Working with government and non-profit partners representing Maryland and Anhui Province, the Maryland-Anhui Sister State Committee on February 4 presented the “Maryland-Anhui Agricultural Community Showcase” in conjunction with a Lunar New Year Lantern Festival organized by the Coordination Council of Chinese American Associations (CCCAA) at Seneca Valley High School in Germantown, MD.

The interactive display and presentation of Maryland and Anhui (China) Province’s most notable agricultural products and attractions attracted an estimated 2,500 Asian-American attendees, as well as a host of Maryland and Montgomery County VIPs.

The Maryland Horse Industry Board, EquestrAsian Sports Association of Maryland (EquestrAsian), the Maryland Department of Agriculture, Anhui Friendship Association, together with the Anhui Provincial Foreign Affairs Office joined with the Committee to share the best from Maryland and Anhui agriculture:

• More than 500+ prepared portions of Maryland blue catfish cakes and 500+ portions of Maryland mushroom ragout were prepared and served by the Maryland Department of Agriculture and its caterer, Chesapeake Chef Service.
• The Garden International welcomed hundreds to its display of mushroom varieties grown in the organization’s Beltsville, MD facility.
• Maryland Horse Industry Board hosted dozens of visits to and photographs of the “Maryland Horse” by adults and children of all ages.
• EquestrAsian collected 18 signups and many more requests for the chance to qualify for one of 16 complimentary horse riding lessons later this year. The names of the recipients of the lessons (which will include lectures and practice at a horse barn) will be randomly drawn, and the lessons managed by EquestrAsian and the Maryland-Anhui Sister State Committee in late spring/early summer.
• The Anhui Friendship Association’s display of Anhui photos, foods and information received hundreds of visitors.

Among the Showcase’s VIP visitors were Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, Maryland Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Steve Connelly, Maryland State Senator Clarence Lam and Maryland State Delegate Lily Qi.

“Our overall objective was to promote the awareness, significance, and opportunities surrounding agricultural cooperation between the State of Maryland and the Province of Anhui (China) to Maryland- based Chinese- and Asian-American communities, citizens and families,” said Committee Chairman Mark Xu. “I think we achieved that, and so much more, thanks to the support and involvement of the Committee’s partners in Maryland and Anhui.”

To download the Committee’s report on the “Maryland-Anhui Agricultural Community Showcase,” click HERE.

Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Steve Connelly (3rd right) visited the display site of the Maryland Horse Industry Board

Maryland-Anhui Sister State Committee Chairman Mark Xu (1st right) posed with other VIPs

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, Director of Governor’s Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs Christina Poy, and Maryland-Anhui Sister State Committee Chairman Mark Xu checked out the blue catfish and mushroom food samples.

Anhui display table attracted visitors