Formerly under the Department of Economic
and Community Development, the Office of Sea-
food Marketing was transferred to the Department
of Agriculture as Seafood Marketing Services in
1987. It was renamed Seafood Marketing Section
in 1988. The Section promotes increased distribu-
tion and consumption of Maryland seafood. It also
seeks efficient methods to reduce cost and improve
the quality and marketability of seafood.

SEAFOOD MARKETING ADVISOKT COMMISSION
Chairperson: Clare G. Vanderbeek, 1990

Appointed by Governor with Senate advice &
consent and advice of Secretary of Agriculture:
Francis Jack Russell, 1989; Bruce Lee Steinberg,
1989; William R. Woodfield, Jr., 1989; A. Arthur
Oertel, 1990; Frederick C. Pomeroy, 1990; Levin
F. Harrison III, 1991; Wallace D. Miller, 1991;
Judith Ridinger Pugh, 1991; Henry D. Pezzetti,
1992; Andrew Todd ToUey, 1992.

Ex officio: William F. Sieling, designee of 'Secretary of
Agriculture; W. Peter Jensen, designee of Secretary of
Natural Resources.

841-5770

In 1987, the Seafood Marketing Advisory Com-
mission was created within the Department of Ag-
riculture in accordance with Chapter 308, Acts of
1987. The Commission assists the Seafood Market-
ing Section.

The Commission has thirteen members. The
Governor appoints eleven members with Senate
advice and consent and eight members with the
advice of the Secretary of Agriculture. The Secretary
of Agriculture or designee, and the Secretary of
Natural Resources or designee are nonvoting ex
officio members. Members serve four-year terms
(Code Agriculture Article, sec. 10-1101).

GRADING SERVICES AND EGG
INSPECTION SECTION

Thomas O. Meredith, Jr., Administrator

50 Harry S Truman Parkway
Annapolis, MD 21401 841-5769

The Grading Services and Egg Inspection Sec-
tion inspects and grades fruits, vegetables, grain,
soybeans, and poultry at their production sites.
Graders follow U.S. Department of Agriculture
grading regulations and affix federal grading stamps
to products that meet quality standards (Code Ag-
riculture Article, secs. 10-501 through 10-909).

The Section also is responsible for the quality of
eggs produced, distributed, and sold in Maryland,
as well as for the Maryland Fresh Egg Program.
Charged with enforcing the federal Egg Law, the
Section removes from sale any eggs that do not

Department of Agriculture/181

meet federal and State standards (Code Agriculture
Article, secs. 4-301 through 4-312).

GRAIN LAWS SECTION
Thomas O. Meredith, Jr., Administrator

50 Harry S Truman Parkway
Annapolis, MD 21401 841-5769

The Grain Laws Section licenses grain dealers.
AU bonafide grain dealers in the State, as defined by
law, are required to register and secure an annual
license (Code Agriculture Article, secs. 13-201
through 13-215).

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICAL SERVICE
M. Bruce West, Statistician in Charge

50 Harry S Truman Parkway
Annapolis, MD 21401 841-5740

Formerly the Statistical Reporting Service, the
Agricultural Statistical Service collects, summa-
rizes, and publishes data relating to the production
and marketing of agricultural products, agriculture
prices and income, and other statistics pertinent to
agriculture and agribusiness. State statistics gener-
ally are available for acreage, yield, and production
of major field crops, vegetables, fruits, livestock, and
poultry; and monthly and seasonal or annual aver-
age prices, farm expenditures, and labor. For some
commodities the Service also compiles county sta-
tistics. The following publications are available:

Maryland Agricultural Statistics (annual)
Weekly Delmarva Broiler Report
Weekly Crop and Weather Report
Maryland Agri-Facts (bi-monthly)

MARYLAND AGRICULTURAL FAIR BOARD
Chairperson: Joy G. Schwab, 1990

Appointed by Governor: Philip Brendel, 1989;
Joseph C. Free, 1989; Robert T. Jarboe, 1989;
Walter E. Buck III, 1990; William James Kimbles
IV, 1990; John W. Barton, 1991; Frank C.
Downey, 1991; Edna M. White, 1991.

Christine Bloom, Executive Secretary

50 Harry S Truman Parkway
Annapolis, MD 21401 841-5770

The Maryland Agricultural Fair Board was es-
tablished as the State Fair Board in 1937 (Chapter
463, Acts of 1937). It received its present name in
1980 (Chapter 85, Acts of 1980). The Board en-
courages and fosters agriculture through the pro-
motion and assistance of bonafide agricultural fairs
and exhibits. It extends financial assistance to qual-
ifying organizations for premium awards to exhibi-
tors of agricultural displays.