The Section cooperates with the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration in the inspection of feed
manufacturing facilities that produce medicated
feeds. To implement the federal Insecticide, Fun-
gicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the Section
also works with the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency. Additionally Section chemists analyze
meat and toxicology samples for the Office of
Animal Health and Consumer Services; test fruits,
vegetables, commercial feeds, and soils for chemical
residues; and make other determinations as required
by the Department (Code Agriculture Article, sees.
5-101 through 5-114, 6-101 through 6-117, 6-201
through 6-220, 6-301 through 6-310).

TURF & SEED SECTION
Malcolm L. Sarna, Chief
841-5960

As early as 1888, the General Assembly enacted
legislation to protect farmers from unscrupulous
seed salesmen making fraudulent claims. Today the
Turf and Seed Section works to assure the
availability of sufficient quantities of certified turf
and seed. It directs and conducts certification
programs by which turf and seed are produced to
meet standards of purity, variety, germination, and
other quality factors. From the evidence of field
inspections or laboratory analysis, the Section rejects
seed or sod not meeting certification standards.
The Section also regulates the labeling of seed
and sod at the time of marketing to help consumers
determine what to purchase. A State testing
laboratory is operated for both service and
regulatory testing to assure compliance with label
claims. The regulatory phase involves inspection,
testing, reporting results, and corrective actions for
each turf and seed lot found not to comply with
provisions of the Turf Grass Law or the Seed Law
(Code Agriculture Article, sees. 9-101 through 9-
110, 9-201 through 9-213).

WEED CONTROL SECTION
Jesse J. Crook, Supervisor
841-5871

The Weed Control Section administers the
Maryland Noxious Weed Law. This law requires
landowners or those who possess and manage land
infested with Johnsongrass, shattercane, or thisdes
to eradicate or control these noxious weeds by
practices prescribed by the Secretary of Agriculture.
The noxious weed control program helps in-
dividuals manage noxious weeds through their own
efforts and through a cooperative agreement be-
tween the State and participating counties. The
Department encourages individuals to file a
Noxious Weed Control Agreement, outlining
methods and procedures for controlling noxious

Department ofAgriculture/201

weeds on their land. Regulatory action may be
taken against those who fail to control noxious
weeds. The Weed Control Section also investigates
complaints ofmultiflora rose-infested land used for
agricultural production.
The Secretary of Agriculture has authority to
declare other weeds noxious and place them under
a control program. The Section Supervisor serves
as the State's authority on weed control matters
(Code Agriculture Article, sees. 9-401 through 9-
405, 9-701 through 9-705).

OFFICE OF RESOURCE
CONSERVATION

Rosemary Roswell, Assistant Secretary

50 Harry S Truman Parkway
Annapolis, MD 21401 841-5865

In November 1989, the Soil Conservation Ad-
ministration was reorganized by the Department to
form the Office of Resource Conservation. The
Office works to control soil erosion and agricultural
nonpoint source water pollution through agricul-
tural soil conservation and water quality programs.
The Office also coordinates its efforts with other
Department programs and with county, State and
federal officials. This includes managing interagen-
cy cooperative agreements. Supporting the State
Soil Conservation Committee, the Office consists
of three main sections: Program Planning and
Development, Resource Conservation Operations,
and Conservation Grants.

STATE SOIL CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
George H. Godfrey, Acting Chairperson,
Queen Anne's County, 1992

Soil Conservation District Supervisors: Robert M.
Da vis, Wicomico County, 1991; Paul Spurrier,
Frederick County, 1993; James B. Beavan, St.
Mary's County, 1993; Jimmie Miller, Harfbrd
County, 1994.

Ex officio: Wayne A. Cawley, Jr., Secretary of
Agriculture; Robert Perciasepe, Secretary of the
Environment; Torrey C. Brown, Secretary of
Natural Resources; Raymond ). Miller,
Vice-Chancellor for Agriculture & Natural
Resources, University of Maryland System;
Simpson W. Dunahoo, designee of Chairperson,
Maryland Agricultural Commission; Royden
Powell III, President, Maryland Association of Soil
Conservation Districts.

Advisory nonvoting members: Craig S. Oliver, Ph.D.,
Director, Cooperative Extension Service; Jerry
Hammond, Acting State Conservationist, U.S.
Dept. of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service.