DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

DEFUNCT AGENCIES

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

CHESAPEAKE BAY AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS
By the Chesapeake Bay Agreement of 1987, states in the Bay region agreed to reduce nutrient runoff from farmland into the Bay. To provide technical support for policy development in the effort to restore Chesapeake Bay, and help evaluate the efficiency of agricultural nutrient reduction practices, Chesapeake Bay Agricultural Programs was formed in 1992 by the Department of Agriculture with the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the 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 the 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 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 the request of the Governor, the Secretary of Agriculture convened the Maryland Wine and Grape Advisory Committee in November 2004. The Committee studied the issues facing Maryland's vineyards and wineries, and identified strategies to support and strengthen the industry. The Committee reported its findings in December 2004, and continued to advise the Secretary on implementing its recommendations until it was superceded by the Governor's Advisory Commission on Maryland Wine and Grape Growing (Chapter 319, Acts of 2005).

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

STATE BOARD OF INSPECTION OF HORSE RIDING STABLES
Renamed Maryland Horse Industry Board, 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, the Tobacco Authority investigated and studied tobacco marketing and production in Maryland (Chapter 61, Acts of Special Session of 1947). The Authority provided information about the tobacco price structure and recommended legislation to provide more efficient handling of tobacco. Along with buyers and commission agencies, the Authority had a voice in fixing marketing periods, and it assured the accuracy of weights and measures used by tobacco commission selling agencies.

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

The Authority was composed of six members appointed by the Governor for three-year terms. Authorization for the Authority was to have continued until July 1, 2010, but in 2009 the Authority was abolished, effective October 1, 2009 (Code Agriculture Article, secs. 7-201 through 7-209, 7-401 through 7-418; Chapter 18, Acts of 2009).

WEED CONTROL SECTION
Under Office of Plant Industries and Pest Management, Weed Control Section merged with Plant Protection Section to become Plant Protection and Weed Management Section in June 1997.