Advisory and Program Committees
Advisory Committees
Advisory committees play a very important role in the organization of Maryland Farm Bureau and the manner in which programs, policies, and ideas are implemented state-wide. Volunteers are appointed to committees to serve a 2-year term by the president of Maryland Farm Bureau. Members are asked to submit a committee interest form to indicate which committees they have an interest in being a part of.
Please fill out the form below to notify us of your interest to serve on an advisory committee for the 2022-2024 term. Below is a comprehensive list of our advisory committees and the charge of each committee. Below the list you will find the online committee interest form on this page.
The deadline to apply is Friday, January 21, 2022.
Agricultural Edcuation & Extension
This committee is charged with exploring opportunities to grow Maryland Farm Bureau’s engagement with the Agricultural Education and Cooperative Extension communities within the state in an advisory capacity to the state board of directors.
This committee is charged with exploring opportunities to engage, research, and surface issues related Maryland’s livestock, equine and aquaculture communities pertaining to production, animal husbandry, and public policy. The committee serves in an advisory capacity to the state board of directors.
Annual Convention & Meeting of Delegates
This committee is charged with assisting in the design, format and program of the Maryland Farm Bureau Annual Convention & Meeting of Delegates in conjunction with staff. The committee serves in an advisory capacity to the state board of directors.
This committee is charged with assisting in the financial and procedural audit of the Maryland Farm Bureau in conjunction with staff and the audit firm retained by the organization. The committee serves in an advisory capacity to the state board of directors.
This committee is charged with assisting in the development of the Maryland Farm Bureau annual budget and regular review of the organization’s investments and investment policies in conjunction with staff and the organization’s retained financial advisors. The committee serves in an advisory capacity to the state board of directors.
This committee is charged with exploring opportunities to engage with, research and surface issues related to environmental issues regarding farm and food production, environmental conservation, and stewardship in the state of Maryland. The committee serves in an advisory capacity to the state board of directors.
This committee is charged with exploring opportunities to engage with, research and surface issues related to Maryland’s field crops and vegetable farmers regarding production, farm business management, and public policy. The committee serves in an advisory capacity to the state board of directors.
This committee is charged with overseeing the fiduciary and governance functions of the Maryland Farm Bureau on behalf of the state board of directors. The committee shall make recommendations to the board on policies, practices, and procedures related to proper nonprofit governance. The committee shall monitor and assess compliance with the organization’s governance regulations and, accordingly, provide prudent and timely guidance to the board. The committee shall work with the board and staff to ensure that board governance functions independently from staff management.
This committee is charged with exploring opportunities to engage with, research, and surface management and public policy issues related to labor within the agricultural, food, and farming communities in Maryland. The committee serves in an advisory capacity to the state board of directors.
Legislative Affairs / Bill Review / Sub-Resolutions
This committee meets by conference call on four or five Monday evenings during the General Assembly session to help staff review bills and interpret MDFB policy. The committee meets in person during the first week of November to serve as the Sub-resolutions Committee for the state policy development process.
This committee is charged with exploring opportunities to grow and enhance membership recruitment and retention efforts of Maryland Farm Bureau in a holistic way focused on enhancing the value proposition of membership in the organization. The committee shall also explore opportunities to advance the scope and quality of the organization’s public relations efforts and communications to members, stakeholders, and the public. The committee shall work with staff, affiliated partners, and contractors to conduct its work. The committee serves in an advisory capacity to the state board of directors.
This committee is charged with exploring opportunities to enhance the relationship between Maryland Farm Bureau and Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, with staff, through the review and implementation of the official sponsor agreement; design, implementation, and assessment of Sponsor Sharing Opportunities (SSO), and the compilation of the annual Sponsor Impact Report. In addition, the committee shall explore opportunities to grow relationships between the Nationwide sales force and the state and county Farm Bureaus. This committee serves in an advisory capacity to the state board of directors.
This committee is charges with designing, judging, and assessing scholarship applications offered by Maryland Farm Bureau and state-wide award and recognition programs meant to recognize the achievements and efforts of members, counties, stakeholders, sponsors and affiliates. This committee serves in an advisory capacity to the state board of directors.
Specialty Crops & Direct Marketing
This committee is charged with exploring opportunities to engage with, research and surface issues related to Maryland’s specialty crop and direct marketing farmers regarding production, farm business management, market access, and public policy. This committee serves in an advisory capacity to the state board of directors.
This committee is charged with exploring opportunities to engage with, research and surface issues related to Maryland’s wildlife and management thereof regarding farming, food production, personal property rights, health, safety, and public policy. This committee serves in an advisory capacity to the state board of directors.
Program Committees
Young Farmers
The Young Farmers program includes both men and women between the ages of 18-35. The objective of the program is to provide leadership in building a more effective Farm Bureau to preserve our individual freedoms and expand our opportunities in agriculture.
Women’s Leadership
The Women’s Leadership program engages women with the training and education they need to become powerful advocates for today’s agriculture. The program provides women with leadership training, communication skills, and networking to strengthen their ability to encourage positive change in their communities and in the agricultural industry. Two examples of key programs spearheaded by the program include the annual Women’s Communication Boot Camp and the year-round Our Food Link program.
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