Governor's Intergovernmental Commission for Agriculture

About the Governor's Intergovernmental Commission for Agriculture (GICA)

Vision & mission

The Commission shall work to promote the economic profitability of agriculture in the State by ensuring that all appropriate State agencies work in a cooperative, coordinated manner with local government and industry groups in planning, implementing, overseeing and evaluating intergovernmental initiatives related to agricultural affairs of the State.

Primary responsibilities   

1. Promote a clear and consistent business-friendly climate for agriculture in the State by serving as a liaison between the Governor and local governments and industry organizations;
2. Develop an annual, coordinated intergovernmental plan for services and functions dealing with the agricultural affairs of the State;
3. Develop procedures for identifying and assessing agricultural developments with a potential for impact on the State and on local governments;
4. Develop and implement a consistent, systematic method for the coordination of the State's agricultural economic development activities;
5. Develop and implement specific and measurable actions to improve the economic and regulatory climate for agriculture in the State;
6. Make recommendations for programs and policies, if appropriate, in order to ensure that the needs and goals of the State's agricultural strategy are met and accomplished; AND
7. Undertake the establishment of an "agricultural affairs information center" that serves as the first point of contact regarding agricultural issues impacting farmers in the State.

Members

Meetings

The full Commission meets approximately twice a year. 

Three subcommittees also meet throughout the year, each focused on a specific topic: Education, Labor and Development; Environment and Natural Resources; and Agritourism and Value-Added Agriculture.

Upcoming meetings

Past meetings

Meetings are listed in reverse chronological order, with the most recent at the top.

November 6, 2025: Subcommittee meetings

• Education, Labor and Development Subcommittee
  • Agenda - PDF - 216.71 KB
  • Meeting notice
  • Meeting minutes (video) 
• Environment and Natural Resources Subcommittee
  • Agenda - PDF - 225.12 KB
  • Meeting notice
  • Meeting minutes (video) 
• Agritourism and Value Added Agriculture Subcommittee
  • Agenda - PDF - 228.51 KB
  • Meeting notice
  • Meeting minutes (video)​

September 4, 2025: Subcommittee meetings 

• Video: Labor, Education, and Development Subcommittee meeting
• Video: Environment and Natural Resources Subcommittee meeting​
• Video: Agritourism & VAA Subcommittee meeting

August 7, 2025: Full commission meeting

• Video: Governor's Intergovernmental Commission on Agriculture meeting

July 17, 2025: Subcommittee meetings

• Video: Labor, Education, and Development Subcommittee meeting
• Video: Environment and Natural Resources Subcommittee meeting​
• Video: Agritourism & VAA Subcommittee meeting

May 8, 2025: Subcommittee meetings

• Video: Labor, Education, and Development Subcommittee meeting 
• ​Video: Environment and Natural Resources Subcommittee meeting​
• Video: Agritourism & VAA Subcommittee meeting

April 23, 2025: Full commission meeting 

• Agenda - PDF - 250.55 KB
• Meeting notice
• Meeting minutes (video)​​ 

December 5, 2024: Subcommittee meetings

• Education, Labor and Development Subcommittee
  • ​ - PDFAgenda - PDF - 98.95 KB
  • Meeting notice
  • Meeting minutes (video)​
• Environment and Natural Resources Subcommittee
  • ​ - PDFAgenda
  • Meeting notice 
  • Meeting minutes (video)
• Agritourism and Value Added Agriculture Subcommittee
  • ​ - PDFAgenda - PDF - 116.69 KB
  • Meeting notice​
  • Meeting minutes (video)
  • Meeting materials - PDF - 2.71 MB​ - PDF 

October 31, 2024: Full commission meeting

• Agenda - DOCX - 38.58 KB
• Meeting notic​e​
• Meeting minutes (video)​ 

June 27, 2024: Full commission meeting

• Agenda - PDF - 75.92 KB
• Meeting notice
• Meeting minutes - PDF - 95.23 KB

June 30, 2021: Full commission meeting

• Agenda - PDF - 58.48 KB
• Presentation: Value-Added Agriculture in Maryland, by Grow & Fortify - PDF - 3.15 MB
• Presentation: Farm Stays - The New Agritourism Frontier, by the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) - PDF - 3.37 MB
• Meeting minutes - PDF - 175.88 KB​