Hundreds of people, including many legislators and state officials attended the 2015 “Taste of Maryland Agriculture” event on February 4 to honor dedicated farmers and agricultural innovators and celebrate the contributions of agriculture to the state (and maybe enjoy a few locally produced food and beverages).

Among those honored were the Swann Family of Calvert County, who were inducted into Maryland’s Agriculture Hall of Fame for their generational contributions to farming, and Arthur “Squeaky” Kirk, for his efforts to engage Baltimore City youth in agriculture and gardening. With legislators from most of Maryland’s counties looking on, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan praised the honorees and stressed the importance of agriculture and farming in the State.

Event presenters also introduced Maryland’s next crop of agricultural youth leaders and announced this year’s Maryland Agriculture Grant Awards recipients.

The event’s hashtag was #MDAGSTRONG.