Maryland Agriculture Council Leadership Elected

Matt Teffeau of Annapolis was elected president of the Maryland Agriculture Council Board of Directors during its April 11th board meeting. Having served as vice president during the past year, he replaces outgoing leader, Karen Engel of Keymar.

Teffeau has been a member of the Council’s board since 2019, serving on numerous committees and playing an integral part in the group’s annual Taste of Maryland Agriculture. He is the manager of Government Affairs and Economic Development at Choptank Electric Cooperative, a not-for-profit, member-owned electric distribution co-op located on the Eastern Shore.

“I am very excited to continue the Maryland Agriculture Council’s mission of bringing our public officials and agriculture community together in a way of celebration and showcasing the valuable work our farmers do every day. We will continue to build off the success of this year’s Taste of Maryland Agriculture.”

A native of Preston, Teffeau graduated from Salisbury University in 2010 before taking his first job as a legislative assistant for Congressman Andy Harris, handling agricultural and natural resource issues. He later joined the Maryland Farm Bureau as assistant director of government relations, advocating for Maryland farmers in Annapolis before joining the Maryland Department of Agriculture under the Hogan Administration.

Teffeau is a 2017 graduate of LEAD Maryland, a two-year leadership development program that fosters emerging agriculture and natural resource advocates. In 2020, The Daily Record included Teffeau on its 2020 VIP List, recognizing young state leaders for outstanding professional accomplishments, civic involvement, and commitment to inspiring change.

“Working on my friend’s family farm in Caroline County helped pay my way through college and gave me valuable life lessons,” he said. “Having a father who dedicated his life’s work to horticulture through University of Maryland Extension also gave me a unique perspective into our agricultural community. I’m grateful for all of my agricultural experiences.”

Faith Elliott Rossing of Henderson was elected vice president of the organization and Kayla Griffith of Lothian will fill the role of secretary. Henry Brandt of Centreville was re-elected as treasurer.

The newly elected board members were Belinda Burrier of Union Bridge, Terrie Shank of Hagerstown and Bryan Butler of Westminster. Re-elected board members, serving a two-year term, were, Emily Wilson of Harwood, Ray Greenstreet of Tracy’s Landing, Donna Landis-Smith of Marydel, Putt Willett of Laytonsville, Chuck Schuster of Glenwood, Robert C. Miller of Lincoln University, PA, David Gordon of Jefferson, Gail Yeiser of Arnold, Kim Smith of Arlington, VA, Mike Harrison Jr. of Woodbine, Teffeau, Brandt and Griffith.

The Council is best known for organizing the annual Taste of Maryland Agriculture on the first Thursday of February. The premier gala brings together agricultural leaders with state and national legislators to promote agriculture and educate lawmakers about its importance to the state’s economy and its people.

For more information on the Maryland Agriculture Council, contact Executive Director Susan Summers at 240-446-3601.