The creator is the Senior Agriculture Coverage Analyst on the Environmental Protection Innovation Center the place he develops easier, cheaper, sooner strategies for governments to pay farmers who improve water prime quality, and is a supervisor on the thirty second Avenue Farmers Market in Baltimore. He holds ranges in economics and agricultural science from the College of Maryland, Faculty Park and has labored for various farms and agricultural organizations on the state and nationwide stage. He might be reached at [email protected].
Wes Moore’s foreseeable victory has allowed him and his group a great deal of time to develop protection priorities, and his transition group’s Govt Protection Committees have already gotten to work on the precise strategy to get hold of goals that will fall beneath the Departments of the Atmosphere, Commerce, Coaching, and additional. Nonetheless the incoming administration has accomplished little to telegraph the best way it’s going to deal with the Division of Agriculture, and as Josh Kurtz simply currently well-known in Maryland Points, it’s laborious to take a place immediately on appointments.
With out public clues as to who the administration is considering to information the division, all that’s out there’s to place out what directions they may take and why. Below are six selections for secretary of Agriculture the administration could take note of in order from — individually, with none insider information — most to least in all probability:
The farmer-politician
The essential choice for Agriculture secretary is a farmer who’s moreover made a popularity for themself as a politician. Current Agriculture Secretary Joseph Bartenfelder match this mould as a former member of the Residence of Delegates and Baltimore County Council.
Execs: Some implicit perception with completely different farmers; protection, politicking, and probably managerial experience; a risk to repay political favors.
Cons: Usually considered not a “precise” farmer if their income comes principally from authorities service; Democrats don’t have a very deep bench on this class.
Examples: First county authorities to endorse Moore and Dodon Farms co-owner Steuart Pittman (if he’d misplaced reelection); the ultimate full-time farmer to serve inside the state Senate, Mac Middleton; former state delegate, proprietor of Apotheosis Herb Farm, and Andy Harris challenger Heather Mizeur.
The progressive large-scale farmer
Even with out direct political experience, a well-connected farmer could step into the place of Agriculture secretary. In Moore’s case, he’d more than likely want to seek for someone particularly forward-thinking to produce a delicate hand whereas in quest of new alternate options for the commerce.
Execs: A great deal of prompt connections to the agriculture neighborhood; direct information of the commerce; some willingness to take risks.
Cons: Inexperience with authorities and policymaking; potential for conflicts of curiosity; laborious to pull someone away from a worthwhile farm for the doldrums of a desk job.
Examples: CEO of the 13,000-acre Harborview Farms and regenerative farming advocate Trey Hill; pure produce pioneer and proprietor of One Straw Farm Joan Norman; proprietor of Ernst Grain & Livestock and member of the Faculty of Maryland’s Faculty of Agriculture and Pure Sources Dean’s World Administration Council Steve Ernst.
Town farmer
As a result of the Moore-Miller administration seeks to lift underserved areas and look to the best way ahead for manufacturing, it would have to appoint an Agriculture secretary steeped in metropolis farming. Baltimore has taken a nationwide lead in organizing metropolis farmers and presents a great deal of selections.
Execs: Brings a model new perspective to the division; aligns with the Biden administration’s think about metropolis agriculture; metropolis farms are bodily nearer to most people inside the state.
Cons: Metropolis farming could possibly be very utterly completely different from most farming inside the state; lack of the Agriculture secretary to be the Cabinet’s spokesperson on completely different rural factors.
Examples: former operator of 5 Seeds Farm and current co-Govt Director of the Farm Alliance of Baltimore Denzel Mitchell, Founder and Govt Director of Plantation Park Heights Metropolis Farm and concrete farming advocate Farmer Chippy.
The agricultural Marylander
Wes Moore is clearly deeply devoted to illustration of all elements of the state. Whereas rural areas are overrepresented in nationwide politics and arguably had been beneath the Hogan administration, Moore could stability his refocus on Baltimore — relative to the ultimate administration — with a cabinet member dedicated to factors affecting rural Marylanders.
Execs: Would possibly perform the chief spokesperson on rural factors.
Cons: Would possibly in all probability lack of direct understanding of agriculture; not just like the U.S. Division of Agriculture, Maryland’s administers comparatively few rural development purposes.
Examples: Chair of the Rural Maryland Council Charlotte Davis, Govt Director of the Maryland Rural Enchancment Firm Chris Benzing, With out finish Maryland Program and Protection Director and Wicomico County Councilmember Josh Hastings.
The agritourist
Agriculture in Maryland doesn’t merely produce greens and grain; it produces experiences. Some exceptionally worthwhile farms inside the state leverage their agriculture operations into agritourism like select your private pumpkins, corn mazes, and wine tastings.
Execs: Additional connection to a wide-range of shoppers than many various sorts of farmers; a singular understanding of selling; represents a rising commerce.
Cons: Selling experiences is totally completely different from most farmers who promote commodities; generally must be close-ish to predominant inhabitants amenities, so these are principally in central Maryland.
Examples: Certainly one of many Butlers of Butler’s Orchard, Robin Hill Farm & Vineyards co-owner and Southern Maryland Agricultural Enchancment Firm Director Shelby Watson-Hampton.
The meals strategies reformer
Most Marylanders’ interactions with agriculture are by the use of meals, and Maryland — identical to the nation — is coping with an epidemic of diet-related diseases equal to weight issues and diabetes that desperately have to be addressed. No matter who leads the Division of Agriculture, they should work to holistically improve the meals system, nonetheless appointing a meals system reformer as a result of the lead would ship a dramatic message that meals is the Division’s prime priority.
Execs: In all probability arrives with a protection background; there are additional eaters inside the state than farmers; Maryland may presumably be a frontrunner on combating diet-related sickness.
Cons: Lack of understanding of agricultural manufacturing; advocacy from outdoor authorities usually is a really utterly completely different job than reform inside authorities.
Examples: Former Meals Entry and Weight-reduction plan Supervisor on the Baltimore Metropolis Nicely being Division JaSina Wise, Govt Director of the Montgomery County Meals Council and Maryland Meals System Resiliency Council Chair Heather Bruskin.
Totally different selections:
The farm service provider: Certainly one of many a complete bunch of Marylanders who work with farmers on every day foundation in positions like “Conservation Agronomist” or “Agriculture Promoting and advertising Expert.”
The tutorial: Faculty of Maryland — initially the Maryland Agricultural Faculty — has no shortage of agricultural experience, nonetheless lecturers aren’t always good politicians.
The protection wonk: Significantly being near Washington, D.C., Maryland is dwelling to a great deal of individuals who make their livings on understanding the technocratic particulars of agricultural protection.
The disrupter: Any individual from outdoor the agriculture commerce who would radically reshape the division’s mission, equal to Moore Govt Protection Committee member and Previous Meat Board Chair Seth Goldman.