STUDY: Farm productivity is an economic engine in Frederick, Western Maryland [Video]

FREDERICK, Md. (DC News Now) — A statewide economic impact study conducted by Salisbury University concludes that farming is an economic driver in Maryland.

The analysis finds that investment in farm products has a positive ripple effect in the community.

“Farmers are feeding the towns and the people that are coming here,” said Katie Stevens, associate director for agriculture in Frederick County. “Farmers are a reason people visit a community and spend dollars in Frederick County.”

“There is a definite relationship between the value-added products that are grown on farms and consumers that live in cities,” says Richard Griffin, director of economic development for the City of Frederick.