2008 MDA Annual Report - Maryland Department of Agriculture

Dear Friends,Since coming to office in 2007, Lt. Governor Anthony Brown and I have had the privilege to visit with and learn from hundreds offarmers and others who are invested, as we are, in sustaining our State’s agricultural industry. Even in these short two years, we’veseen both challenges and opportunities for our farmers and residents. Together with Secretary Roger Richardson and DeputySecretary Buddy Hance we are making progress toward expanding opportunities for profitability, restoring the Chesapeake Bay and makingMaryland a smarter, greener and growing State.From our first day in office, part of our mission has been to strengthen and grow Maryland’s family-owned businesses and farms. Weremain as committed as ever to protecting farmland and to ensuring that family farming remains prosperous. To that end, we areencouraging more Marylanders to “buy local” through our Maryland’s Best branding initiative, which is designed to kindle a greaterawareness that food that is farmed, fished, and raised locally not only tastes better, but is healthier for both our plates and our planet. We’veexpanded this “buy local” effort into school systems and raised awareness about the many places our residents can find local products.Because we understand the fundamental importance of farm business grants and loans and because we believe in its mission of helpingnew farmers purchase agricultural land, we are committed to funding the Maryland Agricultural & Resource-Based Industry DevelopmentCorporation. We are moving forward on the first project in our State’s history to receive certification for State production credit paymentsto produce ethanol in a biomass cogeneration plant from Maryland barley. We are also fighting to help lower energy bills through ourEmPOWER Maryland Farm Energy Audit Program, which we hope to expand in the near future.On the environmental front, we know that agricultural best management practices are just one part of a comprehensive, statewide efforttargeting all sources of pollution such as: stormwater runoff, wastewater treatment plants, septic systems, industrial toxins, and air emissions– and we are committed to moving forward on a number of fronts together as One Maryland. We are providing record funding for covercrops, the use of which represents the most cost efficient way for agricultural operations to protect soil and water quality.Through our partnerships with the Maryland Congressional delegation, we’ve secured $23 million additional dollars in the Farm Bill tosupport our farmers’ conservation efforts for the Chesapeake Bay. Also with help from our Congressional delegation, we received a droughtdesignation last year to help Maryland farmers and have requested another designation for Eastern Shore farmers hit hard in 2008.In order to track our progress we are now measuring andpublicly sharing our results through the online programsStateStat, BayStat, and GreenPrint. These programs gatherinformation that helps us understand our paths to progress,our achievement thus far, and our benchmarks for the future.Together, we will refine these efforts and make them evenmore valuable policy and programming tools. I encourageyou to explore these efforts and all our initiatives online atwww.gov.state.md.usThank you for allowing me to serve you. I thank you forjoining me and Lt. Governor Brown in protecting our sharedpriorities as we seek, together as One Maryland, a stronger,smarter, and more sustainable future.Sincerely,Maryland cattlemen Steve Isaacson, Sassafras River Beef (left) and Ned Sayre, Deer Creek Beef(right) visit with Governor Martin O’Malley who enjoys a Maryland-raised beef hamburger at theGovernor’s Buy Local Challenge Week kick-off picnic at the Governor’s Mansion.Governor3

Dear Friends,Buy Local. Those two words were the buzz of 2008 in much of Maryland agriculture. We saw a great expansion of consumer demand forlocally-grown, -made, and -harvested products. Much of that demand was driven by a strong interest among consumers to know the sourceof their food in the face of food scares around the world. In addition, we had the great support of Governor Martin O’Malley who raisedthe visibility of the fine products that Maryland farmers grow, their benefits, and the environmentally sound practices that farmers use toproduce them. It’s all part of the state’s smart, green and growing initiatives to strengthen our family farms and businesses and protect thehealth of our citizens and our environment for all to enjoy.Intertwined with the buy-local movement is the role of our department in seeing that these products are processed and delivered to consumersin a way that meets national and state standards and laws. We are pleased that because of the department’s education, regulation, promotion,service and preservation activities, Marylanders can expect a safe and healthy food supply and environment, fairness in the marketplace, andthat agriculture will remain a strong economic force. Our staff in the Food Quality Assurance, Animal Health, Weights and Measures, PlantIndustries and Pest Management, State Chemist, Turf and Seed, Land Preservation, and Resource Conservation offices among others are theunsung heroes on the front lines of these efforts.We have a big job to do and are proud to do it to the very best of our ability hand in hand with farmers and our government, non-profit, andpublic sector partners. Some of the department’s many accomplishments in 2008 were:• Preserving almost 10,000 additional acres of farmland• Promoting the 2007 Census of Agriculture.• Working with Governor O’Malley and our Congressional delegation on the 2008 Farm Bill.• Protecting our forests from the ravages of the gypsy moth thanks to extra funding provided by the Administration.• Helping farmers achieve the largest planting of winter cover crops to protect soil and water.• Working with farmers and environmental agencies to develop a workable new animal feeding operation permit.• Providing a mechanism for animal shelters to safely and humanely sedate and euthanize animals.• Helping farmers through a drought.• Identifying melamine as the contaminating agent in pet food.There is a great deal for agriculture to celebrate as we move from 2008 into 2009. It is a privilege to serve the citizens of Maryland, theExecutive Branch, and the General Assembly of Maryland State Government. Working together we are helping to create a very bright futurefor agriculture and for all Marylanders.Sincerely,Secretary4

| Office o f t h e Secretary |Office of Administrative ServicesThe Office of Administrative Services manages all technicaland support services for the department. It is comprisedof three sections – Central Services, Fiscal Services, andthe Human Resource Office.The department has approximately 460 permanent and seasonalemployees and the Human Resource Office facilitates therecruitment, training, appropriate compensation, and retention ofqualified individuals. Programs and services for employees includerisk management and total quality management, employee leavebank, teleworking, wellness, blood drives, training and employeerecognition.Central Services manages facilities, records, inventory,telecommunications, warehousing, the agency motor fleet andthe distribution of supplies and mail. The office also overseesdepartmental procurement and is responsible for the maintenanceand repair of 340,000 square feet of facilities on 44.5 acres ofowned and leased facilities throughout the state. The maintenancestaff implements energy-saving projects wherever possible. Acomposting program transforms organic waste into mulch, whichis utilized in landscaping projects at MDA. The motor poolprovides quality maintenance and repairs of the department’s 285vehicles in addition to semi-annual inspections on all vehicles.The MDA fleet traveled more than 2.7 million miles last year.Central Services provides procurement assistance throughout thedepartment; continues to improve management practices andautomate data concerning motor vehicle operating costs, telephonecosts and billing, inventory control and minority procurement.The office also incorporates the financial management informationsystem to improve monitoring, ordering, and delivery of goods andservices.In FY09, MDA will initiate an energy efficiency performancecontract that will save more than $4.36 million over 14 years. Allproject costs will be funded through guaranteed energy-relatedsavings as MDA’s headquarters building implements the O’MalleyAdministration’s goal to reduce power consumption by 15 percentby the year 2015.Fiscal Services handles all centralized accounting transactions forthe department. This encompasses all phases of the budget, grantsmanagement, accounts receivable, accounts payable and leavemanagement. The office has continued its fine record of paying99 percent of MDA bills on time as defined by state “on-time”guidelines.7

| Office o f t h e Secretary |Public Information and Outreach OfficesThe Public Information and Outreach offices reach outto the media, general public, government agency peers,elected officials, the agriculture industry, and to MDAemployees with the intent of strengthening the appreciationand understanding of the importance of agriculture and MDAactivities to the everyday lives of Marylanders and to supportpolicy initiatives. A Schaefer Center Survey states that the publichas an increasingly positive view of many of the agency’s priorityactivities – farmland preservation, purchase of local products andenvironmental stewardship by farmers – an indicator that publicrelations efforts at MDA may be having an impact over the longterm.Two of the most prominent public events produced by thePublic Information and Outreach offices are the agency’s OpenHouse in March and its “exhibits” at the Maryland State Fair inAugust. Both of these events showcase the agency to thousandsof people and require the involvement of dozens if not hundredsof employees. In addition, the office produced the prestigiousCentury Farm recognition program. The offices represented MDAat a number of events such as the Delmarva Chicken Festival,and the Maryland Municipal League, Maryland Association ofCounties, and the Maryland Farm Bureau conventions.During FY2008, staff distributed 257 news releases toapproximately 278 news outlets, which generated approximately960 logged calls from the media. The office uses a mediamonitoring system to track and research media contacts, todistribute news releases, maintain media lists for targeted stories,and to find news clippings of interest to the agency and itsconstituencies. Each day, news stories are clipped, linked to theagency’s website and distributed to all staff and other interestedparties.During the year, the Public Information Office increased theagency’s presence on the Internet, making it the first pointof agency contact for more and more people. There wereapproximately 351,000 visits of which 68 percent were newvisitors during the year. The visitors viewed nearly 900,000 pages.The activity increased steadily through the year. The leadingpage views after the homepage were Maryland products, jobs,licenses, permits and agritourism. Without a designated agencyweb master, a team representing the Information Technology andPublic Information offices and the Plant Protection and WeedManagement Section keeps the site up-to-date and determinesways to improve it.Some of the biggest news stories handled by the informationoffice in 2008 were a neurologic equine herpesvirus outbreak,local impact of national food safety issues relating to spinach andpeppers, veterinary hospital regulation, a pet food recall, regulatoryaction taken at a Carroll County livestock operation, and thepromotion of Maryland made, grown, and harvested products.Other high-profile media inquiries included the new Marylandand federal animal feeding operation permit being requiredof poultry and livestock producers; and the environmentalaccomplishments or impacts of agriculture, funding for the gypsymoth suppression program and consumer complaints related tothe high price of gas and the amount of fuel dispensed.Exciting new initiatives that the public information staff led incollaboration with other MDA offices, the University of Maryland,state and local agencies and related non-profit organizations, werethe Take it from Maryland Farmers – Backyard Actions for a CleanerChesapeake Bay public relations campaign, the media and publicawareness aspects of the new statewide farm-to-school initiativeand a Buy Local Week campaign and event hosted by GovernorO’Malley, and MDA’s involvement in the O’Malley/BrownAdministration’s Capital for a Day community relations events.Planning for emergency communications in the event of plantand animal disease outbreaks is an important component ofthe program. The Public Information Office was activelyinvolved in multi-agency efforts (Delmarva Poultry Industries– Health Departments Joint Task Force) to refine response andcommunications plans in the event of avian influenza outbreak onthe Delmarva Peninsula.More Info: www.IWantMarylandsBest.com,www.marylandfarmtoschool.org8

| Office o f t h e Secretary |USDA/National Agricultural Statistics ServiceThe Maryland Field Office of the U.S. Department ofAgriculture’s (USDA) statistical agency, the NationalAgricultural Statistics Service (NASS), provides thepublic with data relating to the production of most crops grownand livestock raised in the state. Annual information is providedon the general economic well being of the state’s agriculturalsector. NASS statistics are used to administer and support USDAfarm programs that benefit Maryland farmers, to determine thefeasibility of new ventures affecting our state’s farmers, and todirect program research and development.In 2007 – the most recent year that statistics are available for thisreport – agriculture generated nearly $1.97 billion in cash receiptsfor the state’s farmers, not accounting for the additional impactprovided by related jobs and services. Maryland’s leading cashcommodities were broiler chickens, greenhouse/nursery products,milk and dairy products, corn, and soybeans. The Maryland FieldOffice of USDA-NASS estimated there were 12,000 farms in 2007with an average size of 170 acres. Total land in farms in Marylandwas 2.04 million acres, one-third of the state’s entire land area.Maryland farmers planted more corn and fewer soybeans in 2007in response to higher prices and increased demand. Droughtconditions during most of the growing season resulted in belowaveragecorn and soybean crop yields. Despite increased hayacreage in 2007, Maryland had the lowest hay production since1936. The small grain crop was mostly mature by the time thedrought set in, and as a result small grain production was good.Winter wheat producers had the highest total production since2000. Livestock production declined while prices remainedstrong.In 2008, NASS conducted its largest and most comprehensive datacollection effort, the 2007 Census of Agriculture. The Census,taken every five years, is a complete count of Maryland farms andthe people who operate them. The Census looks at land use andownership, operator characteristics, production practices, incomeand expenditures and many other areas. It is the only source ofuniform, comprehensive agricultural data for every county inthe state. Maryland producers helped make the 2007 Census ofAgriculture the most successful count in history. The results of theCensus will be available on February 4, 2009.To obtain a copy of the complete Agriculture in Maryland 2007Summary call 410-841-5740 or log on to www.nass.usda.gov/md. The results of the Census will be available online at www.nass.usda.gov or www.agcensus.usda.gov.Other reports available through NASSinclude state-level studies on the Marylandturf, nursery and landscape, and equineindustries.NASS staff discuss the agency’swork with a Maryland Farm BureauConvention attendee.9

| Office o f t h e Secretary |Information Technology ServicesInformation Technology Services (IT Services) is responsiblefor the creation, maintenance and upgrading of thedata processing systems at the Maryland Department ofAgriculture. During the past year, the network, programming andtechnical support sections all made significant progress towardthe goal of providing both effective and efficient service to thedepartment and ultimately the public that the agency serves.The migration to rack mounted servers that was initiated lastyear as part of the network migration has been completed. Inaddition, the Novell Netware server in the Frederick AnimalHealth Laboratory was replaced and a new external tape drive wasinstalled.Two temperature sensors were installed in the computer room thatwill notify key IT personnel by phone if there are any sudden,dramatic changes in the room temperature. This will help tominimize the effects of high temperatures by early detection ofproblems such as failure of the air handling unit in the computerroom. The computer room environment was enhanced withthe replacement of the water sprinkler system with a chemicalbased(Novec tm 1230) fire suppression system. The system willquickly extinguish any type of fire without water damage toother equipment in the room. The system is tied in to the mainfire control system in the building. Additional computer roomhardware purchases included a Network Access Control (NAC)system. With the installation and configuration of this system, itwill be possible for equipment (e.g. laptops) to connect safely tothe network. Devices new to the network would be checked forthe status of Windows O/S patches, the presence of a running,approved anti-virus software package, current anti-virus signatureupdates, and an effective firewall. If the computer does not meetthese criteria, it will only have limited access to the Internetthrough our network. All of the switches in the headquarters IDFclosets have been replaced as part of the NAC installation process.A Secure ID token system was also purchased in anticipation ofproviding employee access to MDA’s network services over theInternet via Virtual Private Network (VPN) services. The tokensare assigned to specific users and generate random numbers atregular intervals that must be entered along with a user ID andpassword. This two factor authentication – “Something youknow” (user ID and password), plus “Something you have” –(the number generated by the token) will greatly enhance thesecurity of VPN connections. The system will also use NAC toverify the integrity of the device that is attempting to loginto the systemIT Services also completed the switchover of MDA’s Internetaccess from a private ISP to networkMaryland. The movealso resulted in a greater than six-fold increase in bandwidth,significantly improving user access to the Internet.MDA was forced to reduce the size of its Wide Area Network(WAN) in 2006 due to a loss of funding. A need for betterintra-agency communication and data access has resulted in aninterest in reestablishing the WAN. New funding, plus the useof networkMaryland’s Ethernet Everywhere for the “last mile”instead of more costly frame-relay circuits will enable this projectto move forward. Completion of the WAN expansion is expectedsometime in the third quarter of FY2009. Both existing andadditional sites will have new routers and switches.Significant staff time has been devoted to preparing for andexecuting the PC hardware migration. Our existing PC/Laptopinventory is six years old and in need of replacement. One of thefirst issues to resolve was the Operating System to use with thisnew hardware. IT Staff evaluated the Windows Vista O/S as apossible replacement for the Windows XP environment that wecurrently work in. Significant compatibility and performanceissues plus the fact that no other state agency had migrated to theVista O/S, it was decided that we would retain the current O/S(Windows XP).IT services settled on the appropriate hardware for this migrationwith the assistance provided by user input. IT’s TechnicalSupport staff worked with an outside consultant to configure theequipment to minimize the introduction of viruses and spywareas well as limit the installation of unwanted programs. Once theconfigurations were finalized, images of the configured systemswere taken and sent to the manufacturer for installation duringassembly of the new equipment. The migration is expected to becomplete by the end of FY09. A complete physical inventory of allIT assets was conducted by IT staff this spring and summer as partof the preparation for this hardware migration.All of MDA’s Oracle RDBMS applications were upgraded as partof the server migration mentioned earlier. These databases nowreside in Oracle 10g Release 2 on the RedHat Linux platform.Some of these databases represented the last part of the Novell10

| Office o f t h e Secretary |Netware network migration from version 4.2, as well as fromearlier versions of RedHat Linux.The Animal Health Vetstar Animal Disease Diagnostic System(VADDS), was part of this upgrade process. The Oracledatabase was upgraded as well as the proprietary front end of theapplication.Several new Oracle applications were developed in the past year.The Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation’sdatabase was completely re-written to improve performance, datastorage efficiency and to add additional features. The PesticideSensitive Agricultural Land database was created as a repository forinformation that could be used by pesticide applicators concernedabout sensitive crops located near planned pesticide applications.The data will eventually be put on line as part of the MDA websiteas a public resource. The Poultry Flock Registration database wascreated to assist in the identification of poultry flocks, their sizeand location. This information will be invaluable in the event ofan outbreak of any avian diseases of regulatory significance such asavian influenza.Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are currently playingan increased role in data definition and access. Association ofspecific point data (latitude and longitude) with database itemssuch as livestock herds, agricultural land, business addresses, andconservation practices is necessary to locate items for graphicaldisplay and emergency management. The three databaseapplications described above (Agland Preservation, PesticideSensitive Agland and Poultry Flock Registration) all were designedto include georeferencing data, to provide the user with the toolsnecessary to get this information and to display it on a map forverification. In addition, the Maryland’s Best database and theWeights & Measures Device Registration database were modifiedby adding this geocoding capability.Oracle’s Business Intelligence Publisher (BI Publisher) waspurchased to provide a web-based platform for Oracle databasereports. The software is currently being tested by IT Staff forinitial deployment internally via our intranet.This year, MDA has engaged a service to assist in the developmentand distribution of an HTML-based e-mail monthly newsletter.The Public Information office is responsible for the developmentand distribution of the newsletter throughout the Internet. ITservices is assisting in the efficient distribution of the newsletter toMDA employees as well posting the newsletter on MDA’s websitefor public access.IT staff have dedicated significant time in the maintenance andenhancement of the various MDA sponsored websites includingthe MDA website (www.mda.state.md.us), the Maryland Seafoodwebsite (www.marylandseafood.org), and the Maryland’s Bestwebsite (www.marylandsbest.net). In addition, significant stafftime has been dedicated to Help Desk user support (hardwareand software), network administration/management and databaseapplication management and support.11

| Office o f Resource Co n s e r v at io n |Office of Resource ConservationThe Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Office ofResource Conservation (RC) works closely with Marylandfarmers to plan and implement conservation practicesand programs that balance crop and livestock production with theneed to protect natural resources. The office provides a range ofeducational, financial, technical assistance and regulatory programsto improve agricultural management in Maryland and protectnatural resources for future generations. Staff works with a numberof local, state and federal agencies, while implementing policiesestablished by the State Soil Conservation Committee. Four keyareas–Program Planning and Development, Conservation Grants,the Nutrient Management Program and Conservation Operationscomprise the Office of Resource Conservation.State Soil Conservation CommitteeEstablished in 1938, the State Soil Conservation Committee(SSCC) consists of 11 members representing local soilconservation districts (SCDs) and state and federal agriculturaland natural resource agencies. The SSCC coordinates the activitiesof Maryland’s 24 soil conservation districts and appoints SCDsupervisors. SSCC also develops, reviews and refines policieson soil conservation and water quality issues, while advisingthe Secretary of Agriculture on these matters. Importantly, theCommittee serves as a forum for all agencies involved in protectingnatural resources.In 2008, the SSCC approved or recommended policy to MDAconcerning:• Wetland delineation as defined by soil conservation districtspreparing erosion and sediment control plans for forestharvesting projects.• Interagency workload priorities aimed at improving programeffectiveness and accountability and establishing measurableresults.• Involvement by soil conservation districts in localdevelopment of jurisdictions’ water element in theircomprehensive plans to assure that agricultural use isadequately accounted for and protected.• Agricultural activities that relate to Notice of Intentrequirements for stormwater management and the role of soilconservation districts in assisting with this initiative.• The establishment of administrative guidelines for the2008-2009 Winter Cover Crop Program, which received themost robust funding in the program’s history.12In 2008, the SSCC received the following briefings and trackedthese initiatives:• New permit requirements for concentrated animal feedingoperations.• Water quality issues related to agriculture as determined bythe Governor’s Water Advisory Committee.• New University of Maryland findings on agricultural wateruse for irrigated cropland.• The use of BayStat to report on state agency activities andevaluate outcomes and efficiencies in the Bay cleanup effort.• A new survey on stormwater management that was distributedto all soil conservation districts.• Governor Martin O’Malley’s Smart Growth Inter-AgencyCoordinating Committee.• The Chesapeake Bay 2010 Trust Fund and a proposedallocation plan for this new funding initiative.Program Planning and DevelopmentThe Program Planning and Development section is responsiblefor planning, developing and coordinating policy, programs, andpublic information on resource conservation issues and nonpointsource pollution. Programs and activities are coordinated amonglocal soil conservation districts, federal and state agencies, andpublic and private agricultural and natural resource organizations.The section provides staffing support to the State SoilConservation Committee, BayStat and the Conservation ReserveEnhancement Program (CREP) Advisory Committee.Manure Transport ProgramMaryland’s Manure Transport Program—the first of its kind in thenation—provides poultry and livestock farmers with cost-sharefunds to remove from their farms excess manure that cannot beutilized in accordance with a nutrient management plan. Poultry,dairy, beef and other animal producers with high soil phosphoruslevels or inadequate acreage to properly utilize their manure mayapply for cost-share grants of up to $20 per ton to transportexcess manure to other locations that can use the product in anenvironmentally safe manner. Cost-share rates are 25 percenthigher for farms located in Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico andWorcester counties.In Fiscal Year 2008, 132 farmers received $520,357 in state grantpayments to transport 99,817 tons of manure to approved farmsand businesses. Delmarva poultry companies provided matchingfunds to transport poultry litter, bringing the total amount offinancial support provided to $891,342.

