The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) is a unit of Maryland State government formed in 1972 on the basis of agriculture's growing importance and impact to the economy of the state. 

MDA Headquarters are located at 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway in Annapolis, Maryland and branch offices are throughout the state to serve local needs.

MDA programs are a combination of regulatory, consumer facing and educational or promotional in scope. All are intended to provide the maximum protection possible for the consumer, protect the environment and promote the economic well-being of farmers, food and fiber processors and businesses engaged in agricultural related operations.