TOWSON — Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski issued an executive order to formally establish the Baltimore County Agriculture Advisory Board, the county government announced June 24.
The new Advisory Board will guide county government as it seeks to support, promote, and market agriculture, strengthen industry workforce pipelines, increase public awareness and help drive a data-informed long-term strategy on matters pertaining to agriculture.
“Agriculture is an essential part of Baltimore County’s economy, and we are fully committed to equipping our farms with the tools and resources they need to be successful and sustainable is one of our priorities,” Olszewski said in a statement.
“We are thankful that this talented group of experts will share their diverse experiences and guidance to help Baltimore County do all that we can to ensure this essential industry has the support it needs to thrive for years to come.”
Baltimore County is home to a diverse agriculture community with nearly 800 farms which employ more than 5,000 employees across the region and deliver more than $90 million in annual economic impact.
Earlier this year, Olszewski announced plans to create the new agriculture advisory board in recognition of Baltimore County’s agricultural industry as both a rich part of the county’s legacy and future.
Chaired by William White, Equine Trainer, and co-chaired by Amanda Castillo of Prigel Family Creamery, the 31-member advisory board will consist of a diverse array experienced and knowledgeable individuals from across the area, including:
Agriculture Education, George Mayo, Retired from Maryland Agriculture Education FoundationAgribusiness, Alice Chalmers, Sun Bird FarmAgritourism, Renee Wilson, The FarmyardAgriculture Service, John Eaton, PeoplesBankDairy, Kelly Mays, Mays Dairy FarmDirect Farm Market, Leslie Richardson, Richardson FarmsEquine, William White, Equine TrainerOn Farm Alcohol Production, Justin Harrison, Farmacy BrewingField Crops, Travis Radebaugh, JH Radebaugh Inc.Food Processing/Value Added Products, Amanda Castillo, Prigel Family CreameryForestry, Karl Mech, Baltimore County American Chestnut ProjectLivestock, Dean Bryant, Roseda FarmNursery, Greenhouse Grower, Alan Jones, Manor View NurseryNursery, Retail Garden Center, Diane Knighton, White House Nursery and Design with NatureCertified Organic, Helen Norman, Star Bright FarmPoultry, Lynne Ferguson, Ferguson Family FarmUrban Farmer, Farmer Chippy, Plantation Park Heights Urban FarmVegetable/Fruit, Bryan Alexander, Good Dog FarmVeterinary, Dr. John Brooks, Churchville Veterinary Clinic and former Maryland Deputy Secretary of AgricultureViticulture, Phineas Deford, Boordy VineyardsAt-large, Kevin Ford, Blue Star Farm
Richard Bernstein, Baltimore County Agriculture Land Preservation Advisory Board and First Fruits Farm
John McGinnis, Baltimore County Soil Conservation District, Board of Supervisors and Pennland Grain,
Jonathan Albright, Albright Farms, Baltimore County Farm Bureau, Board of Directors,
David Cashman, General Manager, Maryland State Fair and Agricultural Society, Board of Directors,
Megan Benjamin, Baltimore County Department of Planning, Land Preservation Administrator (non-voting member)
Peter Gutwald, Director, Baltimore County Department of Permits, Approvals, and Inspections; (non-voting member)
Brady Locher, Deputy Director, Baltimore County Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability (non-voting member)
Eric Hines, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service;, NRCS Assistant State Conservationist for Field Operation Central Maryland (non-voting member)
Jim Ensor, Baltimore County Soil Conservation District, District Manager (non-voting member)
Erika Crowl, University of Maryland, Baltimore County Extension, Senior Agriculture Extension Agent Associate (non-voting member)
The formation of this Advisory Board fulfills a key recommendation by the Agriculture Subcommittee of the Economic Development Advisory Board and is the latest effort from Baltimore County to support the agriculture industry.
“The county remains a national leader in land preservation, leveraging nearly $9 million to protect over 70,000 acres of farmland, waterfront, stream valleys and natural lands,” county officials said, touting their agricultural efforts.
“Last year, the administration created a new additional position to help build towards a dedicated Agricultural office within the Department of Economic and Workforce Development. “
Earlier this year, Olszewski also announced $500,000 in grant funding for county-based farms impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Made possible through the County’s allocation of American Rescue Plan funds, the grants will assist with managing ongoing production challenges and offsetting the negative impacts of the pandemic.
The Agriculture Advisory Board will host their first meeting on Thursday, June 27, at 8 a.m. at the Baltimore County Agricultural Center, located at 1114 Shawan Road in Cockeysville. Doors will open at 7:30 a.m. for a light breakfast.
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