Noxious Weed Control Committee

Meetings are held once a year, sometime between November and January, and are usually held at a local restaurant at 7:00 a.m. while having breakfast.

Purpose:  The Noxious Weed Control Program is responsible for overseeing the control of noxious weeds in St. Mary's County. The noxious weed are Johnsongrass (Sorghum Halepense), Shattercane (Sorghum Bicolor), and Thistle (Asteraceae or composite family), including Canada, Musk, Nodding, Plumeless, and Bull thistle. The programs also responsible for enforcing the Multi-flora Rose Management Law. These weeds have been deemed noxious because they are extremely invasive and are difficult to control, therefore requiring intense management practices. These noxious weeds are not indigenous to this area, are capable of out-competing agricultural crops, and are not easily controlled by normal agricultural practices. This program advises the landowner or farmer on control methods, initiates a control program, and has the capability of providing a spray service, for a fee.

Composition: Members are appointed by the County Commissioners. The Farm Bureau originally appointed the members, but in accordance with the Agreement the Department of Agriculture, the Commissioners now make the appointments. The Farm Bureau forwarded the names of those individuals who were serving and the Commissioners appointed them. They are individuals who have an interest in this program.

Tenure: There are no terms nor set number of members.