facturing faculties 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.
Additionally, Section chemists analyze meat and
toxicology samples for the Office of Food Safety
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, 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 availabil-
ity 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 labora-
tory 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 Maryland
Noxious Weed Law. This law requires landowners 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 noxious weed control
program helps individuals manage noxious weeds
through their own efforts and through a cooperative
agreement between the State and participating counties.
The Department encourages individuals to file a Nox-
ious 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

Royden N. Powell III, Assistant Secretary
for Resource Conservation

50 Harry S Truman Parkway
Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 841-5865

The Office of Resource Conservation began in
1985 as the Office of Agricultural Development
and Resource Conservation. In 1987, it was re-
structured as the Office of Plant Industries and
Resource Conservation and received its current
name in 1989.
The Office works to control soil erosion and
agricultural nonpoint source water pollution
through agricultural soil conservation and water
quality programs. The Office coordinates its efforts
with other Department programs and with county,
State and federal agencies. This includes managing
interagency cooperatve agreements. For
Chesapeake Bay Agricultural Programs, the Office
serves as agency liaison and facilitates State and local
agricultural involvement in tributary strategies.
The Office consists of three sections: Program
Planning and Development, Resource Conservation
Grants, and Resource Conservation Operations.

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

Program Planning and Development supports
the work of the State Soil Conservation Committee
and the Office of Resource Conservation by plan-
ning, developing, and coordinating policy, pro-
grams, and public information. The soil and water
conservation work of the Office is coordinated with
soil conservation districts, and agencies and organi-
zations with related programs.
Under the Agricultural Water Management
Program, Program Planning and Development
helps public drainage associations maintain agricul-
tural drainage projects through a cost-share main-
tenance program and interagency review of plans
for construction, reconstruction, operation and
maintenance. Program Planning and Development
also coordinates the Nutrient Management Pro-
gram, which helps individual farmers plan nutrient
management of animal waste, sludge, and commer-
cial fertilizers. The Program trains, certifies and
licenses persons who provide this service.