[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6370632,"mediaKeyId","2150981-b95e6eb936e0af48c3ab379a99d6979c","parentId",2150981,"title","Hughes Center previews climate-smart agriculture report, farmers ask for local, short-term data and flexible practices","audioSeconds",913,"startMs",4682000,"endMs",5595000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150981-b95e6eb936e0af48c3ab379a99d6979c&start=4682&end=5595","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150981-b95e6eb936e0af48c3ab379a99d6979c/thumbnail_4682000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6370632/Maryland/Hughes-Center-previews-climate-smart-agriculture-report-farmers-ask-for-local-short-term-data-and-flexible-practices","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6370632-bbe6fe581014478db5e3d05662061c54/orig.mp4?Expires=1771050476&Signature=KKsWSToDqS~fEfAisUjPkiOzCVzUhzX6jdZ8FWCSBl0L~6s6h0J5R1HS6f4iNtGc1pdQW4IPsUYX9LRuJw1Ih2YzyyJGOFJym4bOZsesHExDoAFPGv1bY7FXQnvVtQZMqtAeTxbK7K04mmODo598anr7rHLrz6rEr6AFXor5nHnM8-AtTz49KXqPJZNDeI9mTzHJF5ViAFXphNvGkrbxWDWSws8B2hFJX9iyvFZ6I~vHsiATqrVkqtwQHu7uhn2jpznlCOOpxUbfOT8ppkFPj~BRkctolRiI-JE9RuijDbhfNB6uNky88QxuUSyt4Z8Rc3TjQJF97fs7XzXDOG6xFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","MGA - House Other","date","2025-01-24T00:00:00Z","article","Representatives from the Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology presented findings and stakeholder feedback from a Climate-Smart Agriculture project the center carried out for the state.

Dr. Kate Eberts, the center’s executive director, said researchers talked with farmers across Maryland—particularly on the Eastern Shore—about weather changes and operational impacts. Farmers told the team they want short-term projections and local-scale data that make practical differences in the next one to five years rather than only long-range scenarios. \"They really said what they need, is, something on a shorter time frame,\" Eberts summarized.

The center described research recommendations across agronomy, hydrology, pest management and production systems and highlighted a stakeholder request for more flexibility in mandated best-management practices, such as cover-crop planting dates, so producers can adapt under shifting precipitation and temperature patterns.

Why it matters: Agricultural adaptation choices—planting dates, crop varieties, pest management and conservation practices—will influence farm profitability and land-use outcomes on the Eastern Shore. The Hughes Center said its forthcoming report will include science-based, fine-scale research priorities intended for policymakers and agencies.

The center asked delegation members to review the draft recommendations and to use the findings when weighing policies like solar siting or conservation programs so multiple state goals (energy, tree planting, water quality) are balanced with farm viability.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","EAS Committee Session, 1/24/2025 #1","oneSentenceSummary","The Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology previewed a Climate-Smart Agriculture report for Maryland that emphasizes short-term, farm-scale projections, flexible best-practice guidance and research priorities; stakeholders said producers need actionable, local data and less burdensome rules.","taxTitle","Eastern Shore, Delegation Committees, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Maryland","taxId",15626,"location","Maryland","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6370636,"Maryland Farm Bureau lays out priorities; Eastern Shore lawmakers warn estate tax, budget shifts threaten farms",155,4204000,4359000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150981-b95e6eb936e0af48c3ab379a99d6979c&start=4204&end=4359","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150981-b95e6eb936e0af48c3ab379a99d6979c/thumbnail_4204000.jpg","/articles/6370636/Maryland/Maryland-Farm-Bureau-lays-out-priorities-Eastern-Shore-lawmakers-warn-estate-tax-budget-shifts-threaten-farms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6370636-6330e322824b21053cb9f91ed3d59fee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771050476&Signature=k1ANKx8EfRSvqSrdZS1Oetu0SmjbTOJH5A0BULMXvjtkrVMxlinbZx4~DcJ9eszMuCdfBvd~E1oodzzVEiewjMgWBWARUcXfivaMr0fkjkrVYGHriB3LhDuOIgk-1fHjrXymI4UCSe4MXCmC9N~xPErrPR-jarnSGnD91jp2uyn41ovNSz-PHir~t4vwsWZra6qehvTQGms7Gi6FLHnDqai5zsmsHVDUjVCAJxm54ad7jJ1jg3Ll-c2EsXjSlEMYG-J8k4X9AeuUl~yYvRBC9w4IYNLh4ImEjTsqZQxj0y0nWwvLeAxVRRBulkBMbXVqdOHyRWOLxyZSKm-LRM8GJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tyler Huff, director of government relations for Maryland Farm Bureau, told the Eastern Shore delegation Jan. 24 that the organization's top three policy priorities for 2025 are private property rights and eminent domain protections, solar-energy siting that preserves prime farmland, and expansion of agricultural education including FFA and 4‑H programs.

