In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Community best practice” means a farm’s or farmer’s demonstrated engagement with Maryland communities as it relates to: The production, sale, or distribution of Maryland farm products; or Providing service to an organization whose focus is advancing Maryland’s agricultural industry, environmental outcomes, conservation practices, or agricultural research and education. “Conservation practice” means an agricultural practice that: Prevents or treats problems with soil, water, air, plant, or animal sources of pollution; and Has a standard method of construction or application that is developed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and listed in the Service’s Maryland Field Office Technical Guide. “Fixed natural buffer” means a strip of maintained, native vegetation alongside a body of water. “Fixed natural buffer” includes the following fixed natural filter practices: The planting of riparian forest buffers; The planting of riparian herbaceous cover; Tree plantings that are on agricultural land; and Wetland restoration. “Fixed natural buffer” does not include pasture management, as described under § 8–701(d)(5) of this article. “100–foot tidal buffer” means any land within 100 feet of: The mean high water line of tidal waters; The edge of each bank of a tributary tidal stream; or The landward boundary of a tidal wetland. “Program” means the Maryland Leaders in Environmentally Engaged Farming (LEEF) Program established under § 2–2402 of this subtitle.

There is a Maryland Leaders in Environmentally Engaged Farming (LEEF) Program. The purposes of the Program are to: Invigorate strategies to: Reduce nutrients in support of Chesapeake Bay watershed restoration; Mitigate farm emissions and increase carbon sequestration in accordance with Maryland’s Climate Pollution Reduction Plan; and Align environmental goals and initiatives of the Department and the State while enhancing farm profitability; Provide producers with greater incentives to voluntarily participate in the adoption of multiple conservation practices and community best practices within individual agricultural operations or across multiple operations that are in close proximity to one another; Establish tiers of recognition for producers to be evaluated for Program certification; and Provide State funds to incentivize the coordinated adoption of conservation practices and community best practices to achieve environmental, social, and climate resiliency benefits and nutrient and sediment reduction.

To carry out the purposes of the Program the Department shall, subject to the discretion of the Secretary: Assign a Program administrator and provide for adequate administrative support; In consultation with members of the agricultural, conservation, environmental, and higher education communities, develop and promote a suite of conservation practices and community best practices eligible for the Program, including: Conservation tillage; Nutrient input reduction; Cover crop plantings; Use of natural filters; Conserving and increasing wildlife and pollinator habitats; Healthy soils practices; Facilitating work experience focused on agriculture in underserved communities; Partnering with operators to improve conservation practices on leased land; Liaising between the Department and underserved communities to facilitate outreach and identify barriers to Department programs reaching broader audiences; Participating in the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program; Partnering with food banks or nonprofit organizations to address food insecurity; Participating in the Certified Local Farm and Fish Program; Using on–farm renewable energy; Mentoring new and beginning farmers; Partnering with an institution of higher education or qualified technical service provider to conduct field–based research; or Installation of a fixed natural buffer, including within a 100–foot tidal buffer; In consultation with members of the agricultural, conservation, environmental, and higher education communities, develop criteria and appropriate evaluation measures to establish the tiers of recognition for Program certification that includes consideration of: Proximity of a conservation practice or community best practice to waters of the State; The extent to which a conservation practice or community best practice protects or restores the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area or other area designated for regulation or special protection under a federal or State law; and The extent to which a conservation practice or community best practice engages with and benefits overburdened and underserved communities; Evaluate applications on a continuing basis and confirm participant compliance with Program criteria; and Coordinate with the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of the Environment, and the Maryland Energy Administration, as appropriate, to establish incentives for participation in the Program.

In this section, “Fund” means the Maryland Leaders in Environmentally Engaged Farming (LEEF) Program Fund. There is a Maryland Leaders in Environmentally Engaged Farming (LEEF) Program Fund in the Department. The Department shall administer the Fund. The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund. For fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of at least $900,000 to the Fund. The Fund may be used only to: Support actions associated with fulfilling the Program’s purpose; and Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, cover the Department’s administrative costs to administer the Program. In each fiscal year, not more than 20% of the Fund may be used for administrative costs of the Department.

The Department may adopt regulations to carry out this subtitle.