DAVIDSONVILLE, MD – Maryland Farm Bureau (MDFB) has launched a new Legal Services Plan that gives every member in good standing access to a complimentary 30-minute initial consultation with MPL Law Firm, LLP, a firm with more than 30 years of experience serving agricultural clients across the region. The benefit took effect May 12, 2026, and is available immediately.

"Protecting your farm's future is exactly what this organization is here for," said Jamie Raley, MDFB President. "We wanted to give our members something that delivers real, practical value – the kind of access to legal expertise that makes a difference when you're making big decisions about your land, your business, and your legacy."

MPL Law Firm specializes in agricultural law. They currently service Pennsylvania Farm Bureau (PFB) and have been providing the same service for PFB for several years. Their attorneys are well-versed in the full range of legal issues that come up in farm operations – from the kind of entity structure that best protects a family operation, to the fine print in a cash rent lease, to the estate planning questions that too many farmers leave unaddressed until it's too late.

Under the new plan, MDFB members can consult with MPL attorneys on matters including:

• Farm business formation and entity structuring, including LLCs and partnerships
• Real estate, zoning, and land use
• Right-to-Farm law and nuisance claim protections
• Farm lease agreements — cash rent, crop share, hunting leases, and renewable energy leases
• Farm succession and transition planning
• Estate planning, including wills, trusts, and powers of attorney
• Agricultural tax programs and land preservation
• Employment law and civil litigation

The initial consultation is free, with no obligation to continue beyond that first conversation. After the 30-minute session, the farmer and the attorney decide together whether it makes sense to move forward with formal legal representation. For many farm families, the benefit may be most valuable simply as a starting point – a chance to ask a question they've been sitting on for years without worrying about running a meter.

"A lot of farmers have questions they've been putting off," Raley noted. "Maybe it's about their lease, their will, or what happens to the farm when they're ready to hand it down. This is a chance to finally just ask someone who knows – without it costing them anything."

That low-stakes entry point is by design. Legal issues on farms often go unaddressed not because farmers don't recognize them, but because they don't know where to start or whether the cost will justify the outcome. A free consultation lowers that barrier significantly.

Members contact MPL Law Firm directly, mention their Maryland Farm Bureau membership, and MPL's team will verify eligibility and connect them with an appropriate attorney. Members who aren't sure where to start can also reach out to the MDFB office for help getting connected. MPL Law Firm can be reached at 717-845-1524 or at mpl-law.com/farm.

Only members in good standing are eligible to use the benefit. Members with questions about their membership status should contact MDFB directly or visit marylandfb.org. Non-members who want to take advantage of this exclusive member benefit can become a member at members.marylandfb.org/member-application

The Legal Services Plan is the product of a formal agreement between MDFB and MPL Law Firm signed in May 2026. MDFB will actively promote the benefit through its website, publications, county newsletters, and annual meetings, and MPL attorneys will be available to participate in educational programs and informational sessions for members. MDFB is looking to expand this offer with additional firms across the state that suit the geography and regionally-specific concerns of Maryland farmers.