| Office o f Resource Co n s e r v at io n |Conservation GrantsSince 1984, the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share (MACS) Program has been helping farmers protectnatural resources on their farms, adopt sustainable agriculturalpractices and comply with a growing list of federal, state and localenvironmental requirements. MACS provides farmers with grantsto cover up to 87.5 percent of the cost to install conservationmeasures known as best management practices (BMPs) on theirfarms to prevent soil erosion, manage nutrients and safeguardwater quality in streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.In Fiscal Year 2008, Maryland farmers received $11.3 million ingrants from MACS to install more than 2,000 capital and specialprojects on their farms to protect water quality. Farmers whoreceived cost-share grants from MACS in 2008 invested more than$1.6 million of their own money into projects that will collectivelyprevent an estimated 2.4 million pounds of nitrogen and 138,300pounds of phosphorus from entering Maryland waterways eachyear. Cover crops were responsible for the bulk of the nitrogensavings (1.7 million pounds) and nearly 30 percent of thephosphorus savings (41,000 pounds). The projects will also helpmanage an estimated 15,284 tons of soil annually and 1,569 tonsof manure daily in order to prevent impacts to local streams. Covercrops, heavy use areas, nutrient management services, manuretransport, streamside protection projects, grassed waterways,animal waste storage structures, grade stabilization structures, roofrunoff structures and dead bird composting facilities were amongthe most popular BMPs installed during the year with MACSassistance.Low Interest Loans for Agricultural Conservation (LILAC) areavailable to help farmers supplement federal and state cost-sharepayments for structural BMPs such as animal waste managementsystems or stream protection measures. They may also be usedto purchase certain types of equipment to reduce soil erosion andmanage nutrients. Guaranteed by the State Revolving Loan Fund,LILAC loans are typically offered at three to four percent belowmarket rates and are available at lending institutions statewide. InFiscal Year 2008, MACS worked with the Maryland Departmentof the Environment and soil conservation districts to providefarmers with approximately $300,000 in LILAC loans. The fundswere used to help pay for agricultural waste systems and manurehandling equipment.Special Projects / Highlights and Accomplishments:• Cover Crop ProgramGranted more than $6.7 million in MACS funds (duringthe 2007-2008 planting season) to Maryland farmers, whoplanted 187,480 acres of cover crops to recover unused plantnutrients, protect against wind and water erosion and helpimprove the soil for next year’s summer crops.• Nutrient Management Cost-ShareIssued $227,409 in cost-share grants to 185 farmers whohired private consultants to develop nutrient managementplans covering 120,501 acres of farmland. Due to fundinglimitations, the program exhausted its budget within the firstthree months of the fiscal year and, in the short term, stoppedaccepting new cost-share applications.• Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)Provided 120 landowners throughout the state with $305,668in cost-share funds to install streamside buffers, conservationcover, stream crossings, animal fencing and other BMPs onfarmland enrolled in the Conservation Reserve EnhancementProgram (CREP), a voluntary federal-state initiative that payslandowners to take environmentally sensitive cropland outof production and plant vegetative buffers or install otherconservation practices.Maryland Nutrient Management ProgramThe Water Quality Improvement Act of 1998 requires all farmersgrossing $2,500 a year or more or livestock producers with 8,000pounds or more of live animal weight to run their operations usinga nutrient management plan. These science-based documents helpfarmers manage fertilizers, animal waste and other nutrient sources14

| Office o f Resource Co n s e r v at io n |more efficiently in order to meet crop needs while protecting waterquality in streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. Plans thataddress both nitrogen and phosphorus inputs are required for allagricultural land used to produce plants, food, feed, fiber, animalsor other agricultural products.Farmers are required to keep their nutrient management planscurrent, take new soil samples a minimum of once every threeyears and file annual reports with MDA describing how theyimplemented their nutrient management plans during the previousyear. Farmers who own or manage 10 or more acres of agriculturalland and apply their own nutrients are required to attend atwo-hour MDA-sponsored education program on nutrientapplication once every three years. Professionals and farmerscertified to prepare nutrient management plans are required to takecontinuing education courses in order to keep abreast of the latestnutrient management technologies and regulations.Non-agricultural nutrient applicators, including commerciallawn care companies, landscapers, golf course managers andpublic groundskeepers, are required by law to follow MarylandCooperative Extension guidelines when applying nutrients tolawns, athletic fields or other landscapes.The Nutrient Management Program oversees enforcementactivities, a certification and licensing program for consultants andfarmers, training and education programs and an urban nutrientmanagement program.how they implemented their plans. In 2008, MDA issued1,700 warning letters to farmers who failed to file theirAIRs, followed by 680 notifications of pending fines. Fineshave been levied against 114 farmers who remain outof compliance. As of December 2008, AIRs have beensubmitted for 99 percent of Maryland’s farmland or 1.2million acres.• In 2008, MDA conducted 450 on-farm plan implementationreviews and inspections to verify that nutrient managementplans are current and being implemented properly. Theseinspections target farmers who submitted their AIRs lateor have not yet submitted their AIRs, operations with ahistory of compliance problems and certain high risk animaloperations and farms that use manure, imported organicwastes or sludge. Of the 450 farms inspected, 65 percent werein compliance. Approximately 25 percent were found to beout of compliance due to expired plans and 10 percent failedtheir inspections due to over application of nutrients and/orinadequate records. MDA has initiated actions to bring thesefarmers into compliance with program requirements.On-Farm Implementation Reviewsand Inspections Compliance SummaryAgricultural Enforcement• Farmers are required to submit a Nutrient Management Planto MDA that has been developed by a consultant or a farmoperator who is certified to develop a plan solely for his or heroperation. Last year, MDA ramped up enforcement efforts tobring approximately 300 farmers who did not have nutrientmanagement plans into compliance with the law. As a resultof these efforts, most farmers submitted their plans to MDAand progressive enforcement actions are being pursued againstthe 133 farmers who remain out of compliance with theprogram. As of December 2008, nutrient management planshave been submitted for 99 percent of Maryland’s farmland,or 1.2 million acres.• Farmers are required to keep their nutrient managementplans current and submit an Annual ImplementationReport (AIR) to MDA by March 1 of each year describing15

| Office o f Resource Co n s e r v at io n |Certification and Licensing• Nutrient management staff conducted 200 field inspectionswhile evaluating approximately 232 plans for MDA cost-shareprojects to make certain that they met regulatory standards.Overall, approximately 89 percent of the consultantsinspected passed their reviews, a two percent increase over lastyear. MDA continues to work with consultants to improvetheir performance.• MDA certified 15 new consultants who passed the NutrientManagement Certification Exam, bringing to 1,105 thenumber of consultants who have successfully been trainedby the program. The figure includes 192 consultants whooperate under licenses and are actively writing plans and anadditional 28 Maryland Cooperative Extension consultantswho are funded by MDA.• MDA, working with the University of Maryland CooperativeExtension, trained and certified 59 farmers to write their ownnutrient management plans. Since the Farmer Training andCertification Program began in 2005, MDA has certified 293farmers to write nutrient management plans for their ownoperations. This figure represents five percent of farmersrequired to have a nutrient management plan.Training and Education• MDA provided a two-day training course attended by 28individuals interested in taking the Nutrient ManagementCertification Exam.• In partnership with the University of Maryland CooperativeExtension, MDA offered 31 comprehensive continuingeducation workshops for approximately 800 participants.Additionally, the program reviewed and approved 44workshops and training programs sponsored by recognizedorganizations and neighboring universities to help consultantsfulfill their continuing education requirements. These wereattended by 855 participants.• Individuals who apply nutrients to 10 or more acres ofcropland that they own or rent are required to attend anapplicator training course once every three years. In 2008,MDA and the University of Maryland Cooperative Extensionconducted 48 voucher training sessions attended by 971participants. As of December 31, 2008, MDA has issued5,078 nutrient applicator vouchers.Urban Nutrient Management ProgramEnforcementMDA regulates individuals and companies that apply fertilizerto 10 or more acres of non-agricultural land, including lawn carecompanies, golf courses, public parks, airports, athletic fields andstate-owned land such as recreation areas and highway rightof-ways.These urban land managers are required to take soiltests, follow the fertilizer recommendations of the University ofMaryland Cooperative Extension and keep certain records offertilizer applications.Approximately 700 operations—including 200 golf courses and400 lawn care service providers—are regulated by the urbannutrient management program. In 2008, MDA reviewed thefertilizer records of 52 individuals/firms to determine programcompliance. Following these inspections, MDA issued warningsto six firms/individuals. No fines have been issued to date.Failure to take soil tests was the most common compliance issue.Twenty-one follow-up reviews involving companies with previous(LEFT) MDA Inspector Dwight Dotterer(center) consults with farmers regardingfarm practices.(RIGHT) Lee Richardson (center)discusses his poultry operation withRoyden Powell, Asst. Secretary forResource Conservation, AgricultureSecretary Roger Richardson,Environment Secretary Shari T. Wilson,and Nutrient Management ProgramAdministrator Fred Samadani in advanceof the new animal feeding operationpermit being established.16

| Office o f Resource Co n s e r v at io n |compliance issues were also conducted during the year resulting insix additional warnings.TrainingThis year, the Nutrient Management Program offered its firsttraining class held entirely in Spanish for employees of lawn carecompanies. Approximately 50 participants attended the sold outclass to learn how to take a soil sample, understand a fertilizerlabel, measure a lawn, interpret soil test results and calibrate afertilizer spreader.Resource Conservation OperationsThis program provides operating funds and staffing support to thestate’s 24 soil conservation districts for promotion and delivery ofsoil conservation and water quality programs at the local level.Soil Conservation and Water Quality PlansSoil Conservation and Water Quality Plans (SCWQP), alsoknown as farm plans, help farmers identify natural resource issuesor problems on their farms and chart a course for environmentalmanagement and enhancement projects. Developed byconservation planners working in the SCD, each plan is as uniqueas the farm for which it is developed and may include dozens ofbest management practices (BMPs) that are implemented overseveral years to protect water quality and enhance wildlife habitat.EnforcementMaryland has a procedure in place for addressing cases of waterpollution caused by agriculture. The strategy uses a progressiveapproach to handling individual pollution cases based on theseverity of the situation. Conditions that are likely to causepollution or that have resulted in inadvertent farm pollutionrequire timely corrective action, whereas chronic or willfulmismanagement of farm resources is handled through a formalenforcement action. The Maryland Department of Agriculture andthe Maryland Department of the Environment work jointly withsoil conservation districts to assess farm management complaintsand take action against polluters when necessary. Emphasis isplaced on voluntary corrective actions by farmers or landownerswith assistance provided by the local soil conservation district orthe University of Maryland Cooperative Extension. In 2008, 106agricultural complaints were received concerning sediment anderosion control issues, odors, manure and livestock concerns. Ofthis figure, 96 complaints were corrected or closed, six complaintsare pending/ongoing and four enforcement actions have beeninitiated.Types of Agricultural Complaints2008Because of their importance in protecting natural resources,SCWQPs are required by the Federal Food Security Act on allhighly erodible lands. At the state level, active SCWQPs mustbe implemented on all farmland enrolled in the MarylandAgricultural Land Preservation Program as well as on farmlandlocated in the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays CriticalAreas–the 1,000 foot strip of land along the Bay’s shorelines. Inaddition, the Maryland Department of the Environment nowrequires certain livestock and poultry farmers to implementSCWQPs as a condition for obtaining its proposed new MarylandAnimal Feeding Operation (MAFO) permit.In 2008, soil conservation planners throughout the statecollectively developed 922 new SCWQPs for 72,300 acres ofMaryland farmland. Another 1,034 plans affecting 112,900 acresof farmland were updated to ensure their continued effectivenessin protecting natural resources. Together, these plans includedmore than 7,590 BMPs.17

| Office o f Resource Co n s e r v at io n |Agricultural Water ManagementTo prevent pollution and protect water resources, the office workswith local public drainage associations (PDAs) to assure thatoperation and maintenance plans for public drainage systems aretechnically adequate and properly implemented. In Fiscal Year2008, technical assistance was provided for the operation andmaintenance of more than 820 miles of drainage ditches.Tributary Strategy Team ActivitiesResource Conservation staff and soil conservation districtsare active supporters and participants in Maryland’s TributaryStrategy Teams. These teams–comprised of local citizens, farmers,business leaders and government officials–meet monthly in eachof Maryland’s 10 major tributary basins to recommend pollutionprevention measures and address local water quality problemsunique to each watershed with the overall aim of improving waterquality in the Chesapeake Bay.In 2008, Maryland’s tributary teams provided valuable data usedby the Governor’s office to prioritize cleanup efforts in prioritywatersheds. The teams also provided statistics used in the ongoingdevelopment of BayStat, an innovative computer program thatprovides citizens with access to information on the health ofChesapeake Bay and its tributaries and the effectiveness of relatedgovernment programs and funding. Citizens may view Baycleanup progress by visiting www.baystat.maryland.gov.Maryland EnvirothonThe office supports soil conservation districts that sponsor theMaryland Envirothon, an outdoor natural resources competitionfor high school students interested in learning about naturalresources and gaining a better understanding of today’s complexenvironmental issues. Now in its 18 th year, the Envirothon getsteenagers out of the classroom, away from the computer screenand into the countryside to experience nature in ways that cannotbe learned from a book. Students involved in the program areasked to identify and categorize living resources, perform soilsurveys and solve other complex natural resource issues uniqueto Maryland and North America. Teams compete at the county,state and international levels. A five-member team of studentsfrom Harford Christian School in Harford County won the 2008Maryland Envirothon and later placed 20 th out of 54 teams at theCanon International Envirothon held in Arizona.The Maryland Envirothon is sponsored by the MarylandAssociation of Soil Conservation Districts and the State SoilConservation Committee. In addition to MDA, contributorsand supporters include USDA’s Natural Resources ConservationService, the Maryland Department of the Environment and theMaryland Department of Natural Resources.Special Projects and GrantsThe Office of Resource Conservation actively manages 24 ongoingresearch and technical assistance grants totaling $4.9 million forspecial programs and demonstration projects designed to helpdairy farmers, small sized equine operations, poultry producersand other landowners improve pasture and manure management,control soil erosion, manage nutrients, reduce runoff and safeguardwater quality in streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.In 2008, the program was awarded a $188,000 grant by theNational Fish and Wildlife Foundation to demonstrate new waysto reduce nutrients entering natural waterways from agriculturaldrainage systems in watersheds that receive poultry manureapplications.(LEFT) Clay Batcheldor, a member of the Kent County Envirothon team, andGovernor Martin O’Malley measure the diameter of a tree during the governor’s visitto Chestertown. (ABOVE) Students participating in the 2008 state Envirothon finals atHarford Glen Environmental Center in Harford County.18

| Ma r k e t i n g, An im a l In d u s t r i es a n d Co n s u m e r Services |Marketing ServicesThe Marketing Services Division’s principle role is toidentify and develop profitable marketing opportunitiesfor Maryland farmers and agricultural producers. Thedivision also serves as a conduit for federal resources and forpolicy information specific to the agricultural sector. Theseprograms have direct and indirect financial impact on farmers andproducers and the way they sell their products and develop newbuyers. In 2008, Marketing Services continued to focus resourceson initiatives designed to create demand among Marylandersfor locally-produced agricultural products and open marketingchannels for Maryland farmers. The University of BaltimoreSchaefer Center for Public Policy’s annual public opinion surveyshowed continued strengthening of consumer support for thepurchase of local agricultural products vs. those from elsewhere.More than 77 percent said they would prefer to buy Marylandgrownfruits and vegetables.National Marketing and AgribusinessDevelopmentThe Marketing Services staff works with farmers and agriculturalproducers to assist them in marketing their products directly tosupermarkets, schools, chefs, hotels, food service businesses and toother wholesale buyers as well as directly to consumers at farmers’markets and other venues. The Maryland’s Best programenables producers to capitalize on the consumer’s preference forlocal agricultural products. The 2008 Maryland’s Best campaignpromoted Maryland farmers on six radio stations during the primegrowing season as well as through press releases statewide duringthe year. The campaign was designed to direct consumers to therevamped and searchable Maryland’s Best website where additionalinformation was available.Governor Martin O’Malley supported Maryland’s Best byrecording radio spots in 2008. He also hosted buyers of local food,farmers and media at the Governor’s Mansion during a Buy LocalChallenge Week picnic. This initiative was launched statewide thisyear to encourage Marylanders to eat locally-grown food during aweek at the height of the state’s growing season.The Jane Lawton Farm to School Program was launched byMDA and its partners this year. Created in honor of the lateMaryland House of Delegates member Jane Lawton of District18, Montgomery County, by the General Assembly in 2008, thisprogram led to county and state initiatives to incorporate somelocally-produced food in nearly every county in the state. Morethan 30 different Maryland farms participated in the MarylandHome Grown School Lunch Week held September 22-26, 2008.This effort was coordinated by the Maryland Department ofAgriculture and the Maryland State Department of Education withthe Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, theMaryland Agricultural Education Foundation and the Universityof Maryland Cooperative Extension 4-H and public schoolsystems around the state.The division worked with a professional photographer to bring thestory of Maryland’s farmers to the consumer through five “soundbooks.” A sound book is a photographic slideshow with narrationby the farmer. Watermelon, strawberry, apple, dairy and turkeyproducers were profiled in the sound books this year. Marketingprovides opportunities for farmers and producers to sell theirproducts directly to wholesale buyers in Maryland and beyond. In2008, the division held two buyer-grower meetings, introducingmore than 70 Maryland farmers to buyers from major chainsincluding Whole Foods, Weis, Wal-Mart, Safeway, and Giant aswell as chefs and buyers from area institutions.The division continues to cultivate relationships with more majorsupermarket chains as well as restaurants, schools, prisons, gardencenters, state agencies, and other wholesale buyers, and to workto minimize obstacles to direct-to-wholesaler sales. Through workwith the Mar-Del Watermelon Association, staff coordinated astatewide promotional initiative to boost marketing opportunitiesfor Maryland watermelons. This included events at the City Dockin Annapolis with watermelon queens from Maryland and othermajor watermelon growing areas of the nation.19

| Ma r k e t i n g, An im a l In d u s t r i es a n d Co n s u m e r Services |The marketing office supports the growth of 74 of the state’s 92farmers’ markets in all 23 of Maryland’s counties and the Cityof Baltimore. In 2008, MDA provided various levels of supportfrom the initial creation and development of new markets topromotional materials and occasional consultation for wellestablishedmarkets. Maryland farmers estimated their sales (forinsurance purposes) at more than $3 million in 2008.At farmers’ markets across the state, 265 farmers participated inthe Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs (FMNP) for Women,Infants, and Children (WIC) clients and for seniors. Fundedprimarily by USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, the FMNPprovides fresh produce for nutritionally at-risk women, infants,children and income-eligible senior citizens while increasingsales for farmers. MDA with the Department of Health andMental Hygiene leveraged general funds of $149,000 to generatea total program commitment of more than $480,000, includingfunds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The FMNPis a standing program commitment from USDA and must beadministered by a state department of agriculture, which requiresthat MDA provide both staff and general fund resources.Marketing staff administers and/or provides support for variousgrant programs, task forces and other activities that improve thepolicy climate and long-term profitability for farmers. Theseinclude the Maryland Dairy Industry Oversight and AdvisoryCouncil, the Renewable Fuels Incentive Board, and the Governor’sAdvisory Commission on Maryland Wine and Grape-Growing.In 2008, staff secured and/or administered grants under theSpecialty Crop Block Grant Program, the Federal-State MarketImprovement Program, the Maryland Agricultural Educationand Rural Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF), and theUSDA Risk Management Agency’s Targeted States Program.On-going staff assistance and support is provided to otheragricultural groups throughout Maryland, including the MarylandSoybean Board, Maryland Grain Producers Association, MarylandNursery and Landscape Association, Maryland Food CenterAuthority, Maryland Greenhouse Growers Association, MarylandAgriculture Council, Maryland-Delaware Forage Council,Maryland Organic Certification Advisory Committee, MarylandOrganic Food and Fiber Association, and others.The Maryland Agricultural Conflict Resolution Service (ACReS)provides prompt, low-cost, confidential and collaborativemediation and other services for resolving disputes related toagricultural production. The mediation program, funded mainlyby USDA with matching funds from existing state resources, notAt left, Robert Black of Catoctin Mountain Orchards delivers apples to the Frederick County Public Schools with MDA Deputy Secretary Buddy Hance looking on at right.20

| Ma r k e t i n g, An im a l In d u s t r i es a n d Co n s u m e r Services |only serves those who have received an adverse ruling related toa USDA program or other regulatory matter, but also providesassistance for a broad range of issues including those involved inloan servicing, farmer-neighbor disputes, family farm and estateconflicts, for example.The program staff works closely with other government agenciesand organizations on policy development and implementationin order to create a more business- and consumer-friendly face ofgovernment. Only state departments of agriculture can requestcertification by USDA and receive USDA funding for thisprogram; if MDA did not provide the service, itwould not be available to Maryland citizens.Marketing staff manage a federally-funded programto inform Maryland farmers of crop insurance.This program, financed with $370,000 from the USDA-RiskManagement Agency (RMA), combines the resources of MDA,the University of Maryland, RMA and the National AgriculturalStatistics Service to target producers for promotional andeducational activities. From 2003 to 2008, participation amongMaryland farmers increased by 14 percent – one of the greatestincreases in the Northeast. Farmer investment in crop insurancehelps stabilize Maryland’s agricultural economy. Following thedrought of 2002, for example, producers received $23.4 million inindemnity payments from crop insurance designed to help themsurvive bad weather, insects, disease, andmarket fluctuations. The payments translateto more than $7 for every $1 spent byproducers to purchase crop insurance.2008 Maryland Homegrown School Lunch Week wasmarked by a variety of events/activities.21

| Ma r k e t i n g, An im a l In d u s t r i es a n d Co n s u m e r Services |International Marketing and Trade DevelopmentThe International Marketing and Trade Developmentoffice’s mission is to increase export sales by Marylandagricultural producers and agribusinesses in orderto enhance their economic well being. The two person staffaccomplishes this by conducting outreach and educationalprograms, organizing and conducting trade promotion activitiesand facilitating participation by Maryland companies ininternational trade promotion events.International marketing activities focus on two areas: market accessand international policy and trade relationships. The priority areasfor market access activities are livestock, value-added foods andseafood. Activities ranged from researching new and developingmarkets, to designing and implementing missions and trade shows,hosting reverse trade missions, arranging one-on-one meetingswith buyers and Maryland agribusinesses, conducting seminars,and assisting companies with developing international marketstrategies. The staff worked with more than 250 agribusinesses inmore than 40 countries.Through international policy and export activities, staffparticipates in the development of export phytosanitary protocolsfor agricultural products going into new markets and preparesCertificates of Free Sale for Maryland businesses.Beyond the normal difficulties of international trade, suchas differences in language and business practices, exportingfood products, livestock and nursery products pose additionalchallenges because such products require phytosanitary certificatesand adherence to labeling standards. Program staff helps prepareMaryland’s agricultural processors, manufacturers, and farmersto be export ready, to develop niche markets that are competitivein the global market place and to pursue a results-oriented exportmarketing management program.Exporting agricultural products provides additional incometo farm families and is increasingly important for small- andmedium-sized farmers and agribusinesses. The USDA ForeignAgricultural Service reports that every $1 of product exportedgenerates another $1.62 for the economy in related economicactivity, such as transportation or packaging. It also reported thatemployees engaged in export businesses receive higher wages thantheir counterparts in non-export businesses.Diversification into profitable export markets can serve as a goodrisk management tool for U.S. farmers and can help keep domesticprices high. Exporting has become an increasingly importantpart of the maintenance of a profitable family-farm. The USDAoffers a number of incentive programs to encourage farmers andA Filipino delegation attending the Preakness during a visit to buy horses at the Fasig-Tipton sale in May is greeted by Agricultural Secretary Roger Richardson (rear left) and GovernorMartin O’Malley.22

| Ma r k e t i n g, An im a l In d u s t r i es a n d Co n s u m e r Services |processors to enter the global marketplace. The Department’sInternational Marketing unit garners federal funds to underwritenearly all of its trade missions, trade shows and reverse buyers’missions. Given the complexities of exporting agriculturalproducts, most USDA funds are awarded to state departmentsof agriculture where they are administered for the benefit of thestate’s farmers and processors. The Economic Research Service ofUSDA estimates that Maryland agricultural exports totaled $357.5million in 2007, the most recent data available. The top threeagricultural exports were: poultry, wheat and soybean products.International marketing specialists work closely with USDAstaff at embassies worldwide and with other organizations tofacilitate successful exports of Maryland products to more than 35countries. Through the Southern U.S. Trade Association (SUSTA)and the United States Livestock & Genetics Export Association(USLGE) specifically, MDA invested $12,500 in membership dueswhich resulted last year in more than $200,000 in funding forinternational trade missions managed by MDA. These activitiesincluded reverse trade missions bringing foreign buyers fromseveral countries to visit Maryland farms.Export Activities Implemented by International Marketing in2008 included:CubaSecretary Roger Richardson led a delegation of Marylandagribusinesses to Havana, Cuba in November. Two companiesshared space with MDA at the Havana International Trade Fair.One company signed a contract for soybean meal valued at $12.3million. The second company had strong interest shown in itsproducts and continues to discuss sales with Cuban officials.Much of the success of this mission was due to the strongrelationship Secretary Richardson and Deputy Secretary Hancehave created with Ambassador Jorge Bolaños, the Head of theCuban Interests Section in Washington, DC.South KoreaKorea is Maryland’s third largest market for agricultural products.The International Marketing office is active in the promotion offood and seafood products to Korea. In 2008, staff organized theparticipation of three Maryland food companies at the Seoul Food& Hotel Show and arranged a reverse trade mission to Maryland.The Korean buyers met one-on-one with 12 Maryland producersand had an opportunity to tour McCormick and Company’sKorean Food Buyers tour the Tulkoff Food Products facility in Baltimorefacility in Hunt Valley as well as Boordy Vineyards in Hydes.Sales from these two activities are projected to be more than $1.3million. International marketing staff has also worked closely withthe Southern U.S. Trade Association in exporting croaker (fish) toKorea.PhilippinesIn 2008, a delegation of Philippine horse breeders traveled toMaryland to attend the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Preferred Two-Year-Olds in Training auction. The delegation visited privatefarms and purchased three horses for export to the Philippines.MDA is working with the horse industry to develop a marketingplan for Thoroughbreds.23

