New Website Launched for RMPIF
The General Assembly created the Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund in 2006
to help raise the overall standard of living in rural areas to a level that
meets or exceeds statewide benchmark averages. To date, no funding has been
appropriated. The Rural Maryland Council, which administers the Fund, estimates
$4 million a year is needed to meet the objectives of the legislation.
To read more about the fund. A separate website
has also been developed to provide more extensive information.
See: www.ruralmarylandprosperity.org.
USDA Seeks Input on Rural Development Program
On Wednesday, July 27, USDA Rural Development will convene a stakeholder outreach
meeting in Princess Anne to discuss Rural Development priorities for President
Obama's 2013 budget and Farm Bill. This meeting is important because it will
provide USDA-RD valuable input as it develops its mission area priorities for the
upcoming fiscal year. You are invited to share your insights on how USDA-Rural Development can enhance
its program administration and delivery to ensure that rural communities are able
to access the critical programs and resources that Rural Development has to offer.
Earlier this year, President Obama signed Executive Order 13563,
"Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review" requiring all federal agencies to
review existing regulations and determine which, if any, should be amended,
supplemented, or repealed. The Executive Order sets our principles and requirements
that promote public participation in government and encourage agencies to coordinate,
simplify, reduce costs and promote consistency for businesses and the public.
This is an opportunity for Rural Development to streamline regulations to reduce
the burden on small businesses and rural communities.
For more information and to register.
Rural Health Conference Set for November
Save the Date: The Maryland Rural Health Association (MRHA), in partnership with the Rural Maryland
Council (RMC), will host the Maryland Rural Health Conference on November 3-4,
2011 in Ocean City. Sponsorship and exhibit opportunities are also available now.
For complete information, see the
MRHA website.
GICA Releases New Toolkit for Communities
The Governor’s Intergovernmental Commission for Agriculture (GICA) has released
a “toolkit” designed to help Marylanders understand farming in the State and
how they can support it.
“Understanding and Responding to the Changing Needs of
Maryland Agriculture: A Toolkit for Local Communities” aims to provide local
communities and officials with a better understanding of the current state of
Maryland agriculture. The RMC, which is a member of the Commission, was pleased to
provide design services to this report. The toolkit suggests tools, methods and
resources that will help farmers, their neighbors and local officials better work
together towards creating communities that support both profitable agricultural
production and a high quality of life.
For more information. For more information, contact Joanna Kille
at 410-841-5886.
Maryland Increases Vineyard Acres 200 Percent
Maryland has experienced a 200 percent increase in the number of acres dedicated
to planting grapes since 2001, bringing the state’s grape growing industry closer
to meeting the demand for locally grown grapes by Maryland wineries, according to
the
2010 Maryland Vineyard Survey, recently released by the Maryland Grape Growers
Association (MGGA).
In 2008, Maryland wineries purchased 1.25 tons of grapes from out-of-state growers
for every ton that was produced in-state. Last year, the figure was .89 tons
purchased for each ton grown, which met more than half of the state’s wineries
production needs. The MGGA has conducted the survey four times in the last ten years. The 2010
survey shows that there are now 150 vineyards and 46 wineries on 601 acres in
Maryland – that represents a 19 percent increase in vines and a 12 percent increase
in acres since the survey was last conducted in 2008. Although there is at least one vineyard in every Maryland county, the majority of
grape vines are grown in Frederick County (24 percent), followed by Carroll (12 percent),
Baltimore (11 percent) and Queen Anne’s Counties (10 percent).
For more information.
RMC's Health Care Reform Webcast Now Online
The RMC's co-hosted a Statewide Health Care Reform in December 2010 to discuss what the
federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act means to rural communities, citizens and businesses. Most
presentations were made out of College Park and webcast to four rural forum locations around
the state. That webcast is now available for viewing. You will need a high speed
broadband connection to watch it. For more information
and to view the webcast.
Finance Committee Gets Rural Briefing
The Senate Finance Committee held a comprehensive briefing on rural needs on Feb. 23, 2011.
The RMC was among those invited to update the committee about its work. Speakers
included (in order of appearance):
- James Xinis, CEO, Calvert Memorial Hospital;
- James Ross, President, Chester River Health System;
- Vanessa Orlando, Executive Director, Rural Maryland Council;
- Michelle Clark, Executive Director, Maryland Rural Health Association;
- Earl Stoner, Health Officer, Washington County;
- Robert Neall, CEO, Priority Partners;
- Bill Satterfield, Executive Director, Delmarva Poultry Industry;
- Lynn Hoot, Executive Director, Maryland Grain Producers;
- Patrick McMillian, Assistant Secretary, Maryland Department of Agriculture; and
- Wayne Clark, Board Member, Maryland Broadband Cooperative.
To listen to the hearing, click here
and select Senate Finance Committee for February 23, starting at 1:21:11 p.m
Special RMC Programs
The Mission of the Rural Maryland Council is to build a bright future for Rural Maryland
by helping to address its unique concerns. The RMC works towards achieving effective solutions
by bringing together a diverse partnership of federal, state, and local government officials and
representatives from the private nonprofit and for-profit sectors to form a strong collective
voice dedicated to addressing the critical issues facing Rural Marylanders. The success of the
RMC depends on the strength of its Executive Board, membership and Working Committees. Our
general membership includes several hundred people -- each of whom brings a unique perspective,
background, knowledge, and skill set to the table. Any Maryland citizen is eligible to become a
member of the RMC. There is no fee for joining, just fill out an application form, mail or fax
it back to us and we'll be in touch. Click here for a Membership Application.
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