2025 Election Guide
The voice of progressives in
every town in America
every town in America
ANNAPOLIS, MD - Governor Wes Moore on July 28 signed an execu?tive order to promote Maryland’s agricultural sector and expand economic opportunity for Maryland’s farmers. The executive order revises and expands the Governor’s Intergovernmental Commission for Agriculture, which will enhance the economic viability, growth, and profitability of Maryland’s agriculture industry through increased collabor?ation and promoting more business-friendly practices.
“For our state to succeed, our farmers need to succeed,” said Gov. Moore. “This order expands a commission that’s been the key forum for Marylanders to develop new solutions to challenges in agriculture for twenty years. And here’s the upshot for our farmers: stronger partnerships, greater measurements of economic growth, and a state that is unified in its approach and nimble in its execution.”
The governor was joined at Boordy Vineyards in Hydes, Maryland by Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks, Maryland Secretary of State Susan Lee, Maryland Department of Environment Secretary Serena Mcllwain, Maryland Department of Planning Secretary Rebecca Flora, Maryland Department of Emergency Management Russ Strickland, and agriculture industry leaders for the signing.
“I welcome the addition of these agencies to the commission and look forward to continuing the important work GICA does,” said Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks. “I thank Governor Moore for continuing his strong support of the ag industry in Maryland.”
The executive order revises the Governor’s Intergovernmental Commission for Agriculture—originally established in 2006—to promote Maryland agriculture by fostering collaboration among state and local agencies and industry organizations; promoting a business-friendly environment; and addressing issues such as soil health, food production, and agritourism. The executive order also directs the commission to develop intergovernmental goals, coordinate economic development activities, make policy recommendations, and report annually to the governor on its efforts to support a coordinated agricultural strategy for Maryland.
The executive order also doubles the size of the commission by bringing six additional agencies to the table and directs the Maryland Department of Agriculture to lead a whole-of-government approach to reduce regulations, promote agricultural literacy, and create economic opportunities for Maryland farmers.
Agencies added to the commission include the Maryland Energy Administration, Maryland Department of Labor, Maryland Department of Human Services, Maryland Department of Aging, Maryland Department of Emergency Management, Maryland Department of Education as well as the president of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science.
A full list of current commission members is available at mda.maryland.gov.
Prior to the executive order signing, the governor joined Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks and Maryland farmers for a roundtable discussion about challenges facing Maryland’s farmers, and the work of the Moore-Miller Administration to protect and promote Maryland’s agricultural sector.
In its first year, the Moore-Miller Administration protected more than 360,000 acres of farmland, through the Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation. During this legislative session, Governor Moore introduced and signed the Chesapeake Bay Legacy Act, which included provisions to drive collaboration across the agricultural sector, like the Leaders in Environmentally Engaged Farming (LEEF) program. Governor Moore also signed an executive order on environmental justice this month to remove the barriers standing between farmers and capital.