Governor names new agriculture secretary
Gov. Martin O’Malley today has elevated deputy agriculture seecretary Earl “Buddy” Hance to head the Department of Agriculture.
Hance replaces Roger Richardson, 75, who announced his retirement today. His last day is May 5.
“I want to thank Secretary Richardson for his service to the State of Maryland and to the agricultural community,” O’Malley said in a statement. “Secretary Richardson is a lifelong farmer, has served in numerous capacities in Maryland’s agricultural community, and has been instrumental in working together with the environmental community to help build a sustainable future for Maryland.”
O’Malley said: “I am also proud to appoint Deputy Secretary Buddy Hance as Secretary to oversee Maryland’s department of Agriculture. Buddy is highly respected in both the environmental and agricultural communities and I am confident that he will continue the work that Secretary Richardson has done to build our vision for a smarter, greener, more sustainable State, while protecting our family owned farms, and Maryland’s rich agricultural heritage.”
