Make Farming Profitable, Not Just Barely Possible
To attract more people into agriculture, we must improve the bottom line on the farm.
I will support:
- Tax and grant programs that reward working farms for producing food, conserving soil and water, and keeping land in agriculture.
- Easier access to capital for equipment, infrastructure, and on‑farm processing so farmers capture more of the value they create.
- Fair, predictable rules so farmers can plan long term and are not pushed out by sudden policy changes or rising costs.
When farming pays, more people will choose it and pass it on to their children.
Help New and Beginning Farmers Get Started
We should open doors for the next generation.
I will work to:
- Expand training, apprenticeships, and technical assistance for new and beginning farmers.
- Improve access to land for people who want to farm but do not come from farm families.
- Streamline state programs so a new farmer can actually use them without hiring a lawyer or lobbyist.
Every new farmer we help get started strengthens our food system and our rural economy.
Protect Farmland and Rural Communities
To bring more people into farming, we also have to protect the places where farming is still possible.
That means:
- Protecting working farmland from unchecked sprawl and industrial projects that do not belong next to crops and livestock.
- Supporting local markets, farm‑to‑school programs, and regional food hubs that keep farm dollars circulating in our communities.
A Future Where Farming is a First Choice
If Maryland treats farming as a low‑margin hobby, fewer people will choose it and more land will be lost. If we make farming truly profitable and support new farmers, more people will see agriculture as a first‑choice career and a way to build a life here.
In the Senate, I will fight for policies that bring more people into farming and help them succeed once they get there.