Maryland Grain Producers

Farmers raising food, fiber, and renewable energy.

Maryland Agriculture Week

Annapolis, Maryland (February 12, 2025) – Last week, several key Maryland agriculture organizations, including the Maryland Grain Producers, Delmarva Chicken Association, Maryland Farm Bureau, Maryland Department of Agriculture, and the Maryland Agriculture Council, came together in Annapolis to celebrate Maryland Agriculture Week.

The celebration kicked off with a unique event at LEO Annapolis, where members of each organization, along with Senator Jason Gallion and Delegate Regina Boyce, hosted “Wing Talk.” During this engaging event, participants tasted wings donated by Mountaire Farms, gradually increasing in heat, while discussing important agricultural topics that are directly impacting Maryland farmers during the current legislative session. A video of the event can be viewed here.

On Tuesday, February 4th, Delegate Regina Boyce presented a Maryland House of Delegates Resolution in recognition of Maryland’s agriculture community during their legislative session. The Maryland Grain Producers Association would like to extend their gratitude to Delegate Boyce and the Maryland House of Delegates for their dedication to Maryland’s agricultural industry.

Throughout the week, various organizations, including the Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts, Delmarva Chicken Association, Maryland Farm Bureau, Maryland Agriculture Education Foundation, and the Maryland Grain Producers, hosted members in Annapolis to raise awareness among legislators about the importance of Maryland’s diverse agricultural industry. Additionally, the LEAD Maryland Class XIII was in Annapolis during Maryland Agriculture Week, where they had the opportunity to learn about the legislative process and key issues affecting Maryland agriculture.

Thursday evening saw the Maryland Agriculture Council’s annual Taste of Maryland event, which was well attended by farmers, industry leaders, legislators, and Maryland Governor Wes Moore. The event honored the DeFord family as the 2024 inductees to the Maryland Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame, recognizing their significant contributions to the state’s agricultural community. During the event, grain farmers Joey and Jenell McHenry were also recognized by Governor Moore for their contributions to Maryland’s agriculture industry.

The Maryland Grain Producers Association has been closely monitoring numerous bills this legislative session that could affect grain farmers across the state. As an organization, the Maryland Grain Producers’ ability to advocate for Maryland farmers is directly supported by the strength of its membership. Those interested in joining the association and supporting Maryland’s grain farmers can find membership information here.

The Maryland Grain Producers are proud to work alongside partnering organizations at the state and national levels, ensuring that Maryland’s farmers have the resources and support they need to continue their essential work.

Left to right: Speaker of the House Delegate Adrienne Jones, Delegate Regina Boyce, Maryland Grain Producers Executive Director Lindsay Thompson, Delmarva Chicken Association member Far Nasir, Delegate Natalie Ziegler, Delegate Charles Otto

Building Resiliency in 2025, Check-Off Dollars at Work

Chester, Maryland (January 20, 2025) – On January 8th and 9th, the Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board (MGPUB) reviewed 43 grant proposals for the 2025 calendar year. Proposals covered a broad spectrum of education, market development, and research programs. For 2025, Maryland grain check-off funds will be distributed to 34 projects totaling $1,046,277.

“The board puts an extensive amount of time and effort into reviewing each grant” said MGPUB President, Steve Ernst. “There were many great proposals, and we are excited to see farmer check-off dollars hard at work.”

Of the 34 funded proposals, $249,518 dollars will be utilized in research. Corn and wheat variety trials, wheat cultivar development, and on-farm trials will continue across the state. Research will also cover biologicals, SCAB, wheat nitrogen use efficiency, and long-term evaluation of soils with high P. To read more on check-off funded research with Maryland Grain funds, click here.

Seeking to strengthen markets for our grain, $431,914 will be distributed to eight organizations working in domestic and international market development. These groups have been working hard to build new trade relationships and maintain current ones, while keeping climate-smart ethanol top of mind. Maryland truly appreciates all the work they do across the globe. The U.S. Grains Council said $274,600,000 is the total output from grain trade to Maryland’s economy. Lastly, the Grain Producers is honored to fund the Lower Shore Doe Harvest challenge and help control the white tail deer population to some degree. Read more on market development grants here.

