It’s harvest time in this little town

Levi and Kristin Hayman grow corn, wheat, soybeans, and certified organic poultry in Greensboro. This time of year, you can expect to see them on combines harvesting the essential grain that makes Maryland move.

With poultry being Maryland’s largest agricultural product, particularly on the Eastern Shore, the grain grown here feeds birds all along the shore. It’s a local ecosystem that thrives without the need for imports, benefiting farmers like the Haymans and their community. It’s hard work for this couple, but they enjoy every moment spent together.

“Farming is born and bred into you,” says Levi with a smile. “And if you find the right person to share it with, that enjoys it as much as you do, that’s a plus.” #MemberSpotlight

DAVIDSONVILLE, MD – The Maryland Farm Bureau (MDFB) has officially released its 2024 Voting Guide, which provides insight into the positions of federal candidates on key agricultural issues in Maryland. As part of this effort, candidates were asked to address the question central to MDFB’s mission: “As a member of Congress, how will you work to strengthen and grow agriculture in Maryland?”

While MDFB does not endorse any federal candidates, the guide is intended to offer information to its nearly 8,000 member families as they consider their voting decisions. The full responses from the campaigns can be accessed at mdfarmbureau.com/votingguide2024

“The upcoming election has serious implications for the future of agriculture in our country,” says Tyler Hough, MDFB’s Director of Government Relations. “We appreciate the candidates who took the time to recognize the vital role that farmers play in Maryland’s economy and communities.”

Special thanks to the following campaigns for participating:

• U.S. Senate: Larry Hogan and Angela Alsobrooks
• 1st Congressional District: Andy Harris and Blane Miller III
• 2nd Congressional District: Johnny Olszewski and Kim Klacik
• 3rd Congressional District: Sarah Elfreth
• 4th Congressional District: George McDermott
• 6th Congressional District: April McClain Delaney and Neil Parrott
• 8th Congressional District: Cheryl Riley

Agriculture is Maryland’s largest commercial industry, contributing $8 billion annually from over 12,500 farms. The Maryland Farm Bureau is the state’s largest agricultural advocacy organization, representing nearly 8,000 member families committed to advancing the future of Maryland farming.

Earlier this month, the American Farm Bureau Federation also released a questionnaire with responses from 2024 Presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, addressing national agricultural policy issues. To view their responses, click here.

Cambridge, MD – Maryland Farm Bureau is excited to announce that its 109th Annual Convention & Meeting of Delegates will be held December 7-10, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa, and Marina in Cambridge, Maryland. This event is the largest gathering of farmers in the state, bringing together over 500 agricultural leaders from across all of Maryland’s 24 jurisdictions.

This year’s convention will offer a comprehensive platform for Maryland’s agricultural community to connect, share ideas, and influence policy. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in sessions on legislative advocacy, sustainability practices, and the latest agricultural trends, making it an invaluable event for anyone involved in Maryland’s farming sector. The convention’s first day, Saturday, December 7th, will also serve as the NextGen Summit, a celebration of Maryland’s young farmers and ranchers.

We are also inviting businesses and organizations to be exhibitors at our convention trade show. With sponsorship opportunities starting at $1,000, exhibitors will benefit from premium visibility and engagement with our attendees. All sponsorship packages of $1,000 or more will include a Standard Booth in the exhibit hall and a complimentary General Convention Registration.

Key Details:

• Event: 109th Maryland Farm Bureau Annual Convention & Meeting of Delegates
• Dates: December 7-10, 2024
• Location: Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa, and Marina, Cambridge, Maryland
• Exhibitor and Sponsorship Opportunities: Available now, with packages starting at $1,000

Updates and additional information regarding exhibitor details, sponsorship packages, and a draft agenda are available on our website at mdfarmbureau.com/convention.

We look forward to seeing you at this exciting event and to another successful gathering of Maryland’s agricultural community.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released their net farm income data, which shows a shocking 23% drop in on-farm income since 2022. This exacerbates other problems, including farmers paying the highest dollar amount ever on interest, labor and taxes which was also highlighted in the report.

“The drop in net farm income is not just an economic hiccup, it’s evidence of an agricultural downturn,” says American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall. “High inflation, severe weather and plummeting crop prices should serve as a wake-up call for Congress to finally step up and do the right thing by modernizing the farm bill.”

Recently, Maryland experienced a loss of more than 12,000 acres of farmland according to the latest Census of Agriculture. Across the United States, the census reported 141,733 fewer farms and a loss of more than 20 million acres of farmland from just five years earlier. 

Maryland Farm Bureau (MDFB) has been sounding the alarm on disadvantageous policies that contribute to the loss of income and acres of farmland. This includes solar siting on class 1 and 2 agricultural soils and excessive taxation on agricultural products and property.