| Ma r k e t i n g, An im a l In d u s t r i es a n d Co n s u m e r Services |Maryland Agricultural Fair BoardRussiaMDA manages an on-going and successful Russian Federationfood promotion for the Southern U.S. Trade Association. Salesfrom this event are expected to total over $100,000. At this year’sshow, a major Maryland seafood processor participated in WorldFood Moscow 2008 and met with several large retailers in theMoscow region. The company plans to participate in this eventagain and finalize sales.In 2009, MDA is focusing activities in Cuba, South Korea,Russia, and the European Union. MDA will be organizing theparticipation of six companies from the southern region of theUnited States at the European Seafood Exposition in Brussels,Belgium. Two Maryland companies will exhibit at this event.This is the largest seafood trade show and attracts buyers fromthroughout the world. Maryland is well-known for its seafoodsector and this is an excellent opportunity to showcase Marylandproducts.Maryland’s fairs and shows provide entertainment forthe entire family and they showcase Maryland’s richagricultural heritage. The Maryland AgriculturalFair Board was created by the state legislature in 1937 to fosteragriculture by promoting and assisting agricultural fairs andexhibits. It gives financial aid to qualifying organizations forpremium awards to exhibitors of agricultural displays. Annually,the board issues a schedule of fairs and shows to help publicize theevents. The board consists of nine members who represent variousregions of the state and are appointed by the Governor. The dailyaffairs of the Board are handled by a part-time executive secretary.Headquarters for the Board has been the Maryland Departmentof Agriculture since the agency’s creation and prior to thatheadquarters were at the Maryland State Fairgrounds.The board administers grant funds for fairs, livestock shows,community shows, and 4-H and FFA youth activities throughan application process. The board funded fairs in 22 countiesand Baltimore City in addition to seven community shows, 24livestock and other agricultural events, and the Maryland StateFair in 2008. Additional funding for 4-H and FFA enabledmore than 35,000 youth to be recognized for their achievementsand provided helped youth attend judging contests and othercompetitive events on the regional and national levels.Youth participation continues to increase in all activities fundedby the board while adult participation in livestock events at fairsdecreases. This can be attributed to the tight agricultural climate,labor, and weather. Indoor participation at fairs and shows isincreasing for adults especially in the hand arts while fruit andvegetable exhibition is dependent on local weather patterns.Chef John Maxwell at World Food Moscow preparing Maryland soft-shell crabs andscallops.24

| Ma r k e t i n g, An im a l In d u s t r i es a n d Co n s u m e r Services |Seafood Marketing and Aquaculture DevelopmentAquaculture Development ProgramThe Aquaculture Development Program supports the Marylandaquaculture industry through promotional, educational, andtechnical assistance programs. In 2008, there were 38 commercialaquafarms in production in Maryland. Maryland has eightlicensed fee-fishing operations and more than 50 schools, naturecenters, government agencies, and private organizations producingfish, shellfish, and aquatic plants for educational and restorationprojects. Shellfish aquaculture production is gaining attentionin Maryland as a way to help to rebuild depleted wild stocks ofimportant bivalve shellfish while generating economic growth andimproving water quality in the Chesapeake and Atlantic CoastalBays.The Maryland Aquaculture Review Board, which is chaired bythe MDA aquaculture coordinator, provides monthly interagencyreview of permits and issues across departmental lines. In 2008,the Board reviewed 19 applications for aquaculture projects inMaryland. These included operations proposing to raise shellfishseed, market clams, oysters, and fish. As a result of this effort, ninenew aquaculture businesses have been established in Maryland,with five others currently under review.The Maryland Aquaculture Coordinating Council is made upof 11 designated representatives from academic, regulatory, andpolitical organizations as well as six members from industryappointed by the Governor. The Aquaculture Coordinatorserves as a member of the coordinating council and providesadministrative support.In August 2008, Governor O’Malley requested that thedepartment develop a plan of action to streamline the permitprocess for shellfish leasing in the Chesapeake and Atlantic CoastalBays, provide incentives to catalyze private investment in leasingoperations and encourage commercial fishermen to transition toaquaculture.The Maryland Shellfish Aquaculture Plan was presented to theGovernor in September 2008 and is the result of collaborationamong a number of state agencies and the Maryland AquacultureCoordinating Council to support the continued development ofsustainable shellfish aquaculture in the State of Maryland. Thefollowing nine recommendations, which are identified in the plan,will create the opportunity for prospective shellfish growers toestablish their businesses in Maryland waters.• Restructure current leasing laws to provide for increased accessto bottom statewide by repealing Natural Resources Article4-11A and developing a leasing program that encouragesshellfish aquaculture.• Grant departments the authority to promulgate regulationsfor compliance with the National Shellfish SanitationProgram (NSSP) and permit conditions established throughthe departments.• Streamline the process for obtaining permits necessary toengage in shellfish production.• Establish Aquaculture Enterprise Zones providing designatedareas that are pre-permitted for shellfish aquaculture whereapplicants can obtain bottom and off-bottom sites forproduction and avoid user group conflicts while minimizingdelays.• Request the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, BaltimoreDistrict, to develop a General Permit for shellfish aquaculturethat allows structures to be used on bottom and in the watercolumn.• Provide funding to the Maryland Natural Resources Police inorder to increase resources needed for patrol and enforcementactivities that will be required by the growing industry.• Provide funding to the University of Maryland to developeducational programs for the transfer of technology leadingto the development of private hatcheries, remote setting sites,and nurseries that produce native, triploid, and/or diseaseresistant oyster seed.• Develop training and cost-share programs to help transitionwatermen into the industry and provide incentive to thosewilling to invest in production.• Provide legislative authority for the Potomac River FisheriesCommission to develop a bottom leasing program for theriver.The program also worked with the council to develop its 2008Legislative Report which includes recommendations supportingthe development of a Shellfish Aquaculture Cost-Share Program,25

| Ma r k e t i n g, An im a l In d u s t r i es a n d Co n s u m e r Services |a Coastal Bays Harvester Transition Opportunity, an AnnualAquaculture Conference and strengthened Natural ResourcesPolice Enforcement activities.The Aquaculture Development Program continues to provide theindustry with the opportunity to participate in regional, national,and international trade shows, conferences, fairs, and tours inorder to promote and market Maryland farm-raised products.Cooperative programs with the Maryland Watermen’s Association,Maryland Sea Grant, Maryland Seafood Marketing AdvisoryCommission, the National Aquaculture Association, and manyother organizations are essential to providing aquafarmers withthese opportunities.Seafood Marketing ProgramThe Seafood Marketing Program promotes increased sales andconsumption of Maryland seafood and aquaculture productsthrough consumer education, promotion, public relations, andadvertising. The total estimated value of the Maryland seafoodindustry is more than $700 million. There are 70 processingplants employing 1,653 people and more than 6,000 watermenwho work the Chesapeake Bay. In 2007, watermen landed 51.2million pounds of seafood at a dockside value of more than $53.5million. The harvest is comparable in size to that of 2006.Advertising funds are generated from a $10 surcharge fee collectedfrom commercial fishing and seafood processinglicenses. In 2008, the fee garnered $65,000.Funds were used to place advertisements innewspapers and trade journals and for specialpromotions. The use of the $10 surcharge isoverseen by the Seafood Marketing AdvisoryCommission and the Tidal Fisheries AdvisoryCommission. The Seafood Marketing AdvisoryCommission is composed of 11 industrymembers who recommend marketing activities.includes a searchable database, seafood handling and nutritioninformation, recipes, cookbook order forms, an annual seafoodfestival list and information on starting aquaculture ventures. In2008, the site had more than 55,863 hits. This is an increase from52,548 hits in 2007. In addition, the public received more than291,000 pieces of information through the Internet and mailings.In July, the program initiated a “Buy Local Maryland Seafood”campaign. The campaign included advertising in newspapers andon radio. In addition, point of sale materials were produced and anews release issued.In order to promote sales of Maryland seafood in the fall, theSeafood Marketing Program developed an October promotionalcampaign, entitled “Make a Splash with Maryland Seafood.”Newspaper ads were placed throughout the state and radio adswere aired in Baltimore. The program provided retail markets withpoint of sale materials. News releases were distributed to the presswith Governor O’Malley’s proclamation of “October is MarylandSeafood Month.” Consumer recipe brochures were distributed andinformation was placed on the web site.Other seafood promotions, including newspaper, radio, andInternet advertising and recipe distribution, revolved aroundseasonal availability and holidays. Advertising campaignsThe program’s website, www.marylandseafood.org, features information for consumers as wellas wholesale and retail dealers of seafood. ItPoint of purchase material for the Local Seafood Promotion26

| Ma r k e t i n g, An im a l In d u s t r i es a n d Co n s u m e r Services |The Seafood & Aquaculture Identification Game at the State Fairincluded: “Celebrate the Holidays with Maryland Seafood,” “Fishon Fridays,” “Maryland Rockfish Celebration” and crab and oysterseasons. The program placed ads on the Baltimore Orioles radiostation during baseball games.Magazine ads, depicting Maryland seafood (oysters, craband rockfish) as “fresh accessories,” were placed in SeafoodBusiness, Urbanite, Baltimore Magazine and several small localtrade magazines. The program distributed 12 news releases tomore than 300 food editors in the mid-Atlantic region. Thetopics covered seasonal species, special events and promotions.Consumer education included in these news releases discussedsafety, handling, and nutrition information. The releases includedphotos and recipes with an opportunity for consumers to requestmore information or recipe brochures by mail, phone or website.These releases are posted on the Maryland seafood website as wellas MDA’s main website.Program staff participated in a wide array of trade shows,conferences, exhibits and special seasonal events including:International Boston Seafood Show, International RestaurantShow, the Mid-Atlantic Food Service, Lodging and Beverage Expo,East Coast Commercial Fishermen’s and Aquaculture Trade Expo,Maryland Dietetic Association Annual Meeting and Exhibit,MDA’s Open House and the Maryland State Fair. At the events,informational literature, point of sale information and Marylandseafood samples were offered.At the International BostonSeafood Show, space is shared withindustry members, assisting themin marketing their products. In2008, six companies participatedin the state booth and another13 companies were representedin the largest seafood show inthe United States. The programsponsored and administered severalseafood cooking contests including:National Oyster Cook-off, Mid-Atlantic Chesapeake Seafood ChefContest and National Hard CrabDerby & Fair Cooking Contest.Chef Tafari Campbell, whorepresented Maryland in the GreatAmerican Seafood Cook-off in New Orleans, won third place.The Seafood Marketing Program is involved in seafood educationthrough various programs including the sponsorship of theMaryland Watermen’s Association’s “Waterman in the Classroom”project. This program enables watermen to visit schools to educatestudents on the life of a waterman and includes lessons on ecology.The Seafood Marketing Program administers the MarylandCrab Meat Quality Assurance Program. This voluntaryprogram, which the industry helps fund, provides an extra levelof sanitary inspection and education through the MarylandSea Grant Program. Product and environmental surfaces aremicrobiologically tested and evaluated for Listeria, E. coli andbacteria plate counts. More than two-thirds of Maryland crabmeatprocessors belong to the quality assurance program. Staffpromotes the participating quality assurance program companiesthrough the website, literature and advertising. In 2008, therewere no cases of Listeria found in any of the crab meat fromparticipating companies. Maryland is the only state where sucha program exists. Future plans for this program will includeelimination of shell in product for an extra quality assurance.The program continues to distribute Maryland seafoodinformation on safety, handling, nutrition and recipes. Theseare distributed through travel centers, seafood markets, grocerystores, direct consumer requests, trade shows and the website.The program also produces and distributes a variety of point27

| Ma r k e t i n g, An im a l In d u s t r i es a n d Co n s u m e r Services |of sale materials including: decorations, pins, table tents, menuinserts, and posters. The program sells the famous MarylandSeafood Cookbooks and uses the funds to offset the cost of printedmaterials.The program participated in meetings that were held to discussthe federal H2B guest worker program. The Maryland seafoodindustry processors depend heavily upon this program to provideseasonal employees. Many plants may close due to the lack ofworkers if the cap is not lifted for the 2009 season. The legislationhas not passed in the House. New federal legislation is needed torevise the H2B program to eliminate the shortage of workers for thefuture. Due to the high demand for seasonal workers, the currentcap is met in early January, before seafood processors need workers.The program has increased its responsibility for the marketingof Maryland seafood internationally. While there is no increasedfunding for such activities, the staff was able to work on a fewprojects. These included SUSTA (Southern United States TradeAssociation) activities such as distributing invitations for Marylandseafood companies that export to participate in various trade showsin Korea, Canada, China, and Belgium.The program assisted in a reverse trade mission with a group ofseafood buyers from Korea at the International Boston SeafoodShow and hosted the group for a two-day tour of the Marylandseafood industry and partnered with the state of Virginia on aSUSTA sponsored cow nose ray promotion in Korea.(LEFT) Tafari Campbell, representing Maryland, receives 3rd place in the Great American Seafood Cook-off in New Orleans, La. (RIGHT) Governor Martin O’Malley visits Luke Breza’sGreat Eastern Oyster Company in Snow Hill to better understand the oyster aquaculture industry.28

| Ma r k e t i n g, An im a l In d u s t r i es a n d Co n s u m e r Services |The Maryland State Board of Veterinary Medical ExaminersThe State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners(SBVME) is responsible for setting standards to whichveterinarians, registered veterinary technicians, andveterinary hospital owners must comply through statutoryand regulatory adoptions and amendments. The SBVME alsolicenses and registers veterinarians; licenses and inspects veterinaryhospitals; licenses animal control facilities; registers veterinarytechnicians; provides disciplinary information to other stateveterinary boards and the public; and submits licensure verificationto other state licensing boards upon request. Additionally, theSBVME investigates consumer complaints, initiates its owninvestigations, and determines whether disciplinary action shallbe taken against licensees or registrants. Requests for approval ofcontinuing education credits are reviewed by the SBVME.The SBVME consists of seven members appointed by theGovernor to serve five-year terms. Five of the members areveterinarians; of these five members, two must be primarily largeanimal practitioners. The remaining two members are consumers.The SBVME staff consists of an executive director, administrativespecialist, office secretary, administrative officer/ investigator,and two agricultural inspectors, both of whom split their timebetween the SBVME and the Maryland Horse Industry Board.The SBVME also funds the work of a part-time assistant attorneygeneral, whose time is devoted exclusively to the SBVME.During the 2008 session of the General Assembly, the SBVMEsubmitted two bills, the first of which was the result of acollaborative effort by the SBVME, MDA’s Office of the AttorneyGeneral, the Department of Health & Mental Hygiene’s Divisionof Drug Control (DDC), and key leaders in Maryland’s animalcontrol industry. HB 1481 was drafted to address concernsexpressed by animal control facility employees that, due tochanges in the scheduling of controlled substances, such facilitiesno longer had access to sedatives for the purpose of sedating orsedating and euthanizing animals. The inability to obtain thecontrolled substances also presented a safety risk to animal controlemployees who frequently work with wildlife and feral animals.HB 1481, signed by Governor Martin O’Malley as emergencylegislation in May 2008, granted the SBVME the authority toissue a license to owners of animal control facilities, certifying thatcertain employees have received training on properly administeringcontrolled substances to animals. The bill also amended languagein the Criminal Law Article to enable eligible facility owners tosecure a state controlled substance certificate. The U.S. DrugEnforcement Administration is performing a final review of thestatutory and regulatory language before it begins issuing federalcontrolled substance certificates to eligible applicants.In addition to granting the SBVME the authority to issue animalcontrol facility licenses, the bill repealed the SBVME’s authorityto issue permits for the use of sodium pentobarbital by humanesocieties and animal control facilities. Although the SBVME hastraditionally regulated the use of sodium pentobarbital in thesefacilities, the DDC will now manage and monitor the use of thesesubstances in animal control facilities.Upon the passage of HB 1481, the SBVME again worked with theDDC and Maryland animal control industry leaders in developingregulations to establish criteria that animal control facilities wouldneed to meet to obtain a facility license. The SBVME also teamedup with the Professional Animal Workers of Maryland and theHumane Society of the United States to provide training forthose animal control employees who needed it based on the newrequirements.In the Fall, the SBVME’s proposed regulations were approved foremergency status. Nearly 20 licenses have been issued to animalcontrol facilities, and the SBVME’s staff is currently workingwith MDA’s IT office to create a database to capture informationprovided on the application for this license.The second bill submitted by the SBVME altered the requirementthat every veterinary hospital in the state be inspected annually.L-R back row: Laura Downes, executive director; Dr. John Heizer, board member;Lawrence Blickman, board investigator; Tonya Jones, office secretary; Dr. ChrisRunde, board chairman; Dr. Reggie Cox, board member; Kimberly Cutchins, boardmember. L-R front row: Bernadette Morrissey Wood, board member; Beverly Raymond,inspector; Dr. David Handel, board member; Pegeen Morgan, inspector. Not pictured: Dr.Steven Kurtz, board member and Carol Reynolds, administrative specialist.29

| Ma r k e t i n g, An im a l In d u s t r i es a n d Co n s u m e r Services |This bill passed with an October 1 effective date, and theSBVME is now mandated to perform a sanitation inspection ofeach veterinary hospital every two years. This amendment willprovide the SBVME’s inspectors extra time to focus their effortson bringing hospitals into compliance, to follow-up routinelyon recommendations they have made to hospital owners, and tofurnish more detailed reports to the SBVME’s attorney, shouldcharges need to be filed. This change will permit the inspectors tobe more proactive in addressing matters needing correction.Recently, the SBVME approved of a revised form that itsinspectors may utilize during their sanitation inspections ofveterinary hospitals. The form’s new layout facilitates readabilityand will provide specific references to the SBVME’s regulationsas a means of helping to educate its licensees on the SBVME’srequirements for achieving acceptable standards.In June, a lawsuit was filed in circuit court against the SBVMEand the Maryland Chiropractic and Massage Therapy Board bya Maryland citizen performing massage on equine animals. Thelawsuit alleged that both boards restricted her ability to massageanimals and therefore, they were unconstitutionally barring herfrom making a living. The SBVME’s attorney filed a Motion toDismiss, which was granted in November. The judge presidingover this matter dismissed the plaintiff’s case against the SBVMEfor her failure to exhaust all administrative remedies beforeinitiating action in the circuit court. The plaintiff did not file anappeal of the judge’s order.From June to October, the Department of Legislative Services(DLS) conducted a preliminary evaluation of the SBVME toestablish whether the SBVME is fulfilling its mission effectively,and to assist the Legislative Policy Committee (LPC) indetermining whether to waive the SBVME from a full evaluationin 2009. In December, the LPC voted in support of DLS’recommendation that the SBVME be waived from furtherevaluation at this time, have its termination date extended foranother 10 years, and submit a follow-up report on specificrecommendations made by DLS.The SBVME still desires to offer on-line registration renewal to itslicensees. However, the unanticipated introduction and passage ofHB1481 and the creation of a new set of licensees, coupled witha four-month long evaluation essentially precluded the SBVMEstaff from researching the feasibility of offering on-line registration.This is a project that the SBVME wishes to research with theassistance of MDA’s IT staff.Listed below are key statistics from the past three fiscal years:Category: Year 2006 Year 2007 Year 2008Licenses issued to new veterinarians 123* 145** 140Registrations issued to veterinarians 2,385 2,412 2,475Registrations issued to registered veterinary technicians 75 80 47Licenses issued to veterinary hospitals 492 508 512Percentage of veterinary hospitals inspected and in compliance 98 99 100Number of new complaints received 91 77 97Number of complaints pending from previous year 24 61 60Number of complaints closed 54 78 82* This number was previously reported at 127 and was calculated based on the amount of revenue the SBVME had received. The number reflectedin this report was derived by the number of actual licenses issued by the end of the fiscal year. Approximately four applications had been received bythe SBVME’s office, but were not processed as of June 30, 2006.**This number was previously reported at 170 and was calculated based on the amount of revenue the SBVME had received. The number reflectedin this report was derived by the number of actual licenses issued by the end of the fiscal year. Approximately 25 applications had been received bythe SBVME’s office, but were not processed as of June 30, 2007.30

| Ma r k e t i n g, An im a l In d u s t r i es a n d Co n s u m e r Services |Animal Health SectionThe Animal Health Program is responsible for preventingand controlling infectious and contagious diseases inMaryland livestock and poultry. Headquarters andregional staff members work closely with counterparts in local,state and federal government, neighboring states and relatedanimal industries to ensure an efficient team effort for diseaseprevention, detection and control. A key component of theprogram is the Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory Systemwhich is discussed in detail elsewhere in this report.The program also has responsibility for responding to allanimal emergencies under the state emergency managementsystem. Animal emergencies are categorized as 1) animal healthemergencies, such as a disease outbreak and 2) animals inemergencies, such as a natural disaster. Experience with HurricaneKatrina and subsequent storms made clear that effective evacuationof people cannot occur in the absence of effective animalevacuation and sheltering operations. To this end, the program,with other state, local and private partners published the Animalsin Emergencies Plan in November 2008. Animal health staffsubmitted the report to the Maryland Emergency ManagementAgency (MEMA) to become part of the Maryland StateEmergency Operations Plan, Emergency Support Function 16.Program OperationsAs part of an ongoing internal evaluation, program staffreviewed policies, practices and procedures to determine whereimprovements were needed. Revised livestock exhibitionregulations were formally adopted in August of 2008. Theseregulations provide increased protection against the spread ofcontagious and infectious disease by more directly involvingexhibitors in ensuring the health of animals at exhibition,empowering exhibitions to exclude unhealthy animals, requiringrabies vaccinations for animals in petting zoos, and expandingregulation at exhibitions to equine and rabbit species.MDA policies pertaining to animal welfare at livestock auctionmarkets were revised in 2008 and related regulations weredrafted for review and adoption in 2009. Other regulations arescheduled for review in 2009. On October 1, 2008, legislationallowing the assessment of administrative penalties for all AnimalHealth Subtitles of the Agriculture Article became effective. Thisprovision allows the program to implement more effective andexpeditious enforcement of Animal Health laws and regulation.In 2008, MDA entered into an agreement with a commercialentity which manages a system for electronic animal healthdocuments. This voluntary system allows private veterinariansissuing interstate health documents to switch from the traditionalpaper system to a fully electronic system. While paper documentswill continue in common use for some time to come, this isan important step toward maximizing the use of computertechnology.Multiple pending staff retirements and shrinking general, specialand federal revenues have resulted in a restructuring of theprogram in the western part of the state and evaluation of howdiagnostic laboratories might best conserve resources throughan economy of scale. In addition to general fund cuts, programrevenues from laboratory and other fees and federal revenues aredown by 30 percent from 2007 levels. The program continues tolook for efficiencies in the use of scarce resources.Emergency Response ReadinessThe emergency response capacity of the program was augmentedin 2008 by the formation of a department-wide AgricultureResponders unit, consisting of MDA personnel assigned andtrained to respond to all agricultural emergencies, including animalemergencies. All Animal Health field and laboratory technicalstaff, along with these agriculture responders, were trained,medically evaluated, and fit-tested for respirator use for emergencyresponse, and received basic incident command training underthe departmental Emergency Operations and Incident CommandSystem/Unified Command Plan. Program staff participated in twostate-wide emergency response exercises in 2008, including thePandemic Flu Statewide Exercise in June and the Hotwire FederalEmergency Management Agency (FEMA) Exercise in October.Animal Health personnel also participated in MEMA activationsfor emergency preparedness during the hurricane season.Despite substantial reductions, the program continues to usefederal funding to augment surveillance operations for avianinfluenza and other high consequence diseases of poultry. Tothat end, staff has participated in numerous multistate industryemergency readiness planning activities and supported thoseactivities in numerous local jurisdictions. The program is anational leader with other Delmarva partners in developingimproved technologies and tactics for detecting and respondingto emergency poultry diseases, including protecting the health ofworkers responding to such outbreaks. Work continued with the31

| Ma r k e t i n g, An im a l In d u s t r i es a n d Co n s u m e r Services |Mid-Atlantic Agriculture and Animal Disaster Response Alliance(MAADRA, formerly known as MAAPA) instituted in 2007.The collaboration is intended to facilitate mutually beneficialinteractions between member states involving agriculture readiness.Animal Health Program personnel continue to collaborate withthe Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, MEMA, theState Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and the Marylandveterinary community to recruit, train and organize the StateVoluntary Veterinary Corps, a group of approximately 100veterinarians and technicians willing to support emergencyoperations when activated. In 2008, Veterinary Corps memberswere provided several opportunities for group and individualtraining, with more planned in the near future.In 2008, the Animal Health Program along with the MarylandVeterinary Medical Association and other partners continued todevelop and expand the Maryland State Animal Response Team(MD-SART). While similar to the agency-sponsored VolunteerVeterinary Corps, MD-SART is a non profit entity with broadmembership among those with responsibilities, interests andresources for animal emergency situations. The long termvision for the Maryland SART is to be an organization that canprovide trained and organized animal response expertise andother resources to the secretary, other state agencies and localgovernments upon activation. SART serves as a mechanism formulti-entity coordination and training to better address variousemergency situations involving animals, such as foreign animaldisease incursions or animal sheltering in disasters. The MD-SART focus in 2008 was promoting the formation of County/CityAnimal Response Teams (CART) across the state to support localgovernments. Numerous CART organizations are either formedor in various stages of development. Those efforts will continuethrough 2009.Animal Health Program staff continues to co-sponsor withUSDA the Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) Practitioner Courseat the College Park Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory. Theinnovative, multi-site course is designed as an intermediate levelof training for veterinarians who have not attended the live agenttraining at the USDA Plum Island, New York laboratory or as areview for those who have. Demand for live agent FAD trainingfar exceeds available capacity at Plum Island and local traininghas improved readiness nationally. MDA veterinarians, federaland private veterinarians, including members of the VeterinaryVolunteer Corps have received this training during the two oneweekcourses presented in 2008. Course offerings will be restrictedin 2009 because of extensive renovations to the Plum Islandfacility, where the course is based.Disease Surveillance and ResponseThe 2008 fair and show season presented more opportunities fordisease surveillance and producer education concerning biosecurityand the prevention of infectious diseases. The field inspectionstaff, augmented by other program staff, exhibit officials andtrained volunteers, inspected and tested livestock and poultryupon entry to events and during the course of the exhibition.A 2006 evaluation of the regulations and procedures pertainingto livestock and poultry exhibition in the context of new andemerging disease threats has lead to a new paradigm in regulatinglivestock exhibitions which was field tested in the 2007 season andformalized in 2008. Implementation of these policy and regulatorychanges went smoothly during the 2008 fair and show season.In November, Animal Health staff responded to an equineneurologic herpesvirus (EHV) case at Laurel Park race track, whichresulted in a quarantine of the affected barn. In 2008, the CollegePark Laboratory developed and field tested a rapid form of thepolymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for this disease. Previously,such testing had to be conducted at out-of-state facilities, whichcaused delays in obtaining results. This internal capability greatlyenhanced MDA’s ability to detect, respond and recover in thiscase and in any future cases. Earlier in the year, program staffmembers were interviewed by the USDA as part of an effort tobetter describe EHV and the methods for preventing, detectingand controlling it.Another threat to the equine industry in 2008 was theintroduction of contagious equine metritis (CEM) into theUnited States. CEM is a bacterial venereal disease of horses whichmay cause infertility and its presence has significant economicconsequences. As of the end of 2008, horses linked to the CEMoutbreak have been traced to more than 20 states. Maryland is oneof a small number of states approved to conduct laboratory testingfor CEM. It also hosts a CEM quarantine station in partnershipwith a private facility. At the quarantine station, imported horsesreceive extensive testing to ensure they are free of CEM prior tobeing released for breeding activity in the United States. Because ofthis extensive experience and laboratory capacity, Maryland is animportant part of the national response to the CEM introduction.32

