Jonathan Cribbs

2 weeks ago | americanfarm.com | Jonathan Cribbs

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — As lawmakers scrambled to pass a $67 billion state budget before the General Assembly’s April 7 deadline, Maryland’s farming community left Annapolis with guarded optimism after months of budget brinkmanship and policy fights. Faced with a $3.3 billion deficit, the legislature passed a budget loaded with more than $1.6 billion in new taxes and fees — changes that drew sharp criticism from Republicans but allowed lawmakers to avoid deep cuts to many state programs.

3 weeks ago | americanfarm.com | Jonathan Cribbs

WOODSBORO, Md. — Dramatic budgetary cuts to two federal programs that have supported Maryland farms are sending ripples through the agricultural community, and Emma Jagoz, the owner of Moon Valley Farm in Frederick County, is feeling the weight of those changes. Jagoz, a first-generation farmer, has provided fresh, locally grown produce to school systems across Maryland for years through the USDA’s Farm to School program and its Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program.

3 weeks ago | americanfarm.com | Jonathan Cribbs

ELLICOTT CITY, Md. — Howard County officials opened a new Office of Agriculture late last month at West Friendship Park, establishing the county’s first government office focused on farming and rural issues. It is the third such office in Maryland.

1 month ago | americanfarm.com | Jonathan Cribbs

Layoffs at the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service are straining local agricultural services in Maryland and Delaware and could leave farmers with fewer resources and longer wait times for critical conservation programs, officials said. The cuts have reduced staff in field offices and may slow the processing of contracts and payments while creating uncertainty for conservation districts that work closely with NRCS.

1 month ago | americanfarm.com | Jonathan Cribbs

DOVER, Del. — The Delaware Department of Agriculture published proposed regulations for raw milk production and sales on March 1, one of the final steps before farmers can join the newly legalized market. The rules govern animal health, water and milk testing, packaging and consumer notification and other regulatory components of raw milk production, which was legalized last year amid a push by advocates to spread legalization efforts in state legislatures nationwide.