Ag Secretary Gets Unusual Unveiling

Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) today is expected to announce his nomination of Eastern Shore farmer Roger Richardson for secretary of agriculture.

But House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel) got a little ahead of the game yesterday.

Filling time before O'Malley appeared to deliver his State of the State address to a joint session of the General Assembly, Busch started acknowledging dignitaries in the chamber, including members of O'Malley's staff and Cabinet.

Among them: Richardson.

Busch aides say the Speaker was working from a list provided to him by O'Malley's staff. It was last night before either staff could confirm this: Richardson wasn't actually there.

In a statement released this morning, O'Malley wrote, "Roger Richardson has generously agreed to join the O'Malley/Brown Administration and support our agricultural community, and we are grateful that he will step up to the challenge.

"As a farmer, an entrepreneur, and a proven administrator, Roger will help farmers adapt to the challenges of Maryland's evolving economy."

Richardson is a sixth generation farmer, who works 3,500 acres of land on Maryland's Eastern Shore. He also has a private trucking company devoted to the transportation of agricultural products.

He currently serves as President of the National Association of Farmer Elected Committees, Director of the American Corn Growers Association, Chairman of the Board of Review for the Maryland Department of Agriculture, and as president of the Snow Hill Grain co-op.