State Department of Agriculture Celebrates 40 Years of Service; Soundbook Highlighting Agency’s History Now Available Online

MDA building under construction

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) has been serving the agriculture community and the people of Maryland since 1973, and the agency marked the milestone with a reception at the agency’s headquarters in Annapolis today. The event drew about 150 people from all segments of the agricultural community.

“Forty years of service to the state’s leading industry – agriculture – and the citizens of Maryland is a noteworthy accomplishment,” said Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance, who is the eighth secretary to lead the agency in the last 40 years. “Today’s celebration with our partners and the agricultural community recognizes the agency’s commitment to ensuring the sustainability of this important sector of our economy and the safety of all Marylanders.”

During the reception, Secretary Hance read a proclamation from Governor Martin O’Malley which officially declares today “MDA 40th Anniversary Celebration Day.” The proclamation cited that the “department has remained steadfastly dedicated to programs and services that preserve and protect agricultural resources and the environment, promote profitable agriculture and consumer confidence and enhance the quality of life for all Marylanders.” It also recognized MDA employees for their “professional commitment to serve all our citizens.”

The state’s agricultural interests were initially served by the University of Maryland at College Park. The Maryland General Assembly established MDA in 1973 after recognizing that a separate agency was needed to serve this critical industry that is as diverse as the state and second to none in its importance to the economy, environment, food supply and quality of life. MDA took on regulatory and advisory functions while agricultural research and extension service functions remained at College Park as they do today. MDA currently employs nearly 400 people across the state.

MDA Cows

During the reception, the agency premiered a 12 minute soundbook by award-winning photographer Edwin Remsberg, which summarizes the history of the agency. The soundbook includes brief interviews with all past living Agriculture Secretaries and is narrated by Secretary Hance. The soundbook, as well as the anniversary reception, highlighted the diverse and vast array of services that MDA provides the state. View the soundbook online.

“As we at MDA celebrate 40 years of service to the people of this state, we re-dedicate ourselves to the programs and services that preserve and protect agricultural resources and the environment, promote profitable agriculture and consumer confidence and enhance the quality of life for all Marylanders,” said Secretary Hance. “For all of us at the Maryland Department of Agriculture, we look forward to continuing our proud tradition of service for another 40 years.”

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