The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission

The So. Maryland Agricultural Development Commission was convened to develop a program to stabilize the region's agricultural economy as farmers convert from tobacco to alternative crop and other agricultural enterprises.
The Commission represents a cross-section of the region's community, from elected officials and local government, to representatives from higher education centers and traditional agricultural sectors, to private sector, business and finance representatives, and farmers. The Commission staff is housed under the umbrella of the regional non-profit, the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland.

Commission Members

1. One member of the Senate appointed by the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland:
   
   
   Senator Thomas 'Mac' Middleton
   
    
2. One member of the House of Delegates appointed by the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland:
   
   
   Delegate John F. Wood
   
    
3. Six Southern Maryland farmers - one each from Charles, Calvert, St. Mary's, Anne Arundel, and Prince George's Counties, and one representing the Maryland Farm Bureau:
   
   
   Charles - Steve Walter
   St. Mary's - Bert Dean
   Calvert - Vacant
   Pr. George's - Yates Clagett, Vice Chair
   Anne Arundel - Earl Griffith
   Farm Bureau - Donna Sasscer
   
    
4. One agricultural lender:
   
   
   Joan Bearden
   


5. One representative from the College of Southern Maryland:
   
   
   Bill Hittee
   
   
   
6. One small business/economic development representative, rotating among the five Southern Maryland Counties:


Lisa Barge - Anne Arundel


7. Two agricultural land preservation representatives, rotating among the five Southern Maryland counties:

   Veronica Cristo - Calvert
   Charles Rice, Chair - Charles

8. One Chamber of Commerce representative, rotating among Anne Arundel, Prince George's, St. Mary's, Charles, and Calvert Counties:

   William Scarafia - St. Mary's

9. County Commissioners from the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland Board:

   Commissioner Dan Raley - St. Mary's

   Commissioner Barbara Stinnett - Calvert



10. One Member at Large, rotating among the five Southern Maryland counties:

    Delegate Sally Jameson - Charles

11. Special members - 1 year terms
    Two representatives from significant sectors of Agricultural Development/Infrastructure:

    Mary Wood - Agro-Tourism
    Roz Rocanello - Heritage

12. Ex-Officio non-voting:
    Chair of the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland - Ex-Officio non-voting:

    Gary V. Hodge - Charles

13. Secretary of MDA - Ex-Officio non-voting:
    

    Earl F. Hance

14. Secretary of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development - Ex-Officio non-voting:

    David Edgerly
    Steve Wall (representative)

15. Dean of College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Maryland - Ex-Officio non-voting:

    Dr. Cheng-i Wei, Director, Maryland Cooperative Extension
    Herb Reed (representative)

Honorary and Advisory Members (non-voting):

Secretary (former) of MDA - Bud Virts
Secretary (former) of MDA - Hagner Mister
Prince George's Farmer - Mildred Darcy

Commission Staff

Cia Morey, Administrator

Susan McQuilkin, Marketing Executive

Shelly Lancaster, Administrative Assistant