Lastly, 17 education grants will be presented in 2025 totaling $364,845. These funds will be used to continue Maryland Farm and Harvest with a 13th season, LEAD Maryland with the class XIII Fellows, support the Maryland FFA Foundation, and support Junior Achievement of the Lower Shore to educate youth about careers in agriculture. Furthermore, outreach on slow moving vehicles and My Maryland Farmers will continue. A number of youth education programs will be funded to reach students statewide. To learn more about 2024 check-off education funded grants, click here.

Thank you to all the grain farmers who voluntarily remit their check-off dollars. The Utilization Board takes a lot of time to review each proposal and fund grants for the grain farmers best interest and for the future of agriculture across Maryland. We are looking forward to an exciting 2025!

2024 Tubes and Trainings Complete in Maryland

Chester, Maryland (November 18, 2024) – The Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board (MGPUB) funded three new Grain Bin Rescue Tubes with trainings and a joint-training at the Maryland Commodity Classic this year. MGPUB sees the importance of being prepared for any emergency and with the help of other agricultural partners, there are 80 rescue tubes in close proximity to Maryland grain farmers. You can find your nearest tube online here. If you believe your local department would benefit from a rescue tube, please contact the Maryland Grain Producers office.

The Grain Bin Rescue Tube is designed to adapt to a multitude of grain entrapment rescue scenarios. The lightweight wall sections are easily maneuvered and can be aligned to form a wall or tube around the entrapped victim. The tube will stop the flow of grain towards the victim and block any additional pressure that may be created by rescuers. Then the rescuers will utilize a small auger to remove grain inside the tube and perform the rescue.

The specialized training is completed by the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) and includes simulations of entrapments and rescues using a state-of-the-art grain entrapment simulator which is loaded on a trailer and able to hold about 100 bushels of grain.

In 2024, seven new tubes and two tube re-training’s were performed in Maryland with the help of local agricultural organizations. The new tubes can be located at the Cecilton Volunteer Fire Department, Church Hill Fire Department, Hartford County Special Operations Team, Lisbon Volunteer Fire Company, Maugansville Goodwill Volunteer Fire Company, New Midway Fire Company, and Upperco Volunteer Fire Department.

Every year, thousands of farmers and commercial grain handlers risk their lives by entering grain bins. As rural communities have come to know all too well, the risks of entering grain bins continue to be overlooked. It only takes seconds, or a simple mistake for an adult to sink in the quicksand-like flow of grain and become fully entrapped or engulfed.

To help lead the fight against these accidents impacting agricultural communities, the country’s leading insurer of farmers and ranchers, Nationwide, began its Grain Bin Safety Campaign in 2014 to bring awareness to the hazards of entering grain structures and to equip fire departments with the resources needed to respond effectively. The Maryland Grain Producers has utilized check-off funds to add 11 tubes and extra trainings since 2022 with $69,000 of funding.

According to American Farm Bureau Federation, in 2022 Maryland has 55 million bushels of storage capacity.

To learn more or view grain bin safety resources, visit www.ThinkGrainBinSafety.com.

New Midway Fire Company
Cecilton Volunteer Fire Department

The Future of Agriculture Grows with Maryland Grain Producers

Chester, Maryland (October 15, 2024) – The Maryland Grain Producers has been so impressed with the scholarship and CDL grant applications over the last few years, the Board has increased funding to award more deserving students and drivers in 2025!

“Each year, applications continue to showcase the bright future the next generation has to offer, and the Grain Producers are honored to support their continuing education and CDL school,” says Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board President Steve Ernst.

