DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

DEFUNCT AGENCIES

AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Under Marketing and Agricultural Development, Agribusiness Development Program formed in 1996. Program assisted persons starting or expanding agriculture-related businesses. Individualized help was available to develop business plans, obtain financing, meet State and federal regulatory requirements, and market products.

Under Marketing and Agribusiness Development, phased out in 2003.

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE
In Aug. 2005, renamed U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service, Maryland Field Office to conform to nationwide practice.

AQUACULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Restructured as Aquaculture Coordinating Council in June 2005 (Chapter 405, Acts of 2005).

AQUACULTURE COORDINATING COUNCIL
On July 1, 2011, transferred to Department of Natural Resources (Chapter 411, Acts of 2011).

AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT & SEAFOOD MARKETING
Renamed Seafood Marketing and Aquaculture Development Program in June 2005 (Chapter 405, Acts of 2005).

AQUACULTURE REVIEW BOARD
On July 1, 2011, transferred to Department of Natural Resources (Chapter 411, Acts of 2011).

BOARD OF REVIEW
(410) 841-5882

Appointed by Governor with Senate advice & consent to 3-year terms:
Vacancy, Chair (chosen by Governor)
Frederick W. Nelson, Jr., 2009; A. Cleveland Brown, V.M.D., 2012; Richard A. Horsmon, 2012; Nina Bhat, 2013; Jeffrey W. Griffith, 2013; Charles E. Fry, 2014; Wayne C. Stafford, 2014.

Board of Review heard and determined appeals from any decision of a Department of Agriculture agency or Secretary of Agriculture, subject to judicial review under Administrative Procedure Act.

Appointed by Governor with Senate advice and consent, Board's seven members served three-year terms. Governor named chair (Code Agriculture Article, secs. 2-401 through 2-405).

Board last met in 2004; abolished effective Oct. 1, 2013 (Chapter 171, Acts of 2013).

CHESAPEAKE BAY AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS
By Chesapeake Bay Agreement of 1987, states in Bay region agreed to reduce nutrient runoff from farmland into Bay. To provide technical support for policy development in effort to restore Chesapeake Bay, and help evaluate efficiency of agricultural nutrient reduction practices, Chesapeake Bay Agricultural Programs was formed in 1992 by Department of Agriculture with College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at University of Maryland, College Park.

Under Office of Secretary, functions and budget merged into Office of Resource Conservation in 2000.

DAIRY REGULATORY REVIEW COMMITTEE
James E. (Doc) McClellan, Chair
Walter Auman; Robin C. Breeding; Barbara A. Brookmyer, M.D., Jesse Burrall: Boyd Cook; Chuck Fry; Rodney B. Glotfelty; Robert S. Ramsburg; Paul S. Stull; Roger Troxell; James Vona; Jody Vona; Michael Wilcom.

Created in July 2005 by Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene to review regulatory oversight of Maryland's dairy industry.

Concluded its work in 2006.

DATA SYSTEMS SERVICES
Under Office of Administrative Services, reorganized as Information Technology Services and moved under Office of Secretary in July 2000.

DOMESTIC MARKETING
Under Marketing and Agricultural Development, renamed National Marketing in 2005.

EGG INSPECTION, GRADING, & GRAIN
Under Office of Marketing, Animal Industries, and Consumer Services, renamed in 1997 as Grading Services, Egg Inspection, and Grain Laws.

GARRETT COUNTY ANIMAL HEALTH DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY (Oakland)
Under Animal Health Section, closed in Sept. 2009 due to consolidation of laboratory functions.

GOVERNOR'S AGRICULTURAL FORUM
Final report, entitled Statewide Plan for Agriculture and Resource Management, submitted to Maryland Agricultural Commission, June 14, 2006.

GRADING SERVICES, EGG INSPECTION, & GRAIN LAWS
Under Office of Marketing, Animal Industries, and Consumer Services, renamed Food Quality Assurance in Dec. 2004.

MARKETING & AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
Renamed Marketing and Agribusiness Development in July 2006.

