University of Maryland Highlights Agricultural Legal Issues at 2nd Annual Conference

Image Credit: Edwin Remsberg

November 7, 2016 Graham Binder

Annapolis, MD -- Following the sold-out inaugural event, the University of Maryland’s Agriculture Law Education Initiative (ALEI) will host its second Ag and Environmental Law Conference, Friday, November 18. Tied firmly to the Land-grant mission of UMD to provide research and best practices for the benefit of state residents, this year’s conference will provide comprehensive education, discussion and guidance for Delmarva region farmers on the complex intersection of environmental law and agriculture.

This year’s conference is anchored by a high-profile keynote panel from Ed Kee, Delaware Secretary of Agriculture, Ben Grumbles, Maryland Secretary of Environment and Joseph Bartenfelder, Maryland Secretary of Agriculture, a fifth generation farmer who emphasizes communication and youth participation as major keys to success between ag and environmental sectors. The Secretaries will discuss how Delmarva can achieve its water quality protection goals for the Chesapeake Bay while preserving its agriculture industry.

Additional program elements include panels on:

  • Chesapeake Bay water quality, nutrient trading and management
  • Legal challenges for agritourism operations
  • Water use requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act - this features a segment on how to analyze a water sample and assessment on safe use standards
  • Lightning round of hot topics in agricultural and environmental law recently seen in courtrooms, law and policy
  • Recent developments in MD’s Nutrient Management Regulations
  • Alternative energy use on farms

Nutrient management education credits and Delaware continuing legal education credits will be available. Registration is open at this link. For more information, please contact Sarah Everhart at 410-458-2475 or severhart@law.umaryland.edu.

The Agriculture Law Education Initiative (ALEI) is a collaboration of the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB); the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP); and the School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. ALEI is an initiative of the University of Maryland: MPowering the State, a strategic alliance between UMB and UMCP created in 2012 to significantly expand research, business development, and student opportunities at both universities.