Huff described the Farm Bureau’s grassroots structure and cited U.S. Census agricultural statistics for the 1st Congressional District to underline the Eastern Shore’s importance to Maryland agriculture. \"The poultry industry on the Delmarva is essential and is essential for the grain production in the state,\" Huff said, summarizing the region’s role.

Delegation members pressed on the governor’s budget proposals, including an estate-tax exemption change and a $143 million shift of state costs to local governments. Huff and several delegates warned that lowering the state estate-tax exemption from $5 million to $2 million (a proposal discussed in the meeting) would quickly affect multigenerational farms. \"Farmers are land rich, cash poor,\" Huff said, arguing that lower exemptions and higher property assessments could force farm sales or make succession difficult.

Delegation members also warned that shifting state costs to counties will leave local governments with limited revenue options, often forcing higher property taxes that could further stress farmers who do not have corresponding cash flow increases.

No legislative actions were taken; speakers said they plan to lobby on budget language and seek protections for agricultural estate succession and fair treatment of farmland in local assessment rules.","Maryland Farm Bureau highlighted private property rights, solar siting and agricultural education as top priorities; delegation members and farm leaders warned that proposed estate-tax changes and state cost shifts to counties could force land-rich, cash-poor family farms to sell.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6370641,"Delegation presses federal help for blue catfish processing and seeks pause on federal oyster sanctuaries",253,1508000,1761000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150981-b95e6eb936e0af48c3ab379a99d6979c&start=1508&end=1761","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150981-b95e6eb936e0af48c3ab379a99d6979c/thumbnail_1508000.jpg","/articles/6370641/Maryland/Delegation-presses-federal-help-for-blue-catfish-processing-and-seeks-pause-on-federal-oyster-sanctuaries","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6370641-d9255e8bff7b42be06cea20aa4ec9add/orig.mp4?Expires=1771050476&Signature=SVnmLbweUrranLf46sdu5i1DUQvb2mKX0nTyXWMw12OBAa~8YTIu9N0mu-69kiB167YRIXx-YzdIQM6kUPfDce3pAIGd6AUcNbKimH0tE9Gs-TIIBr2vCdSNzgeCztx8TXzlEzPHdYlK9zm7bRuhQc0LodNvBT61dlNfw9TvawY53IZzlvlf50jR8k5W6umQ5WcQxXMNX0oCXaMtkJ7~czIhi7n~vCXDkJBIH9Lnjw9tIKMjbWrwi447Rx0D~YWPw7gluk9qBWobqi4bK5z2soIgLgZlGHQgKH77-cU7mGInSzNJ9n5GeoqU4vP~TQlXcJfYulSFf1FL0pHuI7BkdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sen. (name provided in transcript as) and other members of the Eastern Shore delegation described two connected fisheries issues: boosting processing capacity for invasive blue catfish and reconsidering federal oyster sanctuary restoration programs.

Sen. Mounts (as identified in the transcript) told the delegation he intends to introduce legislation to impose a five-year pause on new federal oyster sanctuary restoration projects to reassess outcomes, asserting that many sanctuaries have not produced expected results. He said the goal is to rebalance \"aquaculture, the commercial fishery, and the sanctuary system.\" Mounts and other delegates invited Rep. Andy Harris to help intervene at the federal level.

On blue catfish, Harris and Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks said the choke point is processing capacity and USDA inspection rules. \"Some of the delay has been that, somebody put in a requirement that the, the person who applies to build a processing plant has to hold a title license for a certain number of years,\" Harris said, calling the requirement a bureaucratic barrier. He said he will seek increased appropriations and reduced bureaucratic hurdles to speed construction of processing hubs.

