DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

SECRETARIES

FORMER SECRETARIES

[photo, Henry A. Virts, Maryland Secretary of Agriculture] HENRY ALLAN (BUD) VIRTS, D.V.M. (1932-2023)
Secretary of Agriculture, 1998-2001
Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, 1994-97.
State Veterinarian, 1989-93.
Assistant State Veterinarian, 1987-89.

Secretary of Agriculture, January 6, 1998 to January 31, 2001.

Member, Governor's Executive Council, 1998-2001; Smart Growth and Neighborhood Conservation Subcabinet, 1998-2001; Governor's Council on the Chesapeake Bay, 1998-2001.

Member, Board of Regents, University System of Maryland, 1998-2001; Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation, 1998-2001; Maryland Food Center Authority, 1998-2001; Maryland Horse Industry Board, 1998-2001; Mid-Atlantic Poultry Health Council, 1998-2001; Governor's Pesticide Council, 1998-2001; Rural Legacy Board, 1998-2001; Scenic and Wild Rivers Review Board, 1998-2001; State Soil Conservation Committee, 1998-2001; Maryland Winery and Grape Growers' Advisory Board, 1998-2001. Co-Chair, Interagency Nutrient Reduction Oversight Committee, 1998-2001. Member, Drought Emergency Coordinating Committee, 1999; Shore Erosion Task Force, 1999-2000; Task Force on Tobacco Crop Conversion in Maryland, 1999-2001; State Children's Environmental Health and Protection Advisory Council, 2000-01.

Member, Maryland Agricultural Commission, 1970-87 (vice-chair, 1985-87).

Board of Trustees, Maryland Environmental Trust, 2003-05.

Born in Washington, DC, November 10, 1932. Attended Washington Lee High School, Arlington, Virginia; University of Maryland, 1950-52; University of Georgia, D.V.M., 1956. Served in U.S. Army. Veterinarian. Private veterinary practice, Tidewater Veterinary Hospital, Charlotte Hall, Maryland, 1959-87. Member, Maryland Veterinary Medical Association. Owner, Trent Hall Bed and Breakfast, Mechanicsville, Maryland. Board of Directors, St. Mary's Hospital; Calverton SChool; Leonard Hall Junior Naval Academy. Co-sponsor, Ward Virts Concert Series, College of Southern Maryland. A.M. Mills Award, University of Georgia, 2008. Married; three sons, three grandchildren, three great-grandchildren. Died in Mechanicsville, Maryland, December 13, 2023.

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