The Charles County Economic Development Department has appointed Molly Meehan as its new Agriculture and Rural Development Manager.
Meehan, a longtime Charles County resident and Maryland native, assumed the role to support and expand the county’s agriculture and resource-based industries. She brings over 20 years of experience in farming, education, local food systems, agritourism, farmers markets, and Community Supported Agriculture management. Her previous positions include work at Stonewall Farm and Education Center in Keene, New Hampshire; FRESHFARM, a nonprofit promoting regional food producers in the Washington, D.C., area; and the Accokeek Foundation, which operates the National Colonial Farm and Ecosystem Farm in Accokeek, Maryland, focusing on sustainable agriculture and historical education.
In her new position, Meehan will develop innovative programming, marketing efforts, and strategic partnerships to help local producers diversify operations, access new markets, and sustain growth. She will also work to boost public engagement with Charles County agriculture through initiatives like farmers market programs and matching dollar incentives for federal nutrition benefits, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
“The opportunity to serve our local agricultural community is the most rewarding part of this work,” Meehan said. “The connection between land and community has always been my passion.”
Meehan lives on a farmstead in Charles County with her family and cited Red Tree Farmstead in La Plata as an example of local innovation. “[Co-owners] Becky and Mark do an amazing job with cut flowers, value-added products, as well as their other farm offerings,” she said.
The Charles County Economic Development Department created the Agriculture and Rural Development Manager position to address the needs of the county’s farming sector, which includes more than 500 farms covering over 70,000 acres of farmland, according to the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture. Major products include grains, nursery crops, vegetables, livestock, and poultry. The department operates under the county government’s mission to retain, expand, and attract businesses, with a dedicated focus on agriculture through programs like the Agricultural Preservation Program and partnerships with the University of Maryland Extension office in La Plata.
Charles County maintains one of Maryland’s strongest agricultural preservation efforts, with over 30,000 acres protected through easements administered by the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation and local initiatives. The county’s Rural Legacy Area in the Zekiah Watershed helps protect additional lands from development. Farmers markets in La Plata, Waldorf, and Indian Head, along with the annual Charles County Fair in September, serve as key venues for direct-to-consumer sales.
The Economic Development Department supports rural businesses through the Charles County Agricultural Reconciliation Grant, which provides funding for marketing, equipment, and infrastructure improvements. It also facilitates the Rural Business Innovation Initiative, offering technical assistance for agritourism ventures such as pick-your-own operations, farm stays, and on-farm events.
Meehan’s role aligns with statewide efforts under the Maryland Department of Agriculture to strengthen local food systems and combat farmland loss. Charles County ranks high in Maryland for preserved agricultural land, reflecting community commitment to maintaining rural character amid growth from the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.
Residents can connect with agricultural resources through the Charles County Economic Development Department website or the University of Maryland Extension office, which offers workshops on topics ranging from soil health to business planning for small farms.
The department continues to promote Charles County as a place where agriculture remains a viable economic driver, supporting jobs in production, processing, and related services.