What is the Farmers Alliance for Rural Maryland (F.A.R.M.)? 

F.A.R.M. is a grassroots coalition of Maryland farmers, landowners, and rural advocates working to protect farmland, preserve local control over land use, and oppose harmful state policies that threaten agricultural communities. 

Why was F.A.R.M. created? 

F.A.R.M. was founded in 2025 in response to Senate Bill 0931 and other policies that strip local counties of their authority over farmland and open the door for large-scale solar fields, data centers, and warehouses to replace productive farmland. 

What is Senate Bill 0931, and why do you oppose it? 

Senate Bill 0931 (SB-0931), also known as the Renewable Energy Certainty Act, is a piece of legislation that would:

• Remove local zoning control over solar projects, allowing the state to override county land-use plans.

• Make it easier for large, unregulated solar companies to convert farmland into industrial solar fields.

• Permanently take productive farmland out of agricultural use, threatening Maryland’s largest economic sector.

We oppose this bill because farmers and local communities—not state bureaucrats—should decide how farmland is used.

Does F.A.R.M. oppose all solar energy projects? 

No. We support responsible renewable energy development but believe that farmland should not be the primary target for large-scale solar projects. Instead, we advocate for solar to be placed on:
✅ Brownfields
✅ Rooftops
✅ Parking lots
✅ Industrial sites
✅ Airport fields

Farmland should remain available for food production, not industrial solar sprawl.

How is farmland being affected by large-scale solar projects? 

In states where policies like SB-0931 have been enacted, farmers have seen:

• Hundreds of acres of farmland converted into solar fields, permanently removing them from production.

• Negative impacts on rural economies, including fewer jobs and lost local tax revenue.

• Increased conflicts between landowners and solar developers, leading to long-term land use disputes.

What actions is F.A.R.M. taking?  

F.A.R.M. is actively:

• Advocating against SB-0931 and similar preemption bills.

• Educating farmers and communities on the impact of large-scale solar expansion.

• Engaging with lawmakers to develop a more balanced energy policy.

• Building a statewide network of farmers and supporters to push back against bad policies.

How can I get involved?   

There are several ways to help:
✅ Follow us on social media for updates.
✅ Attend our meetings and events
✅ Contact your local and state lawmakers to voice opposition to SB-0931.
✅ Share information with fellow farmers and landowners.
✅ Sign up for our email alerts to stay informed.

Together, we can protect Maryland farmland for future generations! 🚜