Mikulski, Cardin Continue Fighting for Maryland Agriculture

Press Release

U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) today announced they were awarded the American Farm Bureau Federation's Friend of the Farm Bureau award. Agriculture is the Maryland's largest commercial industry and employs approximately 350,000 people. Maryland's 12,800 farms contribute billions to the state's economy.

"Maryland's number one industry is agriculture," Senator Mikulski said. "From our dairy farmers in Western Maryland to our poultry farmers on the Eastern Shore, Maryland's farmers are hard at work every day making sure that our food is safe and healthy. Together with our small businesses and research institutions, those who work on Maryland's farms and in our federal labs, universities and other research facilities are supporting our economic future and keeping our nation healthy and safe. I will continue fighting to support jobs in Maryland's agriculture economy."

"Maryland's farmers do an incredible service to our state, feeding people and fueling local economies. Their hard work has shaped our state and will continue to do so," said Senator Cardin. "I appreciate being recognized as a Friend of the Farm Bureau, and look forward to working with the members of Maryland's agricultural community in the years ahead to build on their solid track records of delivering sustenance and stewardship."

Senators Mikulski and Cardin strongly supported the Agriculture Act of 2014 (Farm Bill) which passed in February 2014 and included provisions that sustain Maryland agriculture and support its poultry, dairy, greenhouse and nursery, fruit and vegetable, and wine industries. The bill establishes a stronger, more reliable safety net for dairy producers, as well as increasing specialty crop block grants from $55 million to $70 million per year, which aides producers of crops including greenhouse and nursery products, watermelons and apples for training programs, research, marketing, education, pest and disease management, food safety and Maryland's 52 licensed wineries. In addition, the bill establishes poultry feed as a high-priority research and extension activity within the USDA. Feed costs are approximately two-thirds of a poultry growers fixed cost. This research will improve feed and provide more variety. Maryland brings in more than $900 million annually in poultry and egg sales.

Farm Bureau is an independent, non-governmental, voluntary organization governed by and representing farm and ranch families united for the purpose of analyzing their problems and formulating action to achieve educational improvement, economic opportunity and social advancement and, thereby, to promote the national well-being. Farm Bureau is local, county, state, national and international in its scope and influence and is non-partisan, non-sectarian and non-secret in character. Farm Bureau is the voice of agricultural producers at all levels.

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