State guidance calls for a single definition of agriculture to ease agritourism rules

The Maryland Department of Agriculture presented a statewide guidance and analysis document intended to clarify the mix of activities that fall under "value‑added agriculture," including on‑farm processing, agritourism, retail sales and other farm‑based enterprises. Martin Prew, the department's value‑added agricultural specialist, told Montgomery County committee members that the document "was drafted really for a need for foundational understanding" and that one of the biggest gaps is the lack of a single, statewide definition of what constitutes a farm.

Prew said the absence of a consistent definition complicates enforcement and local‑level implementation: "There’s no unifying definition of farms or agriculture," he said, noting that different state and local laws treat sales, public events, and processing in different ways. He and other state presenters urged coordination among agencies — including the Departments of Health and Environment — and recommended a common "North Star" definition so counties can better align zoning, licensing and enforcement. The presentation highlighted that the guidance is intended as a baseline for further work rather than new regulation; state and county officials agreed further stakeholder engagement will be needed before any formal policy or statutory changes.