Why it matters: Mounting populations of blue catfish threaten native species and fisheries; increasing processing capacity would enable commercial harvest and market development. Oyster programs affect habitat restoration and fisheries recruitment throughout the Chesapeake Bay.

Officials discussed potential federal funding for processing hubs and coordination between NOAA, USDA and state agencies. Mounts emphasized the need for a multi-pronged approach that combines policy fixes and investments to both grow processing and revisit sanctuary strategies.

No formal votes were taken. Delegation members asked Harris and agency staff to continue conversations with Commerce/NOAA, USDA and EPA about funding and regulatory fixes.","Lawmakers and the delegation discussed federal support for blue catfish processing infrastructure and a proposed five-year federal pause on certain oyster sanctuary projects; Rep. Harris and state lawmakers said funding and regulatory changes are needed to scale processing and restore the Chesapeake Bay’s oyster industry.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6370646,"Delegation hears Rep. Harris: administration ordered study of offshore wind leases; Ocean City project faces review",850,255000,1105000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150981-b95e6eb936e0af48c3ab379a99d6979c&start=255&end=1105","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150981-b95e6eb936e0af48c3ab379a99d6979c/thumbnail_255000.jpg","/articles/6370646/Maryland/Delegation-hears-Rep-Harris-administration-ordered-study-of-offshore-wind-leases-Ocean-City-project-faces-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6370646-0309d030a690e243530f3fd8c767b12c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771050476&Signature=E5MgNQqHCj0wAIKXpxybZ~jNlNKScPAXTr1OiaBNpCaaCpRpHZzAM7VmrRu8ySS1kkWtFauGjNr7ikD87vJMc3NzuqVZcO1XUIRcoVcMc~ovVZuDzamntSwGgtg7esS-~~ze~3-8mEG5b9bGX4q5V6G4uC0mVh6qfZFdeVXBGWqxtOqbPxAc3IQ7F-4yhk4sGnzvlHsaikmlFVRfjzm-bx1AgljROYqkZ9NJV4a8lEJi2xmLdcWTxLPkgfV4k9c4wrE4p3f~uFRhHpNld5hgsDOLNAYn80KDh9YCTQrPbkOUlDF4-fb6KaazeGOdcmrJ34rQYIjWIcpmzeS~E7JYIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rep. Andy Harris briefed the Eastern Shore delegation on a White House executive order issued Jan. 22 that halted new offshore wind lease sales and ordered a broad review of existing leases and permits.

Harris said the order directs the Department of the Interior to examine environmental, commercial and national-security considerations tied to existing authorizations and to coordinate with the Department of Justice on potential contract rescission. \"The president in an executive order on Monday eliminated the sales of new leases off for offshore wind and then took the step of telling the Department of the Interior to investigate the current leases,\" Harris said.

Harris singled out the Ocean City Wind Project, saying it had been \"rushed through at the last minute\" by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and that the review could lead to withdrawal of permits. He predicted the Department of Justice could devise a plan to \"step back from the contracts that have been approved for permitting,\" and said it was possible the operating permit issued in December might be withdrawn.

Why it matters: Ocean City and other coastal communities view offshore projects as having direct impacts on navigation, commercial fishing, military training and local economies. Harris and several local officials framed the order as a win for local voices and national security reviews.

Harris said the administration's objective is broader than a single project: he described a White House aim to curtail the federal push for large offshore projects and said future leases will be paused pending the review. Delegation members from Ocean City thanked Harris for his leadership and asked that the review address marine impacts, commercial-fishing access and radar/navigation concerns.

