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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Rural Maryland Council Honors Rural Community Advocates

PHOTO CAPTION: Doris Mason, Past Board Chair, Rural Maryland Council, presented Maryland Department of Budget Management Secretary David Brinkley with the 2016 Rural Champion Award.

Annapolis, MD – The Rural Maryland Council and its membership convened Monday, November 28, 2016 for its Annual and Executive Board Meeting at Quiet Waters Park, Blue Heron Center. In addition to providing an overview of upcoming events and activities for 2017, the Rural Maryland Council also held its annual Rural Impact Awards Ceremony to honor advocates for rural Maryland communities. This year, Maryland Department of Budget Management Secretary David Brinkley was honored with the 2016 Rural Champion Award for outstanding leadership and public service by working with individuals from all levels of Government, as well as for-profit and nonprofit organizations to effectively address solutions to benefit rural communities.

Secretary Brinkley has shown strong support for local agriculture and wineries during his time in the Maryland Senate. In 2011, he sponsored Senate Bill 821 to allow for special permits for wineries to sell at farmers markets in Frederick County. Secretary Brinkley also sponsored the Family Farm Preservation Act of 2012, and has been a supporter of the Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund (RMPIF). Secretary Brinkley resides on a small farm in Frederick County.

In addition, Mr. Tom McLoughlin, Immediate Past Chair of the Rural Maryland Council Health Care Committee, was presented with the Outstanding Rural Community Involvement Award for his leadership, dedication, and noteworthy volunteer achievement to help improve rural communities. Immediate Past Chair of the Rural Maryland Council, Ms. Doris Mason, was presented with the Outstanding Rural Supporter Award for her dedication to service as Chair of the Council for 2016.

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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