| Ma r k e t i n g, An im a l In d u s t r i es a n d Co n s u m e r Services |Johne’s disease in cattle continues to be a serious threat toprofitable dairy and beef operations. Animal Health staff, workingin close cooperation with our cattle industry and federal animalhealth partners, has enabled Maryland to continue to increaseparticipation in the Voluntary National Johne’s Control Program.This progress was achieved during a period of rapidly decliningfederal funding for the effort. MDA has focused a great deal ofactivity on educating producers, including enlisting the support ofthe attending herd veterinarian to work with the producer.Other livestock diseases and issues such as bovine spongiformencephalopathy (BSE or mad cow disease) in cattle, brucellosisin cattle, illegal garbage feeding to swine and scrapie in sheepand goats continued to be part of our surveillance programs.Of particular concern is the ongoing reemergence of bovinetuberculosis (BTB) in cattle and white tailed deer. BTB hasoccurred in numerous states during the past several yearsand appears to be on the rise. In December, the program wasrepresented at a BTB listening session sponsored by the USDA tohear the views of state officials, members of the livestock industriesand others as to how best to proceed with control efforts.poultry producers of biosecurity recommendations and testingavailability, and has been used to locate flocks adjacent to farmswhere avian influenza has been suspected. The database allowedstaff to quickly identify nearby premises, visit them to test birdsand provide appropriate information for those producers.Throughout the year other MDA Animal Health programsremained active. These included the licensing of livestock marketsand dealers, investigation of antibiotic residues in meat, andaccreditation of new veterinarians. Maryland also is an activeparticipant in the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) andcontinues longstanding obligations to NPIP as well as vigorousparticipation in recent expansions of NPIP activities in response toavian influenza concerns.This year saw continued progress with the Maryland Departmentof Agriculture’s participation in the USDA National AnimalIdentification System (NAIS). The goal is to use automatedrecordkeeping, similar to that used for tracking packages, to tracethe movements of animals implicated in a disease outbreak within24-48 hours. While identifying the animals of concern is a priority,an equal or greater priority is identifying those animals, farms andfacilities which are not involved in a disease investigation, so theycan resume normal commerce with little or no delay.The first step of registering producer premises in NAIS is wellunderway. To date, property owners and operators with livestockhave registered 1,483 premises in Maryland. This representsapproximately 18.5 percent of Maryland producers. Much remainsto be done. Program staff, with federal and industry partners, isimplementing ways to effectively integrate animal identificationwith existing production, marketing and disease control systems.The NAIS staff also is aggressively registering poultry premises tocomply with legislation enacted in 2005. An ORACLE databasewas instituted in 2008 to better manage the data collected.To date, 3,012 poultry premises are registered under the stateprogram. The database has been used to notify and educate(TOP) Nancy Tucker processes samples as they come into the Frederick Animal HealthLaboratory for analysis. (BOTTOM) A restricted admittance sign can be found at nearlyall poultry farms today for biosecurity purposes33

| Ma r k e t i n g, An im a l In d u s t r i es a n d Co n s u m e r Services |Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory SystemThe Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory System iscomprised of five regionally-oriented laboratoriesthroughout the state, with each having both specificgeographic and technical focus. The mission of the system is tosupport the animal and public health regulatory and emergencysupport missions of the department; assist veterinarians andproducers in maintaining healthy herds and flocks; and to supportthe regulatory activities of other governmental units involvinganimal health matters. To accomplish this mission, the systemperforms a wide array of diagnostic procedures on a variety ofspecimens and samples submitted by producers, agriculturalbusinesses, animal owners, veterinarians and government agencies.Staff and Lab FocusThe Oakland laboratory has a general animal health focus andemploys one veterinary pathologist, a laboratory technician and afield inspector.The Frederick laboratory centers on food animal livestock and hasa staff of three laboratory scientists, a veterinary pathologist andtwo office managers. The laboratory has special rabies and Johne’sdisease diagnostic capabilities. The laboratory pathologist mentorsveterinary pathology graduate students from Johns HopkinsUniversity and the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology.The College Park laboratory concentrates on public health, equine,poultry and companion animals and has a staff of two laboratoryscientists, a necropsy technician, two veterinary pathologistsand two office managers. The lab has special rabies, contagiousequine metritis, Lyme disease and equine herpesvirus diagnosticcapabilities.The Centreville laboratory focuses on equine and livestock andhas a staff of one veterinary pathologist, a necropsy technician, alaboratory scientist and a part time office manager. This lab has thecapacity to support the Salisbury facility.The Salisbury laboratory has a unique poultry diagnosticlaboratory and a staff of one veterinary poultry pathologist, twolaboratory scientists, a field inspector/laboratory technician anda necropsy technician. The lab has large molecular diagnosticcapability that is dedicated to the detection of avian influenza.Rabies and Salmonella diagnostics are carried out at the Salisburylab as well. Plans to replace or renovate the aging facility are underactive consideration.Laboratory StatisticsDiagnostic Activity Number ResultMammalian necropsy 748 n/aAvian Necropsies 6,974 n/aAvian Influenza Samples 10,736 All negativeRabies 102 2 positiveEquine Infectious Anemia 15,605 All negativeContagious Equine Metritis 1,931 All negativeEquine Herpesvrus (EHV-1) 118 1 positiveLyme Disease 161 109 positiveJohne’s Disease in Cattle7,491 (7,056 were serum Enzyme-LinkedImmuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA) blood testsand 435 were fecal tests)34379 positive ELISA,165 positive fecal tests

| Ma r k e t i n g, An im a l In d u s t r i es a n d Co n s u m e r Services |Laboratory Training/Quality Controland CertificationsTo ensure the quality of laboratory services, the laboratoryadministration develops standards and periodic training for staff.Presently, the administration is gaining laboratory accreditationthrough the International Standards Organization’s (ISO) Section17025 and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).This accreditation is administered by the American Association ofLaboratory Accreditation.The College Park, Frederick and Salisbury facilities have beencertified as Basic Sentinel Clinical Laboratories by the Departmentof Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH). They participate withthe Maryland Laboratory Response Network which providesmicrobial Challenge Sets. These tests check the proficiency levelsof the technical staff and are administered by the LaboratoryEmergency Preparedness and Response Committee of DHMH.The 2008 laboratory training consisted of the NationalPoultry Improvement Program’s salmonella workshop for allsix bacteriologists from the five laboratories. Additionally,the laboratory staff in Salisbury and College Park have beenparticipating in the National Animal Health Laboratory Network(a USDA program) which pertains to certification to performmolecular diagnostics associated with avian influenza.The entire laboratory system staff was trained in shippingbiological materials. This training included the use of standardoperating procedures, training materials and training records.Various individual technicians attended training including outof-stateworkshops on the subject of molecular diagnostics (avianinfluenza), National Veterinary Services Laboratory trainingincluding Johne’s disease and Contagious Equine Metritis. Staffwere also trained to detect equine herpesvirus on the RT-PCRequipment.The United States Animal Health Association’s (USAHA) annualmeeting/training was attended by seven Maryland Departmentof Agriculture veterinarians. Various lab directors attended theAmerican Association of Veterinary Diagnosticians’ QualityAssurance Symposium which featured responding to nonconformancein the laboratory environment. Other activitiesattended included scientific and regulatory sessions. MDAlaboratory staff participated on the following USAHA committees:Johne’s disease, Nominations and Resolutions, InternationalStandards, Government Relations and the National Assembly ofState Animal Health Officials.Laboratory directors participated in various livestock (Johne’s) andpoultry industry workshops. Directors and lab staff participatedin Delmarva Incident Command workshops to plan and practiceresponse to a possible avian influenza incident.Animal Health Laboratory Partnersand CustomersThe Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Animal HealthDiagnostic Laboratories serve and cooperate with a wide rangeof public and private entities including livestock producers,zoological parks, private veterinarians, the Maryland State Boardof Veterinary Medical Examiners, the State Chemist, the equineindustry, and state agencies such as the departments of Healthand Mental Hygiene, Environment, Transportation and NaturalResources, the Maryland Occupational Safety and HealthAdministration, the Maryland Emergency Management Agency,the Maryland State Highway Administration, the University ofMaryland Cooperative Extension, the Johns Hopkins University,local health departments, and local animal control organizations.Federal partners include the USDA-Animal and Plant InspectionService, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Foodand Drug Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency,the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Army, and theSmithsonian Institution.Operational Goals for 2009• Contract with an architect to design a replacement laboratoryon the Lower Eastern Shore.• Laboratory Accreditation (ISO 17025 and OIE) for alllaboratories.• Add additional rapid DNA-based molecular technology to labsystem.• Establish an integrated laboratory information managementsystem (LIMS) with the Salisbury lab, DHMH and theDelaware Lasher poultry lab.• Investigate Chemical Animal Digester Technology.35

| Ma r k e t i n g, An im a l In d u s t r i es a n d Co n s u m e r Services |Maryland Horse Industry BoardThe Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB) consists ofthe Secretary of Agriculture and 11 members who areappointed by the Governor to four-year terms. Chapter416, Acts of 1998 defined six statutory duties of the MarylandHorse Industry Board. Those duties are to: create public awarenessof the value of equine activities as they relate to the preservationof greenspace and agricultural land; promote the developmentand use of horses in Maryland; support research related to equinehealth and related issues; advise the Maryland Department ofAgriculture (MDA) regarding matters affecting the horse industry;carry out the licensing, inspection, and enforcement of stablelicensing in Maryland; and develop and disseminate informationconcerning the equine industry, including the history and traditionof breeding and the role of horses in recreational activities.The MHIB continues to conduct projects for the benefit of thehorse industry utilizing a specially funded source. The boardcontinues to achieve all of its legislatively mandated functions.Projects slated for the benefit of the Maryland horse industry inthe near future include:• The review, analysis, dissemination and promotion of theequine results of the Maryland Agricultural Census, andpossibly conducting an economic impact report on thosefindings.• A 2009 Maryland Horse Forum to be held in August whichwill serve as a follow up to the 2004 Maryland Horse Forum.Industry leaders will lay out strategic plans for the future ofthe Maryland horse industry.• Finalizing the Maryland Horse Park Project, through theselection of a final location.• Initiating a new marketing campaign for the industry focusedon increasing business for all sectors of the industry.The main challenges the Board faces in the next year are:• Retaining and growing the entire industry in Maryland untilsuch time as slot machine revenue is realized in the state.• The limited budget for the promotion of the Maryland horseindustry. With a budget of less than $120,000 (includingstaffing), of which approximately $115,000 is brought in asfunds directly from the horse industry (this does not includerevenue generated from the Maryland horse industry by othersections of the MDA), the board was forced to stop fundingof all projects not related to stable licensing due to a lack ofsufficient funding.As the commodity board for the Maryland horse industry, theboard hopes to continue to grow the success of the recreationalhorse industry and to work to re-establish the prominence of theMaryland horse racing and breeding industries. To that end theboard endeavors to find new sources of revenue to support itsactivities.Key Accomplishments in 2008Completed the feasibility study of an international import andexport facility for horses.As international marketing efforts continue to attract foreignbuyers to the Maryland market and as the popularity of Marylandhorse competitions increases, there is a greater need to improve thequarantine and transportation options in the mid-Atlantic region.The installation of an animal export and import facility associatedwith the Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI)would enhance the potential for the equine industry by reducingtransportation costs, enhancing the marketability of Marylandhorses to foreign buyers, and improving access to in-state events,all of which contribute to the viability of this industry. The studyfound that the project would be feasible if coupled with anotheroperation such as a state laboratory, due to the seasonality of theimportation of horses.Licensed 518 horse stables in FY 2008.The number of licensed stables has increased by 55 since FY 2006,but declined by 10 since FY 2007. The overall rise in facilitylicenses is attributed to the work of the stable inspectors, theexecutive director and administrative assistant, the continued useof an Oracle database to monitor licensed and unlicensed stables,improved records being supplied to stable inspectors, and theinstallation of civil penalties to allow the MHIB to pursue illegallyoperating stables more effectively. As of reporting time there weremore than 550 licensed stables for FY 2009.Assisted the Maryland Agricultural Land PreservationFoundation (MALPF) to draft guidelines for the acceptance ofequine operations into the easement purchasing program.Over the previous two years the MHIB has worked with MALPFto better define what types of equine uses would be acceptableon preserved agricultural land. Funds are used to purchase thedevelopment rights from farms in order to allow those farmfamilies to remain on the land and slow development. Equineboarding, training and breeding stables are now clearly acceptableuses of preserved properties.36

| Ma r k e t i n g, An im a l In d u s t r i es a n d Co n s u m e r Services |Continued to disseminate the information from the initialFeasibility Study of the Maryland Horse Park.A horse park would create a new large scale market for Marylandequine goods and services as well as an attraction for increasedbusiness, media attention, and marketability of Maryland’s equineindustry. If located in Central Maryland the establishment of aMaryland Horse Park would generate more than $123 milliondollars per year in economic impact to the local and stateeconomy, more than 1,900 new jobs, and millions of dollarsin annual tax revenue from tourists. This project was one ofthe original missions of the MHIB and will remain a highpriority until its completion. The project was highlighted inthe Governor’s transition report as an important project for thefuture of the industry. While the MHIB selected not to pursue along-term lease on the property in Gambrills, the board intendsto work on its establishment at another as yet undetermined site.Currently, a number of counties including Harford, Howard andWicomico have publicly expressed interest in the project. TheMHIB has also been approached by interested parties located onthe Eastern Shore, Central Maryland and in Southern Marylandregarding the potential for the project in those areas.Continued meetings of the MHIB – Health AdvisoryCommittee.The Health Advisory Committee was established to advise theMHIB on matters of equine health and disease in the state; ensurethe establishment and implementation of effective industry andcommunity communication vehicles; and review and adviseon a variety of Maryland policies and protocols. These includereportable diseases; Maryland statutes and regulations relatingto equine health; interstate health requirements; capabilities ofthe Maryland State Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratories; andemergency preparedness protocols. Many of the efforts of thecommittee have had positive results including the acquision ofpolymerese chain reaction equipment that enables Maryland tomore quickly analyse diagnostic samples, including those fromequine. This capability enables the MDA to resolve a potentialdisease outbreak in a matter of hours or days as opposed to weeksand to better protect horses and the industry.Assisted the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s HorseOutreach Workgroup in its grant applicaions for theinstallation of conservation best management practices atMaryland equine farms.The grant applications resulted in $1.3 million dollars in newfunding to assist operators of Maryland equine farms in theirefforts to improve their conservation practices that protect theChesapeake Bay and its tributaries.(LEFT) Jim and Christine Steele with a mare and foal at Shamrock Farms in CarrollCounty. (RIGHT) Pam Saul with a horse at Rolling Acres Farm riding stable inMontgomery County.37

| Ma r k e t i n g, An im a l In d u s t r i es a n d Co n s u m e r Services |Listed below are statistics from the past three fiscal years:2006 2007 2008Category:Number of stable licenses issued 463 528 518Number of inspections performed annually 468 440* 376*Number of facilities inspected and in compliance 99% 100% 100%Revenue collected from licensing and inspecting horse stablesin Maryland and directed to General FundsRevenue collected from a $2/ton assessment of horse feed soldin Maryland.$34,725 $39,675 $39,375$108,356 $85,792 $78,194**Outcomes:Total amount of money distributed as grants for promotional,educational, or research projects for the Maryland horseindustryPercentage of total special fund revenue distributed as grantsfor the Maryland horse industryAdditional funds obtained for MHIB projects from public andprivate sourcesStaffed booths or presented talks at trade shows, conferences,fairs and exhibitions promoting Maryland equine$35,721 $19,416 $22,270**33% 23% 28%**$227,500 $63,750 $18,000**20 13 10***Inspection numbers were down for FY 2007 and FY 2008 due to the loss of an inspector. Midway through FY2008 a new inspectorwas transferred to the board by the MDA.**In FY 2008 the revenue generated from the equine commercial feed assessment continued to decline, most likely due to decreased feedconsumption caused by the loss of breeding and racing horses to neighboring states that have slots-supplemented racing and breedingsectors. The MHIB was able to acquire $18,000 for its marketing efforts to offset the loss of revenue and enable the board to fund itsgrant commitments. However, the MHIB was forced to stop all of its remaining promotional activities.38

| Ma r k e t i n g, An im a l In d u s t r i es a n d Co n s u m e r Services |Weights and Measures SectionThe regulation of commercial weights, measures,weighing and measuring devices, prepackaged productsand methods employed in the sale of commoditiesis a necessary function of government and in Maryland is theresponsibility of the Weights and Measures Section. Thesecontrols serve both buyer and seller by establishing standards ofcommercial measurement that can be uniformly applied to theexchange of goods and services.While the federal government has some limited responsibility forweights and measures controls, the states have historically takenthe initiative in this area. Today, enforcement in the United Statesis recognized primarily as a state government responsibility. Thefederal government plays an important role by providing assistanceto the states through the National Institute of Standards andTechnology (NIST). NIST is responsible for maintaining thenational standards and operating a laboratory for certification ofstandards. The National Conference on Weights and Measures(NCWM) in cooperation with NIST develops and promotesuniformity in standards, laws and inspection methods to providemaximum public protection through an equitable marketplace.The NCWM also manages the National Type Evaluation Program(NTEP), which type-certifies weighing and measuring equipmentprior to entering the marketplace.In FY2008, the field staff conducted approximately 38,022inspections of commercial weighing and measuring devices.This is approximately 10,000 fewer devices than the previousyear. There are three reasons for the major reduction of deviceinspections: 1) Consumer complaints have increased 40 percentor 200 more than the previous year; 2) For most of FY2008 theinspection staff was reduced to 11 full time inspectors due toextended sick leave, retirements and training of new personnel;and 3) An increase in the package inspection rejection rate causedmany reinspections. Inspectors also tested 12,870 individual lotsof prepackaged commodities offered for sale or approximately1,200 lots more than the previous year. In FY2008, the fieldstaff investigated 716 consumer complaints. The large numberof complaints can be attributed to consumers being more awareof the Weights and Measures Section and the high price ofgasoline. The investigation of consumer complaints is givenpriority over routine inspections. Complaints continue to requirethe equivalent of two inspectors working full time. With noone dedicated to investigating complaints, inspectors must beredirected on an as-needed basis and therefore, fewer routineinspections can be done. The Weights and Measures Section needsa full time investigator who not only has investigative skills butunderstands all specifications and tolerances in NIST Handbook44 along with the test procedures for all devices.Funding for the field inspection program continues to be a majorconcern. The field inspection program currently operates onSpecial Fund revenue collected from device registration fees.Increases in health care and gasoline costs make it difficult tomaintain current staffing levels. The 1992 Maryland GeneralAssembly established registration fees to offset General Fundbudget reductions and a fee increase passed the 2005 MarylandGeneral Assembly. The fee increase proved to be only a temporaryfix to the funding requirements. The statewide interval betweeninspections has risen to approximately 24 months. Programmanagers anticipate that the inspection interval will continueto increase because of the small number (18 field inspectors) ofinspection staff. In light of the funding issues, the Weights andMeasures staff continues to review the operational aspects of theprogram in an effort to maintain an acceptable level of service.The Weights and Measures Section is using a database ofapproximately 7,000 registered businesses to best manage itslimited resources to protect Maryland consumers and maintaina level playing field for industries that operate in the state. Fieldinspectors can work in the most critical areas and plan theirinspection work more efficiently, thereby reducing driving timeand providing more uniform inspection coverage.The section published regulations for the Voluntary Registrationof Service Agencies and Service Technicians early in FY2004.This program establishes controls over the installation, serviceor repair of commercial weighing and measuring devices with agoal of reducing the number of callback or follow-up inspectionsnecessary each year. Currently, 43 states have a similar program.The effort has produced some additional Special Funds for thesection, but not nearly enough to eliminate the problems it hasencountered in the last five years.Maryland’s Metrology Laboratory maintains primary standards ofmass, length, volume and temperature. These measures are legallytraceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technologyand provide a measurement capability at the state level that isconsistent with national measurement goals.39

| Ma r k e t i n g, An im a l In d u s t r i es a n d Co n s u m e r Services |The Maryland Weights and Measures Laboratory is recognizedby the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program(NVLAP) for compliance with criteria set forth in TheInternational Standard ISO/IEC 17025:1999 and relevantrequirements of ISO 9002:1994. The NVLAP is an independentagency under NIST in Gaithersburg, Md. The NVLAP accreditstesting and calibration laboratories that are found competentto perform specific tests or calibrations, or types of tests orcalibrations.It is the laboratory’s policy to provide the highest qualitymeasurement services attainable to clients and field staff througha continuous improvement of the quality system. Following theInternational Standards, the Maryland Weights and Measureslaboratory assures consistency and accuracy in regulatory activitiesand test measurement services for many industries, includingmanufacturing, science and technology, in addition to calibrationlaboratories and government agencies.Maryland’s National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP) Laboratoryis authorized as one of only four fully participating laboratoriesin the nation. NTEP laboratories are authorized by the NationalConference on Weights and Measures. Meeting the requiredperformance standards and formalized procedures denotes a highdegree of technical and professional competence. Authorization isspecific to a type of weighing or measuring device. The MarylandNTEP laboratory is authorized in 14 areas of evaluation.Weights and Measures Activities TablesField Inspection and Test Effort2006 2007 2008Percent Percent Percentin Total in Total in TotalViolation Tests Violation Tests Violation TestsA. Weighing SystemsLarge Scales 35.5 1,269 35.5 1,230 24.1 786Medium Scales 20.0 1,315 22.3 877 17.9 677Small Scales 16.0 11,289 16.0 12,140 17.5 6,971B. Liquid Measuring SystemsRetail Gasoline Meters 18.7 35,486 18.7 32,012 18.0 27,665L P Gas Meters 26.7 511 26.7 852 18.7 465Vehicle Tank Meters and Other Large Meters 15.5 1,323 15.5 1,641 20.8 1,288C. Grain Moisture Meters 9.0 157 9.0 132 8.0 136D. Programmed Tare Inspections 10.8 4,640 10.8 4,107 9.0 2,026E. Price Scanning and Method of Sale 3.4 8,161 3.4 7,249 5.1 5,962F. Delivery Ticket Inspections 1.7 2,572 1.7 3,715 .9 2,852G. Package Lots 12.5 12,759 12.5 11,680 15.8 12,761Inspection and testing of packages involve not only correct weight or measure determinations but also compliance with method of saleand labeling requirements.40

