December 18, 2019 – Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc., the Maryland Farm Bureau, and the Maryland Grain Producers Association voted not to request a delay in implementing the next phase of the Maryland Phosphorous Management Tool (PMT). All three groups are represented on the advisory committee studying how the state should move forward with this regulation. The committee voted not to recommend a delay when it met Dec. 13, and our votes made us part of the majority vote. Our recommendation goes to the desk of Maryland’s Secretary of Agriculture for his consideration in making a final decision by December 31, 2019.

Our three groups do share some of the real concerns about resources and infrastructure available to move forward with implementation of the PMT. These concerns were highlighted in a study by Salisbury University’s BEACON which indicated that it could take up to $10 million in resources to implement the PMT. Even so, we believe requesting a delay was not the best decision we could make for our members. We have known the PMT was coming for several years now but the infrastructure to handle the storage, transport and application of manure and replacement with synthetic fertilizer have not ramped up because there has not been the demand. Unless the next phase of the PMT is implemented, we will not know what our members need to move forward.

We believe an action plan to help farmers adapt to implementation of the PMT is the most important next step. There is no doubt there will be additional fields throughout the state, especially on the lower Eastern Shore, that will not be able to apply animal manure, and that manure will have to move to other areas that can properly use it as the valuable organic nutrient source it is. Farmers, chicken companies, agribusiness, manure brokers and the state government must work together to meet the challenges PMT implementation presents. When we succeed, we can make a case for freedom to operate in a business climate where phosphorus runoff is being properly addressed and managed to benefit the environment and protect water quality.

As one of our members said the other day, “farmers will figure it out.” She is right – that is what farmers have always done. But we will do all we can to make sure farmers aren’t alone in figuring it out. We are committed to ensuring the resources are available to keep our farmers successful throughout implementation of the PMT. This is a team effort.

March 17, 2020 – Maryland Farm Bureau is partnering with INTL FCStone to offer Maryland Farm Bureau members exclusive discounts on FCStone’s catalog of agricultural risk management tools, which range from customized commodity marketing plans to data management solutions and educational seminars and cover an extensive range of agricultural commodities, from grains and oilseeds to dairy and livestock.

“As farmers and ranchers, we often feel we are at the mercy of factors beyond our control, whether it’s weather or the actions of foreign governments, so it’s important to take control where we can, and this new member benefit can help us do that,” said Maryland Farm Bureau President Wayne Stafford.

“Understanding how commodity markets work and, most importantly, making them work for each farm as a risk management and marketing tool, is crucial. This important partnership will give Farm Bureau members access to invaluable education and resources to help them succeed – a central goal of the Farm Bureau mission.”

Through this partnership, Maryland Farm Bureau members can receive*:

• Ten free trades each year when opening a new trading account.
• A 20% discount on an annual subscription to Know-Risk™ Crop Marketing, giving them access to powerful software tools and expert advisors.
• Access to INTL FCStone’s Market Intelligence expertise at reduced rates.
• A 40% reduction in fees to attend market outlook conferences and educational seminars designed to help members utilize and understand targeted risk management strategies.

November 18, 2020– In light of the quickly evolving COVID-19 pandemic in Maryland and tighter county-by-county restrictions on indoor gatherings of people, Maryland Farm Bureau’s Executive Committee and staff have declared that the Annual Meeting of Delegates will be moved to a fully virtual platform held Monday, December 7, 2020. 

“We understand that the quickly evolving situation, along with the important business of the Annual Meeting is of concern to all members,” said John Torres, Executive Director of Maryland Farm Bureau. “We will make this work and demonstrate that COVID will not get in the way of our grassroots process that is at the core of the Farm Bureau mission.” 

The 2020 Annual Meeting is free to attend virtually by registering at https://mdfarmbureau.com/convention/. All participants must register through the meeting website. District caucuses will be held virtually using Zoom’s virtual breakout room feature and each room will be facilitated to conduct each district’s business quickly and efficiently.  

The Executive Committee has also approved a motion to allow for the adoption of the Resolutions Committee Report to be done on a section-by-section basis as opposed to a line item-by-line item basis to reduce the number of electronic votes that need to be taken, and to quickly move through the policy book. 

MDFB’s field staff will work with all county Farm Bureaus to decide how they want to distribute the weighted votes of their 2 proxy delegates if counties have an uneven number of delegate seats afforded to them according to MDFB’s bylaws. Staff will contact those counties with odd number of delegate seats to verify how votes should be weighted on a county-by-county basis. 

Please visit the Annual Meeting website for more information and to register: https://mdfarmbureau.com/convention/. Please contact the Maryland Farm Bureau office at (410) 922-3426 with questions or concerns.  

