although federal regulation is a large component of the food safety picture, particularly for food products that travel across state lines,...

Production, handling, and distribution

Urban Ag home | Table of contents Soil testing and nutrient management are covered in Chapter 1: Urban production systems. Employment and labor laws are covered in Chapter 5: The human element. Previous page: Those pesky nuisance claims Next page: Food safety

Action items

Urban Ag home | Table of contents Operating an urban farm requires compliance with a number of state or local zoning, permitting, licensing, and other regulatory requirements. These requirements could have a significant impact on your production and operating plans, and the costs to run your farm...

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