For 2025, Maryland Grain Producers will be awarding two CDL Grants in the amount of $2,000 each and a $5,000 increase in scholarship awards! MGPA will be awarding three Honoree Scholarships for members studying agriculture in the amount of $3,000 each, two Membership Scholarships for members not studying agriculture at $2,000 each, and two Production Scholarships for non-members studying agriculture at $1,000 each. The additional $5,000 will be awarded to additional deserving applicants in any of those categories. Applications are reviewed by a panel of farmers with all identifying information redacted.

Applications are now open and due January 15th. Please contact Jenell McHenry with any questions at jenell.mdag@gmail.com

Learn more about the CDL Grant program and eligibility requirements here

Learn more about the Scholarship program and eligibility requirements here

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2025 Maryland Check-Off Proposals Now Being Accepted

Chester, Maryland (October 1, 2024) – The Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board is accepting proposals for checkoff grants until November 15th. Check-off funded projects must fulfill the Utilization’s Board mission to increase the profitability of Maryland’s grain farmers and to improve the public understanding of agriculture through research, market development, and education.


The recipients will be funded by the Maryland Check-Off Program which was formed in 1991 to promote the greater utilization of grain through expanded promotion, research, education, information, and other similar activities. The Program is voted on by producers and landowners every five years and remits 0.5% of the net market value of corn, wheat, barley, sorghum, and rapeseed/canola grown in Maryland. You can find the 40 funded grants totaling $1,093,484 in 2024 online at MarylandGrain.org/Checkoff-Grant/.

In January, the farmer member board will join together to review each proposal and make funding decisions. Recipients will be notified by the end of January 2025.

For the 2025 grant cycle, board members gathered to update their priorities. Much discussion around controlling slugs was had. There was also great interest in increasing the availability of processing and donation for venison. Lastly, the board also talked about products claiming to allow reduced nitrogen and phosphorus application with no yield loss.

You can find the detailed priorities and proposal guidelines online at MarylandGrain.org/Checkoff-Grant/. Thank you to all the grain farmers who voluntarily remit their check-off dollars. If you have any questions, please contact Lindsay Thompson at 443-262-8491 or at Lindsay.mdag@gmail.com.

Female Grain Farmer, Jennie Schmidt, Elected to U.S. Grains Council Board

Chester, Maryland (August 2, 2024) – Maryland Grain Producer Utilization Board (MGPUB) member, Jennie Schmidt, was recently elected as U.S. Grains Council’s (USGC) At-Large Director. At the USGC’s Annual Board of Delegates meeting, members and staff traveled to Salt Lake City, UT to discuss programming plans and elect Council leaders for the next year. Jennie Schmidt and Curt Mether were elected as At-Large Directors, while a new chairwomen, vice-chair, and secretary/treasurer were elected. USGC develops export markets for U.S. barley, corn, sorghum, and related products. With a full-time presence in 28 locations, the Council operates programs in more than 50 countries and the European Union.

Jennie Schmidt is a full-time farmer with her brother-in-law on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. They have a diversified family farm currently growing grains, fruit, and vegetables. Serving as a MGPUB board member since 2012 and President in 2016. Before becoming a farmer, Jennie was a registered dietitian and still maintains an online presence as the foodie farmer.

Since 2019, Jennie attended her first corn quality rollout in Cairo, Egypt and saw the work the Council was doing on the ground. Since the mid-1980’s Jennie has traveled to and been involved with international agriculture in 30 countries.

Hans, Jennie and Alan Schmidt
Schmidt Farms

“I am honored to have been elected an At Large Director to the board of the US Grains Council. I have represented Maryland farmers at the USGC since 2019. With years of experience in international agriculture, I am eager to defend and expand our market share for US grains globally,” said Jennie. “Serving on the USGC board is tremendous opportunity to further promote value added advantages of our products and advance new export opportunities.”

The At-Large Director is a leadership position responsible for guiding the organization’s activities. Directors represent the broader interests of the grain industry and contribute to shaping policies related to trade, market development, and advocacy. They collaborate with other board members to promote U.S. agriculture globally and foster relationship with international buyers.