“Maryland farmers are incredibly aware of the problems that such a steep loss of income can bring,” says MDFB President Jamie Raley. “It is imperative that our elected officials come together and pass farmer-friendly legislation to support the farmers that feed and fuel our local communities.”

MDFB has issued an action alert, encouraging its nearly 8,000 family members to write their federal representatives to pass a new and modernized farm bill. The farm bill is the most important federal legislation designed to support American agriculture, farmers, and nutrition programs. Last year, MDFB members filmed a PSA in support of the Farm Bill during their annual meeting with lawmakers in Washington, DC.

In May, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture passed a new Farm Bill through the committee on a bipartisan basis. Since then, it has not moved forward in the House or introduced in the Senate.

TIMONIUM, MD. – After several Maryland Farm Bureau (MDFB) members attended the Governor’s Annual Luncheon at the Maryland State Fair, Governor Wes Moore helped serve ice cream to fair goers at MDFB’s Dairy Bar. The Dairy Bar is an annual tradition hosted by MDFB, serving locally made ice cream at the state fair with all the proceeds going to support MDFB’s Young Farmers & Ranchers program.

Left to right: LEAD MD President Emily Wilson, LEAD Class XIII Stephanie Knutsen, Governor Wes Moore, MDFB Executive Director Parker Welch, and Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks

From MDFB’s Facebook: “Maryland Farm Bureau relies on the support of volunteers to staff our Dairy Bar at the Maryland State Fair – that’s why we were thrilled to have Governor Wes Moore pick up a shift and serve ice cream to fair goers!

All of the proceeds from our Dairy Bar goes to support young farmers in Maryland. Thank you Governor for taking the time to support our state’s wonderful young farmers and dairy industry!

Governor Wes Moore prepares a root beer float for a fair-goer

Maryland Farm Bureau, inc. is a 501(c)(5) federation that serves as the united voice of Maryland farm families. Our organizational strength comes from the active participation of nearly 8,000 families who belong to the state’s 23 local county Farm Bureau organizations. Since 1915, MDFB has been committed to strengthen and grow agriculture in Maryland. MDFB is a proud member of the American Farm Bureau® Federation. For more information, visit mdfarmbureau.com.

Additional photos can be found on MDFB’s Facebook.

As you may know, northern Maryland farms are facing a significant challenge. The Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project is a proposed 70-mile transmission line running through Baltimore, Carroll, and Frederick Counties.

These lines have the potential to cut through agricultural property and the developers will need to acquire property rights for the project. While technological progress is important, these transmission lines could threaten the finite farm land that sustains us all.

It’s important to note that while many of our state legislators have voiced their opposition to these transmission lines, 𝙣𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙫𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙛𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙖 𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙥𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨.

This contradiction is not lost on us, and it highlights a pressing issue: 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙇𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙤𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙣 𝙖𝙩 𝙤𝙙𝙙𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙡𝙤𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙛𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙨.

We understand the importance of data centers in our modern world, but we believe that this development should not come at the expense of our farmers’ livelihoods. Our legislators must be held accountable for the choices they make, and it is up to us to ensure that our voices are heard.

Maryland’s farmers are facing unprecedented challenges, and now more than ever, we must stand united. Your support as a Maryland Farm Bureau member is invaluable, and we need your help to deliver on our mission to strengthen and grow agriculture in Maryland. Your support will allow us to continue our work in lobbying, legal challenges, and public advocacy campaigns.

We know that together, we can make a difference. Our farmers deserve to have their land protected, and with your help, we can hold our legislators accountable and encourage them to instead push for solutions that benefit everyone.

Consider becoming a member of Maryland Farm Bureau, donating to our legal fund, or refer a friend at members.mdfarmbureau.com

Learn more about the MPRP project

A thriving poultry industry in Maryland benefits all farmers

As chicken farmers in Pocomoke, Far and Val Nasir feed their chickens with grain grown locally on the Eastern Shore. The waste from the chickens is then returned to the grain farmers where it’s used as an enriching fertilizer. With poultry being one of Maryland’s largest agricultural products, a strong poultry industry lifts up all farmers across the state.

Embracing new and emerging farming techniques, they installed benches in their poultry house, allowing the chickens to roost, perch, and play, which greatly improves the quality of life. These houses require a significant amount of energy, so they also added solar panels for sustainability and brought in grazing sheep to eliminate the need for gas-powered mowing. Despite these advancements, Far and Val never loses sight of their true purpose in farming.

“I don’t think of my farm in terms of economics,” says Far Nasir. “I think of my farm in terms of how many families we can feed with quality, affordable meals.” #MemberSpotlight

View more photos on social media and follow Val on Facebook.