The Maryland Farm Bureau (MDFB) is the leading advocate for Maryland farmers in the courts. As the voice of agriculture in Maryland, MDFB initiates or joins litigation to shape many of the laws that affect farmers’ ability to conduct their operations. Farm Bureau member dues support MDFB's Legal Advocacy efforts to maintain a functional legal and regulatory climate so farmers can be productive stewards of our natural resources.
Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project (MPRP)
Standing Up for Maryland Farmers: Our Role in the MPRP Case
The Maryland Farm Bureau is proud to stand with our members and farming families in opposing the proposed Mid-Atlantic Power Regional Project (MPRP)—a massive transmission line that threatens to disrupt over 1,200 acres of Maryland farmland across Baltimore, Carroll, and Frederick Counties.
On October 28, 2025, the Maryland Farm Bureau, in partnership with local county Farm Bureaus and affected landowners, filed a formal Motion to Dismiss the application submitted by PSEG Renewable Transmission, LLC for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN). This action was taken in response to PSEG’s admission that it cannot meet its own contractual deadline for the project’s completion, undermining the very urgency it claimed justified fast-tracking the proposal.
Why This Matters to Maryland Farmers
- Protecting Farmland: The proposed 67-mile transmission line would cut through 409 properties, including multi-generational family farms, orchards, and agri-tourism businesses. These lands are not just property—they are livelihoods, heritage, and the backbone of Maryland’s agricultural economy.
- Preserving Property Rights: PSEG has sought access to private farmland for surveys without proper consent, disrupting daily operations and infringing on the constitutional rights of landowners. The Farm Bureau is fighting to ensure that farmers’ rights to their land are respected and protected.
- Demanding Transparency and Accountability: The application remains incomplete, lacking critical environmental and routing studies. The Farm Bureau believes that no project of this magnitude should proceed without full transparency, thorough review, and genuine public need.
- Standing Up for Maryland’s Interests: The MPRP is designed primarily to serve data centers in Northern Virginia, not Maryland residents. Our farmers should not bear the burden—financially or physically—for a project that offers little to no benefit to their communities.
Our Commitment
The Maryland Farm Bureau is committed to advocating for policies and decisions that protect Maryland agriculture. We are actively engaged in the Public Service Commission’s review process, working alongside local governments, environmental agencies, and community stakeholders to ensure that any utility project in our state is thoroughly vetted and truly serves Maryland’s public interest.
We will continue to fight for our members, defend property rights, and ensure that Maryland’s farmland remains productive, protected, and preserved for generations to come.
Maryland's Right-to-Farm
Defending the Right to Farm: Maryland Farm Bureau’s Role in the Talbot County Case
The Maryland Farm Bureau continues to stand firm in protecting the rights of farmers to operate without undue interference. In the landmark case in Talbot County, we proudly supported the defense of a Talbot County farm’s right to expand its nutrient management practices—an issue at the heart of modern, sustainable agriculture.
What Was at Stake?
At the center of the case was a Talbot County farm that had transitioned from using chemical fertilizers to Class A biosolids and soil conditioners—a change fully compliant with Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) and Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) regulations. Nearby property owners filed nuisance complaints, citing odors and insect swarms. The Talbot County Agricultural Resolution Board ruled in favor of the farm, recognizing the practices as generally accepted agricultural operations protected under Maryland’s Right-to-Farm law.
However, the Circuit Court reversed that decision—prompting an appeal that ultimately led to a resounding victory for Maryland agriculture. The Appellate Court of Maryland reversed the lower court’s ruling and affirmed the Board’s decision, reinforcing that:
- Expanding nutrient management systems is a protected agricultural activity.
- Farmers are shielded from nuisance claims when operating in compliance with state and federal regulations.
- The Right-to-Farm law applies even when farming practices evolve to meet environmental and economic needs.
Maryland Farm Bureau’s Advocacy
The Maryland Farm Bureau played a key role in shaping the legislative history that supported this decision. In 1998, we advocated for the repeal of the one-year waiting period for changes in agricultural operations to receive liability protection. Our letter to the Maryland General Assembly emphasized the need for farmers to adapt quickly to new nutrient management systems without fear of litigation—a position that directly influenced the law as it stands today.
This case is a powerful reminder of why our advocacy matters. It affirms that:
- Farmers must be free to innovate and adopt sustainable practices.
- Agricultural operations deserve legal protection from nuisance claims when they follow accepted standards.
- The Right-to-Farm law is a vital safeguard for Maryland’s agricultural future.
Our Commitment to Maryland Farmers
We will continue to defend the rights of farmers to operate responsibly and sustainably. Whether it’s through legislative advocacy, legal support, or public education, the Maryland Farm Bureau is here to ensure that agriculture remains strong, protected, and respected across our state.