Congratulations to Jennie and hopeful to the term of a lifetime.

Maryland Commodity Classic Was The Place To Be

Centreville, Maryland (July 30, 2024) – With good rain across the state last week for the first time since May, Maryland Farmers and others were excited to gather at the 26th Maryland Commodity Classic. On Thursday, 426 people gathered at the Queen Anne’s County 4-H Park for a busy and great event! The Maryland Grain Producers and Maryland Soybean Board welcomed farmers, check-off funded grantees, legislators, agribusinesses, and sponsors.

Bright and early at 8:00 AM, farmers, firefighters, and EMS from surrounding counties attended a check-off funded Grain Bin Rescue Tube training taught by Dan Neenan, Director of NECAS in Partnership with Nationwide. The training and demonstration was to showcase how to utilize grain bin rescue tubes. Grain Producers Executive Director, Lindsay Thompson volunteered to help train Preston Volunteer Fire Department. The Maryland Grain Producers has funded a number of tubes across the state, find your local rescue tube here.

While the demonstration was taking place, Classic attendees were able to learn more about two check-off funded research projects; Development and Evaluation of High-Yielding Resilient Wheat Cultivars for Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic Region and Grid Soil Sampling for Variable Rate Application. Vijay’s journey of the Maryland wheat breeding program began in 2020 with speed breeding. This summer he is working to license four wheat cultivars, two barley cultivars, and a public cultivar for release. Our board will keep you posted on this progress.

During lunch, attendees visited the 65 research and sponsor booths to network and catch up. While others tasted local spirit and cocktails for the Maryland’s Best Cocktail Competition. During the business meeting, Joanne Clendining announced that McClintock Distilling took home first place with their Free State Gold Rush. New this year, Maryland Grain Producers and Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Maryland’s Best program worked together for the cocktail competition and whiskey competition. The whiskey competition took place at the Department of Agriculture on July 15th with a blind competition and McClintock Distilling’s Old Etzler Straight Rye Whiskey was awarded as the 2024 Maryland’s Best Farmer’s Choice Award.

Also, during the business meeting which was emceed by Maryland Farm & Harvest Host, Joanne Clendining, the Maryland Grain Producers presented the 2024 Maryland Grain Producers Scholarship Recipients and CDL Grant awardees. Josh Appenzeller with the Maryland Soybean Board shared a few words, followed by Justin Brendel, Maryland Grain Producers Association President providing a 2024 legislative up-date showcasing membership dollars at work. Joanne Clendining presented the 2024 Dr. Miller Award to Eugene “Gene” Boyle. New this year, the Maryland Grain Producers Association created the Lawrence E. Meeks Farmer Lifetime of Service Award which was proudly presented to Drew Stabler. Congratulations to Gene Boyle and Drew Stabler!

The meeting ended with our Keynote Speaker, Jim Weisemeyer. Since 1978, Jim has reported frequently on and interviewed senior government officials, including Presidents Reagan and Carter, as well as USDA Secretaries since Dr. Earl Butz. He has traveled extensively in his assignments and is a frequent speaker on farm policy and trade issues. Now Jim contributes daily to Pro Farmer’s online website at FarmJournalPro.com, providing members with the latest information on agricultural policy and trade developments. He also is a twice-weekly participant in Farm Journal’s Agri-Talk radio program and serves as a Washington analyst for Pro Farmer.

The day ended with the traditional crab feast and BBQ, catered by Sisters By Chance. Attendees enjoyed delicious food while being able to catch up with many old friends.

Thank you to everyone for coming out for a good time! We look forward to seeing you next year on July 24th for the 27th Annual Maryland Commodity Classic.

Registration Now Open – 2024 Maryland Commodity Classic

Chester, Maryland (June 19, 2024) – You can’t miss this year’s event! The 26th Maryland Commodity Classic will take place at the newly renovated Queen Anne’s County 4-H Park in Centreville, MD on July 25th. The Maryland Grain Producers and Maryland Soybean Board invite you to attend our annual event for a day full of great opportunities.

