1. (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

2. (b) “Community best practice” means a farm's or farmer's demonstrated engagement with Maryland communities as it relates to:

   1. (1) The production, sale, or distribution of Maryland farm products; or
   2. (2) Providing service to an organization whose focus is advancing Maryland's agricultural industry, environmental outcomes, conservation practices, or agricultural research and education.

3. (c) “Conservation practice” means an agricultural practice that:

   1. (1) Prevents or treats problems with soil, water, air, plant, or animal sources of pollution; and
   2. (2) 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.

4. (d)

   1. (1) “Fixed natural buffer” means a strip of maintained, native vegetation alongside a body of water.

   2. (2) “Fixed natural buffer” includes the following fixed natural filter practices:

      1. (i) The planting of riparian forest buffers;
      2. (ii) The planting of riparian herbaceous cover;
      3. (iii) Tree plantings that are on agricultural land; and
      4. (iv) Wetland restoration.
   3. (3) “Fixed natural buffer” does not include pasture management, as described under § 8-701(d)(5) of this article.

5. (e) “100-foot tidal buffer” means any land within 100 feet of:

   1. (1) The mean high water line of tidal waters;
   2. (2) The edge of each bank of a tributary tidal stream; or
   3. (3) The landward boundary of a tidal wetland.
6. (f) “Program” means the Maryland Leaders in Environmentally Engaged Farming (LEEF) Program established under § 2-2402 of this subtitle.

Added by Acts 2025, c. 430, § 1, eff. July 1, 2025.