DAVIDSONVILLE, MD. – Maryland Farm Bureau (MDFB) is thrilled to announce the start of May Membership Month, a concerted effort to grow membership, promote local farmers, and reach new audiences. Throughout the entirety of May, MDFB will be delivering marketing materials showcasing how the membership of our organization is delivering on our mission to strengthen and grow agriculture in our state. The campaign also seeks to encourage prospective members to join so we can continue to advocate for our agricultural community. Membership in MDFB is open to anyone – both farmers and non-farmers alike.

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To kickoff this campaign, MDFB is debuting a digital advertisement featuring our 1^st Vice President and Kent County Farmer, Jonathan Quinn. In his testimonial, Quinn endorses membership in MDFB, emphasizing how the organization helps Maryland farmers.

“Our successful advocacy efforts are only thanks to the grassroots input and generosity of our members,” says MDFB Executive Director Parker Welch. “May Membership Month is a fantastic opportunity for us to tell that story and grow our membership so we can continue to secure victories for Maryland farmers.”

As a 501(c)(5) federation, MDFB serves as the unified voice of Maryland farm families, drawing strength from the active participation of over 9,500 individual and family members across the state’s 23 local county Farm Bureau organizations. Since our establishment in 1915, Maryland Farm Bureau has remained steadfast in our commitment to safeguarding and advancing agriculture while preserving the essence of rural life.

As a proud member of the American Farm Bureau Federation, Maryland Farm Bureau stands at the forefront of advocating for the interests of our agricultural community on the local, state, and federal level. To become a member of our organization, visit members.mdfarmbureau.com. For more information on Maryland Farm Bureau and our mission, please visit mdfarmbureau.com.

DAVIDSONVILLE, MD – Belinda Burrier, a member Maryland Farm Bureau’s Board of Directors and co-owner of Burrier’s Linganore Farm in Frederick County, recently penned a letter in The Baltimore Banner regarding Maryland agriculture’s role at the Port of Baltimore in light of the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

“As Maryland embarks on the journey of reopening and rebuilding in the aftermath of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, it’s imperative that we do not overlook agriculture, our state’s largest commercial industry. Agriculture contributes more than $8 billion to the state economy annually and puts about 350,000 Marylanders to work.

The tragic incident at the bridge shocked us all, and our hearts go out to those who lost loved ones, and we applaud the heroic efforts of first responders. While much attention has rightly been given to the economic repercussions of the Port of Baltimore’s closure, there’s been a glaring omission in discussions — the profound impact on Maryland’s thriving agricultural sector.

Maryland’s fertile soil and abundance of sustainability-minded farmers have resulted in a flourishing agricultural sector, with the largest growing commodity being soybeans. Between 2017 and 2022, Maryland increased its soybean yield by 19,000 acres, for a total of 531,904 acres harvested a year.

The quality of our agricultural products coupled with our strategic coastal location has attracted international interest, with last year’s soybean exports from the Port of Baltimore alone valued at a staggering $243 million, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The temporary closure of the port, however, has thrown our farmers into uncertainty. Longtime Maryland Farm Bureau members, such as the Lippy Brothers, a farm that had containers of soybeans on the Dali ship, are now grappling with logistical challenges.

What would normally be a short drive to Maryland’s flagship port has resulted in farmers taking their haul to Norfolk or Philadelphia, losing time, money, and precious tax revenue for our state. Moreover, many haulers face transportation hurdles with some major highways still not allowing heavy-duty trucks.

Many other sectors across Maryland that rely on the Port of Baltimore are facing the same problems our farmers are. We sympathize and empathize with their predicament, but the truth remains: If our farmers can’t make a living, Maryland’s local food supply chain is in jeopardy.

Day in and day out, Maryland farmers work hard to ensure our communities have access to fresh, sustainable and nutritious food. Their efforts not only nourish our population but also sustain our state’s economy. It’s imperative that our public officials prioritize the reopening of the port with due consideration for agriculture’s pivotal role.

Let’s ensure that as we rebuild, we aren’t leaving our farmers behind. Their resilience and dedication deserve support as we chart a path forward for a stronger, more resilient Maryland.”

Belinda Burrier in the Baltimore Banner

Without farms, you can’t have barbecue! →

Will, Mark, and Tommy from Farm BBQ get started at the crack of dawn, and sometimes the night prior, to begin smoking meats. A constant presence at Harford and Baltimore County farmers markets, they view their delicious barbecue as way to bring community together while supporting local agriculture.

