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 Foundation also may receive
easements in gross or other rights to restrict the use
of agricultural land and woodland.
Maryland has preserved more farmland than any
other state. By 1993, Maryland had saved 256,512
acres in agricultural preservation districts and ac-
quired permanent development rights easements
on 102,709 acres.
The Foundation is governed and administered
by a twelve-member Board of Trustees. Nine at-
large members are appointed by the Governor. At
least five of these must be farmer representatives
from different areas of the State, and one must be a
nonfarm representative from the Office of Planning.
Three members serve ex officio. The chairperson of
the Board of Trustees is designated by the Governor
from the at-large trustees. Upon recommendation
of the Board of Trustees at large, the Secretary
appoints the Executive Director (Code Agriculture
Article, secs. 2-501 through 2-515).

OFFICE OF FOOD SAFETY &
CONSUMER SERVICES

Archibald B. Park, D.V.M., Assistant Secretary for
Food Safety & Consumer Services

50 Harry S Truman Parkway
Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 841-5782

The Office of Food Safety and Consumer Serv-
ices began in 1973 as the Division of Animal Indus-
tries within the Department of Agriculture. By
1978, the Division was renamed the Office of Ani-
mal Health and, by 1980, the Office of Animal
Health and Consumer Services. The Office was
reorganized under its present name in 1992.
The Assistant Secretary for Food Safety and Con-
sumer Services directs four sections: Agricultural Sta-
tistics Service; Animal Health; Egg Inspection,
Grading and Grain; and Weights and Measures.

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE
M. Bruce West, State Statistician
(410) 841-5740

The Agricultural Statistics Service originated as
the Statistical Reporting Service in the mid-19th
century and received its present name in 1986. The
Service collects, summarizes, and publishes data
relating to the production and marketing of agricul-
tural products, agriculture prices and income, and
other statistics pertinent to agriculture and agri-

Department of Agriculture /191

business. State statistics generally are available for
acreage, yield, and production of major field crops,
vegetables, fruits, livestock, and poultry; and
monthly and seasonal or annual average prices,
farm expenditures, and labor. For some commodi-
ties the Service also compiles county statistics.

The Service issues the following publications:

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

ANIMAL HEALTH SECTION
Roger E. Olson, D.V.M., Acting State Veterinarian
(410) 841-5810

Duties of the Animal Health Section originated
in 1884 when the position of veterinary inspector
first was created to suppress disease in livestock and
prevent epidemics (Chapter 157, Acts of 1884).
Today, the Section works to control and eradicate
livestock and poultry diseases that have a significant
economic impact on producers or pose a threat to
human health due to their transmissibility from
animals to people (Code Agriculture Article, secs.
3-101 through 3-503).
Within the Section are the State Board of Vet-
erinary Medical Examiners and the State Board of
Inspection of Horse Riding Stables.

A. Cleveland Brown, V.M.D., President, 1994
Beverly A. Raymond, Inspector
(410) 841-5862

The State Board of Veterinary Medical Examin-
ers was formed in 1894 (Chapter 273, Acts of
1894). The Board examines candidates for licenses
to practice veterinary medicine in the State and
judges their qualifications. It registers veterinarians
annually, inspects veterinary hospitals, and may
conduct hearings and pass upon complaints of ille-
gal or unethical practices or sanitary requirements.
Court proceedings may be instituted by the Board
against persons engaged in illegal practices.
The Board is composed of seven members. They
are appointed to five-year terms by the Governor
upon recommendation of the Secretary of Agricul-
ture and with Senate advice and consent. Five mem-
bers are licensed and registered veterinarians who
have engaged in active practice for five years. Of the
five members, two must have practices devoted
predominantly to large animals. Two members of
the Board must not be veterinarians. Authorization
for the Board continues until July 1, 2001 (Code
Agriculture Article, secs. 2-301 through 2-313).