College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

Now showing 1 - 10 of 21

Does Low-density Zoning Impact Rural Land Value?
(CANRP, 2012-09-28) Lynch, Lori; Liu, Xiangping
Do zoning regulations rob rural landowners’ equity – i.e. decreasing their land values without compensation? Do these land use controls affect different types of land in the same way or in different ways? How far-reaching is the effect? Dr. Lori Lynch at the University of Maryland takes a look at several down-zoning counties on the Eastern Shore of Maryland to find out.
Understanding Agricultural Liability: Maryland’s Right-to-Farm Law Can Limit Liability for Maryland Farm, Commercial Fishing, and Seafood Operators
(2017-09) Goeringer, Paul; Lynch, Lori
Many individuals moving into agricultural areas in Maryland have no farm backgrounds and little understanding of agricultural operations. The same is true of commercial fishing and seafood operations in Maryland. Once there, the new residents may find the noises, insects, farm equipment on the roads, smells, and other characteristics of agricultural and commercial seafood life unexpected and objectionable. While neighbors should consider working together and developing open lines of communication to find solutions, in some cases, this cooperative approach may not work. In response, Maryland introduced a Right-to-Farm (RTF) law in 1981. All 50 states have RTF laws which typically shield agricultural activities from complaining nonfarm neighbors by limiting the scope of and providing a defense for nuisance actions brought against farms and other agricultural operations. In 2014, Maryland extended these protections to commercial seafood operations and watermen.
Conservation Easements: A Useful Tool for Farm Transition and Estate Planning
(2016-09) Lynch, Lori; Goeringer, Paul
The Impact of Agriculture on Maryland’s Economy: Summary
(2013-04) Ferris, Jeffrey; Lynch, Lori
Taxes and Land Preservation: Computing the Capital Gains Tax
(2014-12) Lynch, Lori; Goeringer, Paul
Selling development rights or easements has tax implications for landowners, especially those who have owned their farms for a long period of time and seen land values escalate. This fact sheet discusses some of the implications for capital gains taxes.
Understanding the Diverse Legal Needs of the Maryland Agricultural Community
(2014-08) Goeringer, Paul; Zhang, Wanding; Lynch, Lori; Tubene, Stephan; Pons, William
Agriculture’s total impact on the Maryland economy was $8.25 billion in 2010, accounting for over 22,000 jobs. According to the 2012 Census of Agriculture, Maryland had over 12,000 agricultural operations producing a diverse range of agricultural commodities: poultry, dairy, grain, equine, nursery, greenhouse products to name just a few. This article highlights results from a University of Maryland’s Agriculture Law Education Initiative (ALEI) needs assessment in 2013. The assessment provided the legal community a deeper understanding of the legal needs of the state’s agricultural producers. The assessment consisted of 23 structured interviews and a survey of University of Maryland Extension (UME) agricultural faculty. Legal issues related to environmental regulations, land use, Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) programs, business planning, and marketing and diversification ranked near the top on both the UME survey and the structured interviews. UME survey results show potential regional differences among the top legal issues. For instance, on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, legal issues related to the environment, divorce, and debt were important, whereas in Southern Maryland legal issues related to the environment, estate planning, and business planning were seen as important. Finally, the survey results suggest the appropriate form of outreach on many of these issues.Results from the structured interviews and UME survey provide ALEI a wealth of information and understanding on the legal issues that impact the Maryland agricultural community. The information in this initial needs assessment will also aid attorneys, state agencies, members of the Maryland General Assembly, and other groups working with the state’s agriculture community in understanding the agricultural community’s legal issues.
Estate Planning for Farm Families: Updated for 2014
(2014-04) Lynch, Lori; Goeringer, Paul; Musser, Wes
Updated for Maryland estate tax changes starting in 2014. This fact sheet provides an overview of the estate planning process
Federal Crop Insurance is Part of Farm Safety Net for Maryland Potato Producers
(2014-03) Mathew, Sudeep; Goeringer, Paul; Lynch, Lori
Gives overview of the qualifications for crop insurance on potatoes in Maryland
State Review of Environmental Impacts Could Result in Mineral Leasing Opportunities in Maryland
(2014-05) Goeringer, Paul; Lynch, Lori
Starting in 2007, many western Maryland landowners saw increased oil and gas leasing as gas companies further developed the Marcellus Shale which contains one of the largest known natural gas reserves in the world. The Marcellus Shale is adjacent to a large energy market in the East Coast. The formation is located primarily in eight states, including Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia, and western Maryland. Many landowners may think that the period for understanding how to negotiate an oil and gas lease has passed, but Maryland’s oil and natural gas resources have not been fully developed. This Bulletin will explore some of the legal obligations that mineral owners should consider.
Improving Neighbor Relations: Farmers Advise Farmers
(2007) Fuchs, Kurt; Dill, Shannon; Lynch, Lori; Jones, Jessica

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