Maryland Risk Management Education Podcast

Recently, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision in  American Farm Bureau v. EPA .  This case involved American Farm Bureau Federation and National Pork Producers Council bringing an action in federal court to challenge EPA's decision to find information involving concentrated animal feeding operation operators was not exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. In...

In this episode, Mayhah Suri, extension environmental specialist, interviews Paul Goeringer, extension legal specialist, over Right-to-Farm laws.  Mayhah and Paul cover the basics of Right-to-Farm laws, what Maryland's law does, and the developing issue of Right-to-Farm constitutional amendments that some states are pursuing. If you have questions for the host this week, contact Mayhah at msuri1@u...

Last week, we looked at on-farm breweries and we continue looking at on-farm diversification by considering on-farm distilleries.   In this episode, Paul is rejoined by Mayhah Suri to discuss the licensing process to get the license and things producers need to be aware of before opening a distillery on the farm. If you have questions, contact Mayhah at msuri1@umd.edu , tweet her at @ mayhah_s or...

Farmers are often looking for new ways to diversify their operations.  One new way maybe developing an on-farm brewery under Maryland's Class 8 license.  In this episode, Paul is rejoined by Mayhah Suri to discuss the licensing process to get the license and things producers need to be aware of before opening a brewery on the farm. If you have questions, contact Mayhah at msuri1@umd.edu , tweet he...

Paul takes a break from this episode and instead Ashley Ellixson takes over the host chair.   In this episode Ashley is joined by Dr. Nicole Fiorellino to highlight the Maryland Phosphorus Management Tool (PMT) and the details farmer's need to know to be in compliance.  Additionally, Dr. Fiorellino addresses many FAQs from industry as well as producers on the science behind phosphorus and nutrient...

Producers are collecting and relying more on ag data collected by farm equipment.  Much of this data might be uploaded to the "cloud" and stored with third party.  Storing with third parties can lead to questions of who owns farm data?  In this episode, Paul is joined by his colleague, Ashley Ellixson, extension legal specialist, and Dr. Terry Griffin, cropping systems economist, Kansas State Univ...

Hiring interns for an operation can be useful for both producer and intern.  But at the same time, producers need to understand the rules for when interns have to paid and can work for free.  In this episode, Paul is joined by Sarah Everhart, legal specialist, Francis King Carey School of Law, University of Maryland and the Agriculture Law Education Initiative. If you have questions for Sarah, you...

As producers use more and more technology in their operations there is a need to be connected to wireless networks to be able to move large amounts of data.  In this episode, Paul is joined by Dr. Terry Griffin, cropping systems economist, Kansas State University, to discuss the need for wireless connectivity in rural areas. If you have questions for Dr. Griffin, you can email him at twgriffin@ksu...

Farmland in Maryland may contain a conservation easement over the property.  Conservation easements limit the use of the property forever.  Leasing farmland with a conservation easement on it may create special issues for landowners who have never leased farmland before.   This episode highlights a recently developed publication by Mayhah Suri and Paul Goeringer discussing leasing farmland with a...

In this episode, Paul is joined by Ashley Ellixson, extension legal specialist, Department of Ag and Resource Economics and the Ag Law Education Initiative, to discuss some basic considerations landowners need to consider when presented with a solar energy lease.

One issue related to drones and privacy we have not dealt with so far is: "Can I shoot down a drone over my property?"  The simple answer to this question is NO!  Shooting down a drone flying over your property is never a good idea. In this episode, I discuss why it's never a good idea to shoot down a drone. Remember if you have questions please email me at lgoering@umd.edu or tweet me at @aglawPa...

In late June, USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA)  announced changes to the Common Crop Insurance Policy to clarify "practicability to replant" and clarify recordkeeping issues associated with indemnity payments in a double-cropping system.  At the same time, RMA is seeking comment on these changes by the public.  The public will have until August 22, 2016 to make comments ( https://www.regulation...

For many Maryland farmers, June 30 is a date when notice of termination must be given or received in order to terminate a farmland lease for 2017.  Delaware farmers have till August 31 to make this decision.  This episode discusses how to give proper termination and resources available to assist you.

Welcome to a new and somewhat exciting podcast related to Maryland agriculture, legal issues, farm policy, and other topics.  This podcast episode is put together by Paul Goeringer, extension legal specialist, with the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Maryland.