St Mary's County, MD

St Mary’s County is the most southerly county on Maryland’s Western shore. The county is situated on a Peninsula formed by the Potomac and Patuxent Rivers. The county is largely rural, with a landscape dominated mostly by farms and woodlands. The county sees its top goal as preserving and enhancing quality of life by recognizing and protecting St. Mary's County unique rural character in the Chesapeake Bay peninsula. Fostering economic growth and creating an atmosphere of excellence by focusing and managing growth to create vibrant, attractive communities, via protection of the rural character and economy of the countryside. Nurturing the shoreline and adjacent waters, preservation and enhancement of all natural resources and highlighting the historical quality of the county are all critical to maintaining the quality of life for all citizens into the future.

Agricultural Acreage in 2007: 68,648 acres
Number of Farms: 621
Number of Farm Markets: 2
http://www.mdfarmbureau.com/Md%20FarmMarkets.asp
Top three to five Agricultural Products:Grains, fruits & nuts, and nursery products

Total Local Economic Contribution of Agriculture:

• Revenue from agriculture: $15,947,000
• Revenue per farm average $25,680
• Crop sales $11,696,000(73%)
• Livestock Sales $4,252,000 (27%)

Other Farm-Related Products or Activities in the County: Young Farmers Program:
David Wood: 301-884-4639

Agricultural Lands protected: 8,875 acres (MALPF) 2,142 (Maryland Environmental Trust) 2,860 (Rural Legacy Program) 303 (Maryland Historical Trust) Program Open Space and TDR Programs as well.

Principal Agricultural Contacts:

Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF)
Donna Sasscer: 301-475-4200 x-1405
donna.sasscer@co.saint-marys.md.us
St. Mary’s County Dept. of Economic Development

Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission
Christine Bergmark: 301 – 274-1922

Maryland Farm Bureau Representatives: Joseph Wood
301-884-3086
President

Julie Raley
Secretary/Treasurer
40195 Wathen Road,  Leonardtown, MD 20650
(301) 475-9372, (301) 475-3849
bittejulie@yahoo.com