| Ma r k e t i n g, An im a l In d u s t r i es a n d Co n s u m e r Services |Laboratory Effort Inspection and TestNumberTested2006 2007 2008PercentRejectedNumberTestedPercentRejectedNumberTestedPercentRejectedWeights 6,901 5.1 6,773 9.8 4,256 10.7Volumetric Measures, (Non-Glass) 188 32.4 254 29.5 138 37.6Length Devices 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0Temperature Devices 46 0.0 46 0.0 0 0.0Timing Devices 0 0.0 13 24.0 0 0.0Volumetric (Glass) 12 0.0 10 0.0 0 0.0Scales/Meters 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0Milk Samples 114 2.6 108 5.6 0 0.0Standard Grain Samples 654 N/A 710 N/A 700 N/AThe laboratory effort involves technical support of the field effort and provides a base of measurement for Weights and Measuresofficials. Additionally, it provides measurement support for other state agencies and Maryland industries.Administrative Controls and MiscellaneousWeighing and Measuring Devices RegistrationCertificates, Issued2006Number2007Number2008Number7,239 7,255 7,239Type Evaluation of Devices Conducted (NTEP) 57 26 21Samplers and Testers Licenses, Issued 19 15 10Citizen Complaints Received and Investigated 567 515 716Disciplinary Hearings, Criminal Arrests,Summonses Obtained and/or Civil Penalties18 25 44Aside from day-to-day administration, coordination and support of the laboratory and field activities, the Weights and MeasuresSection is involved in the registration of commercial weighing and measuring devices, and the examination and licensing ofindividuals for specific functions.41

| Ma r k e t i n g, An im a l In d u s t r i es a n d Co n s u m e r Services |Food Quality Assurance ProgramGrading ServicesThe Grading Services Section offers producers and processorsa voluntary certification program for agricultural commoditiesincluding meat, poultry, eggs, fruit, vegetables and grain.Maryland Department of Agriculture graders sample commoditiesfor comparison with standards developed by the U.S. Departmentof Agriculture and/or MDA for reduction of microbial, chemicaland/or physical contamination, quality, size, labeling andpackaging. Commodities meeting the criteria established byUSDA and/or MDA standards are identified and certified byMDA graders. Official certification provides a uniform basisfor the marketing of agricultural commodities that enhancesthe marketability of Maryland commodities. Foreign countries,wholesale food suppliers, large grocery store chains, and stateinstitutions, among others, often require official certification toensure they are purchasing agricultural commodities that meettheir specifications. The provision of a cost-effective and serviceorientedgrading program is crucial to Maryland producerscompeting in these markets.In addition to providing certification services to the producingindustry, the section has assisted buyers in developingspecifications to meet their needs. Many buyers have begunrequiring audits of production practices in addition to thecertification of product. The section conducts audits ofagricultural production facilities for compliance with standardsfor animal welfare, good agricultural practices, food security, foodsafety and quality assurance programs. As buyers and consumerscontinue to demand verification of compliance with standards foranimal welfare and food safety, the section anticipates increaseddemand for audits of these practices. Additional staff membersare being trained to accommodate the anticipated increase in auditrequests.The agricultural commodity industry has continued to changeand the section has adapted to these changes by offering theservices necessary for the industry to market their products.Consolidation in the poultry and egg industries has reduced thenumber of processing plants in the state reducing the pounds ofpoultry and eggs certified. These reductions have resulted in higherfees charged to industry for the services provided. The numberof Good Agricultural Practices audits conducted has continuedto increase as more buyers are requiring the audits after recenthigh profile outbreaks, such as an E. coli outbreak in spinach anda salmonella outbreak in tomatoes and jalapenos, have causedincreased concern about food safety and fresh produce. To addressthe needs of Maryland companies exporting grain in containers,official designation was received from USDA for a programdeveloped to provide export grain grading services. The primarycommodities graded by the section this year were 333 millionpounds of poultry, 39 million pounds of shell eggs and 17 millionpounds of fruits and vegetables.Egg InspectionThe Egg Inspection Program is responsible for enforcement of theMaryland Egg Law. Inspections are performed at the wholesale,food service and retail levels to ensure eggs sold in our state meetthe standards established for quality, size, refrigeration, microbialand physical contamination, labeling and record keeping. Thesection is also responsible for the registration of egg wholesalersand packers. Portions of the labeling, record keeping andregistration requirements were developed to provide traceabilityin the event of a Salmonella enteritidis outbreak. Other sectionsof the law were established to reduce the risk of consumers42

| Ma r k e t i n g, An im a l In d u s t r i es a n d Co n s u m e r Services |purchasing eggs that could cause food-borne illness. Eggs foundto be out of compliance with the established standards are removedfrom sale and violation notices are issued to the responsible party.The inspection activities are funded through the collection of$.0026 per dozen of eggs sold in Maryland.The percentage of eggs sampled found to be in compliance withthe Maryland Egg Law decreased to 85 percent this year comparedto 89 percent last year. The lots inspected increased as a result offilling a vacancy in the program. The egg inspection chart showscomparison data for the eggs inspected and violations.50004500400035003000250020001500100050005000450040003500300025002000150010005000EGG INSPECTIONEgg InspectionLots Inspected / ViolationsEGG INSPECTIONLOTS INSPECTED/VIOLATIONSLOTS INSPECTED/VIOLATIONS2005 2006 2007 20082005 2006 2007 2008LOTS INSPECTEDVIOLATIONSLOTS INSPECTEDVIOLATIONSOrganic Certification ProgramThe United States Department of Agriculture-accreditedMaryland Organic Certification Program certified 90 farmsand 17 handlers of organic products in Maryland in 2008. Theprogram also registered an additional 15 farms as organic that areexempt from the inspection requirements.Maryland organic producers and handlers continue to benefitfrom the federal Cost-Share Reimbursement Program funded byUSDA. This cost-share program allowed MDA to reimburse 75percent of the inspection costs growers paid for certification. Thisprogram is expected to continue through 2009.During 2007, the program developed a certification programthat meets the requirements of the ISO 65 guidelines requiredfor export to the European Union. In 2008, two MDA certifiedorganic handlers were approved through this program.Grain LawsAll persons in the business of buying, receiving, exchanging orstoring grain from a grain producer are regulated by this section.Licenses are issued to businesses that meet requirements set bylaw for insurance and financial status. There are four categoriesof licenses issued based on the number of bushels purchased ina calendar year. Fees range from $50 to $300. A Directory ofLicensed Grain Dealers is published and distributed annually. Thesection licensed 37 businesses with 59 business locations in 2008.43

| Office o f Pl a n t In d u s t r i es a n d Pest Ma n a g e m e n t |Plant Protection and Weed Management2008 Highlights• Sirex woodwasp survey - The Sirex woodwasp (Sirex noctilio),is an exotic pest of pine trees that was first detected in NewYork in 2004 and is currently known to occur in limitedareas of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Vermont. Concern hasbeen raised because this native of Europe, Asia and northernAfrica has the potential to cause significant mortality of pines,including loblolly. This insect has a novel life cycle thatincludes inserting a fungus along with its egg into a healthytree so that the young can feed on the wood fiber digested bythe fungus. The fungus quickly kills the tree. Plant Protectionand Weed Management staff surveyed Maryland’s eightnorthern tier counties bordering Pennsylvania and 16 otherhigh risk locations. Each of the counties had 10 traps whichwere serviced from June into October. No target species werecollected.• Interdiction of interstate plant and animal commerce-In May 2008, a multi-agency exercise was conducted totest capabilities to detect and intercept animal and plantpests accompanying interstate agricultural commerce. Planscalled for the use of the Incident Command System as themodel for the field response. Active participants includedMDA, USDA, the Maryland State Police, the MarylandDepartment of the Environment, and the Office of theComptroller. Working under the authority of the StatePolice, commercial vehicles traveling northbound on Route301 in Queen Anne’s County were detained and the contentsof the vehicle determined. Any vehicle that contained plants,plant products, or livestock was segregated and an agriculturalinspection team determined compliance with quarantines.Vehicles in compliance were allowed to proceed, while thosewith violations of plant and animal quarantines were detainedand cited. An after-action report cited many strengths of theevent including proper inspection techniques and protocols,a satisfactory knowledge of the applicable quarantines andregulations, proper use of the WebEOC network, and amulti-agency approach to driver interviews and commodityinspections. Areas for improvement included lack of suitablecommunication equipment and prolonged inspections dueto inability to visually inspect portions of tightly packedcommodities.Apiary inspector Bill Troup and his black Labrador retriever, Klinker, check hives forAmerican foul brood disease.Apiary InspectionThe primary purpose of this program is to control honey beediseases, mites, and pests in order to maintain healthy bees forthe essential pollination of more than $40 million of Marylandcrops. Maryland growers of fruit and vegetable crops annually rentapproximately 5,000 colonies to improve pollination. Beekeepers’colonies are essential to Maryland because two parasitic mites havenearly eliminated feral colonies.American foul brood disease is the most serious brood disease ofhoney bees and can destroy a colony in one year. The 45 coloniesthat inspectors found to have American foul brood were destroyedto control the spread of this bacterial disease to healthy colonies.44

| Office o f Pl a n t In d u s t r i es a n d Pest Ma n a g e m e n t |The incidence of disease remains relatively low - less than twopercent of colonies inspected.Varroa and tracheal mite populations were very low in Marylandin 2008, but brood problems were attributed to Varroa mite in theseason. The Varroa mite often has been found to be resistant toApistan®, the primary product used to control this parasite. Fouradditional products are now available to control Varroa.Africanized honey bees arrive occasionally on cargo ships comingfrom South or Central America. Swarm traps for collecting andmonitoring bees were placed at 35 sites at marine terminals andother shipping locations. Only two swarms were collected in 2008and were determined to be local bees, not Africanized. MDA isworking with two groups – the Mid-Atlantic Apiculture Researchand Extension Consortium (MAAREC) to provide informationto the general public about emergency incidents and the ApiaryInspectors of America (AIA) for information on the control ofmovement, other than through natural spread.The small hive beetle was detected in packaged bees and reportedor detected in 19 counties this past year. Each apiary was treatedand monitored to ensure successful control of the beetles. Therehave been no reports of larvae or damage to established colonies.The small hive beetle is a pest mainly in stored equipment andin honey houses, although it can render stored honey in the hiveunmarketable.Permits were issued for 3,975 honey bee colonies to move out ofMaryland and 550 colonies to move into Maryland for pollinationservices. For the third year, Maryland beekeepers sent colonies toCalifornia for almond pollination. In December, 2,432 colonieswere transported to California for this purpose, to return toMaryland in March of 2009.Nursery Inspection and Plant QuarantineThe nursery and greenhouse industry continues to be a leadingpart of Maryland’s agricultural economy, currently ranking secondamong commodities with a total of approximately $360 millionin farm income. Other horticultural products and services soldboosted the total gross receipts to nearly $1.04 billion. A primarygoal of state plant protection and quarantine efforts is to facilitatethe production, sale, and distribution of Maryland nursery stock.This is accomplished in large part by inspection and certificationactivities conducted on-site by MDA staff.Maryland law and reciprocal agreements with other statesrequire that plant material at each producing nursery beinspected annually for freedom from dangerously injuriousplant pests prior to its subsequent sale to other states. Statephytosanitary certificates that assure specific compliance withestablished domestic quarantines were issued to 12 states. Federalphytosanitary certificates required to export Maryland nurserystock were issued to 12 foreign countries including Australia,Morocco, and Taiwan. A total of 58 federal and 190 statecertificates were issued in 2008. Although this reflects a 25percent reduction in total certificates issued from certificates issuedin 2007, MDA staff continued to pursue further cooperativeagreement opportunities and followed revised protocols that havestreamlined and improved the preparation of Maryland nurserystock for sale and distribution to both foreign and domesticmarkets.Maryland Department of Agriculture staff inspected plant materialat 604 Maryland locations to intercept dangerously injurious orexotic pests. The general health of Maryland-produced nurserystock was found to be excellent.Pest SurveyCurrent information on pest distribution and abundance isneeded for regulatory actions by the department and for pestcontrol actions by Maryland farmers. Maryland Department ofAgriculture Plant Protection & Weed Management Section’s pestsurvey program fulfills this mission.The Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) is a jointproject between MDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture,Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protectionand Quarantine (PPQ). USDA recommends pests of quarantineexport significance as survey priorities and provides funding forthese surveys. MDA adapts the appropriate survey methods andconducts the actual survey. This cooperative program has providednecessary data used to certify Maryland products for export tomany countries.CAPS surveys document the presence or absence of exotic pestsin Maryland, support PPQ exotic pest survey activities, andprovide state-specific data for exotic pests in the United States. Ifany of these species were to become established, it would pose asignificant threat to agricultural production and have a significantimpact on Maryland’s ability to export agricultural commodities.45

| Office o f Pl a n t In d u s t r i es a n d Pest Ma n a g e m e n t |Early detection of exotic pests before they become established willaid in any eradication or control efforts undertaken and protectMaryland agriculture and the environment from potentiallydevastating losses.A total of 3,663 insect traps was deployed and monitored in2008. Through the various types of surveys conducted, 11,099samples were collected and more than 13,668 insects identified.Trapping techniques involved a wide range of devices includingblacklight and pheromone traps. Visual surveys accounted for newdetections of giant hogweed in past years although no new siteswere detected in 2008. The blacklight and pheromone traps wereinstrumental in alerting growers on the Eastern Shore of potentialoutbreaks of black cutworm. The black cutworm can cause severelosses to corn and vegetable crops.The surveys target pests that are both exotic and endemic toMaryland. Sixteen extensive surveys for exotic wood borers, storedproduct pests, and field, fruit and vegetable crop pests includingdiseases such as soybean rust were conducted. The majority of thepests targeted were either not present or did not reach significantlevels of concern. A few pests, such as the emerald ash borer andimported fire ant, caused responses. It is interesting to note thatthe euonymus leaf notcher, an exotic moth that can completelystrip a euonymus bush of its leaves, has expanded its known rangearound Glen Burnie to the vicinity of Annapolis/Hillsmere.Michigan/Windsor, Ontario area in 2002. Because of the emeraldash borer, more than 20 million ash trees have died in Michigan,Ohio, and Indiana. In 2003, a Michigan nurseryman shippedinfested trees, in violation of a quarantine in that state, to aPrince George’s County, Maryland nursery. Eradication activitiescontinued in 2008. Because of an emerald ash borer detectionin Charles County in August of 2008, the Maryland Secretaryof Agriculture issued a revised Quarantine Order (#08-01) thatprohibits anyone from moving ash trees, wood, or any hardwoodfirewood out of Prince George’s or Charles counties untilfurther notice. The MDA, with federal funding support and incooperation with federal, state, and local government partners, hasundertaken a massive eradication effort continuing into 2008. Inthe winter of 2007/2008 nearly 12,000 ash trees were removedfrom the approximately 16,000 acre project area. For moreinformation on the Maryland Emerald Ash Borer Project, pleasevisit www.mda.state.md.us/go/eab/See the Plant Protection and Weed Management Highlights earlierin this section for information about the Sirex woodwasp survey.The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, a South Americanstinging insect, is occasionally shipped out of the southern UnitedStates, in spite of a federal domestic quarantine that prohibitsmovement of a variety of commodities unless treated and/orcertified free of fire ants. The insect’s ability to quickly colonizein a variety of habitats, and its aggressive foraging behavior, poseadditional dangers if established in Maryland. Thirty-two isolatedinfestations have been eradicated in the state since 1989. Newimported fire ant detections in Maryland were down from threein 2007 to two in 2008. The reduction is largely due to MDA’sefforts in the spring to inspect trucks transporting tropical foliageplants from the quarantined areas in the southern United Statesand to work closely with officials in those states. Four positivesites of the 94 surveyed in 2008 were associated with areas undereradication and were likely not new infestations.The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis), is an exotic,devastating pest of ash trees was first detected in the Detroit,Large purple bait traps are hung in trees to survey for the emerald ash borer.46

| Office o f Pl a n t In d u s t r i es a n d Pest Ma n a g e m e n t |Diagnostic LaboratoriesThe Plant Protection and Weed Management diagnosticlaboratories provide testing and analyses that support departmentalprograms and provide answers to inquiries from outside thedepartment and from the general public. During 2008, samplessubmitted to the laboratory were received from section survey andinspection programs, other MDA sections, University of MarylandCooperative Extension, nursery and landscape businesses, and thegeneral public.Entomology LaboratoryIn 2008, some unusual samples were submitted for identification.An imported, three or four-year old bottle of balsamic vinegargrew a large lump of “mother-of-vinegar,” with the consistency andappearance of a chicken liver.A few people were stung by, or saw, puss caterpillars (Megalopygeopercularis). Television and newspaper accounts erroneouslyreported these insects as a new invasive from the south. It is aMaryland native which was judged the most toxic caterpillar in theUnited States.Other specimens of note included foliar nematodes in hosta leaves,tropical rat mites on two hamsters, and a pyramid of horse fly eggsdeposited on a leaf. A beautiful caterpillar killer beetle (Calosomasycophanta) was collected in Prince George’s County. This specieswas briefly studied in Maryland as a bio-control agent for gypsymoth (Lymantria dispar).Also in Prince George’s County, specimens of a striking metallicblue and red stink bug (Euthyrhynchus floridanus) were collectedon an apple tree. This predatory bug is not common herebecause Maryland is the northern edge of its range. Severalcicada killer (Sphecius spheciosus) and brown marmorated stinkbug (Halyomorpha halys) invasions were reported this year and thenumber of bedbug (Cimex spp) submittals continued to increase,with seven in 2008.Plant Pathology LaboratoryThe mission of the Plant Pathology Laboratory at the MarylandDepartment of Agriculture is to evaluate plant samples for plantpathogens and diseases. General activities include: evaluating plantsamples in support of the Nursery Inspection Program to ensurethat all plant material in Maryland intended for distribution orsale is disease free; diagnosing plant diseases submitted by othersections of MDA, other Maryland agencies, home gardeners,homeowners, consultants, and industry representatives; providingtechnical and diagnostic support for virus-free certificationprograms; supporting the Cooperative Agricultural Pest SurveyProgram through laboratory assays for specific diseases; andsupporting USDA APHIS and MDA regulatory functionsthrough diagnostic assays for pathogens of regulatory importance.The Plant Pathology Laboratory was impacted in 2008 by thedeparture of the Plant Pathologist in March. Surveys continuedand the Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic was run by the PlantPathology Laboratory Technician until her departure in Septemberof 2008.A survey in the watersheds of Maryland to look for Phytophthoraramorum, which began in 2006, continued into 2008. Thepathogen, P. ramorum, is a fungus-like microorganism which canaffect economically important nursery plants (Camellia, Pieris,Rhododendron, Viburnum). The survey used rhododendron leafbaits that were floated in streams for two weeks in each monthfrom June through August at five sites in Frederick, Harford,and Montgomery counties. In addition to culture analysisconducted at the MDA plant pathology lab, samples were testedindependently at Mississippi State University by real-time PCR.No samples tested positive for Phytophthora ramorum during the2008 watershed survey.Soybean rust, caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi, remains a threat toMaryland soybeans as it has the potential to severely limit soybeanproduction. Soybean rust over-winters on kudzu and other legumehosts in the southern states and has the potential to move northevery year, depending on weather conditions.MDA established two sentinel soybean plots in St. Mary’s Countyin Southern Maryland in 2007 and 2008, in addition to thoseestablished by the University of Maryland. These plots weresampled for both healthy and diseased tissue and all samples werenegative for P. pachyrhizi. Late in the growing season, Maryland’sfirst positive detection of soybean rust was made in a soybeansentinel plot in Wicomico County by the University of Delaware.Because of the lateness of the detection there was no impact on thesoybean crop in 2008. The survey will continue in 2009.The MDA Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic was establishedprimarily to assist MDA nursery inspection staff with routinediagnostics of plant diseases. The clinic received 187 samples47

| Office o f Pl a n t In d u s t r i es a n d Pest Ma n a g e m e n t |during the 2008 growing season. Samples were submitted byMDA nursery inspectors and pesticide investigators, Marylandnurseries, landscapers, IPM scouts, private consultants, andhomeowners. Samples received this year included commoncankers, leaf spots, root rots, and several virus samples. Samplesthat tested positive for Phytophthora by ELISA tests were thencultured and screened for Phytophthora ramorum. Only typicalPhytophthora species (not ramorim) were found associated withdying plants in Maryland in 2008.Greenhouse LaboratoryPlants were produced for integrated pest management andbiological control programs that require food for insect coloniesand plant material for research. A collection of herbaceousperennials used for teaching and testing purposes by the CertifiedProfessional Horticulturist Program, in conjunction with theMaryland Nursery and Landscape Association, was increased.Plant CertificationThe Maryland Ginseng Management Program protectsAmerican ginseng, Panax quinquefolius, from over-harvest bymonitoring the harvest and by licensing diggers and dealers ofwild, wild-simulated, woods-grown and cultivated ginseng. MDAconducts a management program in cooperation with the U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service (USF&WS) that follows establishedprotocols to insure the continued viability of a potentiallythreatened native resource and to protect it from over-harvest.Harvested ginseng is certified through the program to enablelicensed dealers to sell this wild-harvested plant product ininternational markets. MDA also works with growers of wildsimulatedand woods-grown ginseng to allow them to market andexport their highly valued crops. The dried roots are highly prized,especially in China and Korea, for properties that putativelypromote good health. In 2007-2008, the program licensed 10Ginseng Dealers and 230 Ginseng collectors in the state.During the 2007-2008 harvest and sales season, the certificationprogram inspected, collected size and age data from, and weighed148.12 pounds of dry wild and wild-simulated ginseng root; 750pounds of artificially propagated dry ginseng root and 10 poundsof wild-simulated stratified ginseng seed. Data were gatheredand reports submitted in accordance with U.S. Fish and WildlifeService requirements.The amount of ginseng cultivated including woods-grown andwild-simulated designations in Maryland, and certified by thedepartment, continues to remain high relative to the amount ofwild ginseng harvested and certified in the state. This reflectsboth continuing interest in ginseng as an alternative crop, andthe ability of Maryland growers to produce high quality ginseng.If this trend continues, harvest pressure on wild ginseng may bereduced, in turn, allowing wild ginseng populations to rebound.The MDA continues to participate in the virus-free rosecertification program with Angelica Nursery. MDA maintainedand certified stock plants of two varieties of roses in 2008. Onevariety was propagated by tissue culture, producing a total of 300plants. Laboratory and greenhouse personnel participated in avisual inspection of all rose plants at the nursery both in the springand the fall, and submitted nine leaf samples of stock plants toAgdia for testing in their rose screen for viruses. Visual surveys areconducted twice a year, and testing occurs once each year.Integrated Pest Management andBiological ControlCooperative efforts continued among MDA, the Universityof Maryland, growers, and the Northeast Integrated PestManagement Center (NEIPMC). MDA represents Marylandstate regulators at the NEIPMC through a seat on the AdvisoryCouncil. In 2008, the section participated in a Plant ProtectionGuest Lecture Series at the University of Maryland, in ongoingcooperation with the Maryland Plant Protection Center. Thiseffort is a collaboration between USDA and the University ofMaryland that aims to establish a leading academic research andextension program in the mid-Atlantic region.Weed Integrated Pest Management (IPM)Plant Protection and Weed Management Section entomologistsand staff continued to conduct an IPM program to providebiological control of certain thistle species. The program hashelped significantly to control musk thistle along highway areasthat are inaccessible to mowing and/or spraying equipment. MDAprovided technical assistance with noxious weed problems onpublic land to various federal, county and state agencies, includingthe University of Maryland, the Department of Natural Resources,correctional institutions, county road departments, State HighwayAdministration and the U.S. Department of the Interior.48

