News

Adapted from LinkedIn | July 4, 2025

Over the first week of July, summer interns at the Agriculture Law Education Initiative (ALEI), Brinsfield Interns, and UM Scholars visited several local locations to learn about the various roles in Maryland’s food systems, accompanied by Margaret Todd, JD, Managing Director & Senior Legal Research Associate for the Agricultural Law Education Initiative at the University of Maryland, Baltimore Francis King Carey School of Law. The students’ research this summer is focused on thinking strategically about the cross-cutting issues impacting Maryland’s agriculture and environment. They toured the following locations:

Red Acres Hydroponics to learn about local specialty crop hydroponic production and marketing, how local partnerships are made, and the deep care and support farmers offer to their communities.

FAIR HILL FARMS INC to hear all about adoption & implementation of sustainable, cradle-to-grave practices on their dairy that minimize wastes and environmental impact.

LindaBen Foundation food pantry and food hub to discuss food distribution logistics and capacity-building needs of local food pantries, as the students work with Maryland SNAP-Ed Program + University of Maryland Extension on produce safety resources for pantry managers, staff, and volunteers.

The students also met with attorneys Genie Wootton & Kathleen Hurd (Rasin, Wootton & Hurd, LLC) about the common legal hurdles and challenges for rural and farm clients, and why estate and business succession planning helps farm businesses remain viable.

Images from the tour below: