The region’s elected officials braved the heat on a recent June day for an inside look at Frederick County’s agriculture and nutrient management practices. COG’s Chair J Davis, Chesapeake Bay Policy Committee (CBPC) Vice-Chair and Arlington County Board member Barbara Favola, CBPC member and College Park Council Member Andrew Fellows joined CBPC Chair and Frederick County Commissioner John R. Lovell on the tour. .

A group of COG members were escorted by local farmers for Frederick County’s Agricultural Best Management Practices Farm and Tour, a special one-day event arranged at the urging of Lovell. Officials visited several farms for on-site examples of nutrient management systems, conservation programs and water quality best management practices.

The tour followed a morning session that included presentations from representatives of Frederick County’s Office of Economic Development and Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources, as well as a panel discussion featuring local farm representatives. Lunch included a special briefing by Maryland Agriculture Secretary Lewis Riley.

“The programs we’re discussing today address the best practices that affect agriculture and the people who live by them,” Lovell said.