(3/2024) County Launches Office Of Agriculture

The newly created Frederick County Office of Agriculture opened its doors for business in February. In her State of the County Address last fall, County Executive Jessica Fitzwater announced plans to strengthen support for this essential industry by combining the County’s agricultural land preservation and economic development functions. The Office of Agriculture will hold an open house from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 20, at 118 N. Market St. in Frederick.

"By creating the Office of Agriculture, we are making services easier to access and creating more opportunities for collaboration with our farms and our farmers," said Executive Fitzwater. "We have more young producers than any other county in Maryland. My goal is to ensure farming remains an important part of Frederick County’s bright future."

Frederick County is home to 1,367 farms, more than any other county in Maryland, according to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, which was released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Tuesday. More than 57% of land in Frederick County is zoned for agriculture. The industry generates an economic impact of $1.08 billion in Frederick County, according to a 2022 study by BEACON.

Under the leadership of Director Katie Stevens, the Office of Agriculture combines existing staff from the County’s agricultural land preservation programs and the agriculture-focused economic development specialists. The Office also manages the Agriculture Innovation Grants program and the HomegrownFrederick.com website. One of the first tasks for the new office will be to update the County’s Agricultural Strategic Plan, which was last published in 2008.

To learn more about the Office of Agriculture, visit FrederickCountyMD.gov/Agriculture. The office can be reached by emailing FCAG@FrederickCountyMD.gov or by calling 301-600-3037.

County Outlines Plans for Sustainable Transportation

Frederick County Government is accelerating efforts to be more climate resilient. At the Mobilize Frederick's annual Climate Summit, Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater announced two new initiatives by the Division of Energy and Environment to speed up the use of electric vehicles by the County and the public. The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Fleet Transition Plan for County Government and the Community-wide Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan will guide the County as it transitions toward sustainable transportation.

"With these plans, we are turning sustainability ideals into meaningful actions," County Executive Fitzwater said. "As our transportation infrastructure evolves, we not only pave the way for ‘greener’ vehicles, we also support innovation and economic growth. Our goal is to ensure a resilient future for Frederick County’s businesses and residents."

Data from across Frederick County show the transportation sector accounts for about 48% of all greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. Community input during the formation of the Livable Frederick Master Plan and feedback provided to the County Executive's transition team spoke to a desire to address this and create a more sustainable transportation system.

This need was accentuated when Governor Moore announced that the state would require car manufacturers to increase the share of electric vehicles they sell, reaching 100% of passenger car and light truck sales by 2035. By preparing now for a shift to EVs, Frederick County will be well-positioned to leverage federal and state funding to invest in infrastructure and resilience projects.

This work has already begun in Frederick County Government's operations. Staff from across County Divisions assessed which county vehicles were suitable for replacement with EVs or adoption of biodiesel. The process examined the status of existing vehicle technology, the kinds of tasks County vehicles perform, and the total cost of vehicle ownership. The resulting Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Fleet Transition Plan shows that it is possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector while lowering long-term fleet costs.

To make a substantial impact, others must be able to replicate and adopt these steps. The Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan (EVRP) provides a starting point for this process. The Plan identifies barriers to vehicle electrification and examines the need for expanding EV charging infrastructure.

Key highlights of the County's Community-wide EVRP initiative include:

• Collaboration with stakeholders: Frederick County is actively collaborating with stakeholders, including large employers, utility providers, and community organizations, to foster a collaborative approach.
• Evaluation of charging infrastructure: The EVRP includes an inventory of current and projected charging needs, as well as an examination of the costs, challenges, and benefits of community EV adoption.
• Consideration of equity: Understanding barriers to EV adoption and identifying communities at a disadvantage for this transition will help form equitable policies and develop strategies to ensure inclusive opportunities.
• Policy recommendations: An assessment of local ordinances, building codes, permitting processes, and parking and zoning regulations will help remove impediments to EV adoption.
• Implementation strategies: The EVRP examines opportunities for utilizing existing infrastructure in new ways, best practices for siting charging stations, and outreach efforts that can assist the community.
• Identifying funding opportunities: From federal funding to purchasing programs to grants and rebates, the County is outlining an array of economic incentives to fuel the transition to a zero-emission transportation system.

Shannon Moore, Director of the Division of Energy and Environment, expressed appreciation for the County's commitment to creating a more energy-efficient transportation system. "Working collaboratively across county agencies and in partnership with community stakeholders, we are creating a business and community-friendly way to reduce our carbon footprint and position Frederick County as a leader in the regional response to climate change."

Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer Appointed

Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater has appointed Tiffani Kenney as the County’s new Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer. The CEIO manages Frederick County Government’s overall Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) strategy through education, analysis, and action. Ms. Kenney brings to the role extensive experience in both the government and nonprofit sectors. Her appointment takes effect March 11.

"Ms. Kenney is highly qualified to lead our efforts to make Frederick County Government a place where all our employees can thrive and feel a strong sense of belonging," County Executive Fitzwater said. "I am confident Tiffani will help move Frederick County forward with the essential equity and inclusion work that is so critical to our mission."

Ms. Kenney currently serves as the Senior Diversity Equity and Inclusion Coordinator for the Public Broadcasting Service. Previously, she served as the Equity Department Chair at Pikesville High School. She earned her master’s degree in Urban Leadership from Morgan State University, and her bachelor's degree in Education from Stevenson University. Ms. Kenney holds certificates in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Management from Cornell University and in Fostering Diversity and Inclusion from Yale University. She is currently working on certification in DEIB Management from Harvard University.

As CEIO, Ms. Kenney will oversee the Office of Equity and Inclusion, which includes the Human Relations Department. She also will support four volunteer-led commissions, lead engagement initiatives, and facilitate changes in policy and practice to support inclusion in the workplace and community. Ms. Kenney will provide direct training and programming, partner with other DEIB champions, and serve as a key liaison to County and community stakeholders.