Governor Ehrlich Calls for Agriculture Forum
Public Listening Sessions, Summit to Develop Farm Policy Recommendations

ANNAPOLIS, MD - (May 4, 2005) - Maryland farmers face a number of challenges
and opportunities to remain profitable in today's land development and
economic climate. Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. has asked the Maryland
Department of Agriculture to convene an agriculture forum to bring forward
policy recommendations that will help chart a course for the future of
farming in Maryland.

"The goal of this forum is to consider all sectors of Maryland's production
agriculture, identify over arching issues, and to construct recommendations
that will continue to grow and promote agriculture in Maryland," said
Governor Ehrlich. "Agriculture is essential to our State's economy,
environment and quality of life and I am committed to promoting its
long-term viability."

The Maryland Agriculture Commission, a 24-member group representing a cross
section of commodities and appointed by the Governor as an advisory body to
the Secretary of Agriculture, is spearheading the forum. The Commission is
partnering with farm, commodity and land preservation organizations.

Over the winter, a steering committee identified four primary areas that are
important to the future of agriculture and developed a process for public
input into these issues prior to the forum. The Commission will seek input
on the subjects of profitability, land use, alternative enterprises and
agricultural biosecurity through a survey that is being mailed to farm
leaders and stakeholders. The results of the survey will be refined through
a series of six listening sessions. The resulting information will be
compiled and presented at the forum on February 13, 2006. Participants in
the forum will develop policy recommendations. A strategic plan for the
future of agriculture will be developed to guide the implementation of those
proposals.

"The Agriculture Commission thanks the Governor for his initiative and
welcomes the opportunity to build on the work that farm-related task forces
have completed over the past three years to craft a plan that helps ensure
the viability of agriculture," said Douglas Green, chair of the Maryland
Agriculture Commission and forum steering committee member. "We invite all
interested parties to participate in the listening sessions. The strength
of this process is in the ideas and solutions put forward by all parties and
the resulting ownership of the policy recommendations."
The listening sessions will be held in five locations around the State in
August. All meetings will be held at 7:00 p.m. and are free of charge and
open to the public.
* Monday, Aug. 1 at the Frederick County Fair Grounds, Frederick.
* Wednesday, Aug. 3 at the Washington County Fair Grounds, Hagerstown
* Monday, Aug. 8 at the Harford County Extension Office, Bel Air
* Monday, Aug. 15 at the Wicomico County Extension Office, Salisbury.
* Wednesday, Aug. 24 at the Queen Anne's County 4-H Park, Queenstown.
* Monday, Aug. 29 at the Calvert County Fair Grounds, Prince Frederick

For further information about the Governor's Agriculture Forum, please
contact Buddy Bowling, executive director, Maryland Agriculture Commission
at 410-841-5882.