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Note: This website is intended to provide general information about legal issues, crop insurance, farm policy, and other risk management issues and should not be construed as providing legal advice. It should not be cited or relied upon as legal authority. For advice about how the issues discussed here might apply to your individual situation, you should consult an attorney.

Welcome to the Maryland Risk Management Education Blog, provided by the University of Maryland Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics and features the work of the Maryland Crop Insurance Education program and the University of Maryland - MPowering the State's Agriculture Law Education Initiative, a University of Maryland Extension Signature Program. This blog provides readers with information on risk management issues important to Maryland agriculture, upcoming events, and new materials that may interest readers.

Clearer Skies over Maryland’s Solar Panel Siting Approval Process: Court of Appeals Issues Decision

Sarah Everhart

Jul 23, 2019
3 min

Clearer Skies over Maryland’s Solar Panel Siting Approval Process: Court of Appeals Issues Decision

By Sarah Everhart This is not a substitute for legal advice. See here for the site’s reposting policy. On July 15, the Maryland Court of Appeals (the state’s highest court) issued a decision in Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland v. Perennial Solar, LLC and provided clarity on the role of a local planning and zoning body in the approval process for the siting of a solar energy generating station (SEGS). For more information on the issues in the case a

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State’s Public Utility Law Preempted Local Zoning and Planning Requirements for Siting Solar Energy

Paul Goeringer

Nov 7, 2018
4 min

State’s Public Utility Law Preempted Local Zoning and Planning Requirements for Siting Solar Energy

The article is not a substitute for legal advice. See here for the site’s reposting policy. Where to site a solar energy facility properly remains an ongoing struggle in Maryland. Many have concerns these facilities will take productive agricultural land out of production, or that neighbors may not want the new facility moving in next door. In Perennial Solar, the Maryland Court of Special ruled that a solar energy generating system such as a solar energy farm falls under

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Want to Make the Farm More Energy Efficient in 2017?

Sarah Everhart

Dec 6, 2016
2 min

Want to Make the Farm More Energy Efficient in 2017?

By Sarah Everhart If one of your goals for the New Year is to make the farm more energy efficient or install a renewable energy project, you may want to apply for the 2017 Kathleen A.P. Mathias Agriculture Energy Efficiency Program. The deadline for grant applications is December 15, 2016 11:59 p.m. The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) administers the Mathias Agriculture Energy Efficient Program (“Mathias Program”) on an annual basis. The grant funding is provided on a c

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Landowners Need to do Background Research Before Entering Into a Solar Energy Lease

Paul Goeringer

Jun 15, 2016
4 min

Landowners Need to do Background Research Before Entering Into a Solar Energy Lease

By Ashley Ellixson and Paul Goeringer This post is not legal advice. Solar energy developers have begun approaching farmers and other landowners in the Mid-Atlantic region to lease land for large-scale solar energy projects. These projects typically require, on average, 7 acres to produce a megawatt of electricity, depending on equipment. Because of the amount of land required, farmland and open space are ideal for these solar projects. Current low commodity prices may mak

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UMD to offer June workshop for landowners interested in leasing land to solar/wind energy companies

Admin

May 23, 2016
2 min

UMD to offer June workshop for landowners interested in leasing land to solar/wind energy companies

Press Release College Park, Maryland (May 18, 2016): Landowners with properties in Kent, Cecil, and Queen Anne’s counties who have been approached to lease their land to solar and wind energy companies are invited to attend a four-hour workshop June 7, 2016, at Washington College. Three faculty members from the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Maryland will address the advantages and disadvantages of using their private properties for energy de

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May 13, 2016
4 min

Weekly News Update: May 13th Edition

By Mayhah Suri New Report Alleges Cruelty and Endangerment of Poultry Workers A new report by Oxfam America, an arm of the international anti- poverty and injustice group, alleges that poultry industry workers are “routinely denied breaks to use the bathroom” in order to optimize the speed of production. The industry has responded with both concern and denial. Oxfam says it reached out to all of the companies mentioned in the report, but only heard back from two: Tyson Foods

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May 6, 2016
3 min

Weekly News Roundup: May 6th Edition

By Mayhah Suri Startup to Launch Farm to Six-Pack Movement in DE Delaware farmers might soon be able to wet their beaks in the nation’s booming craft beer industry. At least that’s the concept behind Proximity Malt. The Milwaukee-based startup plans to open a processing plant near Laurel by mid-2017 where locally grown barley can be converted into malt specifically for use by craft brewers and other malt users in the Mid-Atlantic region. To read the full story go here: htt

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Dec 4, 2015
3 min

Weekly News Roundup: December 4th Edition

By Mayhah Suri Lower Shore Pot Industry Begins To Take Shape Nearly two dozen companies are bidding to open medical marijuana dispensaries on Maryland’s Lower and Mid-Shore, state officials say. But only up to four will get the chance since state regulations limit the number of standalone storefronts to two for each of the state’s 47 Senate districts. The number of dispensaries could be higher than four because licensed growers may hold a dispensary license as well. To rea

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Financing Assistance for Agricultural Solar Installations in Maryland

Sarah Everhart

Jan 13, 2015
4 min

Financing Assistance for Agricultural Solar Installations in Maryland

By Sarah Everhart Total installation cost for a 50kw commercial solar energy system averages approximately $150,000. Before you think that incorporating solar energy into your farming operation would be too expensive, however, review the wide range of financial assistance available. There are many sources of financial assistance for agricultural solar energy projects from all levels of government and the private sector. State Financing Assistance Increasing the amount of re

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Legal Considerations for Solar Energy Installations

Sarah Everhart

Jan 12, 2015
4 min

Legal Considerations for Solar Energy Installations

By Sarah Everhart More and more farmers across Maryland are choosing to incorporate solar energy into their operations. But what are the important legal considerations when deciding how to use a solar energy system? The initial considerations for every potential solar energy project are who will own the solar system equipment, and who will use the energy? There are numerous ways that a solar energy system can be owned and used. Each legal ownership structure has its advanta

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