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Rural Maryland Council Elects 2017 Leadership

Opportunities are abound throughout rural Maryland and the Rural Maryland Council is excited for the future. The Rural Maryland Council (RMC) met on Monday, November 28, 2016 for its Annual and Executive Board Meeting in Annapolis and elected officers for the 2017 calendar year. The Council elected the following officers:

  • Chair: Mr. Josh Hastings
  • First Vice Chair: Mr. Matthew Teffeau
  • Second Vice Chair: Mr. Erroll Mattox

Mr. Josh Hastings currently serves as Policy Director for the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy where he monitors land use policies at the local, state, and federal government levels. “I am looking forward to serving the residents of rural Maryland and am excited for this opportunity,” said Mr. Hastings. “With the 2017 Legislative Session of the Maryland General Assembly fast approaching, we look forward to focusing our legislative priorities on continued fund support for the Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund (RMPIF), rural economic development, preservation of agricultural lands, and increased access to health care.”

Mr. Matthew Teffeau serves as Government Relations Director for the Maryland Department of Agriculture where he is responsible for all aspects of the Department’s state, local and federal legislative activities. “Agriculture is an essential part of our rural economy. We want to ensure its continued viability while protecting our rural communities and cultural heritage.”

Mr. Erroll Mattox serves as Farm Management Specialist for the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension where he provides consultation and education for small farms and organic farmers. “Agriculture remains Maryland’s largest commercial economic sector, and it is incredibly vital to our rural areas. Sustaining and enhancing agriculture and agritourism builds strong rural communities.”

Ms. Doris Mason of the Upper Shore Regional Council serves on the RMC Executive Committee as the Immediate Past Chair.

 The Rural Maryland Council operates under the direction of a 40-member executive board in a nonpartisan and nondiscriminatory manner. It serves as the state’s federally designated rural development council and functions as a voice for rural Maryland, advocating for and helping rural communities and businesses across the state to flourish and to gain equity to its suburban and urban counterparts. The vision for RMC is the ultimate realization that residents in rural communities are achieving success in education and employment, have access to affordable, quality health care and other vital public services, and live in an environment where natural and cultural resources are being sustained for future generations.

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