MARYLAND AGRICULTURAL
COMMISSION

Chairperson: Paul V. Twining, Jr., 1987

Samuel B. Foard, Jr., 1985; H. George Kemp,
1985; Donald E. Lippy, 1985; Warren
McWilliams, 1985; William E. Sylvester, 1985;
Henry A. Virts, 1985; William M. Allenberg,
1986; W. Simpson Dunahoo, 1986; Franklin E.
Feeser, 1986; Guy H. Hall, 1986; John L. King,
Jr., 1986; Edward Allen, 1987; Alan L. Brauer,
Sr, 1987; G. Walter Ewalt, 1987; Thomas G.
Mason, 1987.

Ex officio: Frank L. Bentz, Jr., University of
Maryland

Lynne C. Hoot, Executive Secretary

50 Harry S. Truman Parkway
Annapolis 21401 Telephone: 841-5861

The Maryland Agricultural Commission, creat-
ed by Chapter 552, Acts of 1968, succeeded the
Agricultural Advisory Board established by Chap-
ter 470, Acts of 1961. The Commission has as its
chief function the advancement of Maryland agri-
culture and serves as an advisory body to the
Secretary of Agriculture on all matters pertaining
to agriculture. The Commission formulates and
makes proposals for the advancement of agricul-
ture, assists in the promotion of Maryland agricul-
tural industries and products, and advises the
Department of Natural Resources on proposed
wetland regulations.

The Commission consists of seventeen members,
with the principal administrative officer for agri-
cultural affairs at the University of Maryland
serving ex officio. The remaining sixteen members
are appointed by the Governor for three-year
terms. Two members represent the dairy segment;
two the poultry segment; one the livestock seg-
ment; one the tobacco segment; one the nursery
segment; one the horticulture segment; one the
field crop segment; one the vegetable segment; and
one from the veterinary profession. The Maryland
State Grange and the Maryland Farm Bureau each
nominate one member, and three are appointed at
large from services related to agriculture (Code
Agriculture Article, secs. 2-201 through 2-205).

OFFICE OF ANIMAL HEALTH AND
CONSUMER SERVICES

Richard H. Carter, Assistant Secretary

50 Harry S. Truman Parkway
Annapolis 21401 Telephone: 841-5782

Agriculture/15 5

The Assistant Secretary for Animal Health and
Consumer Services provides administrative direc-
tion to six major sections: Animal Health, Meat
and Poultry Inspection, Grading Services and Egg
Inspection, Weights and Measures, State Chemist,
and Grain Laws. The Assistant Secretary also
furnishes administrative support to the Wholesome
Meat Advisory Council.

ANIMAL HEALTH SECTION

Dr. John C. Shook, State Veterinarian

50 Harry S. Truman Parkway
Annapolis 21401 Telephone: 841-5810

The Animal Health Section is responsible for the
control and eradication of those livestock and
poultry diseases that are of significant economic
importance to the producer as well as those
contagious diseases of livestock and poultry that
pose a significant threat to the human population
of Maryland due to their transmissibility from
animals to humans (Code Agriculture Article,
secs. 3-101 through 3-503).

GRADING SERVICES AND EGG
INSPECTION SECTION

Thomas 0. Meredith, Jr., Chief

50 Harry S. Truman Parkway
Annapolis 21401 Telephone: 841-5782

This section inspects and grades fruit, vegetables,
grain, soybeans, and poultry at their production
sources. Graders carry out USDA grading regula-
tions and affix federal grading stamps on products
meeting quality and condition standards (Code
Agriculture Article, secs. 10-501 through 10-909).

The Section is also responsible for the quality of
eggs produced, distributed, and sold in Maryland,
as well as for the Maryland Fresh and Maryland
Fancy Egg Programs. The Egg Inspection Section
is charged with enforcing the federal Egg Law and
removing from sale any eggs that do not meet
Federal and State standards (Code Agriculture
Article, secs. 4-301 through 4-312).

In addition, the Section administers the licensing
of grain buyers (Code Agriculture Article, secs.
13-201 through 13-213).

MEAT AND POULTRY INSPECTION
SECTION

Dr. Gordon W. Vacura, D.V.M., Chief