Publications

Successful specialty food processing requires careful planning, dedication, and skilled management. Food businesses must comply with a number of complex and often confusing federal, state and local regulations. This report includes questions that individuals should consider before starting a small food processing business. The critical aspects of market research—gathering information about markets or customers --are described. Market research is an important step in preparing to start a business and in maintaining competitiveness. This report also provides valuable information and resources on county and state local and state rules, regulations and agencies that will help specialty food business owners get started.

This report breaks down the necessary steps to develop your product and bring it to market in accordance with Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's regulations and recommendations. The author discusses the legal aspects of operating a specialty food processing business in Maryland, including obtaining the necessary license and complying with regulations of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and Fair Packaging and Labeling Act. The 30-page report also provides detailed information on the many requirements for business operation, including proper labeling, obtaining UPC codes, working with a co-packer, and acquiring the correct equipment.

The Growing Healthy Habits Curriculum was developed by the University of Maryland Extension, Food Supplement Nutrition Education Program (FSNE) for integrating nutrition through gardening in Maryland elementary classrooms, grades K-5. This curriculum uses gardening as a tool for encouraging students to consume more fruits and vegetables and whole grains, and increase physically activity. Growing Healthy Habits provides engaging and exciting nutrition and gardening lessons that reinforce the Maryland Common Core, as well as Environmental Literacy Standards and STEM. Authors: Erin Braunscheidel Duru, Stephanie Grutzmacher, Jinhee Kim, Lisa Lachenmayr, Lauren Messina, Carol Miller, Ashley Munger, Meredith Pearson, and Lynn Rubin; Title: Healthy Cents (EC-4)

Green facades are self-sufficient vertical gardens that are attached to a structure built along a building’s exterior. The facades differ from other green walls in that the plants are rooted in soil adjacent to the building rather than fastened to the wall itself. The plants receive water and nutrients from ground soil or hanging planter boxes. The concept of the green facade dates back to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon in 600 BC. Green facades have many uses and are considered an ecological technology. Once established, green facades need little maintenance and can grow as tall and as wide as its supporting trellis system will allow, depending on the plant species used.

The crop, yield goal, soil, temperature, solar radiation, and other cultural factors determine the amount of water needed during the growing season. Irrigation equipment varies in its efficiency. Crops vary in peak water use and critical timing. There are strategies to maximize profits with minimal water supplies.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) offers a voluntary certification program, in which participants are permitted to sell their poultry and rabbits anywhere intrastate (within the state) to restaurants and retailers. An additional license from DHMH (Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene) or local health department is required to sell at Farmers’ Markets.

The stormwater remediation fee applies to the nine largest counties in Maryland (Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Charles, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s) and Baltimore City, which are federally required to treat stormwater runoff. Residents, businesses, and institutions in these areas are all required to pay the fee. The fee structure is established independently by each county/city and differs across the State.

Stormwater runoff originates during precipitation when water flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces such as streets and rooftops increase runoff by preventing water from soaking into the ground. Water running over impervious surfaces can pick up sediment, chemicals, debris, and toxins which are carried to local waterways. These pollutants prevent waterways from being fishable and swimmable.

Water running over hard surfaces can pick up sediment, chemicals, debris, and toxins which are carried to local waterways. These pollutants prevent waterways from being fishable and swimmable. In 2012, the State of Maryland passed the Watershed Protection and Restoration Program (HB- 987) which mandates that counties subject to a certain municipal stormwater permit institute a stormwater remediation fee. The purpose of the fee is to manage pollution carried by stormwater into local waterways.

Internal parasites (worms) can affect all types of poultry. They are found throughout the world and can cause production losses and increased mortality in flocks. Commercial poultry producers use confinement to help prevent infections from internal parasites. Free-range backyard flocks may acquire these parasites as they interact with the environment.