November 13, 2020– With the safety of members, board members and staff in mind, the Maryland Farm Bureau has canceled the in-person annual convention and is moving the 2020 Annual Meeting of Delegates to a virtual hybrid format.  

The virtual hybrid format will take place on Monday, December 7 and Tuesday, December 8, 2020. Designated proxy delegates and alternate proxy delegates for county Farm Bureaus, affiliate organizations, and program committees will join together in small groups in-person at one of six district satellite locations across the state. The board of directors has adopted a proxy voting system in order to keep the size of these district meeting locations small to maintain safe social distancing. 

“Just like our members have adapted to the challenges of this growing season, we are adapting our meeting processes to keep our members safe,” said John Torres, Maryland Farm Bureau executive director. “We recognize that our members look forward to celebrating the achievements of county Farm Bureau’s and individuals each year in person, and we look forward to reestablishing those connections in 2021.”  

This first-of-its-kind annual meeting is free to attend virtually by registering at https://mdfarmbureau.com/convention/.  We ask that those who are not delegates, members of the state board, members of the MDFB PAC, or staff, participate in the live streamed virtual meeting from the comfort of their own homes.  

Those who will be attending one of the six district satellite locations must register for on-site attendance, this includes credentialed delegates, to comply with new-state wide COVID-19 rules. Registration is now open for both the virtual meeting and district satellite locations. Those attending on-site are asked to pay a $40.00 registration fee to help off-set the cost of each meeting location including technology, food and beverage.  

Visit https://mdfarmbureau.com/convention/ to view the meeting agenda and register.  

Contingency plans are currently being worked out in the event that convening in-person at district satellite locations no longer becomes a safe and viable option. Maryland Farm Bureau will communicate any changes to the program as soon as possible to members. 

This is a news release for use by journalists. Questions should be directed to John Torres, Executive Director of the Maryland Farm Bureau.  

May 26, 2020– Agricultural producers can now apply for USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), which provides direct payments to offset impacts from the coronavirus pandemic. The application and a payment calculator are now available online, and USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) staff members are available via phone, fax and online tools to help producers complete applications. The agency set up a call center in order to simplify how they serve new customers across the nation. 

“We know Maryland producers are facing a tough time now, and we are making every effort to provide much needed support as quickly as possible,” said Jim Eichhorst, state executive director for FSA in Maryland. “FSA is available over the phone and virtually to walk you through the application process, whether it’s the first time you’ve worked with FSA, or if you know us quite well.” 

Applications will be accepted through August 28, 2020. Through CFAP, USDA is making available $16 billion for vital financial assistance to producers of agricultural commodities who have suffered a five-percent-or greater price decline due to COVID-19 and face additional significant marketing costs as a result of lower demand, surplus production, and disruptions to shipping patterns and the orderly marketing of commodities. 

“We also want to remind producers that the program is structured to ensure the availability of funding for all eligible producers who apply,” Jim Eichhorst said. 

In order to do this, producers will receive 80 percent of their maximum total payment upon approval of the application. The remaining portion of the payment, not to exceed the payment limit, will be paid at a later date nationwide, as funds remain available. 

Producers can download the CFAP application and other eligibility forms from farmers.gov/cfap. Also, on that webpage, producers can find a payment calculator to help identify sales and inventory records needed to apply and calculate potential payments. 

Additionally, producers in search of one-on-one support with the CFAP application process can call 877-508- 8364 to speak directly with a USDA employee ready to offer assistance. This is a good first step before a producer engages the team at the FSA county office at their local USDA Service Center.

Applying for Assistance 

Producers of all eligible commodities will apply through their local FSA office. Those who use the online calculator tool will be able to print off a pre-filled CFAP application, sign, and submit to your local FSA office either electronically or via hand delivery. Please contact your local office to determine the preferred method. Find contact information for your local office at farmers.gov/cfap. 

Documentation to support the producer’s application and certification may be requested after the application is filed. FSA has streamlined the signup process to not require an acreage report at the time of application and a USDA farm number may not be immediately needed.

Additional Commodities

USDA is also establishing a process for the public to identify additional commodities for potential inclusion in CFAP. Specifically, USDA is looking for data on agricultural commodities, that are not currently eligible for CFAP, that the public believes to have either: 

1. suffered a five percent-or-greater price decline between mid-January and mid-April as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, 

2. shipped but subsequently spoiled due to loss of marketing channel, or 

3. not left the farm or remained unharvested as mature crops. 

More information about this process is available on farmers.gov/cfap. 

More Information 

To find the latest information on CFAP, visit farmers.gov/cfap or call 877-508-8364. USDA Service Centers are open for business by phone appointment only, and field work will continue with appropriate social distancing. While program delivery staff will continue to come into the office, they will be working with producers by phone and using online tools whenever possible. 

