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Maryland Celebrates Agriculture Week - March 15 to 21
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Maryland Celebrates Agriculture Week - March 15 to 21
MARYLAND - 3/16/2009
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Did you know that one third of Maryland’s land is in farms? On that two million acres, farmers produce 33 million pounds of apples, 1.6 billion pounds of chicken, and 3.7 million tons of peaches among many other food products for citizens to eat. Recognizing the role of agriculture as one of Maryland’s most important industries, Governor Martin O’Malley, has proclaimed the week of March 15 to 21, to be Maryland Agriculture Week. The state designation coincides with National Ag Day on March 20.
“Maryland’s agriculture industry is vital to the long-term health of the state’s economy, environment and quality of life. Maryland Agriculture Week promotes a continued effort to strengthen our family owned businesses and farms,” said Governor O’Malley. “The State of Maryland is committed to sustaining the beauty of our countryside, the health of our soil and water, the strength of our economy, the safety of our food, and meeting the energy needs of our shared future.”
National Agriculture Week provides an opportunity for each county to recognize their accomplishments and the uniqueness of agriculture in each area of the State. From the mountains of Western Maryland with its dairy farms, maple syrup and hay, Central Maryland with its greenhouse, fresh market vegetables, livestock and equine industries, to the Eastern Shore’s thousands of acres of corn and soybeans, poultry and nursery sectors Maryland truly grows something for everyone.
“Maryland Agriculture week helps raise awareness about the state’s farmers and the important role they play in providing food and protecting the environment today and in the future,” said Agriculture Secretary Roger Richardson.
Find out more about agriculture at the county level by looking at the 2007 Census of Agriculture, www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2007/Online_Highlights/County_Profiles/Maryland/index.asp. Visit www.MarylandsBest.net to find locally grown products or find out more about National Ag Day at www.agday.org.
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