SMADC is the go-to resource in Southern Maryland and beyond for farmers and producers who want to increase their potential and for consumers who want to connect with local farms and food. We are committed to expanding and promoting a viable and profitable agricultural farming community.As Director of the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) I am responsible for developing, implementing, and administering all aspects of the SMADC Strategic Plan as approved by SMADC and the TCCSMD Executive Board. Our mission is to promote diverse, market-driven agricultural enterprises, which coupled with agricultural land preservation, will preserve Southern Maryland’s environmental resources and rural character while keeping the region’s farmland productive and the agricultural economy vibrant.Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited too:Research, develop partnerships and write grants for special, state and federal funding opportunities to advance the work of the SMADC programs and related opportunities which will benefit from successful grants award and completion.Liaison with federal, state and local governments and community organizations in advancement of SMADC development efforts.Create an Outreach and Public Relations Program and implement specific marketing projects designed to promote and support the marketing opportunities for SMADC.Financial management of the SMADC programs and grants, including the development and implementation of annual budgets, operational and strategic plans.Write articles, develop publications, websites, exhibits and plan seminars, annual meetings, workshops to communicate SMADC goals and strategies to advance the mission of SMADC/TCCSMD.Support of all activities associated with SMADC, including staffing for all Board and Commission meetings, meeting schedules, locations, development of agenda, and meeting materials.

Robin Hill Farm & Vineyards is our family farm, vineyard, winery, and wedding venue. The winery tasting room is open all year round on Saturdays from 12-6pm and Sundays from 12-5pm, and wedding site visits are by appointment.My roles include the following:Oversee the marketing and advertising functions of the business, which includes creating marketing materials, managing online advertising and maintaining social media pages to attract vendors and customers. Co-manage and execute the planning of farm events, which includes weddings, agricultural meetings, and private events. Maintain and organize outreach and educational events, both on and off the farm property.Assist in the vineyard preparation, maintenance, and management which includes, planting, pruning, training vines to the wire, placement of grow tubes & bird netting, leaf pulling, harvesting, processing, and any other daily and seasonal vineyard activities as needed. Adapt quickly to unforeseen changes in circumstances that affect the agri-tourism industry, including weather, crop supply, employee retention and regulatory issues by maintaining a positive and flexible attitude to ensure farm and customer needs are met.

Planned, developed and executed marketing and agribusiness development projects to promote the production, distribution and consumption of Maryland agricultural products, especially innovative, niche, value-added products, and those pertaining to Maryland farmers markets - this included identifying and developing local, national and international marketing opportunities. Developed and executed marketing and promotion campaigns for Maryland farmers markets and the Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) on various platforms such as social media, billboards, bus ads, flyers, posters, and mailers. Promotion of targeted marketing campaigns in 2016 reached over 3.1 million consumers in Maryland.

In my role as farm manager and event coordinator I did the following:Revitalized and restructured several farm programs, which resulted in an increase of several thousand people attending the educational tours, private events and fall festival. Scheduled and supervise more than 60 seasonal employees during the fall farm festival.Developed and organized training programs for middle management level staff.Managed farm outreach to school tours, farm tours, and community events. Honed extensive public speaking skills while addressing groups ranging from small school tours to hundreds of people at a time.Expanded the network and working relationships that Montpelier Farms had with groups within the agricultural industry, including but not limited to, Prince Georges County Soil Conservation District, Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, Maryland Farm Based Educators, Maryland Department of Agriculture, Maryland Farm Bureau, the University of Maryland Extension, and Prince Georges County Farm Bureau. Maintained calendars of all meetings and appointments, and email and phone correspondence.Drafted speeches and created presentations for all agricultural group events. Oversaw marketing and advertising function, which included creating marketing materials, managing online advertising and maintaining social media pages to attract vendors and customers. Developed the farm’s farmers market program and contacted local farmers and vendors to participate. Created new policies for the farmers market rules and regulations and explained and enforced the new policies with participating vendors. Enrolled the farm in the Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).Managed and planned all on and off-farm events, which included presentations, corporate events, educational tours, farmers markets and private events.