| Office o f Pl a n t In d u s t r i es a n d Pest Ma n a g e m e n t |Weed IPM research activities were conducted at field plots atthe MDA facility in Cheltenham and along State HighwayAdministration rights of ways during each of the past eight years.These plots continued to be used for evaluation and to conductweed suppression trials. Additionally, plots long established atWestern Maryland Research and Education Center (WMREC)in Keedysville were supplemented in 2008 with newly plantedresearch plots. Integrated Pest Management investigationscontinued to be targeted at suppression of Cirsium and Carduusthistles. Research is focused on the evaluation of organisms forpotential biocontrol, testing herbicide formulation efficacy, andevaluating the use of competitive vegetation (including nativegrasses and forbs) in an effort to provide environmentally-soundand cost-effective methods for suppression of noxious thistlespecies in Maryland.Presentations regarding the progress of ongoing biocontroland weed management programs were made to State HighwayAdministration managers, staff and guests from other state agenciesat an SHA sponsored Vegetation Management Conference bythe staff entomologist coordinating the program and by WeedManagement Program staff. The staff entomologist and MDAPlant Protection Section Program Manager also met with SHALandscape Operations Division staff and administrators to reviewprogram accomplishments and progress, and to coordinate anddevelop a work plan for the next few years.A survey for the presence and effects of rose rosette disease wascontinued in 2008. Rose rosette disease is a pathogenic maladyof the multiflora rose, Rosa multiflora, a problem weed in pastures,woodlands, and rights of ways in Maryland and many other states.The disease, which has become established in North America andis spread by natural means, reduces populations of this invasiverose species.Since the disease was first detected in Maryland in the 1990s,results of surveys conducted by MDA Plant Protection andWeed Management staff indicate that the disease is continuing tospread over a wide portion of Central and Northern Maryland,and has become locally established in Southern Maryland andon Maryland’s Eastern Shore. In 2002, a field experiment to testthe relative susceptibility of various rose cultivars and native rosespecies to rose rosette disease was designed and implemented at theMDA facility in Cheltenham. Experimental results continued tobe recorded and accessed in 2008. This experiment is intendedto provide valuable information needed to assess the effects of thedisease on rose species other than R. multiflora including nativespecies and cultivars important to the landscape and nursery tradein Maryland.This was another active year for releases of biological controlagents, the leaf-feeding beetles Gallerucella calmariensis and G.pusilla, on populations of purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria).During the summer of 2008, more than 2,500 adult beetleswere released at several locations on the Patuxent River near JugBay and adjacent to the Merkle Wildlife Management Area. Anadditional 2,500 beetles were released along the Anacostia Riverbetween Bladensburg, Md and the U.S. National Arboretumin Washington, D.C. The first MDA-reared beetle adults andlarvae were also released in 2008. Adult beetles were released incentral Howard County and adult beetles and larvae were releasedin southern Charles County near Port Tobacco. Partners withthe Maryland Department of Agriculture in these efforts arethe Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, and the HowardCounty Department of Recreation and Parks. Funding for theproject was, in part, derived from funds dedicated by the MarylandDepartment of Transportation, State Highway Administration.MDA was the primary coordinating agency.The rearing program move from Cheltenham to MDA’sheadquarters in Annapolis has proven to be successful as well asefficient. MDA staff reared beetles at the MDA greenhouse andrearing laboratories in Annapolis throughout the 2007 seasonand in 2008 were successful for the first time at bringing theadult beetles out of overwintering diapause and increasing beetlenumbers significantly over the course of the spring and summer.MDA staff is making preparations to increase production evenfurther in 2009.In addition to the releases and the rearing project described above,locations where beetles were previously released in Prince George’sand Howard counties were surveyed for the biocontrol agent;beetle activity was again detected. An average of 30,000 beetlesper year had been released over several years through 2003 toestablish populations of the leaf feeding beetles in field insectaries,to support field collections for biological control efforts, andto allow for redistribution in the future. Sites in Howard andPrince George’s counties where beetles were released in past yearswere evaluated for levels of plant control and were surveyed for49

| Office o f Pl a n t In d u s t r i es a n d Pest Ma n a g e m e n t |establishment of the beetles. No detectable level of control ofpurple loosestrife has been noted, but for the fourth consecutiveyear, high numbers of beetles were observed at the Howard Countysite, indicating that established populations are reproducing at thatlocation. Slow increase of beetle populations is not uncommon,and significant reduction of purple loosestrife populations hastaken five to seven years or longer in some other states. Additionalreleases of adult and larval beetles are planned for 2009.The Maryland Department of Agriculture, in partnership with theHoward County Department of Recreation and Parks, releasedan additional 1,150 mile-a-minute weevil adults (Rhinoncomimuslatipes Korotyaev) in 2008. The releases were performed at twosites in central Howard County including one of the originallocations where 500 mile-a-minute weevil adults were released in2007. The weevil is a beetle that feeds exclusively on an invasivevine from Asia known as the mile-a-minute weed (Persicariaperfoliata). The beetles were released in test plots located oncounty property near Meadowbrook Park in Columbia. Therelease is part of cooperative research with the University ofDelaware Department of Entomology and Wildlife Biology ina mile-a-minute biological control study. Weevils overwinteredsuccessfully at the field release sites and were active in the springof 2008. As part of an agreement with the U.S. Forest Service,the Plant Protection Section Weed Biocontrol Program began agreenhouse and laboratory mile-a-minute weevil rearing programin 2008. Preliminary rearing program and field results show greatpromise for use of the weevil as a host-specific control against milea-minuteweed.Noxious Weed ManagementThis program supports the control and eradication of designatednoxious weeds in order to reduce their economic and aestheticimpact on farmers and landowners. Noxious weeds (Johnsongrass,shattercane, thistles, and multiflora rose) cause losses in excessof $25 million annually to Maryland agriculture due to reducedquality and yields of crops and forages, increased control costs,and increased roadside and development property managementcost. The Maryland General Assembly enacted the first NuisanceWeed Law on Johnsongrass in 1969. In 1987, the NuisanceWeed Law was rewritten and renamed the Noxious Weed Law(Title 9, Subtitle 4, Agriculture Article, Annotated Code ofMaryland). The Noxious Weed Law requires that a landowner,or a person who possesses and manages land, eradicate or controlthe noxious weeds on that land by using practices prescribedby the department, including mowing, cultivating, or treatingwith an approved herbicide. The law prohibits the importationand transportation of these weeds in the state and prohibits thepresence of viable noxious weed seed and rhizomes in seed, topsoil,mulch, nursery stock, on farm machinery, or any other article.The Noxious Weed Law also provides that the Department ofAgriculture may enter into an agreement with a county or politicalsubdivision to provide technical and financial assistance forinitiating weed management and eradication programs.A weed control advisory committee has been established in eachof the 20 participating counties, with representatives from farmingorganizations, governmental agencies, and local farmers. Eachcommittee provides advice or input into planning the noxiousweed control program in that county. A county weed controlcoordinator, usually employed on a part-time basis, determinesthe degree of noxious weed infestations within the county, locatesuncontrolled infestations, provides information on currentlyrecommended control practices, and initiates agreements withlandowners to implement a control program. In many counties,the local weed control coordinator also performs spot-sprayingon roadsides, in cooperation with the Maryland State HighwayAdministration, to help eliminate Johnsongrass or thistles andto control noxious weeds on private or public lands for a fee. Incounties with no weed control coordinator, section employeeshandle these duties. This program was highly successful in mostareas of the state during 2008.The weed control program provided an average of $4,400 percounty in grant assistance to 20 counties. The grants wereleveraged with similar amounts of money from the countiesand the counties generated in excess of $900,000 from sprayingservices provided by the county programs. The county programsare supervised by the state personnel as specified by contract.Under the direction of Plant Protection and Weed ManagementSection entomologists, staff assisted in an integrated pestmanagement program to provide biological control of certainthistle species. Noxious weed advisory notices were mailed to 193managers of property infested with a noxious weed. Generallythese notices were effective in obtaining compliance. Whennecessary, MDA sent follow-up correspondence resulting incompliance.50

| Office o f Pl a n t In d u s t r i es a n d Pest Ma n a g e m e n t |The weed control program responds to citizens’ requests fortechnical assistance in controlling invasive, difficult to control,persistent weeds, such as phragmites, kudzu, mile-a-minute,tree of heaven (Ailanthus), Japanese stilt grass, purple loosestrife,Japanese bamboo, (falopia japonica), as well as invasive bamboo(Bambuseae).Giant hogweed is a federal noxious weed that was first detectedin the State of Maryland in 2003. Giant hogweed (Heracleummantegazzianum) was originally detected at 29 sites in Baltimoreand Harford counties. In 2005, eight additional sites in GarrettCounty were added to this list as was one additional site in 2007.No new sites were found in 2008. A multi-state eradication effortis underway, all previous sites and all newly verified sites werebrought into this program. Plans have been made for continuingthis effort in 2009.The Weed Control staff partnered with the Maryland Departmentof Natural Resources for the 10th year in providing a PhragmitesManagement Program. Upon request from landowners ormanagers, the Weed Control Program staff supplied technicaland spraying assistance for control. The DNR provided 100percent of the cost of the herbicide (Aquaneet) applied in the ninecounties of the Eastern Shore for phragmites. Total spray revenuefor phragmites control was in excess of $58,000 for treatingapproximately 300 acres in 260 locations in 16 counties.In all counties, the noxious weed control program’s spraying servicewas offered to landowners participating in the ConservationReserve Program (CRP) or Conservation Reserve EnhancementProgram (CREP). Due to the likelihood of weed problemsoccurring on land in these programs, spraying services were offeredfor noxious weed control.Other Section ActivitiesDuring 2008, MDA continued to take a leadership role inthe Maryland Invasive Species Council (MISC), a forum forinformation exchange and consensus building among diverseinterests in public and private agencies or organizations concernedwith invasive species. Several Plant Protection and WeedManagement staff members were directly involved with MISC andwere able to assist other members or individuals with technicalinformation on control of invasive plant species or with actualspraying as well as partner with other agencies on grants to controlinvasive species. Through MISC, the MDA has been able todisseminate information on many of the serious pests cited in thisreport. The MISC Web site is www.mdinvasivesp.org.51

| Office o f Pl a n t In d u s t r i es a n d Pest Ma n a g e m e n t |Plant Protection and Weed Management Summary of 2008 Activity2006 2007 2008Beekeepers Registered 1,059 1,331 1,152Apiaries Registered 1,379 1,460 1,152Apiaries Visited 734 620 725Apiaries Inspected 572 509 593Apiaries with Disease 32 29 25Bee Colonies Registered 7,274 8,212 9,379Bee Colonies Inspected 4,215 4,603 4,725Bee Colonies with Disease (American Foul Brood) 50 45 34Laboratory Diagnoses of Bee Diseases and Pests 82 98 21Colonies Certified for Movement Out of State 5,140 3,860 3,975Colonies Moved into Maryland Under Permit 378 452 550Bee Colonies Certified During Inspection 4,215 4,603 4,725Field Diagnoses for Varroa Mite 64 92 70Ginseng Dealers Registered 9 10 9Ginseng Collectors Licensed 210 230 230Plant Inspections Conducted 1,263 920 602Nurseries Certified 374 400 369Nursery Acreage Certified 10,503 9,540 9,360Plant Dealers Licensed 664 642 644Plant Dealer Retail Outlets Licensed 734 739 838Greenhouse Plants Inspected (1,000 sq. ft.) 7,853 7,978 7,978Plant Brokers Licensed 14 13 16Post-entry Quarantine Inspections 39 11 5Phytosanitary Certificates Issued 510 328 301Condemnation-Seizure Notices Issued 24 13 9Plants Condemned 624 1,149 617Imported Fire Ant Positive Sites 12 3 6Imported Fire Ant Traps Placed 3,056 1,395 1,593Imported Fire Ant Traps With Some Species of Ants 927 409 712Special Insect Traps Monitored 3,934 2,027 3,663Blacklight Samples Processed 6,433 5,875 5,611Soil Samples Processed for Nematode Surveys 24 14 1052

| Office o f Pl a n t In d u s t r i es a n d Pest Ma n a g e m e n t |Turf and SeedSeed is the single most important input to any agricultural system.To be successful, the grower, whether a farmer tilling hundredsof acres or a homeowner with a garden, must begin with qualityseed. The Turf and Seed Section conducts regulatory and serviceprograms, including seed inspection, testing, certification andquality control services, which are designed to insure the continuedavailability of high quality seed to Maryland’s seed consumers.Today’s seed industry exists in an environment of rapid change.The continued development of biotechnology and the expansionof genetically modified organism (GMOs), or geneticallymodifiedcrops, have had an enormous effect on the production,distribution and marketing of seed and upon state seed programs.Seed regulatory, testing and certification programs throughout thecountry are being challenged to meet the demands brought aboutby these changes.Seed LaboratoryThe Maryland Department of Agriculture’s seed testing laboratoryis central to the operation of the section, supporting the regulatory,certification, supervised seed mixing and turfgrass activities, whilealso providing service testing for seed producers, dealers, farmersand other seed consumers. Turfgrass professionals look to thelaboratory to provide them with purity and noxious weed seedexaminations on seed lots destined for use on golf courses, sodproduction fields, public grounds and other areas demandinghigh quality turf. Commercial vegetable growers utilize thelaboratory for specialized vigor testing, particularly for peas,garden beans and lima beans. The State Highway Administrationrelies upon the laboratory to test all grass, wildflower, shruband other seed planted along Maryland’s highways. Marylandfarmers participating in the Maryland Agricultural Water QualityCost-Share (MACS) cover crop program utilize the laboratoryto insure that the seed they use meets the standards required forthat program. The laboratory also identifies seeds submitted byfarmers, veterinarians,health officials, othergovernment agenciesand the generalpublic. Roundup®Readytesting ofseeds is conductedby the laboratoryfor authorized seedproducers. Thelaboratory also testsseeds used on wetlandmitigation andrestoration projects.Key to a successfullaboratory operationis a well-trained staff. The Association of Official Seed Analysts(AOSA) maintains an accreditation program for seed analystsin official laboratories throughout the United States. Analystswho pass rigorous tests, which include both written and practicalexaminations, are certified as official purity and germinationanalysts. At the present time, six members of our staff arecertified by AOSA in both purity and germination testing, out ofa nationwide total of 104 analysts who have achieved this level ofcertification. The laboratory staff also participated in various seedreferees. These referees develop new testing methodology andensure uniform and accurate seed testing throughout the country,while also serving as continuing education requirements necessaryfor certified analysts to maintain their credentials. During the pastyear, several of our analysts participated in a seed testing workshopin Harrisburg, Pa.Seed RegulatoryThe Maryland Seed Law requires that all seed offered for sale inthe state must be accurately labeled. This includes agricultural,vegetable, flower, lawn and turf seed, as well as specialized seedsuch as seeds of trees, shrubs, native species, wildflowers and seedused in reclamation and wetlands mitigation projects. This seedis sold in quantities ranging from small packets of vegetable andflower seed sold to home gardeners to bulk sales of thousandsof pounds of crop seed sold to farmers. All seed distributed inMaryland is subject to inspection by this section.53

| Office o f Pl a n t In d u s t r i es a n d Pest Ma n a g e m e n t |For much of its seed needs, Maryland relies on other areas of thecountry and the world where climates are more suited to seedproduction. Thus, it is important that Maryland maintain astrong and effective regulatory program. Seed importing statesthat fail to maintain good seed regulatory programs become“dumping grounds” for low quality seed that is not acceptable tobe sold in many other states.Maryland’s seed inspectors visit both retail and wholesale seeddealers throughout the state. They review label claims, ensurethat germination test dates are current and look for seed lots thathave been found to be mislabeled or otherwise illegal for sale basedon samples taken at other locations. Seed lots are sampled andsubmitted to the laboratory for testing. Lots found in violationof the Maryland Seed Law are placed under a stop sale orderuntil they are brought into compliance. Corrective action mayinclude re-labeling, reconditioning, destruction of the seed lot orits removal from the state. Seed dealers who fail to comply with astop sale order are subject to civil penalties.Seed CertificationThe seed certification program is quickly adapting to changesin the seed business. As biotechnology increases in agriculturalcrops, movement away from traditional certification services isoccurring. More and more seed varieties are being developed bylarge investments in biotech research by private companies. Theinvolvement of public institutions, which in the past were thesource for most certified seed varieties, continues to decline.With the increased number of crop varieties being released byprivate companies, the demand for quality assurance inspectionsby third parties is strong, particularly from small to mediumsizedseed companies that cannot afford their own quality controlprograms. Companies growing seed in Maryland look to thissection for expertise in field inspections, sampling and laboratoryanalysis for quality control of their products. In the future, it isanticipated that quality control inspection acreage will increase ascertified acreage decreases.Staff members worked closely with seed growers and conditionersto assist them in producing a product that meets some of thehighest quality standards in the United States. Maryland seedsmenhave become net exporters of wheat, barley, and soybean seed,adding much revenue to the Maryland agricultural economy.Staff members cooperated with the Maryland Crop Improvement54

| Office o f Pl a n t In d u s t r i es a n d Pest Ma n a g e m e n t |Association, the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Stations, andthe University of Maryland in the production and distribution ofMaryland foundation seed. Much effort was spent to maintainthe genetic purity of foundation seed of public varieties importantto Maryland agriculture. This foundation seed was distributed toMaryland seedsmen for the production of Maryland certified seed.Supervised Seed MixingThe supervised seed mixing system enables certification to becontinued when certified lots of different kinds and varietiesof seeds are mixed together. Demand from the industry andconsumers for supervised seed mixing is strong. The supervisedseed mixing program’s oversight ensures that the consumer receivesquality seed by precluding the opportunity for substitution ofvarieties or seed lots that have not been approved. All seed usedon State Highway Administration projects and the seed usedfor the production of Maryland certified turfgrass sod is mixedunder this program. Many county and local governments, schoolsystems, golf courses, recreation departments and professionalseeding contractors also require that the seed they purchase bemixed under this program.Prior to mixing, component seed lots must be officially sampledand tested by the Maryland State Seed Laboratory. Seed lotsthat meet applicable standards are then mixed under the directsupervision of an MDA inspector who insures that the mixer isfree of any contaminants and that only approved seed lots are usedin the mixture. Special tags are sewn onto each bag to verify thatthe seed was mixed under MDA supervision.Turf RegulatoryMaryland’s Turfgrass Law requires that all turfgrass sod, plugs andsprigs be accurately labeled. Due to the overall high quality of sodproduced by Maryland sod growers, staff efforts are usually limitedto responding to complaints which are promptly investigated andresolved. In the majority of cases, the problems are determinedto be due to site preparation and other growing conditions ratherthan the quality or condition of the sod. In these cases, staffmakes recommendations to remedy the situation. The Marylandpublic continues to be able to purchase some of the highest qualitysod available anywhere.Turf CertificationMaryland’s turf certification program is a leader in the nation andhas served as a model for certification programs in other states.Growers must plant varieties recommended by the University ofMaryland based on performance trials conducted in this region.All seed used in this program is tested by the Maryland State SeedLaboratory and mixed under the supervision of MDA inspectors.Many sod specifications require the use of Maryland certifiedturfgrass as a means of assuring the use of high quality turfgrassvarieties that are well adapted to this area.Turf and Seed Activities 2006 – 20082006 2007 2008Field InspectionsAcres in Turf Certification Program 3,433 3,810 7,140Acres of Crop Seed Inspected 11,189 10,726 13,066Supervised MixingPounds of Seed Mixed (thousand) 3,937 2,486 1,446Retail and Wholesale Seed InspectionsNumber of Lots Sampled 856 970 917Number of Regulatory Seed Tests Conducted 2,984 3,221 3,243Seed TestingPurity Service Tests Conducted 2,663 2,969 3,200Germination Service Tests Conducted 4,925 4,646 5,23055

| Office o f Pl a n t In d u s t r i es a n d Pest Ma n a g e m e n t |Forest Pest ManagementThe Forest Pest Management (FPM) Section is responsiblefor minimizing losses due to insect pests and diseasesaffecting Maryland’s valuable forest and landscape treesin rural and urban areas. The FPM Section advises landownersabout the management of forest pests. When there are seriousoutbreaks, as from the gypsy moth, the section will cooperatewith local jurisdictions to manage the infestation. To accomplishthis, monitoring, assessment, control and education measures areadministered through two major programs, Cooperative GypsyMoth Suppression Program and Cooperative Forest HealthProgram. Both are cooperative cost-share programs conductedwith technical and financial assistance from the USDA, ForestService (USFS).The Cooperative Gypsy Moth Suppression Program conductsan integrated pest management (IPM) program to protect forestand shade trees from the continuing threat of defoliation anddamage by the gypsy moth. An effective statewide IPM programfor gypsy moth requires extensive amounts of accurate populationdata that must be collected annually. When survey data indicatethe potential for defoliation that could lead to death or dieback ofhigh value hardwood trees, aerial application of insecticides may beimplemented.The Cooperative Forest Health Program monitors and evaluatesinsects and diseases affecting Maryland forests and conductseducation and training activities. In addition, staff conductsseparate projects to address specific agents or situations that arehaving or may have significant impact on the health of Maryland’sforests. In 2008, staff did specific assessment surveys for hemlockwoolly adelgid (HWA), emerald ash borer, southern pine beetleand others.Cooperative Forest Health ProgramThe Maryland Cooperative Forest Health Program (CFHP)combines two federal cost-share programs: Cooperative ForestHealth and Forest Health Monitoring. The objectives of thesecombined programs are to conduct surveys of major forest pestsin Maryland and to provide technical advice and assistance tomanagers of state and private forests. The CFHP also providestraining on the importance, identification and control of forestpests to various state and local agencies and forestry organizations.SurveysHemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) – The HWA-infested area nowincludes the metropolitan area between Baltimore and Washington56and native stands of hemlock in Harford, Frederick, Washington,Allegany and Garrett counties. As part of a mid-Atlantic, multistatesurvey, MDA monitors 13 plots established in six Marylandcounties to assess the impact of the adelgid on hemlock resources.The condition of hemlock trees in these plots continues todeteriorate with significant dieback and mortality. By the close of2008, the leading edge of this pest was in central Garrett County.Southern pine beetle (SPB) – Since 1989, Maryland hasparticipated in a multi-state SPB survey throughout the southernUnited States using pheromone-baited traps. Trap data indicatedthat SPB numbers would continue to remain low in 2008.Populations have been below outbreak level since 1994. A minoroutbreak of SPB occurred in 2005 in Talbot County (99 acres,22 spots), a first time record for that county, but did not carryover into the next season. Two SPB spots were found in Talbot inNovember of 2008 (eight acres).Emerald ash borer (EAB) – With special funding from the U.S.Forest Service, MDA’s Forest Pest Management Section conducteda survey for emerald ash borer in state parks where Michigancampers had visited by placing trap trees and conducting visualsurveys. No detections were made in 2006, 2007 and 2008 byeither survey method.Pine shoot beetle – In cooperation with the Plant Protectionand Weed Management Section, staff has conducted surveys forthe pine shoot beetle since 1993. Garrett, Allegany, Washington,Fredrick and Montgomery counties are now regulated by a federalquarantine. In 2008, surveys were conducted in 13 counties inWestern, Central, and Northeast Maryland and on the EasternShore.Ramorum blight (sudden oak death) disease – In cooperationwith the USFS and MDA’s Plant Protection and WeedManagement Section, Forest Pest Management conducted asurvey for the organism causing sudden oak death. [See PlantProtection Section report for sudden oak death survey details.]In 2004-2006, the Forest Pest Management Section conducteda U.S. Forest Service-funded nursery perimeter survey aroundthose establishments that received host plant material from asource with infected plants. Landscape and forest trees around 33nurseries and forest sites were surveyed for P. ramorum infectionsin 2006. No infected plants were found in any of the surveys2004-2006. In addition, nine watersheds near two nurseriespositive for P. ramorum infested plants in 2004 were sampled in

| Office o f Pl a n t In d u s t r i es a n d Pest Ma n a g e m e n t |2006 by leaf baits placed in the stream. In 2007 and 2008, 10 andfive watersheds were sampled respectively by stream baiting. NoP. ramorum was found in any of the samples, though numerousrecoveries of other Phytophthora were made.Defoliation and Damage ReportAfter seeing 15,793 acres of gypsy moth defoliation in 2006and 68,460 acres in 2007, the third year of this gypsy mothoutbreak caused only 19,279 acres of defoliation in the statein 14 Maryland jurisdictions. The counties of Allegany andFrederick combined to account for 73 percent of the defoliatedacres. Defoliation rated as heavy accounted for 24 percent of thetotal while moderate defoliation was 76 percent. For comparison,nearby states had the following defoliation; Delaware, 791 acres;Virginia, 112,340 acres; West Virginia, 81,308 acres; New Jersey,339,240 acres; and Pennsylvania, 766,507 acres.Suppression and Management ReportThe hemlock woolly adelgid remains the major threat to thehealth of Eastern hemlock. Infested hemlocks occur in themetropolitan area between Baltimore and Washington and innatural stands from Harford to Garrett counties. The predatorybeetle, Laricobius nigrinus, was recovered from Rocky Gap in thefall of 2005 and 2006. The beetle release site in the Rocky Gapgorge has been declared an established population after recoveriesin 2007. Recoveries have been so numerous that efforts havebegun to establish a field insectary at Rocky Gap with the hopesof harvesting enough L. nigrinus in future years to release in otherareas of the state. The beetles have also been recovered from arelease site at the Fredrick City Watershed. More beetle releaseswere made in 2007 at Rocky Gap, Hagerstown watershed, PrettyBoy Reservoir and Broad Creek Boy Scout Camp. In 2008,additional L. nigrinus releases were made at Rocky Gap, BroadCreek, Savage River State Forest, Frederick City Watershed andPotomac State Forest. Two other predatory beetle species, Scymnussinuanodulus and Sasajiscymnus tsugae were released at severaldifferent sites, with no recoveries made. Through 2008, 2,928trees in priority sites have been soil injected and 461 were trunkinjected with imidacloprid insecticide for control of HWA and anadditional 382 trees were soil injected on property owned by TheNature Conservancy.Cooperative Gypsy Moth Suppression ProgramThe basis for all decision-making for the integrated pestmanagement of gypsy moth in Maryland is timely, accurate pestpopulation data. These data, in the form of annual population57samples and other survey information and observations, arecollected from state-owned land, and forested residential areas.Eighteen counties and Baltimore City were cost share partners inconducting the surveys in 2008. Recently, the FPM Section hasbeen alerted to growing populations in Northeastern, Central andWestern Maryland. The 2007-2008 fall/winter surveys discloseda sudden increase in infestation levels resulting in the prescribedtreatment of 99,222 acres of trees by the Forest Pest ManagementSection in 13 counties across the state, the most since 1995.Despite this, some 19,276 acres of defoliation were seen.Treatment with aerial application of insecticide to suppress gypsymoth caterpillar populations may be proposed on a priority basisto protect high-value forest and shade trees, especially in thoseareas where death and die back of the trees would not be tolerated.One of two insecticides is used - diflubenzuron (Dimilin) orBacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) – and are chosen for their specificityand effectiveness. In 2008, some 78,848 acres (80 percent) weretreated with the B.t. insecticide and some 20,374 acres (20percent) were treated with the Dimilin insecticide.Fifty-two percent of treatments in 2008 were to protect resourceson state-owned land (state forests, state parks, etc.). The largestportion of the 20,692 acres of state land that was treated wasin the Savage River State Forest in Garrett County where theworst part of the outbreak was centered. This marks the seconddistinct outbreak of the gypsy moth since the mid 1990s. Boththe current outbreak and an earlier one starting in 2000 have beencharacterized by a sharp initial increase in populations.Carol Holko with an educational EAB display at a Bowie BaySox game.

