MONROVIA, Md. — Maryland’s agricultural industry leaders will enjoy networking, food and conversation with state and national legislators at the annual Taste of Maryland Agriculture gala celebrating #mdagstrong.
Sponsored by the Maryland Agriculture Council Inc., more than 600 are expected to attend the 6:30 p.m. event on Feb. 1, 2018, at Michael’s Eighth Avenue in Glen Burnie.
“The Taste of Maryland Agriculture event is important to the state’s agricultural industry as it gives us every opportunity to network collectively and individually with our lawmakers in a single setting,” said the council’s President Doug Lechilder. “Our industry celebrates agriculture each and every day with the food and fiber we produce, with the jobs that we create, with the safe keeping and preservation of our land and natural resources, and with the economic impact on our state’s viability.
“Celebrating #mdagstrong is a great way to increase the awareness of what this industry does and stands for in Maryland,” Lechlider said of the state’s leading industry. “It takes constant work and it takes cooperation and mutual understanding and respect between our industry leaders and our elected officials to keep us viable and strong. It’s through events like the Taste of Maryland Agriculture that allows us to keep the lines of communication open.
“At the gala, attendees will not only get a safe and wholesome heavy hors d’oeuvres smorgasbord of Maryland-produced foods and beverages, but they will learn and see firsthand the financial commitment that the Maryland Ag Council has for extending agriculture education programs across the state,” Lechlider said. Several such initiatives will be recognized at the gala with the awarding of nearly $5,000 in grants to individuals and organizations.
The evening program will also include the Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame Award presented to a farm family that has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to agriculture and the communities in which they live and work.
Tickets for the event are $100 and sponsorship opportunities are available. For ticket information and reservations, call Gail Yeiser at 410-353-3069, email her at gailpyeiser@gmail.com or check the website at www.mdagcouncil.com. For more information on the event, contact Executive Director Susan Summers at 240-446-3601.
— Maryland Agriculture Council, Inc.