‘Farm-to-Fork’ Tour Highlights Md. Agriculture
SALISBURY, Md. — To better understand the full scope of the poultry industry and its importance to Maryland’s economy and landscape, Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown recently toured Perdue Farms, Inc., the only major poultry integrator headquartered in Maryland.
During the visit, which was billed as a “farm-to-fork” learning tour, Brown was briefed by company officials, toured three facilities and met with local farmers.
“While we know that the poultry industry is the top segment of Maryland agriculture and a major economic driver for the Eastern Shore, I really wanted to see and hear first hand the benefits and issues surrounding the industry,” Brown said. “Today, by touring Perdue Farms, one of the four poultry companies operating on the shore, I saw just how important this industry is to thousands of families in Maryland, how progressive the poultry business is, and how tied to the earth it remains. I learned about the severity of land development pressures on farmers, the issues surrounding the fast growth of biofuels, labor, and much more.”
Brown began his tour in Salisbury with a briefing on all aspects of the poultry industry at Perdue Farms’ Innovation Center. Along with local elected and state agriculture officials, Perdue leadership and members of the media, Brown toured the facility where the company develops and tests new consumer and food service products. Product testing was under way, allowing Brown to sample a number of poultry products that may one day find their way to supermarket shelves.
The tour proceeded to the Perdue Agribusiness complex where the company operates its grain and oilseed business. His tour there included a view of grain receiving and feed manufacturing as well as soybean crushing and processing into oil for the food and biodiesel industries.
From there, he traveled to the Lee and Dana Richardson family’s poultry and grain operation in Willards where he met members of the local farm community. At the farm, he saw first-hand environmental best management practices including manure storage, water management, tree buffers and cover crops.
“Because the scope of the poultry industry is so vast, from a policy-making standpoint, we need to have a comprehensive understanding of all of the issues from growing grain and poultry, to processing, labor, environmental and development pressures, and now renewable fuels,” Brown said. “Gov. O’Malley and I want to make sure that profitable agriculture remains a strong part of our state’s economy, environment and lifestyle and that we have a healthy, local food supply. Today, I’ve received great input to take back with me thanks to Perdue and the farm community.”