Call for Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame Nominees; Nominations Due Sept. 5, 2013

ANNAPOLIS, MD – To honor the leaders of Maryland’s thriving agricultural community, the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) is accepting nominations of farmers and farm families for the Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame, which pays tribute to those who have dedicated their lives to one of the state’s leading industry. Any farm family that derives its income principally from farming is eligible for the award.

“Every year we honor at least one outstanding farmer or farm family who represents the hard work and dedication of all Maryland farmers,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “The Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame ceremony allows us to stop and take a moment to thank those farmers and farm families who represent a critical part of our history and heritage in Maryland. We encourage our local agricultural leaders to nominate those outstanding producers who represent them all.”

Since 1991, when the Hall of Fame was established, 42 farm families have been honored for their high standards of conduct; personal values; contributions to their community; and performance, leadership, innovation, and achievement in agriculture.

Nomination forms are available from MDA or local Extension offices, which serve as local nominating committee coordinators. Each local nominating committee, which is made up of the county extension educator, county farm bureau president, county fair representative, and county soil conservation district chairman, reviews a pool of candidates from its county and forwards a selection to the Governor’s Selection Committee.

Nominations from the committees are due to MDA by September 5, 2013, and will be reviewed by the Governor’s Selection Committee. The selection committee includes the Dean of the University of Maryland’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the President of the Maryland Farm Bureau, and members of the agricultural community. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held during the Maryland Agricultural Dinner in February 2014. For a nomination form see: http://www.mda.maryland.gov/documents/2013_Nomination_form.doc
For more information, contact MDA at 410-841-5770 or contact your local Extension office.

Note: Applicants MUST work with their county Extension Office in preparing the application. Only one nomination per county is permitted.

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