Governor Moore and Lieutenant Governor Miller Attend 2023 Maryland State Fair – Press Releases – News – Office of Governor Wes Moore

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Wes Moore and Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller Visit 142nd Maryland State Fair

Governor Wes Moore and Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller visited the 142nd Maryland State Fair in Timonium to celebrate the work of the Maryland agricultural industry. In addition to touring the fairgrounds, Governor Moore spoke with farmers and agricultural producers during the Governor’s Ag Day Luncheon.

Agriculture as Maryland’s Number One Industry

“Agriculture is Maryland’s number one industry and we produce some of the best agricultural products in the nation,” said Gov. Moore. “Our farmers are the lifeblood of our state’s economy and you cannot understand the story of Maryland without understanding the stories of our farmers.”

The 2023 Maryland State Fair

The 2023 Maryland State Fair features 22,000 competitive events showcasing Maryland’s best animals, produce, and arts and crafts. The annual event attracts over 500,000 guests each year. Since 2005, the fair has donated nearly $500,000 in scholarships to Maryland youth.

Governor’s Ag Day Luncheon

The Governor’s Ag Day Luncheon features Maryland’s finest food products made by members of the fair’s food pavilion. The annual event is attended by leaders from across Maryland’s agriculture industry, including representatives from the Maryland Department of Agriculture, the Maryland Association of Soil Conservation, the University of Maryland, Maryland 4-H, Maryland Future Farmers of America, the State Fair Association, industry groups, local governments, and many other sectors.

State Fair Celebration

“The State Fair is an opportunity for Marylanders from every corner of the state to experience the exceptional and unique products of Maryland’s vibrant agricultural industry,” said Lt. Gov. Miller. “Thank you to the farmers, vendors, volunteers, industry leaders, and of course, the hundreds of thousands of fairgoers, who helped make this year’s State Fair a success.”

Fairground Visit

Following the luncheon, Governor Moore, Lieutenant Governor Miller, and Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks walked the fairgrounds to visit exhibits, greet fairgoers on rides and at games, and discuss opportunities for Maryland farmers and industry professionals.

Supporting Maryland Agriculture

This year, the Moore-Miller administration supported more than $1 million in general funds toward the Maryland Agricultural Fair Board’s promotion of state and county agricultural fairs and exhibits. The board also provides financial aid to qualifying organizations to support exhibitors of agricultural displays.

In February, Governor Moore and Lieutenant Governor Miller attended the 53rd Annual Taste of Maryland Agriculture celebration. The event promoted skills training and education, Chesapeake Bay restoration, climate resilience and environmental justice, and support for the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation, which preserves sufficient agricultural land to maintain a viable local base of food and fiber production for Maryland.

Governor Moore also announced two major Maryland Department of Agriculture initiatives in April to establish new market connections between farmers, watermen, and Maryland food banks and help alleviate food insecurity in the state. Through federal partnership, the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program provides Maryland with $6.1 million to fund the purchase of local food from Maryland farmers and watermen. The Maryland Food and Agricultural program will provide an additional $200,000 annually to build food system resiliency by leveraging Maryland agricultural products and services to support the state’s food banks and charitable emergency food providers.

Conclusion

The 2023 Maryland State Fair ends on Sunday, Sept. 10. For more information about the Maryland State Fair, visit marylandstatefair.com.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 15: Life on Land

The article discusses the importance of the agricultural industry in Maryland, which is connected to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) as it focuses on food production and security. It also mentions the economic impact of agriculture, linking it to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). The article mentions the Maryland Agricultural Fair Board’s promotion of state and county agricultural fairs and exhibits, which aligns with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Additionally, the article highlights the support for Chesapeake Bay restoration and climate resilience, which relates to SDG 13 (Climate Action). Lastly, the preservation of agricultural land mentioned in the article connects to SDG 15 (Life on Land).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers.
• Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading, and innovation.
• Target 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains.
• Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
• Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.

Based on the article’s content, the targets mentioned above can be identified. These targets focus on improving agricultural productivity and incomes, promoting economic productivity and innovation, reducing food waste, building resilience to climate-related hazards, and ensuring the conservation and sustainable use of ecosystems.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 2.3.1: Volume of production per labor unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size.
• Indicator 8.2.1: Annual growth rate of real GDP per employed person.
• Indicator 12.3.1: Food loss index.
• Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
• Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area.

The article does not explicitly mention these indicators, but they can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators measure the volume of production per labor unit, economic growth per employed person, food loss, impacts of disasters, and forest area as a proportion of land area.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: governor.maryland.gov

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