Approximately 300 people, including representatives from both urban and rural counties, attended LEAD Maryland’s second symposium which was titled “Image of Agriculture – Ag Evolution, Food Revolution.”  The symposium was created by the LEAD Maryland’s Class VIII and held on December 3.

The LEAD Maryland program identifies and develops leadership to serve the agricultural, natural resource, and rural communities of the state.  The educational program takes 2 years to complete and class size is limited to 25 persons.  Class members are required to attend educational sessions throughout Maryland and participate in one foreign trip.  Class IX will begin in 2015.

The symposium focused on how agriculture is changing to remain an important industry in Maryland and better serve the needs of its citizens.  The symposium included sessions on food and nutrition labeling, buying and sourcing local foods, genetically modified food, and how agricultural technologies are reducing pollution to the Chesapeake Bay.

Keynote speakers speakers included United States Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Michael T. Scuse and Chef Bryan Voltaggio.  Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Earl F. “Buddy” Hance provided welcoming remarks.