55th Maryland Agriculture Council welcomes Governor, record crowd

The Maryland Agriculture Council, Inc., welcomed Governor Wes Moore, a strong contingent of state and local lawmakers, along with a record number of attendees to the 55th Taste of Maryland Agriculture on Thursday, February 6, at Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland in Hanover.

Over 850 agricultural leaders shared their farming stories and concerns with lawmakers during the evening’s networking format, while enjoying a bounty of Maryland agricultural products.

During the evening’s program, President Faith Elliott Rossing shared an inspiring message:

Agriculture is the invisible thread that binds us all together. And that is both the purpose and the challenge of tonight’s event. First, the intent is to bring the elected officials and ag community together to talk about the issues. Secondly, we all get to enjoy these discussions while enjoying the bounty of Maryland’s agricultural investment and harvest.

In fulfilling the Council’s mission to promote Maryland Agriculture and educate the public on its importance, the board awarded almost $10,000 in agricultural education grants. Eleven outstanding grassroots programs were honored, including:

Charles County 4-H – $2,000

This grant will fund a tabletop greenhouse called a MARSfarm. Programming around the growing chamber will be offered to 4-H youth in Charles County.

Kent Agricultural Center, Inc. – $1,500

Grant funds will enhance and improve the agricultural children’s area at the Kent County Fair.

Hereford Middle School – $1,009.52

Grant will fund improvements to a livestock shed for students in the animal husbandry classes.

HCPSS/4-H Collaboration – $1,000

Funds will be used to create and sustain a garden for young adults with disabilities in the high school certificate program.

Frederick County Extension – $975

The grant will be used to create an agricultural passport activity for families attending the AgOlympics event.

Harford County Extension – $840

Funds will be used to create educational banners in agricultural barns at the county fair.

Boonsboro Middle FFA – $500

The grant will support teaching materials for agriscience lessons for an elementary school program.

Montgomery County Extension – $500

Funds will be used for educational materials during the Close Encounters with Agriculture program that reaches 3,500 students.

Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore – $401.98

Funds will support the JA Ag Day that teaches 400 elementary school students about agriculture through interactive experiences.

Montgomery County Agricultural Fair/MD State Fair – $401

This grant will help to repurpose interactive agricultural displays from a Port Discovery donation to be used at fairs.

Asian American Agriculture Society – $250

Grant will be used to purchase plants and seeds for a horticultural educational event.

Governor Moore and Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks inducted the Deford family of Baltimore County into the prestigious Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame to conclude the program.

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

Official Event Photo Gallery