Local consumers prefer buying their produce from Maryland farmers, and nearly half of the grocery shoppers say they would be willing to pay more for locally grown fruits and vegetables.
These are several of the findings related to agriculture in the latest annual public opinion survey by the University of Baltimore's Schaefer Center for Public Policy.
Nearly 78 percent of the adults surveyed said they would be more likely to buy produce that is identified as having been grown by Maryland farmers.
This is a slight increase over last year's survey, which found that 75 percent of consumers expressed a desire to purchase homegrown farm products.
As an indication of the growing ties between farmers and consumers, the center found that only 57 percent of the shoppers expressed a preference for locally grown produce in 2006.
But fewer food buyers are saying they would be willing to dig deeper into their pockets to pay a higher price for local produce now than in the past.
This year's survey found that 44 percent of the consumers said they would be willing to pay a premium price for farm products. This is down from 48 percent last year.
The preservation of farmland, a major factor in the quality of life enjoyed by state residents, continues to be important to residents.
Ninety-seven percent of the people surveyed this year said that it is at least "somewhat important" that the state preserves land for farming. This is up slightly from 96 percent last year and 88 percent in 2006.
The vast majority of those surveyed this year - 80 percent - said it was "very important" to preserve farmland. Only 3.2 percent said it was not very important.
Consumer response to this survey is good news for Maryland farmers, Gov. Martin O'Malley said in a statement.
"Marylanders understand that agricultural products are essential to creating a sustainable Maryland to protect our culture, our economy and our environment," he said. "Buying local will continue our effort to protect and strengthen our middle class, our family-owned businesses and our family farms, while preserving our farmland and promoting rural economic development programs."
The survey found that roadside stands and farmers' markets are still popular with consumers, but their appeal has declined slightly.
Last year, 82 percent of the respondents said they had visited each in the past year. The latest survey found that 78 percent had made purchases from a farmers' market or roadside stand.
Pick-your-own fruit and vegetables farms have also lost a little of their appeal with consumers, according to the university's survey.
Only 27.4 percent of the respondents said they had made purchases from pick-your-own farms in the past year. This is down from 32 percent in the previous year's survey.
The phone survey of 812 adults found that residents are concerned about the environment, including pollution threats to the Chesapeake Bay.
Ninety-one percent said they viewed industrial discharge as a serious threat to the bay. Eighty-seven percent said discharge from waste treatment plants was polluting the bay.
Farm runoff was considered a major impact on the bay by 72.2 percent of the respondents and 63.8 percent said that storm water runoff from urban areas had a major impact on the health of the bay. The center said the survey has a margin error of plus or minus 3.44 percentage points.
Census report
The deadline for returning completed census of Maryland agriculture has passed, but don't let that stop you from participating in this important process that could affect farming in the state.
On Feb. 13, a second request mailing was sent to agricultural producers who had not returned their census reports. The original deadline was Feb. 4.
Richardson encouraged farmers and other agricultural businesses to return the forms. He said state leaders and the General Assembly needed complete and accurate information in determining future farm policy.
For additional information or assistance in completing the census form, call the USDA toll-free at 888-424-7828.