The day will begin at 8:00 AM for local fire departments and farmers to hear from Dan Neenan, Director for the National Education Center for Agriculture Safety (NECAS). Dan will be training attendees how the grain bin rescue tubes work. The Grain Producers and Soybean Board value their relationship with NECAS and Nationwide for the safety of our farmers. To find your local tube visit our website here.

At 9:00 AM our morning check-off funded research presentations will begin. Nutrient Management and Certified Crop Adviser credits will be available for those who participate. Vijay Tiwari with the University of Maryland will be sharing the results of the Maryland Small Grains Variety Trials and Jarrod Miller with the University of Delaware will be covering his research on Grid Soil Sampling for Variable Rate Applications.

At 10:30 AM the exhibit hall showcasing event sponsors and check-off funded grants will open. The exhibit hall will be located in the newly built barn. Be sure to visit these booths for a chance to win a giveaway from the Maryland Grain Producers!

Starting at 11:00 AM enjoy a tasty lunch cooked by a local 4-H club and snowcones by the local FFA Chapter. Supporting the future of agriculture is one thing the Grain Producers are proud and honored to do each year! New this year also starting at 11:00 AM will be the Maryland Best Cocktail Tasting. In partnership with Maryland’s Best, local distilleries will be competing for a farmers choice award. Attendees 21 and over will be able to taste these local products and vote for their favorite.

The Annual Business Meeting will begin at 1:30 PM with Maryland Farm and Harvest Joanne Clendining as the meeting Emcee. There will be state commodity updates, scholarship and CDL Grant presentations, and the 2024 Dr. Miller Award presentation. The meeting will end with Keynote Speaker Jim Wiesemeyer. Jim Wiesemeyer is a policy and market expert currently serving as the policy analyst for ProFarmer.

To wrap-up the 26th Annual Commodity Classic attendees will enjoy a Crab Feast with Chicken and Pork BBQ prepared by Sisters By Chance of Galena, MD. Thank you to Mountaire Farms for their donation of chicken!

For tickets, you can pay by card online at MarylandGrain.org or reserve your seat and pay at the gate by calling 443-262-8491. Tickets are $10 a piece from 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM. From 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM, tickets are $20 each. And there will be no entry after 3:30 PM. Maryland Grain Producers Association members will be receiving their free entry ticket any day.

Maryland Farm Groups Applaud Ruling That Affirmed Right-to-Farm Protections

Tuesday, June 5, 2024 (Chester, Maryland) – Delmarva Chicken Association, Maryland Farm Bureau, and Maryland Grain Producers Association applauded an Appellate Court of Maryland ruling that affirmed right-to-farm provisions protecting a Talbot County farm’s ability to use modern nutrient management techniques.

The May 30 ruling, In the Matter of Cheryl Lewis, et al., written by Judge Glenn T. Harrell, Jr., affirmed the principle that Maryland’s right-to-farm law broadly shields farmers and their operations from vexatious lawsuits. Maryland’s right-to-farm law protects farm operations from litigation asserting that the farm is a nuisance or that a farm interferes with others’ use of their property, as long as they are utilizing standard agricultural practices.

In this case, the Circuit Court for Talbot County had previously reversed a Talbot County Agricultural Resolution Board ruling that a particular Talbot County farm was protected by Maryland’s right-to-farm law. The Circuit Court decision had questioned a suspected discrepancy in the law, setting a dangerous precedent that could allow farmers to be sued while following normal agricultural practices. However, Judge Harrell’s May 30 ruling overruled the Circuit Court opinion and found that the Talbot County Agricultural Resolution Board had made the correct decision.

When Maryland’s General Assembly modified the right-to-farm law in 1998, it “contemplated a scenario like the one at issue here: an expanded nutrient management system,” Judge Harrell wrote. “That regulation does not require a particular agricultural operation to exist for one year in order to enjoy liability protection,” he wrote, and so “the expanded use of soil conditioners and Class A biosolids at the Foster Farm was a protected activity.”

