§2–2402.    IN EFFECT

    // EFFECTIVE UNTIL JUNE 30, 2030 PER CHAPTER 430 OF 2025 //

    (a)    There is a Maryland Leaders in Environmentally Engaged Farming (LEEF) Program.

    (b)    The purposes of the Program are to:

        (1)    Invigorate strategies to:

            (i)    Reduce nutrients in support of Chesapeake Bay watershed restoration;

            (ii)    Mitigate farm emissions and increase carbon sequestration in accordance with Maryland’s Climate Pollution Reduction Plan; and

            (iii)    Align environmental goals and initiatives of the Department and the State while enhancing farm profitability;

        (2)    Provide producers with greater incentives to voluntarily participate in the adoption of multiple conservation practices and community best practices within individual agricultural operations or across multiple operations that are in close proximity to one another;

        (3)    Establish tiers of recognition for producers to be evaluated for Program certification; and

        (4)    Provide State funds to incentivize the coordinated adoption of conservation practices and community best practices to achieve environmental, social, and climate resiliency benefits and nutrient and sediment reduction.