Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Atticks Tours Carroll County

Westminster, MD, Friday, May 3, 2024 – This week Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) Secretary Kevin Atticks and other department staff joined county leaders and economic development staff to tour several Carroll County agricultural businesses to view farming operations and practices.  The day was an opportunity to listen and learn from farm owners and businesses about current successes and challenges.

Others meeting with Secretary Atticks included Carroll County Commissioners Kiler, Vigliotti, Gordon, Guerin, and Rothstein, Director Denise Beaver, Deputy Director Paige Sunderland, and Agriculture Development Specialist Diana Hare from the county’s Department of Economic Development, and Carroll County Farm Bureau President Jason Myers.

The day began with a tour of Catoctin Mountain Growers, a family-owned commercial greenhouse located in Keymar with a 17-acre state-of-the-art greenhouse and over 15 acres of outdoor growing space.  The second stop was Baugher’s Orchard & Farm, a family owned and operated farm with over 600 acres in Westminster.  The group then traveled to Flood Zone Marketplace & Brewery in Union Bridge for lunch hosted by owners Jerry and Beth Stambaugh. The tour ended at  Shamrock Farm, a horse breeding farm with approximately 640 acres in Woodbine.

Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks said, “My team and I were thrilled to join Carroll County officials on this tour.  Carroll County is a dedicated leader in developing new and interesting ag initiatives and supporting current agricultural operations.  The department looks forward to continuing the conversations about the many ag related projects the County has to offer!”

“Growing up in Carroll County, I never forget the economic importance of agriculture and always admire it as one of things that adds to the county’s wonderful quality of life,” said Commissioner Kenny Kiler, District 2, who attended the tour.  “It is always eye-opening to talk with our local farmers and learn about their innovative ideas and I appreciate touring the county with Secretary Atticks to share its beauty while learning more about how we can assist agricultural businesses in their success.”

“It was a pleasure to welcome Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks to Carroll County and appreciate his personally reaching out to our ag businesses,” said Director of Economic Development Denise Beaver. “Agriculture is the number one industry in Carroll County and vital to our economic base as well as supporting the local food supply.  This was an excellent opportunity to showcase the variety of agribusiness in the county as well as provide a tour of our beautiful agricultural farmland.”

To learn more about Carroll County Department of Economic Development, please visit www.carrollbiz.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Denise Beaver,
Director, Economic Development
410-386-2070