Governor’s Forum Outlines Plan for Future of Agriculture

Strategic Planning Event Maps Out 15-Year Plan for Ag Industry

ANNAPOLIS, MD (Feb. 19, 2010) – Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown, Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance, and the Maryland Agricultural Commission joined approximately 200 representatives of the agricultural industry and other stakeholders today for the Governor’s 2010 Agricultural Forum. The purpose of the strategic planning event, held at the Doubletree Hotel in Annapolis, was to lay out a 15-year plan that addresses short and long term issues, and develops recommendations for a 15-year action strategy to enhance the future of Maryland agriculture.
“This forum is essential in developing a meaningful statewide strategic plan for the future of Maryland’s leading industry – agriculture. I commend the Maryland Agricultural Commission for its leadership in this effort,” said Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown.  “We must help to protect our priorities of strengthening our middle class and our small and family owned businesses and farms, and protecting the health of our citizens and the environment. When our farm businesses are sustainable, the next generation will see farming as a viable career opportunity, and Maryland will preserve its open space and locally-grown food industry to keep Maryland smart, green and growing.”
More than 260 people responded to a survey, which served as a baseline for the Forum and identified the challenges and opportunities agriculture will be facing in the next 15 years.  According to the survey, the most important issue for all survey respondents is environmental regulations in the Chesapeake Bay region negatively affecting production costs and profitability of agricultural enterprises. Other top priority issues included: local regulations and regulatory costs, continued development resulting in loss of farmland, high land costs decreasing number of young farmers, water access and uncertainty of zoning and environmental regulatory requirements negatively impacting farmers’ ability to secure loans for their enterprises.
“I am pleased to see so many participants engaged in today’s discussions. The 2010 Governor’s Forum moves the Statewide Plan for Agriculture and Resource Management forward to meet future needs of the agriculture industry,” said Maryland Agricultural Commission Chair, Tom Hartsock.  “Rest assured, the 2006 statewide plan did not just sit on a shelf gathering dust. With the support of the O’Malley-Brown Administration, it is a living, breathing plan that is making a difference in the long-term viability of agriculture in this state with 102 of the 109 recommendations in the plan already completed or underway. The plan we started today will help us plan for the next 15 year.”
Click here for more information, including survey results.
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