Governor’s Intergovernmental Commission for Agriculture

Authority:

Executive Order 01.01.2006.06

Entity's Vision and Mission:

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.

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.

Entity's members:

Members (Ex Officio)
Member Departments	Secretary	Designee
Department of Agriculture	Joseph Bartenfelder (CHAIR)	Steve Connelly
Department of Commerce	Kelly M. Schulz	Ewing McDowell
Department of the Environment	Ben Grumbles	Suzanne Dorsey
Department of Health	Robert R. Neall	Kirk Engle
Department of Natural Resources	Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio	Dan Rider
Department of Planning	Robert S. McCord	Val Lazdins
University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources	Dr. Craig Beyrouty	Dave Myers

Member Organizations
Member Organizations	Member
Maryland Agricultural Commission	Michelle Chesnik
Maryland Association of County Health Officials	Steve Sherrard
Maryland Association of County Planning Officials	Amy Moredock
MARBIDCO	Steve McHenry
Maryland Association of Counties	Laura Price
Maryland Farm Bureau	Howie Feaga
Maryland Municipal League	Michael Kline
Rural Maryland Council	Matthew Teffeau

General Public Members
Organization	Member
Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation	Susanne Zilberfarb
Mid-Atlantic Farm Credit	Kurt Fuchs
Garrett County Maryland Economic Development	Cheryl DeBerry
Washington County Department of Business Development	Leslie Hart
Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation	Lisa Barge
Perdue Farms Inc.	Kathryn Danko
	Patricia Langenfelder
	Dr. Mortimer Hugh Neufville
	Thomas Skilton
	Kathy Abt