| Office o f Pl a n t In d u s t r i es a n d Pest Ma n a g e m e n t |Maryland Cooperative Gypsy Moth Suppression Program 1999 – 2008NOTE: In 2005, no gypsy moth suppression was conducted.2008TotalAcres2007TotalAcres2006TotalAcres2004TotalAcres2003TotalAcres2002TotalAcres2001TotalAcres2000TotalAcres1999TotalAcresAllegany 12,136 2,295 2,001 0 0 3,941 18,979 2,344 0Anne Arundel 878 3,781 0 93 1,821 4,845 3,381 166 0Baltimore 3,372 3,138 0 0 388 1,041 1,050 251 0Baltimore City 193 709 0 0 0 135 0 0 0Calvert 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Caroline 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Carroll 1,698 921 541 0 29 272 220 313 0Cecil 5,927 3,220 2,941 567 5,644 13,114 2,971 0 0Charles 0 0 0 0 879 3,809 1,517 362 0Dorchester 0 0 0 0 1,198 1,148 156 416 521Frederick 19,094 10,197 1,848 0 968 4,331 9,172 5,638 3,150Garrett 32,257 16,340 14,188 0 0 0 429 0 0Harford 2,898 1,134 870 0 0 0 0 0 0Howard 1,465 813 216 0 159 255 149 0 0Kent 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Montgomery 1,205 445 0 0 1,273 413 2,112 640 26Prince George’s 0 0 0 0 0 505 499 512 0Queen Anne’s 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Somerset 0 0 0 0 0 52 0 0 219St. Mary’s 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 56 0Talbot 38 0 0 0 1,289 0 0 120 0Washington 17,662 7,180 2,851 0 115 5,204 7,953 5,853 2,390Wicomico 0 0 0 0 290 69 0 300 0Worcester 399 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0State Totals 99,222 50,173 25,456 660 14,053 39,134 48,588 16,971 6,30658

| Office o f Pl a n t In d u s t r i es a n d Pest Ma n a g e m e n t |Defoliation by Gypsy Moth 1999 – 2008NOTE: There was no gypsy moth defoliation detected in 2004 or 2005.2008TotalAcres2007TotalAcres2006TotalAcres2003TotalAcres2002TotalAcres2001TotalAcres2000TotalAcres1999TotalAcresAllegany 5,905 6,575 0 0 0 25,194 8,913 0Anne Arundel 310 8 0 0 203 527 2 0Baltimore 413 549 57 0 27 9 104 29Baltimore City 0 12 0 0 0 0 0 0Calvert 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Caroline 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Carroll 10 67 4 0 0 10 2 0Cecil 190 683 2 0 1,161 49 734 11Charles 15 0 0 0 346 0 0 0Dorchester 0 0 0 112 7,055 12,150 4,698 1,101Frederick 8,204 5,578 244 0 1,156 799 2,402 32Garrett 1,793 45,524 15,422 0 0 0 0 0Harford 180 341 16 0 0 0 0 0Howard 165 114 14 0 0 4 13 0Kent 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0Montgomery 55 46 0 0 755 116 272 0Prince George’s 0 6 0 0 50 98 2 0Queen Anne’s 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Somerset 0 0 0 0 536 663 0 0St. Mary’s 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1Talbot 184 19 0 0 6 24 0 0Washington 1,855 8,938 34 0 507 5,079 6,089 23Wicomico 0 0 0 0 1,937 1,459 0 0Worcester 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0State Totals 19,279 68,460 15,793 112 13,739 46,183 23,231 1,19759

| Office o f Pl a n t In d u s t r i es a n d Pest Ma n a g e m e n t |Mosquito ControlDuring 2008, the Maryland Department of Agricultureand cooperating local agencies provided mosquitocontrol services to 2,006 communities with anestimated population of 1.32 million residents in 22 counties.The increase in community participation from 1,974 in 2007was a result of the increasing problem with the tiger mosquitoinfestations, particularly in the central region. The tiger mosquitois affected less by drought conditions than other species and, basedon landing rate counts and public complaints, this species has yetto reach its full distribution. This species is exclusively a containerbreeder, primarily found in the urban and suburban environmentwhere it lives in close association with people. Containers of alltypes, from flower pots to tire casings, discarded cans and bottles,plastic tarps and boat bilges serve as breeding locations. A verysmall amount of rain or irrigation provides sufficient water forthis species to prosper. There is evidence that drier than normalconditions are beneficial to tiger mosquito breeding successbecause abundant rainfall fills breeding containers causing them tooverflow, which flushes tiger mosquito larvae to the ground wherethey quickly die. The large number of tiger mosquitoes fromJuly through October continues to be the principal reason for theincrease in community participation in Anne Arundel County.By most measures, the mosquito population in Maryland during2008 was below normal. In fact, 2008 was the fifth consecutiveyear of mosquito populations below the long-term average. Thistrend is the result of drought conditions and tides which causeda decrease in production of both fresh and salt flood-watermosquito species. Seasonal patterns of rainfall did affect mosquitoproduction. Frequent rainfall during May and June resultedin higher than usual numbers of fresh flood-water mosquitoes,particularly in the central region. Mosquito populations inWestern Maryland were below normal levels through the season.Salt marsh mosquitoes (Ochlerotatus sollicitans and Ochlerotatustaeniorhynchus) were below 2007 levels. The 204,159 acressprayed by aircraft in 2008 to control salt marsh mosquitoes was25 percent below the 273,880 acres sprayed in 2007 but only 4percent below the seven year average.Pesticide use and the number of acres treated with insecticides byground equipment and aircraft were down in 2008 by 4 percentfrom the 2007 level. The number of acres treated to control adultmosquitoes remained consistent in 2008 and 2007 – 1,635,363and 1,686,726 acres, respectively. The 14,800 acres treated tocontrol mosquito larvae was significantly lower than in previousyears primarily due to a decrease in the production of salt marshmosquitoes. Acreage sprayed to control salt marsh mosquitoeson the Lower Eastern Shore was on average 22 percent below2007. In contrast, the number of acres sprayed in the centralregion, particularly in Anne Arundel and Kent counties, increasedsignificantly. Mosquito control work in the central regiondecreased dramatically in 2007 due, in part, to a season-longvacancy in the entomologist staff. This position was filled andas a result surveillance and spraying in Carroll, Frederick andWashington counties increased by 100 percent in 2008.The community participation level in Anne Arundel County rosefor the second consecutive year in 2008 and spraying increased by92 percent over 2007. Kent County had the largest increase inspraying in 2008. Improved manpower led to more surveillanceand spraying, particularly for tiger mosquitoes in urbanenvironments.The stocking of stormwater management ponds with mosquitofish increased for the second consecutive year in 2008 andincreased by 42 percent over the seven year average. The increaseis due to the aquaculture pond established at the Salisbury office in2006.Wetlands management as a source reduction technique ofmosquito control continued to make progress in 2008. Permitsfrom federal and state agencies remain difficult to obtain. Sourcereduction techniques were applied to 876 acres of wetlands,exceeding the seven year average of 501 acres by 75 percent.Public education efforts continue to teach residents how toeliminate mosquito breeding sites in communities, primarily bydraining or removing containers. In 2008, mosquito control staffparticipated in 10 community meetings, four school events andfour workshops. Educational materials were distributed door-todoorin seven communities.Private land owners and a representative of the MarylandOrnithological Society requested to have the Rumbly Point Marshexcluded from the larviciding program. This Somerset Countymarsh contains about 780 acres of high salt marsh, an extremelyprolific source of salt marsh mosquitoes. Low levels of tidal andnon-tidal activity caused a decrease in breeding in 2008. Thismarsh has a 50 year documented history of breeding. Suspending60

| Office o f Pl a n t In d u s t r i es a n d Pest Ma n a g e m e n t |larviciding on this marsh will eventually affect the surroundingcountryside and towns and will require increased spraying of adultmosquitoes.Our ability to maintain services on the Eastern Shore washampered by the sudden resignation of an experienced andproficient employee assigned to Talbot County. Filling thisposition will be critical to maintaining service in Talbot Countyand in the region as it may be necessary to redistribute existingresources to close the gap. During 2008, three mosquito controlvacancies existed. One was filled, which allowed for restoredservices in the central region. Of the other vacancies, one waseliminated in budget adjustments and the other was closed by thegeneral freeze on hiring. These positions are critical to maintainingcounty programs. It may become necessary to fill these positionswith unbudgeted contractual employees, which will affect allparticipating counties through reductions in state allocations orpossible elimination of entire programs.Mosquito-borne Disease SurveillanceThe Maryland Department of Agriculture and the MarylandDepartment of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) completedtheir eighth year of a cooperative effort to monitor the occurrenceand distribution of mosquito-borne pathogenic viruses throughoutthe state. A total of 30,952 mosquitoes was collected and dividedinto 3,286 pools by mosquito control staff and analyzed forviruses by the DHMH Laboratory. Sixteen mosquito collectionswere positive for pathogenic virus. Of that total, 12 pools testedpositive for West Nile virus (WNV) from three jurisdictions:Baltimore County(1), Montgomery County(7) and PrinceGeorge’s County(4). An additional four mosquito collectionstested positive for eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) from thePatuxent Wildlife Research Center in Anne Arundel County. Inaddition to the 12 WNV positive mosquito pools collected byMDA, 11 pools, all collected in Montgomery County, testedpositive for WNV through the Department of Defense arbovirussurveillance program.The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene documented 14cases of WNV illness in Maryland residents during 2008 in sixjurisdictions: Baltimore City(3), Baltimore County(2), FrederickCounty(1), Harford County(3), Montgomery County(4), andQueen Anne’s County(1).Interactions with Other AgenciesThe cooperative effort between MDA and DHMH formosquito-borne disease surveillance is of great benefit to publichealth. DHMH administers a federal grant for mosquito-bornedisease surveillance and provides funds to MDA for collection,identification and preparation of mosquito samples for virusdetection. Unfortunately, the level of federal funding for this workhas been greatly decreased during the past four years and currentlypays for only 10 percent of the actual costs incurred by MDA.Cooperative activities are planned with the Maryland Departmentof Natural Resources, the Maryland Department of theEnvironment, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the ArmyCorps of Engineers to restore marshes on the Eastern Shore.These projects will attempt to restore natural hydrology andwildlife value of wetlands adversely impacted by past, ill-advisedmanagement efforts. Mosquito Control staff and equipmentwas used to restore 205 acres of tidal wetland on the Deal IslandWildlife Management Area in Somerset County.The Maryland Department of General Services (DGS) is anessential partner for the Mosquito Control Program. DGSarranges contracts for insecticide purchases and major equipmentrequisitions.61

| Office o f Pl a n t In d u s t r i es a n d Pest Ma n a g e m e n t |Mosquito Control Activity Summary2005 2006 2007 2008Communities Participating in Mosquito Control Program 2,104 2,106 1,974 2,006Number of Light Trap Nights 3,333 3,762 3,539 2,711Percent of Light Trap Nights Below Threshold 63 65 68 68Number of Landing Rate Counts Performed 18,971 20,756 25,861 22,672Percent of Landing Rate Counts Below Action Threshold 68 66 71 49Number of Public Service Requests 3,324 4,636 2,879 2,743Number of Mosquitofish Stocked 16,138 3,737 14,251 19,756Acres Managed by Open Marsh Water Management 812 493 302 876Acres Treated with Insecticide 1,701,685 1,431,127 1,716,510 1,650,163Acres Treated for Mosquito Larvae 15,095 24,880 29,784 14,800Acres Treated for Adult Mosquitoes 1,686,590 1,406,247 1,686,726 1,635,363Acres Treated by Aircraft 81,631 220,038 273,880 204,159Acres Treated by Ground Equipment 1,620,054 1,186,209 1,442,630 1,446,004Number of Mosquitoes Tested for Arboviruses 74,930 51,289 21,024 30,952Number of Human Cases of Arbovirus Statewide 5 11 10 14Number of Human Cases of Arbovirus inAreas with Mosquito Control0 3 0 1Number of Cases of Arbovirus in Domestic Animals 0 0 0 2Number of Mosquito Pools Positive for Arbovirus 24 9 6 16**Department of Defense collected an additional 11 positive pools at military reservations in Montgomery County, Maryland.62

| Office o f Pl a n t In d u s t r i es a n d Pest Ma n a g e m e n t |Number of Human Cases of West Nile Virus Illness in Maryland, 2001 – 20082001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 TOTALAllegany 0Anne Arundel 8 7 2 2 19Baltimore City 3 5 14 4 2 6 3 37Baltimore Co. 3 1 17 3 1 3 2 2 32Calvert 1 1Caroline 1 1 2Carroll 2 2Cecil 0Charles 1 1 2Dorchester 2 2Frederick 5 3 1 9Garrett 0Harford 2 2 3 7Howard 3 1 1 5Kent 0Montgomery 7 10 1 4 22Prince George’s 7 4 3 1 1 1 17Queen Anne’s 5 1 6St. Mary’s 1 1Somerset 0Talbot 0Washington 1 4 1 6Wicomico 0Worcester 1 1Statewide 6 (3*) 36 (7) 73 (9) 16 5 11 10 14 170 (19)*Number of fatalities in parentheses63

| Office o f Pl a n t In d u s t r i es a n d Pest Ma n a g e m e n t |Number of Communities Participating in Mosquito ControlDuring 2007 – 2008County 2007 2008# of Communities % ChangeAllegany 6 2 -66.7Anne Arundel 206 242 +17.5Baltimore City 1 1 0Baltimore County 329 329 0Calvert 69 67 -2.9Caroline 8 8 0Carroll 3 3 0Cecil 43 42 -2.3Charles 92 97 +5.4Dorchester 136 127 -6.6Frederick 9 19 +111Garrett 0 0 0Harford 42 46 +9.5Howard 7 9 +28.6Kent 38 38 0Montgomery 24 22 -8.3Prince George’s 302 302 0Queen Anne’s 22 20 -9.1St. Mary’s 110 111 +.9Somerset 121 125 +3.3Talbot 108 110 +1.9Washington 7 4 -42.9Wicomico 161 152 -5.6Worcester 130 130 0TOTAL 1,974 2,006 +1.664

| Office o f Pl a n t In d u s t r i es a n d Pest Ma n a g e m e n t |Cumulative Acres Treated with Insecticides for Mosquito Controlby County During 2007 – 2008Acres SprayedCounty 2007 2008% ChangeAllegany 0 3.44 +100Anne Arundel 51,642 98,936.56 +91.6Baltimore City 0.10 0 -100Baltimore County 88,898 87,619.5 -1.4Calvert 83,517 103,634 +24Caroline 41,249 45,119.1 +9.4Carroll 0.10 263.24 +100Cecil 69,927 56,011.5 -19.9Charles 87,364 68,628.19 -21.4Dorchester 305,719 283,717.43 -7.2Frederick 2.60 1,202.74 +100Garrett 0 0 0Harford 12,247 12,348.9 +.8Howard 1.80 2.94 +63.3Kent 9,488 36,412.13 +283.8Montgomery 6.80 7.66 +12.6Prince George’s 3,643 8,187.4 +124.7Queen Anne’s 102,818 100,018.8 -2.7St. Mary’s 108,019 102,591.49 -5Somerset 198,971 143,676 -27.8Talbot 138,016 209,543 +51.8Washington 0.03 268.72 +100Wicomico 213,467 202,425 -5.2Worcester 201,513 89,545.13 -55.6TOTAL 1,716,509 1,650,163 -3.965

| Office o f Pl a n t In d u s t r i es a n d Pest Ma n a g e m e n t |State Chemist SectionThe State Chemist Section regulates the sale anddistribution of pesticides, feeds, pet foods, fertilizers,compost, soil conditioners and agricultural limingmaterials in order to enhance and promote agriculturalproduction, protect consumers and the environment from unsafeproducts, ensure the sale of effective products and provide theregulated industry with a competitive marketplace. Regulationis accomplished by product registration, laboratory analysis,inspection, voluntary compliance and enforcement actions such asstop sale orders. The section is totally fee-supported.Registration of ProductsPesticide products, commercial feeds, fertilizers, fertilizer/pesticides, liming materials, and soil conditioners are registeredfor sale or distribution only after careful review of the label todetermine the material’s nature, proposed uses and potentialadverse impacts on agriculture, the environment, the generalpublic, and the regulated industry. During 2008, the sectionregistered 11,983 pesticide products; 3,778 fertilizers; 596 soilconditioners; 779 fertilizer/pesticide combinations; 181 limingmaterials and 14,555 commercial feeds. See Table 1 for details andcomparisons to product registrations of prior years.InspectionField inspectors routinely sample products that are randomlyselected at retail outlets, distribution centers, warehouses, andformulating facilities. These inspections enable the sectionto maintain efficient regulatory control that ensures the sale,distribution and use of effective products that are safe for theconsumer and the environment, when used in accordancewith approved label instructions. The inspectors sample arepresentative cross section of products for chemical analysis andobtain reliable data on the distribution, formulation and sale ofthese commodities. This enables the section to stop the sale ordistribution of ineffective products or those that are harmful tohumans, animals or the environment because of unacceptablelevels of pesticides, plant nutrients, trace elements and/or toxicmaterials. In 2008, section inspectors performed approximately1,147 on-site inspections. See Table 2 for additional details.Laboratory Analyses/InvestigationsThe Maryland Department of Agriculture’s state-of–thesciencelaboratory is staffed with chemists who have expertiseand experience in the use of highly sophisticated computercontrolled instruments used for the analysis of agriculturalchemicals and toxic contaminants in commercial products, cropsand environmental samples such as water, soil, fish, etc. Thelaboratory staff provides reliable scientific data that are used toassist farmers and to initiate or support regulatory actions againstviolative products or violators of state and federal agricultural andenvironmental laws. The laboratory has also provided support tothe state departments of the Environment and Natural Resources,to the federal Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U. S.Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).Homeland Security - Food Emergency ResponseNetwork (FERN) for ChemistryMDA’s State Chemist Section’s laboratory is the primary FoodEmergency Response Network (FERN) chemistry laboratory forthe State of Maryland. It is an essential part of a national federalstatenetwork that is expected to be ready for a quick response toa chemical terrorist attack on state and/or national human andanimal food supplies. In the event of such an attack, the section’slaboratory staff would be expected to provide rapid and accurateanalysis of food, feed, crops and water samples to determine ifsuch items would be embargoed or released for human and animalconsumption. The laboratory is an active participant in a federal/state laboratory proficiency program for the analysis of highly toxicmaterials in food and water.EnforcementAny regulated product determined to be ineffective, misbrandedor deleterious to the public, agriculture, or the environment isremoved from the market place. Determination for productremoval is based on inspection, laboratory analysis of officialsamples, information received from federal or state regulatoryagencies, products offered for sale but not registered for use ordistribution in Maryland, and review of labels or other materialssubmitted by companies to support product registration. SeeTable 2 and Table 3 for details relating to stop sale orders.Human and Animal Health ActivitiesToxic “Home Made Stew”The Department’s State Chemist Section received a call from thedepartment of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) requestingassistance in determining the presence of any toxic material inhomemade stew consumed by Montgomery County residentswho were in a critical comatose condition at a local hospital. TheState Chemist laboratory was the only government laboratory thatwas capable of performing the analysis. Four hours after receiving66

| Office o f Pl a n t In d u s t r i es a n d Pest Ma n a g e m e n t |the stew sample on the morning of July 10, laboratory personnelidentified the presence of significant amounts of alkaloid toxins(Atropine, Scopalamine, alpha Solanine and alpha Chaconine)- components of Jimson weed and green potatoes. The resultswere immediately reported to the Montgomery County HealthDepartment and were reported in the news media.Stop Sale Order of Products Containing CamphorIn order to ensure that a potentially hazardous product wasremoved from the market place, the State Chemist Section placeda stop sale order on an unregistered pesticide product whichwas improperly labeled and packaged in a manner that could bemistaken for mints intended for human consumption. Analysisof the pesticide by laboratory scientists indicated that the materialcontained significant amounts of camphor. The New YorkCity Department of Health and Mental Hygiene reported threeconfirmed illnesses involving children having seizures associatedwith similar type products. Camphor is absorbed through theskin as well as through inhalation and ingestion. It can causesymptoms ranging from nausea to seizures and death.East Coast Recall of a Well-Known Animal Feed ProductAn East Coast recall involving regulatory officials in Maryland,Pennsylvania and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)was a result of an MDA routine inspection sample and laboratoryanalysis that revealed the potential widespread distribution of ananimal feed product containing significant levels of the mycotoxinAflatoxin. The agency quickly issued a stop sale order. MDAtraced the contaminated product to a Purina feed mill in CampHill, PA and a Cooperative Milling facility in Gettysburg,PA. The Pennsylvania Bureau of Plant Industry was alertedand it immediately launched an investigation of the mills. ThePennsylvania authorities promptly referred the problem to theFDA. Further investigation by the FDA led to an East Coast recallof the feed.Pesticide Cross-Contamination of Snap Bean FieldIn July, a major agricultural chemical company informed MDA’sState Chemist quality assurance officer of its concern aboutpossible pesticide cross-contamination of a large Eastern Shorefield of snap beans ready for processing. The company hadinadvertently sold a number of containers of a cross-contaminatedpesticide which had been applied to the bean field by the farmer.After several telephone calls between State Chemist Section, EPAHeadquarters/Region III and FDA regulatory officials it wasdetermined that there was no protocol for this situation. Thefarmer and the food processor needed to harvest the productwithin 10 days but would not proceed without MDA and FDAassurances that the processed beans would be acceptable for humanconsumption. The MDA coordinated the activities between fivefederal offices, a Maryland farmer, a Maryland food processor, andthe pesticide manufacturer/registrant. After seven days of scientificand regulatory documentation, the snap beans were deemed safefor human consumption and were processed and distributed.MilkThe State Chemist laboratory staff continues to closely workwith DHMH and MDA’s Animal Health office to monitor forthe presence of lead in raw milk. The State Chemist Sectionis uniquely capable of providing laboratory support for such aproject because it has the expertise and the necessary sophisticatedinstrumentation to detect and quantify exceptionally lowconcentrations of heavy metals in many different matrices. Table 4is a compilation of laboratory analyses.Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE-Mad Cow Disease)The section continued an inspection program in conjunction withFDA that began in 1999 to determine if feed mills, retail andwholesale distributors, haulers and grain storage facilities withinMaryland comply with U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)regulations pertaining to the prevention of bovine spongiformencephalopathy (BSE), also known as mad cow disease. Feedmills and/or feed distributors are issued stop sale orders forproducts determined to be out of compliance with state and FDAregulations.In 2008, the State Chemist Section completed 100 BSEinspections and collected 100 samples from 35 feed mills, variousretail and wholesale distributors, grain haulers/storage facilities andpet food manufacturers. All facilities that were inspected duringthe contract period were found to be in compliance with the FDAregulations pertaining to BSE.All samples were analyzed by PCR (polymerase chain reaction)to determine the presence of bovine tissue via DNA replication.Four samples contained bovine tissue - the results were reported toFDA.The threat of terrorist activities has resulted in additional emphasison inspection activities that go beyond the protocols established67

