Governor’s Intergovernmental Commission for Agriculture

Vision and Mission of the Commission

The Commission shall work to promote the economic profitability of agriculture in the State by ensuring that all appropriate State agencies work in a cooperative, coordinated manner with local government and industry groups in planning, implementing, overseeing and evaluating intergovernmental initiatives related to agricultural affairs of the State.

Authority:

Executive Order 01.01.2006.06

Primary Responsibilities

Promote a clear and consistent business-friendly climate for agriculture in the State by serving as a liaison between the Governor and local governments and industry organizations;
Develop an annual, coordinated intergovernmental plan for services and functions dealing with the agricultural affairs of the State;
Develop procedures for identifying and assessing agricultural developments with a potential for impact on the State and on local governments;
Develop and implement a consistent, systematic method for the coordination of the State's agricultural economic development activities;
Develop and implement specific and measurable actions to improve the economic and regulatory climate for agriculture in the State;
Make recommendations for programs and policies, if appropriate, in order to ensure that the needs and goals of the State's agricultural strategy are met and accomplished; AND
Undertake the establishment of an "agricultural affairs information center" that serves as the first point of contact regarding agricultural issues impacting farmers in the State.

Members

Non-Voting, Member Agency
Member Departments	Secretary	Designee
Department of Agriculture	Kevin Atticks (Chair)	Steve Connelly
Department of Labor	Portia Wu	Stacey Jefferson
Department of Emergency Management	Russ Strickland	Anna Sierra
Maryland Energy Administration	Kelly Speakes-Bachman	Garry Aime
Department of Human Services	Stacy Rodgers (Acting)	Eugenia Gusev
Department of Aging	Carmel Roques	Latanya Clark
Maryland State Department of Education	Dr. Carey Wright	Julie Fletcher \| Richard Kincaid
Department of Planning	Rebecca Flora	Debbie Herr-Cornwal
Department of Commerce	Harry Coker	Joe Milone
Department of the Environment	Serena Mcllwain	Suzanne Dorsey
Department of Health	Dr. Meena Seshamani	Dr. Meg Sullivan
Department of Natural Resources	Josh Kurtz	Paul Peditto
UMES School of Ag & Natural Sciences	Dean Moises Kairo	Dr. Prem Bhandari
UMCES	Dr. Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm	Dave Nemazie
University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources	Dean Wendy Powers	Darren Jarboe

Member Organizations	Member
Maryland Agricultural Commission	Amy Crone
Public Member	Susanne Richards
Maryland Association of County Health Officers	Joshua Parker
Maryland Association of County Planning Officers	Jenny Dempsey
MARBIDCO	Steve McHenry
Maryland Association of Counties	Stephanie Ida Jones
Maryland Farm Bureau	Jo Ann Chason
Maryland Municipal League	Angelica Bailey
Rural Maryland Council	Kelsey Keadle
Public Member	Heather Bruskin
Public Member	Vacant
Public Member	Katie Stevens
Public Member	Ashley Drakeford
Public Member	Megan Todd, Esq.
Public Member	Alice Chalmers
Public Member	Jessica Richards
Public Member	Kelly Dudeck
Public Member	Nancy Nunn
Secretary of Agriculture	Kevin Atticks, Chair

Meeting Schedule, Agenda and Minutes

The Commission meets approximately twice a year

Meeting Date	Full / Subcommittee
6/11/2026	GICA
7/2/2026	Subcomittes
8/6/2026	GICA
10/1/2026	Subcommittees
11/30/2026	GICA

Understanding and Responding to the Changing Needs of Maryland Agriculture: A Toolkit for Local Communities

November 2026 GICA Meeting

Meeting Notice

October 2026 Subcommittee Meetings

Agritourism and Value Added Subcommittee