Liking to source their food from local farms, the Farm BBQ team recently became members of Maryland Farm Bureau because of our advocacy of farms statewide. The Farm Bureau isn’t just for farmers, if you want to see farms succeed in Maryland (…and barbecue for that matter), you should a become a member too!

“We want people to experience this food and come away feeling the love that we feel for our community and local farms.” says Will of Farm BBQ in Fallston.

Learn more about Farm BBQ’s mission by visiting their website at eatfarmbbq.com.

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Today, in a resounding bipartisan vote, the Maryland House of Delegates passed SB0367: Natural Resources – Antlerless Deer Hunting Programs – Authorization on its third reading. This commonsense bill allows counties that have hosted successful deer management programs in the past, like the Lower Shore’s Doe Harvest Challenge, to continue their impactful efforts. The bill now awaits Governor Wes Moore’s signature to become law.

Recognized as a top priority by the Maryland Farm Bureau (MDFB), this bill addresses the pressing concern of wildlife damage, a major issue confronting farming operations across the state. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, Maryland farmers suffer losses exceeding $10 million annually due to wildlife crop damage, with deer overpopulation accounting for over three-quarters of these losses. MDFB members played a pivotal role in advancing this legislation through grassroots advocacy efforts, including action alerts and digital advertisements, which resulted in over 50 MDFB members engaging in nearly 200 communications with their legislators.

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“We are beyond pleased that our legislators listened to the issues facing their farming constituents and passed this commonsense bill,” said MDFB President Jamie Raley. “A special thank goes out to the bill’s sponsors, Senator Johnny Mautz and Delegate Tom Hutchinson, as well as the MDFB members who used their voices to champion the swift passage of this bill.”

On February 13th of this year, Tyler Hough, MDFB’s Director of Government Relations, joined bill sponsor Senator Johnny Mautz in testifying in support of SB0367 during a Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee hearing. Additionally, MDFB produced a digital advertisement featuring Bob Chase of Chase’s Produce, highlighting the detrimental impact of deer on agricultural crops. This week as a final push for passage, another digital ad was released featuring Anne Arundel County farmer Chris Catterton to further underscore the importance of passing this legislation.

(Watch)

In recent years, deer management programs have faced scrutiny, with uncertainty surrounding their continuation. SB367/HB481 represents a crucial legislative remedy, ensuring the preservation of these impactful efforts at the county level. MDFB remains committed to advocating for sensible legislation that supports Maryland farmers and safeguards the viability of agriculture in our state.

DAVIDSONVILLE, MD – Today, March 19th, marks National Ag Day, dedicated to honoring America’s agricultural heritage. Maryland Farm Bureau (MDFB) is using the occasion to remind Marylanders of the state’s vibrant agricultural industry in their local communities. Maryland is the proud home of a diverse agricultural sector, which is the state’s largest commercial industry.

“National Ag Day is the perfect time to reflect on the impact that our state’s farmers have on our everyday lives,” says MDFB President Jamie Raley. “Through their dedication and hard work, Marylanders are provided with the food and fuel that sustain us all.”

Marylanders can support local agriculture by consciously buying products produced or grown on Maryland farms. Given farmers’ core mission to feed their communities, our local food supply can only be secured through the patronage and support of consumers. Supporters of local agriculture can also become members of MDFB, with their membership going to support our advocacy efforts on behalf of farmers statewide.

The significance of Maryland’s agricultural landscape is underscored by recent data. The 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture reports over 12,550 farms spanning more than 1,978,000 acres in Maryland. Furthermore, the “2024 Feeding the Economy” report, sponsored by the American Farm Bureau Federation, highlights that Maryland’s agriculture sector sustains over 18,000 jobs within the state.

MDFB is the state’s largest agricultural trade organization, composed of over 9,500 grassroots members. Our mission is to strengthen and grow Maryland agriculture through legislative advocacy, member benefits, and promotional and educational opportunities. MDFB has been sounding the alarm on disadvantageous policies that harm agricultural viability in the state.

In tandem with National Ag Day, MDFB proudly observes Maryland Ag Literacy Week from March 18th to the 22nd. Collaborating with the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, MDFB members will donate and read agricultural-themed children’s books to students. This initiative aims to foster a deeper understanding and connection between farmers and consumers, enriching our agricultural community and connecting students with local farmers.

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