The Agricultural Law Education Initiative at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (ALEI) has been awarded a $97,415 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP). The LFPP grants are awarded for projects that support the development and expansion of local and regional food business enterprises, aiming to increase access to locally and regionally produced agricultural products and develop new market opportunities for farm and ranch operations serving local markets.
The project, “Focusing In: Identifying and Addressing Legal Challenges and Educational Needs to Increase Participation in Maryland’s Farm to Institution Local Food Purchasing Program”, will span Fall 2024 through Fall 2026. ALEI, in partnership with the Maryland Department of Agriculture, will conduct research to better understand the legal barriers experienced by institutional partners and local farmers in Maryland and the Chesapeake region related to increasing participation in the Certified Local Farm & Fish Enterprise Program, the Farm to Institution local purchasing program Maryland established in 2020. ALEI will conduct research surveys and focus groups with farmers, food vendors and distributors, institutions, and stakeholder groups. Based on the research findings, the ALEI team will publish a report and develop educational materials to help increase local value chain connections.For more information, contact Megan Todd (motodd@law.umaryland.edu).
