Chesapeake Bay Legacy Act Signed into Law

Last week, I had the deep honor of standing alongside fellow advocates, legislators, and Governor Wes Moore in Annapolis for the signing of the Chesapeake Bay Legacy Act—a landmark piece of legislation that represents a huge step forward for the future of regenerative farming and environmental stewardship in Maryland.

This moment was especially meaningful to me on a personal level. When I was just starting out as a first-generation farmer, one of the first sites I leased to grow food was state-owned land managed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Access to that land was absolutely critical to getting Moon Valley Farm off the ground. Like so many beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers, I faced significant barriers—none bigger than access to affordable, secure farmland.

The Chesapeake Bay Legacy Act addresses that challenge head-on. It formally directs the state to prioritize regenerative farmers to lease DNR-managed farmland, creating a path for more new and underrepresented farmers to grow food in ways that heal the land and protect our shared waterways.

But the Act goes further. It also provides essential funding to launch the Leaders in Environmentally-Engaged Farming (LEEF) program—a new initiative that will incentivize farmers to adopt environmentally-friendly and climate-smart practices and reward those who already have. From reducing runoff and rebuilding soil, to sequestering carbon and growing healthier, more resilient food systems, farmers have a vital role to play in solving some of our most pressing challenges.

With the right support, farmers can be key agents of change—addressing the climate crisis, reducing pollution, and increasing food security, all while strengthening our local economies. The LEEF program is designed to make these goals more achievable by helping farmers shift toward regenerative practices and by making it easier for Marylanders—like many of you—to support them in meaningful ways.

I testified in support of this bill because I believe in its vision and because I know firsthand the difference programmatic support can make. Like all good things, implementing a program like LEEF will take time, resources, and commitment. Fortunately, we have an incredibly dedicated team at the Maryland Department of Agriculture who are already hard at work building something that will benefit both farmers and our communities for generations to come.

At Moon Valley Farm, we remain committed to this work every day—growing food that nourishes people and the planet alike. Thank you for standing with us, for choosing to support our organic farm, and for being part of a movement that’s making real change possible.

Warmly,
Emma
Founder & Farmer
Moon Valley Farm