Nation's oldest

Having spent a lifetime in the industry, Buddy Hance's agriculture credentials are impressive.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture secretary still farms today after putting in a hard day's work in Annapolis.

Meeting with the Maryland State Grange recently, however, was Hance's first with the nation's oldest agriculture organization.

"I've spent a lot of time in agriculture, but this is my first Grange meeting I ever went to, and I've learned a lot. I got an education about Grange tonight," Hance said at the Grange's 135th annual Session at American Legion Post 11 in Frederick .

Hance has been an active member of the Maryland Farm Bureau. He said the two organization's goals, working to make agriculture the state's No. 1 industry, are similar.

Agriculture is going through some serious changes, Hance said.

The Chesapeake Bay, which Hance described as a national treasure, has made Maryland farmers look at agriculture in new ways, he said.

"Having the Chesapeake Bay is a blessing and a curse. It challenges us to do the best we can to maintain this treasure," Hance said.

The loss of farmland, keeping young people interested in agriculture and ensuring profitability are industry issues that were important many years ago and are important now, Hance said.

Though many children have lost that connection to agriculture, the farm-to-school program is a wonderful way to link young people to agriculture, Hance said.

"I believe the United States is as strong as it is because we are able to feed ourselves" thanks to the technological advances that the American farmer has embraced, Hance said.

"This country not only feeds itself, it feeds the world and we can't continue to do that if we go back to how things used to be," Hance said.

The dairy industry supports many other industries, and agriculture is not only about maintaining open spaces, it's also about maintaining that rural character of Maryland, Hance said.

One bright spot in the industry over the last 18 months is the buy local program, Hance said. People's desire for locally grown foods portends well for producers, he said.

Grange Master Maurice Wiles discussed the dire straits faced by agriculture in his annual message.

"The world's oldest and most noble occupation is in serious trouble," Wiles said. "When the dairy farmer knows he is losing more money with each step he takes to the barn -- the cow -- not the milk becomes the focus for income."

The face of production agriculture is rapidly changing, reflected by world markets, Wiles said.

"Having crops to sell is far better than to have no crops to sell. However, if you don't cover your cost of production, you have accomplished little," Wiles said. "Let's hope better times are ahead, but recovery will be a long time coming."

Agriculture's grim picture is real, Wiles said.

"To help us cope, we have at our service two wonderful and valuable resources that can sustain us and give us hope," Wiles said. "The first, of course, is God, our hope, our prayer and our redeemer. The second is Grange."

The lessons taught and learned in Grange ritual are valuable for any season, Wiles said.

"Though neither can provide you with money, they both provide you with hope and understanding of the spirit of life and the value and importance of life," Wiles said. "Remember the lesson -- hope on, persevere ever."