1. (a) The Commission consists of:

   1. (1) One member who is ex officio and is the principal administrative official for agricultural affairs at the University System of Maryland as designated by the Chancellor of the University; and

   2. (2) The following members appointed by the Governor:

      1. (i) One representative of the dairy industry;
      2. (ii) One representative of the poultry industry;
      3. (iii) One representative of the livestock industry;
      4. (iv) One representative of the nursery, landscape, and greenhouse industry;
      5. (v) One representative of the fruit industry;
      6. (vi) One representative of the field crops industry;
      7. (vii) One representative of the vegetable industry;
      8. (viii) One representative of the veterinary profession;
      9. (ix) One representative of the Maryland State Grange;
      10. (x) One representative of the Maryland Farm Bureau;
      11. (xi) One representative of services related to agriculture;
      12. (xii) One representative of the turf industry;
      13. (xiii) One representative of the equine industry;
      14. (xiv) One representative of the food processing industry;
      15. (xv) One representative of the general public to be the consumer member;
      16. (xvi) One representative of the organic farming industry;
      17. (xvii) One representative of direct farm marketing;
      18. (xviii) One representative of viticulture;
      19. (xix) One representative of agriculture education in primary or secondary schools;
      20. (xx) One representative of agri-business;
      21. (xxi) One representative of the forestry industry;
      22. (xxii) One representative of the aquaculture industry;
      23. (xxiii) One representative of value-added agriculture and agritourism;
      24. (xxiv) One representative of the biofuel industry;
      25. (xxv) One representative of the hemp industry;
      26. (xxvi) One representative of the controlled environmental agriculture industry;

      27. (xxvii) One representative of socially disadvantaged farmers;

          (xxviii) One representative of veteran farmers;

      28. (xxix) One representative of the Committee on Young Farmers;
      29. (xxx) One representative of urban and small farmers; and
      30. (xxxi) One representative of new and beginning farmers.

2. (b)

   1. (1) The consumer member of the Commission:

      1. (i) Shall be a member of the general public;
      2. (ii) May not be involved in any way with the activities on which the Commission advises the Secretary; and
      3. (iii) May not, within 1 year before appointment, have had a financial interest in or have received compensation from a person who is involved in any way with the activities on which the Commission advises the Secretary.
   2. (2) While a member of the Commission, the consumer member may not have a financial interest in or receive compensation from a person who is involved in any way with the activities on which the Commission advises the Secretary.

3. (c)

   1. (1) The term of membership is 3 years.
   2. (2) A person may not serve more than two consecutive terms.

Added by Acts 1973, 1st Sp. Sess., c. 6, § 1. Amended by Acts 1988, c. 246, § 2; Acts 1991, c. 125; Acts 1996, c. 180, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, c. 14, § 1, eff. April 8, 1997; Acts 1997, c. 114, § 1, eff. July 1, 1997; Acts 2005, c. 350, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2005; Acts 2007, c. 602, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2007; Acts 2022, c. 459, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2022; Acts 2025, c. 43, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2025; Acts 2025, c. 44, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2025.

Formerly Art. 66C, § 47A.