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Letter To Governor Hogan Seeking Funding For SMADC

Senator Jack Bailey has sent a letter to Governor Hogan in strong support of state funding for agriculture initiatives and land preservation in Southern Maryland.

The letter encourages the Governor to continue funding the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) in the state’s operating and capital budgets. In the letter, Senator Bailey wrote about the work that SMADC does for farmers in Southern Maryland, saying “as the Senate representative on SMADC’s board, I have seen firsthand what an important resource SMADC is to the agricultural community in Southern Maryland. Their work in supporting farmers, including through equipment rentals, grants to farmers, workshops, and assistance navigating regulatory burdens is essential to the continued success of farming in Southern Maryland.”

SMADC has received state funding from the Cigarette Restitution Fund for their efforts in support of Southern Maryland’s farmers. The support that this money helps SMADC to provide to farmers has been a critical part of moving the region towards alternatives to tobacco farming. SMADC has also received funding from the state’s capital budget for agricultural land preservation in Southern Maryland in previous years.

In the letter, Senator Bailey noted the importance of a strong agricultural economy in Southern Maryland, writing “Southern Maryland is known for its agricultural heritage, and this investment in our farmers will benefit the Southern Maryland region and the state as a whole by helping to ensure that farming in our region can remain economically viable.”

Senator Bailey is a strong advocate for the agricultural community in St. Mary’s and Calvert Counties, and will continue to work to support our local farmers in Annapolis.

https://senatorbailey.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Senator-Jack-Bailey-Letter-to-SMADC.pdf