On August 29, John Delaney met with local farmers in Boonsboro to discuss agriculture policy and hear their concerns. Delaney invited Maryland Senate President Mike Miller and Senate Finance Chair Mac Middleton to join him, along with Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Buddy Hance.
The Herald-Mail wrote the following about the meeting:
Two political heavyweights from the Maryland General Assembly joined Democratic Rep. John Delaney on Friday for a panel in which local farmers could ask about state and federal policies on agriculture.
Maryland Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, D-Prince George’s/Calvert, and Sen. Thomas “Mac” Middleton, D-Charles County, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, were on hand at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center to answer questions from local farmers.
Buddy Hance, the secretary of the Maryland Department of Agriculture, was also on the panel, which attracted about 40 people.
Delaney, who represents the Maryland’s 6th Congressional District, which includes Washington County, is up for re-election on Nov. 4, as are Middleton and Miller in their respective districts.
Some at the forum questioned what they called the increasing burden of regulation by the state, while one farmer complained about a growing black bear problem in Western Maryland.
David Herbst, who owns the Misty Meadows Farm Creamery in Smithsburg said he was glad that the politicians came to listen.
“That is the first step. They want to hear our concerns, and when they hear them, hopefully, they will go back and act on them,” Herbst said. “Whether they will do anything, or whether it will transpose into anything fruitful … but at least they are aware of what’s going on in the country.”
To read the full Herald-Mail story, click here.