ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 30, 2007) – Governor Martin O'Malley today renewed his commitment to support Maryland farmers by tripling funding for Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) and supporting cover crop programs.
“As a state, Maryland must do more to keep our farmers competitive. To that end, I have proposed tripling funding to MARBIDCO to support new farmers and help rural businesses,” said Governor O'Malley.
By tripling MARBIDCO funding to $3 million, O'Malley will support young farmers who are trying to buy or lease farmland, and start-up enterprises that need help with rural business financing. In addition, Governor O'Malley is committed to helping farmers statewide enhance their profitability by marketing Maryland's agricultural-based economy and encouraging Marylanders to buy local farm products.
“My administration will support farmers by enhancing profitability, ensuring an adequate base of farmland, and marketing Maryland's agriculture, including a plan to encourage Marylanders to buy local farm products,” said Governor O'Malley.
Under the O'Malley-Brown administration, two initiatives will play a critical role in determining the future of Maryland agriculture: the Statewide Plan for Agricultural Policy and Resource Management, and HB 2, the Agricultural Stewardship Act.
The Statewide Plan is a superb model for agricultural policy. Its main recommendations center on three areas:
The O'Malley-Brown administration will work to implement the thirty recommendations contained in the report, including an aggressive marketing plan to encourage Marylanders to buy local farm products.
Similarly, Governor O'Malley will seek to carry out the mandates of HB 2, one of the most far reaching and forward looking agricultural reform bills to pass the General Assembly in decades.
“Long before environmental stewardship was fashionable, Maryland's farmers dutifully protected our land. I will continue to support cover crop programs and stand with farmers as they take the responsible steps to protect the Chesapeake Bay from agricultural runoff,” noted Governor O'Malley.
Farmers were Maryland's first environmentalists, but a changing economy has forced farmers to choose between profits and preserving the environment. Governor O'Malley will work to continue funding for cover crop programs, so that we can support Maryland's first environmentalists. O'Malley has proposed almost $9 million in his first budget for cover crop programs.