Delegation from Russia’s Leningrad Oblast Visits Maryland through Sister States Program

Agricultural Operations and Technology are Highlights of the Tour

ANNAPOLIS, MD (April 30, 2010) – Officials from the Leningrad Oblast or region of Russia toured Maryland for four days this week through the Sister States Program.  While in Maryland, the six member delegation which includes Valery Serdyukov, Governor of the Leningrad Oblast, visited the USDA Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, a nursery and garden center, and a Thoroughbred breeding operation along with nearly a dozen other non-agricultural facilities and official meetings.

“We are very pleased to join the Secretary of State and a number of other state agencies to host Governor Serdyukov and his delegation to share with them a number of new agricultural businesses and innovations in Maryland,” said Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance.  “We look forward to continuing our very positive relationship with Governor Serdyukov and his colleagues in the Leningrad Oblast.”

“The Maryland Department of Agriculture has played a key role in the success of the state’s partnership with the Leningrad Region. The two states share a number of commonalities, including certain aspects of our agricultural industries,” said Secretary of State John P. McDonough.

During their stay, members of the Russian delegation visited the Monocacy National Battlefield, Washington County Schools and the City of Hagerstown, Chanceland Farm Thoroughbred breeding operation, National Harbor, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC), Homestead Gardens, Human Genome Sciences, Inc., Montgomery County’s Shady Grove Innovation Center, and the Maryland Port Administration.  The group met with a wide variety of business leaders and innovators. The protocols for importing animals and genetics into Russia from the United States have been signed and Russia is committed to improving its livestock breeding programs as well as livestock management and food processing sectors.

The Maryland Sister States Program is the conduit for Maryland’s nine official sister state relationships established with states, regions or provinces in various countries around the world. The program oversees an array of international exchanges, promoting a balance of business, educational and cultural interests.  The Memorandum of Understanding establishing a sister state relationship between the State of Maryland and the Leningrad Oblast was signed in 1993.

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