LEAD Maryland Foundation

03/23/2026

Thank you to Rural Leadership North Dakota for visiting Maryland today! We wished for a warmer weather day, but so glad you took the time to see the Port firsthand. Thank you to Patrick Rodgers (LEAD Maryland Class III) for taking the time to plan and host the group!

03/13/2026

Following a statement made by Governor Wes Moore encouraging Marylanders to participate in “MeatOut Day” we felt like it was an appropriate time to highlight the hard work done by Maryland farmers to humanely raise all livestock, including pork.

With over 400 pig farms in the state of Maryland, there are hundreds of farmers working every day to bring pork to your plate. It is incredibly disheartening to see the Governor of Maryland sharing false narratives suggesting that these farmers harm, abuse, or don’t provide proper care to their livestock. Maryland farmers live by proper animal husbandry - their livelihoods depend on the health and happiness of their livestock. For generations, Maryland farmers have worked tirelessly to properly house and feed their livestock, caring for them on the coldest winter nights and the hottest summer days.

Furthermore, Maryland farmers are leaders in environmental stewardship and focus heavily on nutrient management when caring for their fields and livestock. In the last six decades, pork producers have reduced the pork industry’s environmental footprint by using 75.9% less land, 25.1% less water, 7% less energy and 7.7% fewer carbon emissions. Overall, producers take a multi-dimensional approach to caring for the earth, the people and animals that live on it, not only utilizing highly humane practices but also environmentally friendly practices. Modern animal husbandry prioritizes animal care and environmental awareness, putting the animals and the land needs before all else.

Claiming that eating less meat will preserve the environment and prevent animal abuse is simply untrue and does not align with real farming practices. Maryland farmers work hard to bring safe and nutritious food to your plate.

Looking for a new pork recipe? Check out pork.org for more!

02/25/2026

We love learning about the Port of Baltimore!

02/21/2026

Grant Spotlight! ✨🔦

The LEAD Maryland Foundation develops leaders to serve agriculture, become empowered to improve the image of agriculture, and find other ways to serve the industry. The LEAD fellows are dedicated to advancing farming, marketing, research, communications, business skills, and advocating. Class XIV Fellows attended their first seminar of the program February 17-19 in Frederick County. There they engaged in a workshop on how corn, small grains, and soybeans are essential to global food, feed, fuel, and industrial products and play a significant role in international trade and economic strength.

Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board is proud to support The Maryland LEAD Foundation in 2026!!

Picture by Frederick County Office of Agriculture

02/19/2026

Thank you to everyone at Frederick County Office of Agriculture / Homegrown Frederick , especially Katie Albaugh Stevens (LEAD Class IX), and Becca Tucker (LEAD Class XIII). We loved our day of learning and meeting many fantastic leaders.

01/22/2026

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) has announced a grant funding opportunity, the Maryland Value-Added Producer Matching Grant, to encourage Maryland’s agricultural producers to engage in value-added activities and pursue fin...

01/09/2026

For 50 years, The Delmarva Farmer has shared the stories of the people in who keep agriculture strong across our region. As we celebrate our half-century milestone, we want to hear about your ‘Delmarva Farmer.'
Is it a grandparent who built the operation, a parent who kept it going, a spouse who made it thrive, or a child carrying it into the future? Maybe it’s a neighbor who basically is family. Tell us who they are and why they represent farming to you — and we may feature them in our 50th anniversary issue.
Photos of your farmer are welcome, too.
Send us your story to [email protected] or enter it at https://forms.gle/wxuvTZEFqn58AhKa6 by Monday, Feb. 16.

12/09/2025

Thank you to the members, delegates, leadership, staff and guests of Maryland Farm Bureau for giving their time and recognition to the LEAD Maryland Foundation and LEAD Maryland Program this morning. Thank you for the wonderful donation! Shout out to Class XIII Fellow Tyler Hough and Foundation President Jennifer Layton (Class VII) for speaking about LEAD today!

11/25/2025

LEAD Maryland job opportunity just posted! Teach and work with dedicated and inspiring leaders serving agriculture, natural resources and rural communities!

Job Description Summary Organization's Summary Statement: University of Maryland Extension (UME) is a statewide, non-formal education system within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. UME educational programs and problem-solving assistance a...

11/07/2025

LEAD Alumni Winter Social registration is open!
Please join us December 7th, 5:00-7:00 pm, at the Hyatt in Cambridge, MD. Heavy hors d'oeuvres & cash bar.
We invite all of our LEAD Alumni Fellows, Class XIII and XIV Fellows, Board Trustees, Funders and Friends of the Foundation, and their guests to attend. This year, we will have a special "Class reunion" of Classes 1, 2, and 3! Advance registration required; no walk-ins.

11/06/2025

We love this topic and all of the panel participants. Shout-out to LEAD Fellows Jennie, Jason, and Mary!

As long-time national leaders in adopting new and innovative agricultural practices, Maryland farmers have secured an outsized influence in national agricultural organizations.

Join Marylanders who are sitting on boards from the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council, United Soybean Board, National Milk Producers Federation, U.S. Wheat, U.S. Farmers & Ranchers in Action, and America's Young Farmers & Ranchers for a discussion on national ag policy at our convention.

Don't miss this important conversation, register now: http://bit.ly/42UBS8k

10/16/2025

Deep Roots, Bright Futures!
Tickets: MAEFonline.com

You're invited to the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, Inc. Annual Banquet, Social & Auction on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at The Champion Event Center in Frederick, MD.

Enjoy dinner, networking, and a night full of community as we share statewide ag education updates, celebrate education, and raise support for the next generation of agricultural leaders.

Networking Reception: 5:30 pm
Dinner: 6:30 pm

You're invited to the MAEF Annual Banquet, Social & Auction on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at The Champion Event Center in Frederick, MD.