| Office o f Pl a n t In d u s t r i es a n d Pest Ma n a g e m e n t |by the FDA. Section inspectors distributed handouts that listspecific precautions that farmers, retailers, distributors andwarehouses should follow to help ensure that ruminant animalfeed manufactured or distributed in Maryland does not containingredients that may transmit BSE. The inspectors have beeninstructed to personally emphasize to mill workers, distributors,and others the need to read, understand and follow the specificprecautions that appear on the warning handouts.The economic havoc that would ensue from animal feedcontaining BSE-transmissible ingredients inadvertently ordeliberately fed to the ruminant farm animal populations could beruinous to the beef industry and allied businesses such as fast foodcompanies, food stores, and restaurants. Beyond the economicconsiderations, public health concerns would be even greaterbecause ingestion by humans of BSE-contaminated meat couldresult in incurable fatal brain cell degeneration.Anti-terrorism and Homeland Security IssuesBecause of the nature of the duties and capabilities of the section,many of the activities reported elsewhere in this document havehomeland security implications. Specific mention has been madeof the section’s BSE and FERN activities. In addition, the sectioncooperates with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene,Laboratories Administration, the State Police, the MarylandDepartment of the Environment and all of the local healthdepartments through its position on the Laboratory EmergencyPreparedness Advisory Committee.As noted above, the section has inspectors routinely inspectingestablishments distributing fertilizer. A part of the inspectionprotocol involves reviewing the measures that the establishmentuses to assure that fertilizer ingredients are not diverted to illegaluses. Protocols that are recommended at these inspections arethose that have been developed in cooperation with the federalgovernment, other states and industry groups.USDA - Pesticide Data Program (PDP)Since 1997, the USDA has contracted with the section to samplevarious food items from principal distribution centers in thestate. These samples consist of such diverse items as pineapples,potatoes, processed food, processed fruit juices, produce, milk, andpeanut butter which are analyzed by federal and state laboratoriesfor several hundred different pesticides. In concert with theEPA-Food Safety program, the data will be used to establish newpesticide food tolerances with added emphasis on the diet ofinfants and children. See Table 2 for details.USDA - Microbiological Data Program (MDP)Since 2001, the section has contracted with the USDA to samplevarious produce items from principal food distribution centersfor analysis to determine the presence of specific pathogensrelative to a national health concern about food-borne bacteria.Raw agricultural food commodities were collected by sectioninspectors to be analyzed for E.coli, Salmonella sp. and Listeriamonocytogenes. These analyses are being conducted by variousfederal and state contract microbiological laboratories. See Table 2for details.Food Safety Survey of Maryland ProduceIn 2008, the section collected from roadside vegetable/fruit stands64 random samples of Maryland grown produce which were thentested for 400 different pesticides. The data will be sent to EPAand USDA for incorporation into national data banks.Drugs and Additives in Livestock FeedIn order to help ensure the safe and effective use of drugs inlivestock feed, the section has expanded its feed analysis program.Any feed products containing drugs that do not meet the federalrequirements relative to use and formulation are removed fromthe market place. Removal of violative products not only protectsfarm livestock but also provides protection to the public againstexposure to drug resistant bacteria. In 2008, the section analyzed132 samples of feed for 81 different drugs and 51 feeds forphytase. Distributors and registrants of defective feed productswere notified and either stop sale orders or warnings of potentialregulatory action were issued to remove unacceptable productsfrom the marketplace. In addition to monitoring animal feed fordrugs and phytase, the section randomly samples and screens theingredients that are used in the production of feed for pesticidesand heavy metals.Commercial Compost Inspection and Certification ProgramTwo-thousand and eight was a difficult year for the Marylandcompost industry. Two large sites, Chesterfield Farms in AnneArundel County and Bay Organics in Dorchester County, wereclosed by the Maryland Department of the Environment becauseof ongoing air and water pollution issues. This represented theresolution of problems predating the Compost Facility CertifiedOperator program. Despite this, the industry sold approximately68

| Office o f Pl a n t In d u s t r i es a n d Pest Ma n a g e m e n t |150,000 tons of compost to homeowners and agriculturalestablishments, including lawn care companies.The section took part in the following interagency initiatives toeliminate or minimize adverse impacts on the Chesapeake Bay andthe rest of the environment:• A preliminary review of the operational plans of a corporationpreparing to process a large amount of organic waste fromboth the poultry and seafood industries on the Eastern Shore.This review involved personnel from MDA’s State ChemistSection and Nutrient Management Program as well as theAir, Water, and Solid Waste divisions of the Department ofthe Environment and representatives from the companies.The company is now working to incorporate the suggestionsmade during the review process and expects to present finaldocuments soon.• A compost training program for potential compost facilities.The intent is to help avoid the pollution and odor issues thathave plagued outdoor composting operations nationwide.• A training program for farmers interested in on-farmcomposting of food waste.• A workshop on the state fertilizer law and regulations atthe Better Compost School. As a result of the session, fivemembers of the class were among the seven persons who tookthe examination in December.The section administered the certified operator examination onDecember 15 to seven applicants and received inquiries from fiveothers. Five of the seven examinees passed and are now CompostFacility Certified Operators. This brings the total number of pastand present holders to 56. An additional administration of theexamination is to be scheduled in the early spring of 2009.Table 1. Product Registration and Enforcement Actions2006 2007 2008Product RegistrationPesticides 11,208 10,721 11,983Fertilizers 3,383 3,483 3,778Soil Conditioners 494 555 596Fertilizer/Pesticide Combinations 550 689 779Liming Materials 145 162 181Feeds 12,515 13,209 14,555TOTAL 28,295 28,819 31,872Number of Companies with Registered Products 2,503 3,034Registrants 2,086 2,559EnforcementNon-Registered Notices 227 757 495Stop Sale Orders 167 217 19569

| Office o f Pl a n t In d u s t r i es a n d Pest Ma n a g e m e n t |Table 2. Inspection Program2008Inspections (Feed, Fertilizer, Pesticides,Compost, etc.)Plants, warehouses, retailers, etc. 1,147Inspections for BSE (mad cow disease) 100Pesticide and microbiological data sites334visited (USDA/MDA)Pesticide and microbiological samples696collected (USDA/MDA)Food Safety Program Samples Collected(farmer’s market, roadside stands, etc.) 64Composting sites 2Samples Obtained for Chemical AnalysesPesticide formulations (farms, homes,320disinfectants)Fertilizers, soil conditioners, etc. 480Fertilizer/pesticide combinations 36Liming materials 42Feeds (livestock, pet food) 1,080Raw milk 12Non-Registered Product Stop SalesPesticides 16Fertilizers 13Feeds 166Table 3. Regulatory ActionsSample Tracking Stop Sales2008DeficienciesPesticides 6Fertilizers 127Feeds 40Over-FormulationsPesticides 0Fertilizers 9Feeds 9Label Violations 9WarningsDeficienciesPesticides 0Fertilizers 4Feeds 20Over-FormulationsFertilizers 9Feeds 9Products Not Registered Broughtinto CompliancePesticides 42Fertilizers 39Soil conditioners 16Fertilizer/pesticide combinations 6Liming materials 5Feeds 341TOTAL 44970

| Office o f Pl a n t In d u s t r i es a n d Pest Ma n a g e m e n t |Table 4. Samples Collected and Analyzed – 2008SamplesCollectedTotal Numberof ChemicalAnalysesPesticide Formulation Analysis 193 772Fertilizers (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, micro-nutrients) 538 4,196Agricultural Liming Materials 51 196Feeds and Pet Foods (protein, drugs, phytase, etc.) 1,046 13,025Broiler Feed for Phytase 45 90Livestock Feed for Drugs and Additives 132 616Ruminant Tissue Analysis of Feed 151 182Toxic Metal Analysis of Feeds, Fertilizers and Liming Material 87 1,305Melamine & Related Compounds - Public Complaints 6 13State Chemist Feed & Pet Food Inspection Samples 42 56Aflatoxin in State Chemist Inspection Samples 398 464Milk Samples for Lead Analysis 12 36Food Safety of Maryland Produce & Fruit (not processed - in storage) 64 23,393Animal Health Samples 3 4Plant Protection Soil Samples 0 0Service Samples for Farmers, Veterinarians, etc. 13 156National & International Quality Assurance Samples 55 2,250EPA Samples (pesticide misuse investigations, market place product monitoring) 49 49071

| Office o f Pl a n t In d u s t r i es a n d Pest Ma n a g e m e n t |Pesticide Regulation SectionThe Pesticide Regulation Section is responsible forregulating the use, sale, storage and disposal of pesticides.The primary functions of the section are to enforce stateand federal pesticide use laws and regulations and to ensure thatpesticides are applied properly by competent individuals so thatpotential adverse effects to human health and the environment areprevented. The Pesticide Regulation Section contains five majorprograms: (1) Pesticide Applicator Certification and Training; (2)Pesticide Use Inspection and Enforcement; (3) Pesticide TechnicalInformation Collection and Dissemination; (4) Integrated PestManagement in Schools and on School Grounds;and (5) Special Programs.Pesticide Applicator Certification and TrainingTwo types of pesticide applicators are certified by the PesticideRegulation Section-private and commercial. Private applicatorsare farmers and other individuals applying restricted-use pesticidesto their own land or rented land for the purpose of producingagricultural commodities. Commercial applicators apply generaluse and restricted use pesticides as employees of licensed pestcontrol businesses or public agencies.A total of 84 private applicators was certified in 2008 for a threeyearperiod after passing a closed book examination administeredby section personnel during exam sessions. One thousand sixhundred nineteen (1,619) private applicators renewed theircertificates by attending recertification training. Currently, thereare 3,434 certified private applicators. Section staff approved andmonitored 109 private applicator recertification training sessionsthat the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension, MDA, orthe pesticide industry conducted.A total of 445 new commercial pest control applicators andconsultants were certified in one or more of the 13 categoriesof pest control by satisfying minimum experience or educationrequirements and by passing written certification exams. Thesection certified 1,054 public agency applicators in 2008, bringingthe total number of certified commercial applicators to 4,167.Staff processed 982 applications for certification in 2008 and held18 exam sessions during which 2,463 exams were administered to982 applicants. Once certified, commercial applicators are requiredto participate in at least one update training session approved bythe department each year in order to renew their certificates. Threehundred nine (309) recertification training sessions for commercialpesticide applicators were approved and monitored by this sectionand were conducted by the pesticide industry, the University ofMaryland Cooperative Extension, or the department. By attendingrecertification training, 4,219 applicators were recertified in 2008.During 2008, the section licensed 1,631 businesses to applypesticides and to perform pest control services. Three hundredtwenty-one (321) public agency permits were issued togovernmental agencies that apply pesticides. Forty-seven (47) pestcontrol consultant licenses were issued. A total of 2,850 registeredemployee identification cards were issued during 2008. Thedepartment currently has 13,981 employees of pesticide businessesand public agencies registered to apply pesticides under thesupervision of certified applicators. A total of 141 dealer permitswere issued to businesses that sell restricted use pesticides.Pesticide Use Inspection and EnforcementBesides enforcing state pesticide laws, MDA enforces federalpesticide laws under a Cooperative Enforcement Agreementwith the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Routineinspection activities are conducted throughout the year andinclude use observations and inspections of businesses, publicagencies, dealers, market places and producer establishments.Consumer complaint and pesticide misuse investigations also areconducted by the staff.In 2008, 975 routine business inspections were performed, duringwhich 363 businesses were cited for violations of the PesticideApplicators Law and Regulations. Seventy-seven (77) pesticidedealer inspections were conducted to ensure that restricted usepesticides were sold only to certified applicators. Eighty-six (86)use observations were conducted, during which pest inspectionsand pesticide applications performed by commercial and privateapplicators were observed by section personnel. A total of 54consumer complaints were investigated. Under the federalcooperative agreement, 28 pesticide producer establishment and42 market place inspections were conducted. Other enforcementactions taken during 2008 included the assessment of 29 civilpenalties totaling $12,840.Pesticide Technical Information Collection andDisseminationThe section developed and printed new training manuals onRodent Control and Public Health and also modified EPA’sNational Core Manual to include a chapter on Maryland’s lawsand regulations.72

| Office o f Pl a n t In d u s t r i es a n d Pest Ma n a g e m e n t |A listing of pesticide sensitive individuals was first compiled in1989. During 2008, this section registered 159 individuals. Theseindividuals receive advance notification of pesticide applicationsmade to adjacent properties by commercial ornamental plant andturf pest control businesses and public agencies. A mailing wassent to all commercial companies and public agencies licensed orpermitted in the ornamental plant and turf pest control category.Searchable databases of registered pesticide products, licensedpesticide businesses, commercial and private applicators andpesticide dealers continue to be posted on the MDA’s web site.These databases provide information to applicators and thepublic about pesticides that may legally be sold, distributed,or used in Maryland and the names and addresses of licensedpesticide businesses. Pesticide dealers can check the certificationstatus of pesticide applicators prior to selling them restricted usepesticides. This database is linked to EPA’s registration databaseso that information on each pesticide product queried, such asthe EPA registration number, pest controlled, site of application,formulation, active ingredient, and the brand name, can beobtained.Integrated Pest Management in SchoolsThe section continues to promote and support implementationof the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program in PublicSchools. Regulations that require schools to develop andimplement notification and IPM plans for indoor pest controlbecame effective in 1999, and regulations for notification andIPM plans for school grounds became effective in 2002. Staffprovided technical assistance in the development of the plansand distribution of information on potential adverse effects ofpesticides applied. The section has made improvements to thedepartment’s IPM In-Schools website including a FrequentlyAsked Questions page, a listing of the School Systems Contacts,links to both the Law and Regulations, a form for filing complaintsor tips regarding compliance issues.Special ProgramsDuring 2008, the section offered the recycling program for emptyplastic pesticide containers to growers and commercial pesticideapplicators at 18 locations. Collection centers were maintained innine counties (Caroline, Frederick, Harford, Kent, Prince George’s,Talbot, Washington and Wicomico) with the assistance of countygovernment agencies. A total of 28 collection days were held fromJune through September. In addition, 12 pesticide dealers/customapplicators participated in inspection and collection of containersat their own facilities. A total of 40,000 containers, weighingnearly 17 tons, were collected from 124 participants, of which28 were first time participants. The containers were processed fortransporting to a plastic recycling facility.The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Pesticide RegulationSection staff continued to offer outreach and compliance assistanceto growers and pesticide dealers under the Worker ProtectionProgram. The Worker Protection Standard (WPS) was establishedto minimize occupational exposure to agricultural pesticides. TheWPS requires agricultural workers, who might be exposed topesticides, to receive training on pesticide safety.Brochures on the Worker Protection Standard have been producedand widely distributed to the regulated community. To aid withon-farm compliance, the section has developed a pocket-sizedWPS Compliance Evaluation Checklist, which is available to all ofthe WPS regulated community. The section also contracted withTelamon Corporation to provide pesticide safety training to farmworkers. In 2008, Telamon members provided training to 577farm workers and 14 non-farm workers (health care providers).Telamon also provided pesticide safety and awareness training to45 children of farm workers, from pre-K through eighth grade.The section, in cooperation with the Maryland Departmentof the Environment, the University of Maryland CooperativeExtension and various agricultural organizations, offered anMDA Entomologist Rob Hofstetter (right) and Supervising Inspector Ellis Tinsley (center)hand containers to the Empty Pesticide Container Recycling Program contractor, US AgRecycling, Inc., for chipping.73

| Office o f Pl a n t In d u s t r i es a n d Pest Ma n a g e m e n t |unusable/unwanted pesticide disposal program, for all agriculturalproducers, in nine Eastern Shore counties. More than 20,500pounds of unwanted pesticides were collected from 14 sites in2008. Since 1995, the program has collected more than 600different pesticides totaling nearly 172,000 pounds of unwantedor outdated pesticides.During FY 2008, the section contracted with the United StatesGeological Survey (USGS) to summarize MDA’s ground watermonitoring data. The focus area was within Maryland’s Piedmontarea. The finalized fact sheet was published in December of 2008and is available for distribution to all interested parties.Pesticide Regulation Section Activities, 2006 – 20082006 2007 2008Pesticide Businesses Licensed 1,374 1,354 1,631Commercial Pest Control ApplicatorsCertified in One or More Category 2,852 2,947 3,113Registered Personnel Employed by LicensedBusinesses and Public Agencies 45,311 47,719 13,981Public Agency Permits Issued 299 301 321Public Agency ApplicatorsCertified In One or More Category 1,000 996 1,054Private Applicators Certified to Date 3,516 3,494 3,434Dealer Permits Issued 157 149 141Examination Sessions Held 18 18 18Individuals Taking Examinations 729 934 982Examinations Administered in All Categories 1,823 2,172 2,463Number of Businesses Inspected 823 801 975Number of Businesses with Violations 199 203 363Unregistered Employees 15 15 42Records Incomplete or Inaccurate 101 98 175Vehicles Not Properly Identified 4 30 34No Anti-siphon Device 15 10 27No First-aid/Safety Equipment 16 11 13Incomplete or No Customer Information 15 0 27Pesticide Dealer Inspections 81 78 77Application Records Reviewed 973 801 975Hearings and Investigation Conferences 2 0 1Consumer Complaints Investigated 74 79 54Pesticide Use Observations 76 66 86Pesticide Samples Collected for Analysis 33 32 48Market Place Inspections 33 35 42Producer Establishment Inspections 20 28 2874

| Fis c a l Ye a r 2008 Bu d g e t |Maryland Department of Agriculture Budget Allocations for Fiscal Year 2008Total State Budget (Operating and Capital) $29,526,297,989Maryland Department of Agriculture Budget $122,500,406Maryland Department of Agriculture Budget SourcesState General Fund $34,572,679Special and Reimbursable Funds $66,602,451(Fees, Registration, Testing & MALPF)Federal Funds $16,525,676(Grants & Cooperative Agreements)General Obligation Bonds $4,800,000(Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost Share, and Tobacco Conversion )Source: Fiscal Digest of the State of Maryland, 2008 SessionC-12, C-25, I-875

| Ma ry l a n d Department o f Agriculture Sta f f |Staff DirectoryExecutive Direction—Secretary’s OfficeFax (410) 841-5914Secretary of AgricultureRoger Richardson (410) 841-5880Deputy SecretaryEarl F. Hance (410) 841-5881Director of Government RelationsJoanna Kille (410) 841-5880Communications/MediaSue duPont and Julie Oberg(410) 841-5881Public OutreachBuddy Bowling (410) 841-5882Counsel to the DepartmentCraig A. Nielsen (410) 841-5883Rural Maryland CouncilVanessa Orlando (410) 841-5772Information Technology ServicesMichael Goff (410) 841-5737Fax (410) 841-5735Administrative ServicesDouglas H. Wilson (410) 841-5855Fiscal Services,Joseph D. Lilly (410) 841-5855Central ServicesJoseph M. Harrington (410) 841-5900Fax (410) 841-5835Human ResourcesMomoh Conteh (410) 841-5840Fax (410) 841-5846Marketing, Animal Industriesand Consumer ServicesFax (410) 841-5999Assistant SecretaryS. Patrick McMillan (410) 841-5782Aquaculture Development/SeafoodMarketingNoreen Eberly (410) 841-5724Animal HealthState VeterinarianDr. Guy Hohenhaus (410) 841-5810Asst. State VeterinarianDr. N. Jo Chapman 410-841-5810Centreville LaboratoryDr. William P. Higgins (410) 758-0846College Park LaboratoryVacant (301) 314-1870Frederick LaboratoryDr. Virginia Pierce (301) 600-1548Oakland LaboratoryDr. James I. Fearer (301) 334-2185Salisbury LaboratoryDr. Claudia Osorio (410) 543-6610Marketing and AgriculturalDevelopmentMark Powell (410) 841-5770Fax (410) 841-5987Agribusiness & Direct andNational MarketingJane Storrs (410) 841-5770International MarketingTheresa Brophy (410) 841-5770Farmers’ Market Nutrition ProgramAmy Crone (410) 841-5770Maryland’s BestKate Mason (410) 841-5770Specialty Crop MarketingKaren Fedor (410) 841-5770Weights & MeasuresRichard Wotthlie (410) 841-5790Fax (410) 841-2765Food Quality AssuranceDeanna L. Baldwin (410) 841-5769Salisbury Office (410) 543-6630Maryland Agricultural StatisticsService/USDABarbara Rater, State Director(410) 841-5740Resource ConservationFax (410) 841-5736Assistant SecretaryRoyden N. Powell III (410) 841-5865Resource Conservation ChiefLouise Lawrence (410) 841-5863Resource Conservation OperationsJohn C. Rhoderick (410) 841-5896AdministrationJanet A. Crutchley (410) 841-5865Western/Central Md.Daniel J. Bard (301) 694-9290PatuxentDwight Dotterer (410) 841-5896Eastern ShoreDavid J. Mister (410) 677-0802Conservation GrantsLouise Lawrence, Acting(410) 841-5864, Fax (410) 841-5950AdministrationVacant (410) 841-5864Nutrient ManagementF. Fred Samadani (410) 841-5959Certification & LicensingRenato Cuizon (410) 841-5959Plan ImplementationVacant (410) 841-5959Training ProgramsJo Mercer (410) 841-5959Urban Nutrient ManagementJudy McGowan (410) 841-5955Administrative OfficerLouise Woodruff (410) 841-5954CumberlandKeith Potter (301)722-9193FrederickBryan Harris (301) 694-9290 (Ext. 136)Armand Smithberger (Ext. 137)AnnapolisMohamed Alharazim (410) 841-5949Weylin Anderson (410) 841-5934Forest HillDarren Alles (410) 838-6181 x118DentonDaniel Schwaninger (410) 479-4905Howard Callahan (410) 479-4929SalisburyVacant (410) 677-0802 x 4Plant Industries and PestManagementFax (410) 841-5734Assistant SecretaryMary Ellen Setting (410) 841-587076

| Ma ry l a n d Department o f Agriculture Sta f f |Mosquito ControlProgram ManagerMike Cantwell (410) 841-5870AnnapolisMike Cantwell (410) 841-5870HollywoodMike Cantwell (301) 373-4263RiverdaleJeannine M. Dorothy (301) 927-8357SalisburyDavid A. Schofield (410) 543-6626Forest Pest ManagementRobert L. Tatman (410) 841-5922Fax (410) 841-5835Survey & ControlVacant (410) 841-5922Central MarylandThomas Lupp (301) 662-2074Eastern ShoreSteve A. Tilley (410) 479-2047Northeast MarylandCraig Kuhn (410) 879-8034Southern MarylandLinda Scott (301) 782-7155Western MarylandSarah A. Hughes (301) 777-3601Forest Health MonitoringSteve Tilley (410) 479-2047Pesticide RegulationDennis W. Howard (410) 841-5710Fax (410) 841-2765EnforcementRobert Hofstetter (410) 841-5710Certification/TrainingEdward A. Crow (410) 841-5710Special ProjectsRobert Hofstetter (410) 841-5710Plant Protection & Weed ManagementCarol A. Holko (410) 841-5920Fax (410) 841-5835Nursery InspectionVacant 410-841-5920SalisburyMark TaylorBeltsvilleRobert TrumbuleAnnapolisSteve MalanApiary InspectionJerry Fischer (410) 841-5920Pest SurveyDick Bean (410) 841-2743Laboratory ServicesVacant (410) 841-5920Noxious Weed ControlMark Smith (410) 841-5920State ChemistWarren R. Bontoyan (410) 841-2721Fax (410) 841-2740Laboratory ManagerKen McManus (410) 841-2721Registration ManagerPhil Davidson (410) 841-2721Supervisor, Inspection StaffHarwood Owings (410) 841-2721Compost Coordinator and QA OfficerDon Lewis (410) 841-2721Turf & SeedLois Capshaw (410) 841-5960Fax (410) 841-5969Seed LaboratoryJenny Miller (410) 841-5960Turfgrass ActivitiesDale A. Morris (410) 841-5960Seed CertificationDale A. Morris (410) 841-5960Boards and CommissionsAquaculture Advisory CommitteeChairman, Aaron MorganAquaculture CoordinatorNoreen Eberly (410) 841-5724Aquaculture Coordinating CouncilChairman, Don WebsterAquaculture CoordinatorKarl Roscher (410) 841-5724Board of ReviewChairman, Stephen Reeves(410) 841-5880Maryland Agricultural CommissionChairman, Eugene B. Roberts, Jr.Executive DirectorGilbert O. Bowling (410) 841-5882Maryland Agricultural Fair BoardChairman, Harold ClarkExecutive SecretaryMartin Hamilton (410) 841-5770Maryland Agricultural LandPreservation FoundationChairman, Dan ColhounExecutive DirectorJames Conrad (410) 841-5860Maryland Horse Industry BoardChairman, James SteeleExecutive DirectorJ. Robert Burk (410) 841-5822Maryland Organic CertificationAdvisory CommitteeChairman, Luke HowardAgricultural CoordinatorKaren Fedor (410) 841-2719Maryland State Tobacco AuthorityContact (410) 841-5770Maryland Winery and Grape GrowersAdvisory CommitteeChairman, Richard PennaAgricultural CoordinatorTheresa Brophy (410) 841-5770Seafood Marketing AdvisoryCommitteeChairman, William WoodfieldAgricultural CoordinatorNoreen Eberly (410) 841-5820State Board of Veterinary MedicalExaminersPresident, Christopher Runde, D.V.M.Executive DirectorLaura Downes (410) 841-5804State Soil Conservation CommitteeChairman, J. Bruce YerkesExecutive SecretaryLouise Lawrence (410) 841-5863Young Farmers Advisory BoardChairman, Trey HillCoordinatorGilbert O. Bowling (410) 841-588277