Maryland Official Works to Simplify Regulations for Farm Diversification Efforts

Martin Proulx, Maryland's chief of marketing and agricultural development, has been working to untangle complex regulations that make it difficult for farmers to expand into value-added businesses like agritourism and food processing. His efforts resulted in a statewide guidance document published in October that maps existing regulatory frameworks and identifies barriers facing diversifying farms.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Martin Proulx took on a newly created position at the Maryland Department of Agriculture in 2023, tasked with solving a complex problem: while state officials encouraged farmers to diversify their operations, the regulatory framework hadn’t evolved to support these changes.

Farms venturing into value-added activities — such as processing their own products, welcoming visitors for agritourism, or providing food services — face scrutiny from multiple agencies including health departments, zoning boards, environmental regulators, and building code officials. This multi-layered oversight often creates bewilderment rather than outright opposition among farmers.

Initially brought on board as Maryland’s inaugural value-added agricultural specialist, Proulx transitioned from local economic development work to help farmers navigate these regulatory challenges. His position evolved this past January when he became chief of marketing and agricultural development, incorporating value-added agriculture support into broader business development and promotional initiatives.

Much of his core mission continues unchanged.

“When you talk about value-added agriculture being the processing of raw agricultural product, the serving overall of cooked foods, whether it be agritourism, food service, sampling at farmer’s markets, you realize that there are a number of other regulatory agencies that enter into the equation,” Proulx said.

Traditional farming operations typically operate within one regulatory system, but value-added enterprises exist where multiple regulatory frameworks intersect — systems never designed to accommodate these hybrid agricultural businesses.

During his initial two years, Proulx crisscrossed Maryland to meet with local officials in each county, including zoning administrators, environmental health personnel, building inspectors, and economic development representatives. Instead of addressing individual farm conflicts, his mission focused on understanding how local jurisdictions interpret and apply regulations.

“It was really important to flip the script, if you will,” he said.

While Maryland operates under one agricultural department, the state contains 24 separate local jurisdictions — including Baltimore City — each maintaining distinct zoning codes and land-use definitions. Agricultural activities may receive different classifications for environmental compliance, tax purposes, and zoning regulations. These variations typically remain invisible until farms attempt expansion.

“As value-added agriculture continues to expand in popularity and be an economically viable option for many of these diversifying farms, or maybe even new beginning farms, you realize that agriculture and commercial are two terms that become water and oil when you’re talking about land use and zoning,” Proulx said.

Licensing requirements reveal this conflict most clearly. State permits for processing or food service apply the same standards to farms operating from outbuildings as they do to manufacturers in industrial complexes. Local governments may treat identical activities differently based on how they define “commercial” use within agricultural zones.

According to Proulx, this creates a regulatory system that doesn’t accommodate farm-scale operations. Infrastructure demands add another complication.

Requirements for permanent restrooms, septic systems, and waste management facilities may work for year-round commercial businesses, but can financially overwhelm farms testing seasonal or small-scale operations.

“Very frequently, the infrastructure investment for permanent restrooms or permanent waste disposal, septic systems, can often come with a very, very hefty price tag that small and diversifying farm operations may not be able to necessarily take on right away,” Proulx said.

These discoveries formed the basis for a comprehensive statewide guidance and analysis document addressing value-added agriculture and agritourism, which the department released in October. Rather than recommending major regulatory overhauls, the document outlined current regulations, spotlighted common obstacles, and pinpointed opportunities for increased flexibility or clearer guidance to help farms advance.

Proulx reports measurable progress since the document’s publication. The department internally restructured to officially connect value-added agriculture with marketing and business development functions. Additionally, proposed regulatory modifications and legislation designed to create more adaptable, seasonal alternatives for on-farm food service are currently under review.

For Proulx, this initiative ultimately supports farm sustainability in Maryland, which faces ongoing development pressures and agricultural land loss.

“With all of the challenges facing Maryland’s agriculture, whether that be development pressure (or) loss of farmland, it’s really, really encouraging to see the passion and the patience within the industry in diversifying and finding these new opportunities for future generations,” he said.