This strategic plan, initiated by Executive Order 01.01.2025.23, aims to promote growth, financial sustainability, and a thriving ecosystem within Maryland's horse industry. It outlines a coordinated approach focusing on several key areas: advocacy, public awareness, and promotion; education and workforce development; economic development; collaboration and communication; sustainability and land use; and equine health and welfare. The plan seeks to strengthen the state's horse ecosystem, enhance public and legislative understanding, develop robust workforce pipelines, ensure thoughtful economic planning, and advance land preservation and equine welfare, ultimately positioning Maryland as a leader in equine excellence and innovation.
Enterprise
Get verified public-sector contacts at scale
Find verified emails, direct dials, role context, job-change updates, and organization signals across every public-sector account you sell to.
The meeting focused on several key strategic and operational initiatives for the Maryland seafood industry. Discussions covered a Canadian export opportunity for oysters, the establishment of a subcommittee for supplemental oyster marketing funding, and the formation of a Seafood Marketing Work Group to address long-term policy. The commission reviewed the launch of a zero-interest disaster relief loan program for oyster harvesters, marketing campaign updates including the True Blue and summer outreach efforts, and the status of various grants supporting rural health and blue catfish consumption. Additionally, international trade opportunities were presented alongside updates on crab population survey results.
Dec 10, 2025·Board meeting
Maryland Agricultural Commission Draft Minutes
The commission reviewed annual reports and statewide guidance documents. Various committees presented reports covering farm profitability and sustainability, legislative affairs, value-added agriculture, watershed strategies, and agricultural literacy and education. Commodity-specific reports were provided on agricultural education, 4-H programs, young farmers, direct farm markets, equine industry updates, forestry legislative matters, the hemp industry's regulatory challenges, livestock market trends, and organic farming initiatives. Additionally, the commission received updates on Maryland Department of Agriculture staff activities, discussed the federal impacts on the state budget, and formally adopted a new definition of agriculture.
Sep 10, 2025·Board meeting
Maryland Agricultural Commission Minutes
The meeting included presentations on the Maryland Family and Medical Leave Insurance System and a video project about Maryland farming. Committee reports covered priorities for defining agriculture, concerns regarding the USDA Reorganization Plan, and opportunities for a checkoff-style program to support Maryland's Best branding. Other discussions involved farmer-focused geospatial tools, statewide agricultural definitions, reassessment issues for value-added operations, Chesapeake Bay Agreement updates, and agricultural education and CTE standards. Department updates addressed poultry industry permitting challenges, invasive plant regulations, cover crop program funding and policies, and updates on livestock and blue catfish processing grants. The commission also reviewed draft definitions of agriculture and discussed appointments and recruitment for various advisory positions.
