Governor O'Malley Appoints New Members to Maryland Agricultural Commission

Governor Martin O’Malley has appointed six new members to the Maryland Agricultural Commission, an advisory body comprised of representatives from different commodity groups who provide the Agriculture Secretary with information and recommendations on policies and issues facing the agriculture industry. Members serve three-year terms and are eligible to serve two consecutive terms.

There are currently 30 members of the commission, representing: poultry, dairy, livestock, nursery, horticulture, field crops, vegetables, veterinary medicine, Maryland State Grange, Maryland Farm Bureau, at large agriculture services, agri-business, turf, equine, consumers, organic farming, direct farm marketing, viticulture, agriculture education, tobacco, forestry, aquaculture, food processing, biofuels, and agri-tourism as well as the University System of Maryland.

Newly appointed members are:

Representing the aquaculture industry: Talmage Petty, owner and operator of Hollywood Oyster Co. in St. Mary’s County. He replaces outgoing member Luke Breza.
Representing the nursery industry: Karl Fisher, owner and operator of Wye Nursery, a wholesale evergreen nursery in Caroline County. He replaces outgoing member John Marshall.
Representing the nursery industry: Marion Mullan, is the Vice President of Mullan Nursery, Co., Inc in Baltimore County, a 12-acre nursery that grows shade trees and brambles. She replaces outgoing member Jerome R. Faulring.
Representing the food processing industry: Matt Cedro, a resident of Garrett County and director of operations for Firefly Farms. He replaces outgoing member Thomas A. Godfrey.
Representing the field crops industry: Donald Maring, a third generation grain farmer from Carroll County. He replaces outgoing member Allen Davis.
Representing the agritourism industry: Michael Dunn, owner and operator of Montpelier Farms in Prince George’s County. He replaces outgoing member Martha Clark.