No formal action or vote was taken by the delegation; Harris said he was coordinating with New Jersey Rep. Jeff Van Drew and planned meetings with the incoming secretary of the interior and other administration officials to press local concerns.","Rep. Andy Harris told the Eastern Shore delegation that a presidential executive order paused new offshore wind lease sales and directed the Department of the Interior to review existing leases, including the Ocean City project; Harris said the administration may seek to rescind permits if the review finds procedural problems.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6370650,"Eastern Shore officials report large avian flu outbreak, stress inspections and biosecurity",2670,205000,2875000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150981-b95e6eb936e0af48c3ab379a99d6979c&start=205&end=2875","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150981-b95e6eb936e0af48c3ab379a99d6979c/thumbnail_205000.jpg","/articles/6370650/Maryland/Eastern-Shore-officials-report-large-avian-flu-outbreak-stress-inspections-and-biosecurity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6370650-38d1bd6f9c34f3cbba7f44bc5d4d2763/orig.mp4?Expires=1771050476&Signature=clYTpH6Kqi~ArxZ3SonZwg4vY07hH3CZeeE~cUEafghvymhkLdbw2LN55h9UOXvwb1wz~~NQL2i8R~etgIp5H7PukKjR4d4uB20bcrE-2UgcYY05A6RRAvf-8~JJCjQVh4W-rNnuxyOaDMCq1o9pz5UhBWAakA7KhF1HMYEAFp~OSQtwSlTlyl4EmktQZM5aWdIwSyDpTaVCVq90oiDnfVshYw2kax83X3Fsun2KKlzDVnHICaG1XvXnrMorh9zRv71GmnuB9fDaJBu9vtEINfZ3k80Sspe5GZt3~ULjLXi~xxvpPb46T3pHJQxyPeRhOI69x80UZxqA-Z1l4~2w2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rep. Andy Harris, U.S. representative for Maryland's Eastern Shore, and Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) Secretary Kevin Atticks said Jan. 24 that the region is confronting a serious outbreak of high-pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and that state and federal agencies are working to contain it.

The outbreak has prompted surveillance and control zones around infected farms and a push to certify more inspectors so poultry houses can be audited and restocked. \"There have been, 650,000 birds affected in Maryland, 320,000 in Delaware, 440 in Virginia,\" Secretary Kevin Atticks said, describing the regional totals and emphasizing biosecurity.

Why it matters: poultry is a major Eastern Shore industry; extended depopulation or delays in restarting houses can disrupt farm cash flow, feed chains and processing. Farmers told officials they need inspections and clearer turnaround times to avoid financial collapse at small operations.

Officials described a two-part response. Harris said he has been pressing federal officials and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to clarify what financial relief and operational support will be available, noting that \"there is there is no poultry insurance. We have crop insurance. We don't have poultry insurance.\" Atticks said MDA has trained four staff members to perform audit-style inspections and is coordinating with USDA and neighboring states to expand that capacity.

Atticks described zones and measures in place: control and surveillance rings around infected premises, coordinated sampling of wild birds, and outreach to producers about biosecurity and farm-level cleaning before restocking. He said some farms in Dorchester, Caroline and Queen Anne’s counties had been affected and that teams were working 24/7 with counterparts in Delaware and Virginia.

Farmers on the call urged faster inspections and clearer public information. Several members asked whether the number of farms in control radii had increased; Atticks said the count had risen and that precise ledger numbers would be available in subsequent briefings. He cautioned that the new USDA inspection requirements had been rolled out quickly and that USDA is certifying state personnel so local inspectors can help.

Officials stressed that wild waterfowl remain a central transmission risk. \"When they're flying back and forth, flying over the chicken houses, we, you know, it's going to be coming down to biosecurity is going to be the answer,\" Atticks said.

Next steps and outstanding questions: MDA and USDA will continue training additional inspectors, expand surveillance where needed and publish updated lists of affected zones and farms. Atticks and several delegation members said they would seek clearer public-facing maps and guidance so producers know whether they are inside regulated zones and what steps will be required to return birds to production.

No formal votes or regulatory changes were taken at the meeting; participants asked for regular operational updates from MDA and USDA.","Maryland agriculture officials and Rep. Andy Harris said high-pathogenic avian influenza has affected hundreds of thousands of birds across Delmarva; state and federal teams are training inspectors and deploying surveillance zones while farmers press for faster access to testing and processing guidance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hughes Center previews climate-smart agriculture report, farmers ask for local, short-term data and flexible practices

Maryland Farm Bureau lays out priorities; Eastern Shore lawmakers warn estate tax, budget shifts threaten farms

Delegation presses federal help for blue catfish processing and seeks pause on federal oyster sanctuaries

Delegation hears Rep. Harris: administration ordered study of offshore wind leases; Ocean City project faces review

Eastern Shore officials report large avian flu outbreak, stress inspections and biosecurity