Representing Maryland Organics—And I Want to Hear from You
I'm honored to serve as the Organic Representative on the Maryland Agriculture Commission, a group that advises the Secretary of Agriculture on issues impacting the state’s farming community. The Commission is made up of over 30 members representing a broad cross-section of agriculture—from grain and livestock to aquaculture, hemp, forestry, poultry and viticulture. Each seat serves a 3-year term, and we meet monthly to hear updates, set priorities, and advocate for Maryland’s diverse farmers.
In addition to holding the Organic seat, I also serve on three key committees:
Chair of the Farm Profitability Committee
Vice Chair of the Value-Added Agriculture Committee
Member of the Agricultural Policy Committee
Across all these roles, I’m working to ensure organic farming is not just included—but prioritized—in conversations about profitability, infrastructure, innovation, and statewide agricultural policy.
Before each monthly meeting, I connect with organic farmers throughout the state to gather feedback, stories, concerns, and policy needs to bring forward to the Commission. If you’re an organic farmer in Maryland, I want to hear from you!
We also travel as a Commission twice a year, touring farms in four different counties annually to see operations up close and hear directly from the farmers doing the work on the ground.
If you’re interested in shaping Maryland’s agricultural future—and keeping organic farming front and center—please don’t hesitate to reach out. Whether it’s an issue you’re facing or a success you’d like to share, your input helps shape the work I bring to the table.
Together, we can keep Maryland’s agriculture resilient, innovative and rooted in healthy soil.
Emma Jagoz
Moon Valley Farm
Organic Representative, Maryland Agriculture Commission