MARYLAND AGRICULTURAL NONPOINT TRADING ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Staff: Susan F. Payne (410) 841-5897; e-mail: susan.payne@maryland.gov

Appointed by Senate President: Thomas M. Middleton

Appointed by House Speaker: Stephen W. Lafferty

Appointed by Assistant Secretary for Resource Conservation: William Angstadt; Daniel M. Baldwin; Kevin M. DeBell, Ph.D.; Jason Dubow; Patricia Engler; James W. George, Ph.D.; Patricia Gleason; Lynne C. Hoot; Cy Jones; George Kelly; Marya Levelev; Loretta M. Lynch, Ph.D.; Lee McDaniel; Beth L. McGee, Ph.D.; Daniel Nees; Susan F. Payne; Jerry C. Raynor; John C. Rhoderick; Mindy Selman; Catherine M. Shanks; Kelly Shenk; Edwal F. Stone; J. Bruce Yerkes.

Mark M. Bundy, Ph.D., Facilitator

In early 2008, Maryland Agricultural Nonpoint Trading Advisory Committee was convened by Department to develop policy guidelines, and procedures for agricultural and nutrient trading. Nutrient trading involves buying and selling of nutrient reduction credits.

Disbanded in Dec. 2015; some functions assumed by Maryland Water Quality Trading Advisory Committee in Jan. 2016.

MARYLAND WINE & GRAPE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Staff: Theresa A. Brophy (410) 841-5770; e-mail: brophyt@mda.state.md.us

Appointed by Secretary of Agriculture:
Richard Penna, Chair
J. Scott Angle, Ph.D.; Dennis M. Castleman; Albert Copp; Robert DeFord; R. Dean Kenderdine; S. Patrick McMillan; Robert T. Scott, D.D.S.

Appointed by Senate President: Donald F. Munson

Appointed by House Speaker: Virginia P. Clagett

Report - Maryland Wine: The Next Vintage, December 2004

At request of Governor, Secretary of Agriculture convened Maryland Wine and Grape Advisory Committee in Nov. 2004. Committee studied issues facing Maryland's vineyards and wineries, and identified strategies to support and strengthen industry. Committee reported its findings in Dec. 2004, and continued to advise Secretary on implementing its recommendations until it was superceded by Governor's Advisory Commission on Maryland Wine and Grape Growing (Chapter 319, Acts of 2005).

MARYLAND WINERY & GRAPE GROWERS' ADVISORY BOARD
Established in 1987, Maryland Winery and Grape Growers' Advisory Board advised Secretary of Agriculture on allocation of funds to promote Maryland grape and wine production (Chapter 507, Acts of 1987).

Last met in 2000.

OFFICE OF FOOD SAFETY & CONSUMER SERVICES
In March 1997, reorganized as Office of Marketing, Animal Industries, and Consumer Services.

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY ANIMAL HEALTH DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY (College Park)
Under Animal Health Section, closed in Sept. 2009 due to consolidation of laboratory functions.

PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
Renamed Communications Office in Sept. 1999.

QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY ANIMAL HEALTH DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY (Centreville)
Under Animal Health Section, closed in Sept. 2009 due to consolidation of laboratory functions.

SEAFOOD MARKETING & AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Transferred to Department of Natural Resources on July 1, 2011 (Chapter 411, Acts of 2011).

SEAFOOD MARKETING ADVISORY COMMISSION
On July 1, 2011, transferred to Department of Natural Resources (Chapter 411, Acts of 2011).

STATE BOARD OF INSPECTION OF HORSE RIDING STABLES
Renamed Maryland Horse Industry Board on Oct. 1, 1998 (Chapter 416, Acts of 1998).

TASK FORCE ON MARYLAND'S DAIRY INDUSTRY
Authorization for Task Force ended June 30, 1997.

TOBACCO AUTHORITY
Created in 1947, Tobacco Authority investigated and studied tobacco marketing and production in Maryland (Chapter 61, Acts of Special Session of 1947). Authority provided information about tobacco price structure and recommended legislation to provide more efficient handling of tobacco. Along with buyers and commission agencies, Authority had a voice in fixing marketing periods, and it assured accuracy of weights and measures used by tobacco commission selling agencies.

Purchasers and commission agencies (individuals, firms, associations, or corporations who sold tobacco) were licensed by Authority. In addition, Authority collected a fee from owners of tobacco sold at a commission agency. To develop markets for Maryland tobacco, a representative of Tobacco Authority visited manufacturers in foreign countries, as well as in United States.