194 /Department of Agriculture

which might be applied as fertilizers, and lectured
and publicized his findings. During the guano
boom of the 1840s and 1850s, a Guano Inspector
also analyzed all guano imported through Balti-
more to ensure that farmers got that for which they
paid. Modern equivalents of such duties are carried
out by the State Chemist Section.
Formerly under the Office of Animal Health and
Consumer Services, the State Chemist Section in
1987 was transferred to the Office of Plant Indus-
tries and Resource Conservation, which became the
Office of Plant Industries and Pest Management in
1990. The State Chemist Section samples and
chemically tests and analyzes commercial fertilizers,
feeds, pesticides, soil conditioners, and liming ma-
terials sold in the State. The Section registers and
examines the labels of these products as well. Its
purpose is to determine if the products conform to
standards established under Maryland laws govern-
ing quality, contents, and labeling. Measures are
taken to protect the consumer and the dealer from
unscrupulous or careless manufacturers.
The Section cooperates with the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration in the inspection of feed manu-
facturing facilities that produce medicated feeds. To
implement the federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the Section also works with
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Addition-
ally, 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 determina-
tions as required by the Department (Code Agriculture
Article, secs. 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
(410) 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 evi-
dence 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 deter-
mine 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, secs.
9-101 through 9-110, 9-201 through 9-213).

WEED CONTROL SECTION
Jesse J. Crook, Supervisor
(410) 841-5871

The Weed Control Section administers the Mary-
land Noxious Weed Law. This law requires land-
owners or those who possess and manage land
infested with Johnsongrass, shattercane, or thistles to
eradicate or control these noxious weeds by practices
prescribed by the Secretary of Agriculture. The nox-
ious weed control program helps individuals manage
noxious weeds through their own efforts and through
a cooperative agreement between the State and par-
ticipating counties. The Department encourages indi-
viduals to file a Noxious Weed Control Agreement,
outlining methods and procedures for controlling
noxious weeds on their land. Regulatory action may
be taken against those who fail to control noxious
weeds. The Weed Control Section also investigates
complaints of multiflora 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, secs. 9-401 through 9-
405, 9-701 through 9-705).

OFFICE OF RESOURCE
CONSERVATION

Rosemary Roswell, Assistant Secretary for
Resource Conservation

50 Harry S Truman Parkway
Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 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 coordinates its efforts with other De-
partment programs and with county, State and
federal agencies. This includes managing inter -
agency cooperative agreements. The Office consists
of three sections: Program Planning and Develop-
ment; Resource Management Services; and Re-
source Protection Incentives.

PROGRAM PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
Louise Lawrence, Supervisor
(410) 841-5863

Program Planning and Development supports
the work of the State Soil Conservation Committee