Outgoing Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Earl “Buddy” Hance, left, prepares funnel cake in his family’s food trailer at the Calvert County Fair.
Annapolis, MD – Earl “Buddy” Hance, Maryland secretary of Agriculture, announced last week that he will resign from his position, effective Jan. 2. Hance, a fourth generation Southern Maryland farmer, was appointed Secretary by Governor Martin O’Malley in May 2009. Prior to taking the position, he had served as Deputy Secretary from 2007-2009.
“The past seven years have been such a tremendous opportunity. I am honored to have met so many good people and it has been such an amazing learning experience. I’ve enjoyed getting to know the outstanding staff at the department and see first-hand their steadfast dedication to the work they do on behalf of Marylanders. I extend my deep thanks to all MDA staff members for their commitment to Maryland agriculture,” said Hance, who resides in Port Republic.
“Maryland farmers are recognized as national leaders for their conservation efforts. The future for Maryland Agriculture is and will continue to be bright and prosperous. I will especially miss visiting farms across the state, seeing new technology being implemented and the diversity of value-added enterprises that are helping to keep our farms viable for the next generation of Maryland farmers,” continued Hance.
Joseph Bartenfelder was named by Governor-elect Larry Hogan to serve as Secretary of Agriculture Dec. 23, pending Senate approval. Bartenfelder grew up on a farm and for more than 35 years has been a fulltime farmer and small businessman. His family lives on the home farm in Caroline County and also owns and operates two other farms in Dorchester County. The Bartenfelder family sells produce at the Baltimore City Farmers’ Market and wholesale, raises poultry, and grows wheat, beans, and corn.