All Service Center visitors wishing to conduct business with the FSA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or any other Service Center agency are required to call their Service Center to schedule a phone appointment. More information can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus.

October 20, 2020 – Maryland Farm Bureau executive director John Torres praised yesterday’s debut of Governor Hogan’s newest relief initiative, the Maryland Farmer COVID-19 Relief Program.  The program will provide payments for contract poultry producers who were not eligible for Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) funds, as well as bonus payments to farmers who received federal relief from the first round of CFAP funding. 

“We would like to thank Governor Hogan for recognizing the hard work and dedication of Maryland’s farmers,” said Torres. “This news is a welcome relief to the farmers who ensure that American families have safe and affordable food on their dinner tables, not only during this pandemic, but each and everyday.”  

Contract poultry growers are eligible for direct payments of $1,000 per poultry house (capped at five houses). Poultry growers whose flocks were depopulated during the pandemic are eligible for an additional $1,500 per house. 

Maryland farmers who received federal funding from the first round of CFAP payments are eligible for a 15% bonus payment. Farmers growing chickens, turkeys, or ducks under contract in 2020, and whose poultry operations have not received any business interruption insurance coverage for the losses that will be covered by the relief funding are eligible. Maryland contract poultry growers whose flocks had to be depopulated due to COVID-19 disruptions are also eligible for additional assistance. 

Poultry growers must fill out an online application by December 1, 2020.  

For more information about the Maryland Farmer COVID-19 Relief Program go to: https://mda.maryland.gov/FarmerRelief  

To apply for the Maryland Contract Poultry Grower COVID-19 Relief Fund go to: https://onestop.md.gov/forms/maryland-cares-act-contract-poultry-5f5bbe805d937b00fc64122a 

To apply for the Maryland Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 1 (CFAP1) Bonus Payment go to: https://onestop.md.gov/forms/maryland-cares-act-cfap-bonus-5f5bb7a9274b2e00fb5c9466 

July 17, 2020- The University of Maryland’s (UMD) College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) and the Maryland Farm Bureau (MDFB) fully recognize how the COVID-19 pandemic has and continues to cause frustration and challenging circumstances for the Maryland agriculture community. One of the unfortunate outcomes has been the suspension of 4-H’s in-person programs, including participation in county fairs and the Maryland State Fair. To inform this decision, AGNR and 4-H have carefully reviewed the guidance developed by the Governor’s office, UMD, public health officials, the Maryland Department of Agriculture, and have engaged in key discussions with state fair leadership, fair superintendents, and campus administration. MDFB supports these important efforts to keep 4-H participants, families and staff safe. 

To echo the recent messaging of Dr. Nia Imani Fields, the Maryland 4-H Program Leader, the decision was based on the following challenges and concerns:  

• The health and safety of Maryland 4-H youth, families, volunteers and staff. 

• The difficulty in solidifying a mitigation plan that adheres to the UME 4-H limitation of group size to 10 individuals or fewer during fair/show activities and conduct of 4-H activities in a protected area away from the general public.  

• The uncertainty of when large group gatherings can safely resume while following youth program safety standards and the difficulty in secluding 4-H participants from the general public. 

• Concerns related to the comfort level of our fair superintendents, judges, staff, volunteers and families to attend an in-person fair.  

• Concerns around acquiring additional support in terms of personnel, materials and resources needed to safely engage in in-person activities and shows.  

• The need to provide timely decisions and clarity at the local level for planning purposes.

• Several summer and fall national 4-H and FFA related competitions and activities, which are interrelated to the state 4-H//FFA competitions typically held at the fair, have been postponed, transitioned to a virtual platform and/or cancelled.

In addition, we collectively support UMD’s commitment to the health and well-being of the entire campus community, with publicly available plans that have been coordinated with state and county health officials, and additional guidance provided by the University System of Maryland. Along with our statewide youth, we want 4-H faculty and staff to feel safe, allowing them to continue to do their jobs without the stress and uncertainty of in-person activity. We will continue to partner with the statewide agriculture community to provide virtual educational opportunities to enhance literacy, entrepreneurship, career exploration and opportunities to highlight the importance of Maryland’s agriculture industry. 

Together, we will move past this unprecedented time. We will see each other again soon having come out stronger on the other side. In the meantime, let’s all be safe, and respectful of the well-researched and expertly conceived policies designed to make sure we can resume in-person experiential opportunities for our youth in the shortest time frame possible. In the meantime, our two organizations will continue our work to support and advance Maryland’s agriculture industry and educate our youth and all Maryland citizens about the importance of agriculture to their daily lives.  

In solidarity,

Craig Beyrouty, Dean and Director, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

John Torres, Executive Director, Maryland Farm Bureau