About the Maryland Department of Agriculture

The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) is a unit of Maryland State government formed in 1972 to represent agriculture's growing importance and impact to the economy of the state.

MDA Headquarters are located at 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway in Annapolis, Maryland and branch offices are throughout the state to serve local needs.

MDA programs are a combination of regulatory, consumer facing and educational or promotional in scope. All are intended to provide the maximum protection possible for the consumer, protect the environment and promote the economic well-being of farmers, food and fiber processors and businesses engaged in agricultural related operations.

Maryland Department of Agriculture is comprised of three operating units:

MDA's Vision

Achieving excellence in 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.

MDA's Mission

Providing leadership and support to agriculture and the citizens of Maryland by conducting regulatory, service, and educational activities that assure consumer confidence, protect the environment, and promote agriculture.

MDA's History

The Maryland Department of Agriculture has been serving the agriculture community and the people of Maryland since 1973. While MDA’s look has changed over the years, the mission and vision has remained steadfast: to protect consumers, preserve the environment, and promote Maryland agriculture.

Prior to 1973, agricultural interests were served by the University of Maryland at College Park. The Maryland General Assembly established the Department 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 state’s economy, environment, food supply and quality of life. The new agency took on regulatory and advisory functions while agricultural research and extension service functions remained at College Park as they do today.

The department has been led by ten Secretaries throughout it's 50 year history. For more in depth information about the Department's Secretaries, please visit this link.

The department also has a wide array of programs designed to address the needs of Maryland farmers and ag industry partners. For a comprehensive list of these programs and services offered, please visit this link.

A Look Back: The Construction of the Maryland Department of Agriculture Building

About the Maryland Department of Agriculture

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