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County ag division seeks to make local farming more profitable Jack McLaughlin
During a talk with members of the Mason-Dixon Business Association at MaGerks in Bel Air on Feb. 17, Ben Lloyd, who handles marketing for the Agricultural Division of the Harford County Executive’s Office, said the County will spend $40,000 to $50,000 this year promoting local agriculture. Most of the advertising promotes the six farmers markets in Bel Air, Edgewood, Cooptown and Havre de Grace, said Lloyd, noting the Ag Division also supports some local events and the sale of seasonal products such as Christmas trees and pumpkins. Lloyd said the function of the Ag Division is to make farming more profitable by educating both the farmer and the public and by cutting government red tape where possible. He noted the division was once part of the County Office of Economic Development but was made part of the county executive office. It is headed by C. John Sullivan, III, Deputy Chief of Staff for Agriculture. Harford County also has an Economic Development Agricultural Advisory Board. Lloyd commented that the physical proximity to the County Executive’s office makes it easier to expedite action on calls made to the Ag Division by local farmers. There are easements limiting development on approximately 46,000 acres of farmland. Lloyd said the easements are handled through the Department of Planning and Zoning. One of the division’s priorities for 2010 is to continue to support the “buy local” campaign. The campaign seeks the support of not only local families but restaurants as well. Last year the sides of two barns, one off Rt. 155 near Level and the other on Harford Road near Fallston, were painted with County’s ad logo “Support Harford County Farms-Buy Local ” and the agricultural marketing Web site address www.HarfordFarms.com. Lloyd said similar a large-scale roadside ad is planned for the southern part of the county probably along Rt. 40. Since parts are now scarce in that part of Harford, the ad may be a photo of one of the barns on a billboard, said Lloyd. Lloyd said some people buy local products for a healthier diet; some do it to support the local economy and some because they like to know where their food comes from. “Personally, I don’t care why they do it. I just want them to do it.” Lloyd said restaurants aren’t expected to use local products in all their menu offerings. Some restaurants specifically feature offerings made from local products such as the Laurrapin Grille in Havre de Grace does with its Level Burger, made from locally grown beef. Other County agricultural priorities include supporting alternative energy opportunities for farmers, creation of a county ag expo and resource center, educational and training programs for farmers, and providing chances for young people in farming to network. |
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While office buildings and residential developments to deal with the influx of jobs and people associated with Base Realignment and Closure activities coming to Harford County get a lot of attention, local government is continuing to work for perhaps the county’s oldest industry, agriculture.