The Maryland Farm Bureau, Delmarva Chicken Association, and Maryland Grain Producers Association submitted friend-of-the-court briefs in the appeals process arguing that the right-to-farm law rightfully covered the farm in question.

“As Maryland’s rural regions face increasing pressure from development, it’s crucial to protect farmers’ rights and to keep commonly accepted agricultural practices in their toolboxes,” said Holly Porter, Delmarva Chicken Association’s executive director. “Even though this lawsuit did not directly involve a chicken grower, a loss in court would have been detrimental to every farmer and grower in the state. We’re heartened that the Appellate Court of Maryland made this ruling.”

“Maryland introduced a Right-to-Farm (RTF) law in 1981 to shield agricultural activities from complaining nonfarm neighbors by providing a defense for nuisance actions brought against farms and other agricultural operations,” said Maryland Farm Bureau President Jamie Raley. “Maryland Farm Bureau initiated the appeal of the Talbot County case to protect the RTF for our farmer members. We are pleased that the Appellate Court of Maryland upheld the RTF and brought clarity and certainty to the law.”

A PDF copy of the ruling is available here.

Grain Producers and Dr. Fiorellino Recognized As 2024 Cornerstone Awardee

Chester, Maryland (May 13, 2024) – The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources’ (AGNR) Agriculture Production Systems Committee, selected Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board (MGPUB) as a recipient of the 2024 Cornerstone Award. This award recognizes programs and activities that increase awareness, enhance visibility, or elevate the prominence of AGNR’s Strategic Initiatives.

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Dean Dr. Craig Beyrouty, MGPUB Executive Director Lindsay Thompson, and UMD Agronomist Dr. Nicole Fiorellino.
Photo Credit: Edwin Remsberg

The University of Maryland (UMD) ANGR’s Agriculture Production Systems strategic initiative seeks to: Increase plant and animal productivity through new technologies, cutting edge research and Extension programs; Improve and conserve soil health and water quality to sustain farms through the generations’ Address measures to manage the changing climate and its impact on agricultural production in Maryland; Contribute to the success of agricultural businesses and; Provide educational opportunities to create the next generation of agricultural leaders.

Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board was selected for this Cornerstone Award for embodying this initiative through programming. Since its inception in 1991, the Maryland check-off program has awarded over $26 M in farmer dollars in research, market development, and education projects to improve the efficiency and profitability of Maryland grain farmers and improve public understanding of agriculture. MGPUB has funded university research to determine the optimum nutrient management and conservation systems for Maryland grain production and a systems approach to controlling pests and disease in grain crops. In 2023, MGPUB started the On-Farm Research Program with Dr. Nicole Fiorellino. Farmer dollars have also gone to support 78 students further the education to pursue careers in agriculture.

Dr. Nicole Fiorellino, UMD Agronomist and MGPUB Board member, was awarded the Integrated Research & Extension Excellence Award. Nicole serves as a nexus between the farmer board and the university to provide her insights on research needed to meet the needs of Maryland grain farmers. MGPUB has funded several research projects with Dr. Fiorellino including the state corn variety trials, nitrogen management in high yielding wheat, phosphorus build-up and draw-down in high-P soil, among others. The board has always found her proposals to be responsive to grower needs and executed in a manner consistent with grower education. Nicole also does not just let her research “sit on the shelf” and actively uses her work to educate farmers at grower meetings, field days, and more.

Dr. Fiorellino is well respected among the grower community in Maryland and serves as a convener for MGPUB of other researchers at UMD as well as the University of Delaware which allows for collaboration on agronomic research projects for more useful outcomes for growers. Nicole is also very successful at acquiring grants to conduct research, outreach, and education through partnerships with other universities and organizations.

Congratulations to Dr. Fiorellino and the farmers of the Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board for their Cornerstone Award.

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