Proposed regulations to implement the Ag Certainty Program are released.

Via the University of Maryland's Risk Management Blog:
"Comments on these proposed regulations are due by November 17 to Louise Lawrence, Chief, Maryland Department of Agriculture, Office of Resource Conservation, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, Maryland 21401, or, call 410-841-5873, or email to Louise.Lawrence@maryland.gov, or fax to 410-841-5734.  Take a moment and consider how these potential regulations will impact your operation and consider letting MDA know your thoughts."

Click here for more info.

Useful publication on Maryland and Federal labor laws and applicable agricultural exemptions.

Via the University of Maryland Agricultural Law Initiative and the Maryland Farm Bureau:
"Compliance with labor laws is essential for all businesses including Maryland’s family farms, who are often able to gain exemptions to the general labor requirements. In fact, the Federal law directly addresses agricultural businesses and provides useful exemptions to the standard labor regulations. The publication by William Pons examines the laws and regulations affecting everything from hiring of individuals to the paying of minimum wage as it relates to agriculture operations. Additionally, the publication provides a nice overview of the applicable exemptions and clarifies aspects of labor law that may be confusing.  This publication is useful for all individuals who are operating a farm or agricultural related business and hire employees."

Click here to download a copy of this publication.

Maryland General Assembly Candidate Endorsements

The following candidates for seats in the Maryland General Assembly were endorsed by vote of the Maryland Horse Council Board of Directors at its Quarterly Meeting on August 26th in New Market, Maryland.

This is the first time in MHC history that we have endorsed candidates for office. The endorsement decisions were based on the candidates’ proven track record of support for MHC and our issues and concerns, including support for: equestrian training and competition facilities and equestrian sports; farmland preservation; the Thoroughbred industry, breeders and racing; our opposition to Sunday hunting; and attendance at MHC events.

Senator Thomas V. (Mike) Miller - Senate

Delegate Michael (Mike) Busch - House

Senator Thomas (Mac) Middleton - Senate

Delegate Maggie Macintosh - House

Delegate Sheila Hixson - House

Senator Joan Carter Conway - Senate

Senator Roy Dyson - Senate

Delegate Susan Aumann - House

Senator J.B. Jennings - Senate

Delegate Stephen Lafferty – House

Delegate Eric Luedtke – House

Delegate Geraldine Valentino-Smith – House

Delegate David Rudolph – House

Delegate Steven Arentz -- House

Delegate Guy Guzzone -- Senate

MHC joins other recreational groups in Petition to Intervene in PEPCO/Exelon Merger Case

MHC has joined Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts, Inc., Trail Riders of Today, Inc., Potomac Bridle and Hiking Trail Association, Inc., Equestrian Partners in Conservation, Inc.; Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, Inc., Montgomery County Road Runners Association, Inc., The American Hiking Society and the International Mountain Bicycling Association, Inc. in a Petition to Intervene in the PEPCO/Exelon merger proceeding currently before the Maryland Public Service Commission. (PSC case # 9361) The purpose of the intervention by these outdoor user groups to to seek to have Exelon, should the merger be approved, grant more public access to its rights of way for recreational use.

DNR changes implementation of Sunday hunting in four western counties

After initially requesting emergency implementation of a regulation expanding Sunday hunting in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett and Washington counties, DNR has now said that it will instead pursue the normal process for implementing new regulations. This means that Marylanders will now have the opportunity to read and comment on the regulations before they go into effect. We will watch for the publication of the proposed regulations in the Maryland Register, and will post that information here, along with the deadline for submitting comments.

Here is a link to DNR's letter to licensed hunters, notifying them of their recent action.

Candidate Responses to MHC's Questionnaire

The Maryland Horse Council submitted a questionnaire to all candidates for statewide office, seeking statements on a number of issues important to horse people. We received over 25 responses. HERE is a link to where you can read those responses.

Farm Bureau and Horse Council Urge Safe Hunting and Riding Practices

September 2, 2014

For Immediate Release

Contact: Matt Teffeau or Jane Seigler

410-922-3426 – 301-502-8929

Farm Bureau and Horse Council Urge Safe Hunting and Riding Practices

The White Tail Deer hunting season will soon be underway. Maryland Farm Bureau and Maryland Horse Council leaders encourage their members and the public to be conscious of their surroundings and respectful of others during this traditional and recreational season.

Landowners, sportsmen, equestrians, farmers, and others commonly spend more time outdoors during this time of year. Respecting landowners’ private property rights and preventing trespassing while hunting or riding will avoid possible negative interaction among participants.

“Maryland farmers continue to face a growing problem of crop damage inflicted by wildlife, especially deer,” said Maryland Farm Bureau President Chuck Fry. “We encourage Maryland sportsmen to take full advantage of this year’s hunting season.  We also encourage the community to respect the rights of landowners and be considerate of other outdoor recreation while hunting.”

Maryland Horse Council President, Jane Seigler, said:

“Maryland horse farmers, like all Maryland farmers, struggle with the effects of deer damage on our farms. We applaud all truly effective methods to control the deer population. We encourage all Maryland equestrians to:

•       Be informed - learn the dates and details of the hunting seasons in the areas where you ride, so equestrians and hunters can avoid interfering with each other;

•       Stay in touch with the landowners where you ride, to find out if permission has been given to hunters so you can avoid interference, and so you can be the landowner’s eyes and ears for unauthorized use;

•       NEVER ride on land unless you have the owner’s permission, and ALWAYS stay off planted cropland.”

Maryland sportsmen and equestrians have many common interests and continue to be good stewards on the land. “We encourage all outdoor groups to respect private property and to always practice safe measures during hunting seasons,” Fry said.

The mission of the Maryland Farm Bureau is to promote and protect Maryland agriculture and rural life. MFB is a private, non-profit membership organization that is financed by voluntary membership dues. Its strength comes from the active participation of over 37,000 member families that belong to the state’s 23 county Farm Bureaus.

Established in 1985, the Maryland Horse Council seeks to unify, inform, and represent Maryland’s diverse equestrian community. As a volunteer-based, non-profit, membership organization, financed by membership dues, donations and sponsorships, the Horse Council represents and serves over 28,000 people with 81,000 horses on 16,040 properties that comprise 587,000 acres of Maryland farmland. (2010 Maryland Horse Census)

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