198/Maryland Manual

registered and tested. Inspections made by inspec-
tors from the Department of Health and Mental
Hygiene are reviewed by the Section. The Section
has developed the first program in the United States
to trace eggs from flock to consumer, and now other
states are copying the program.
The Section enforces the restricted egg sections
of the federal Egg Law. Restricted eggs are those
not suitable for consumption due ro cracks, blood
spots, leaks, or other problems. All restricted eggs
removed from consumer packs of eggs must be
documented as to disposition. The Section removes
from sale any eggs that do not meet federal and
State standards (Code Agriculture Article, sees.
4-201 through 4-312).

GRAIN LAWS SECTION
Thomas 0. Meredith, Jr., Administrator
841-5769

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

MARYLAND AGRICULTURAL FAIR BOARD
Philip Brendel, Chairperson, 1994

Appointed by Governor with advice of Secretary of
Agriculture: John W. Barton, 1991; Frank C.
Downey, 1991; Edna M. White, 1991; Joseph C.
Free, 1994; John L. Richards, 1994; David C.
Daneker, 1995; A. A. Scott MacGlashan IV, 1995;
WalterR.Mason.l995.

Christine Bloom, Executive Secretary

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

Forerunners of the Maryland Agricultural Fair
Board include societies for the promotion of
agriculture which flourished in Maryland, begin-
ning in 1807 with the creation of boards of agricul-
ture in twelve Maryland counties (Chapter 169,
Acts of 1807). These boards were authorized to
award premiums or medals for the promotion of
agriculture. Other county societies and fair boards
were created and, from time to time, the General
Assembly appropriated money to them for agricul-
tural fairs.
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
promotion and assistance of bona fide agricultural
fairs and exhibits. It extends financial assistance to
qualifying organizations for premium awards to
exhibitors of agricultural displays.

Annually, the Board issues Maryland Fair &
Show Schedule, available upon request.
The Board consists of nine members appointed
by the Governor to five-year terms (Code Agricul-
ture Article, sees. 10-301 through 10-303).

MARYLAND AGRICULTURAL LAND
PRESERVATION FOUNDATION
Leonard E. Lowry, Chairperson, 1992

Appointed by Governor (who also designates chair): W.
Max Buckel, 1991; George C. Fry, 1991; Ronald
M. Kreitner, 1991; Dan C. Shortall, Jr., 1992; Lee
F. Townsend, 1992; William F. Dixon, 1993;
Lloyd C. Jones, 1993; Donald R. Stirn, 1993.

Ex officio: Lucille Maurer, State Treasurer; Louis L.
Goldstein, Comptroller of the Treasury; Wayne A.
Cawley, Jr., Secretary of Agriculture

Paul Scheldt, Executive Director

50 Harry S Truman Parkway
Annapolis, MD 21401 841-5860

The Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation
Foundation was created in 1977 (Chapter 784,
Acts of 1977). The Foundation implements the
Agricultural Land Preservation Program. The
Program's intent is to preserve productive agricul-
tural land and woodland in Maryland, provide for
the continued production of food and fiber, curb
the extent of urban sprawl, and protect agricultural
land and woodland as open space. The Program
depends on the cooperation of county govern-
ments, which appoint local agricultural preserva-
tion advisory boards. Participation in the Program
is voluntary on the part of landowners.
By agreement with the Foundation, landowners
may initiate the creation of an Agricultural Preser-
vation District in which subdivision and develop-
ment are restricted for at least five years. The
creation of such a district protects normal agricul-
tural activities and enables landowners to make
application to sell a development rights easement.
Based upon the availability of funds allocated by the
counties, the Foundation may acquire easements in
accord with a competitive formula defined by law
and subject to local recommendation and appraisal.
Easements thus acquired are perpetual but may be
repurchased after twenty-five years if certain proce-
dures and requirements are met.
By gift, devise, bequest, or grant, the Founda-
tion also may receive easements in gross or other
rights to restrict the use of agricultural land and
woodland.
In 1990, Maryland continued to lead the nation
in the amount of land in agricultural preservation
districts (194,388 acres) and on which permanent
development rights easements have been acquired
(91,448 acres).