Some Harford County farmers say the county should have a Cabinet-level position for agriculture.

“We’re talking about BRAC and its economic impact all the time, but agriculture is already established,” said Harford County Council President Billy Boniface, a Republican who runs a horse farm in Darlington. “We have an industry that is right here in front of us, and it needs help.”

Farming in Harford County makes $52 million annually, said Dave Thompson, a member of the county’s Agriculture Advisory Board.

Because farming contributes so much to the economy, Thompson said, the industry deserves an advocate in County Executive David Craig’s Cabinet.

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In his proposed budget, Craig set aside $450,000 for a “sub-Cabinet” position in a newly created “Division of Agriculture.” He attempted to fund a similar post in this year’s budget, but the funding was cut by the former County Council, Craig said.

“It was considered an extravagant expense,” he said.

But Boniface and other farmers say more is needed and that Craig should fund a full, Cabinet-level position with a staff.

Sam Fielder, a Jarrettsville dairy farmer and president of the Harford County Farm Bureau, referred to recent instances in which small-farm produce stands came under scrutiny from the county health department and were shut down. Fielder said county farmers could work with the health department to get their stands open again, but an agriculture director could have perhaps got the matter resolved faster, or even before stands were closed.

Boniface said a director of agriculture could help county farmers market their goods on a local level and help with land preservation, alternative revenue streams, and diversifying crops and crop usage.

“Farming is changing so quickly; we need someone who can help us adjust,” Darlington farmer Richard Holloway said. “It would only help improve the county’s economy.”

mplum@baltimoreexaminer.com