Baltimore County has taken a step to bolster its agricultural community with the creation of the Agriculture Advisory Board, as announced by County Executive Johnny Olszewski. According to a statement on the county's website, the newly formed board will advise on ways to support and promote local agriculture, along with driving a data-informed strategy on agricultural developments.
The board is composed of a diverse array of 31 members who bring expertise from various sectors within the industry, including agritourism, agribusiness, and dairy, as reported by the Baltimore County Government. Charged with the task of shaping the future of Baltimore County's $90 million agricultural economic sector, the board, chaired by equine trainer William White and co-chaired by Amanda Castillo of Prigel Family Creamery, reflects the diverse nature of the county’s agricultural community, consisting of over 780 farms and more than 5,000 employees.
In a statement obtained by the Baltimore County’s communications department, Johnny Olszewski expressed his commitment to the agricultural sector: "Agriculture is an essential part of Baltimore County's economy, and we are fully committed to equipping our farms with the tools and resources they need to be successful and sustainable is one of our priorities," The board aims to address various aspects like agriculture education, food processing, and urban farming while promoting the county’s agricultural legacy and prospective developments.
The establishment of the board follows a key recommendation by the Agriculture Subcommittee of the Economic Development Advisory Board. It also comes on the heels of Olszewski's earlier $500,000 grant announcement aimed at assisting county-based farms affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grants, designed to alleviate production challenges and mitigate the economic disruption caused by the pandemic, were funded through the County's allocation of American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds. Additionally, in a step to preserve county land, the administration leveraged nearly $9 million to protect over 70,000 acres of valuable agricultural and natural land.
The inaugural meeting of the Agriculture Advisory Board is scheduled for Thursday, June 27, 2024, at the Baltimore County Agricultural Center. This opening session is an opportunity for the board members to set the initial course for the board's objectives and activities. Interested individuals can find more information about the Agriculture Advisory Board and the Office of Agriculture on the Baltimore County government website.
