{"id":19193,"date":"2016-01-12T14:22:44","date_gmt":"2016-01-12T19:22:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=19193"},"modified":"2016-01-13T13:51:52","modified_gmt":"2016-01-13T18:51:52","slug":"legislators-tour-agriculture-department-laboratories","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/press-release\/2016\/01\/12\/legislators-tour-agriculture-department-laboratories\/","title":{"rendered":"Legislators Tour Agriculture Department Laboratories"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Turf<\/a>

Turf & Seed Program Manager Dale Morris demonstrates\u00a0lab work to Delegate Benjamin Brooks and Delegate Tony Knott.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

ANNAPOLIS, MD\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 Secretary Joe Bartenfelder invited members of the Maryland General Assembly and local elected officials to tour the Maryland Department of Agriculture\u2019s laboratory wing this week\u00a0to see firsthand the diverse and scientific work the department conducts for citizens across the state \u2013 not just farmers.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the General Assembly Session right around the corner, state legislators are sure to get an earful from many sources about a wide range of issues,\u201d said Secretary Bartenfelder. \u201cI want to make sure that when bills that impact farmers and the agricultural sector are introduced, our lawmakers understand what the impact will be.\u201d<\/p>\n

The department has several\u00a0laboratories\u00a0that many citizens, including legislators, don\u2019t know about \u2013 or don\u2019t know are part of the department. The group spent nearly two hours touring the:<\/p>\n