Maryland Gov. Martin O’ Malley( second from right) poses with Jeanne Dietz-Band of Many Rocks Farm( L – R), Leslie and Natoma“ Cookie” Vargason of Cookie’ s Cooking Company as he tastes the locally crafted culinary creations during the 2012 Buy Local Cook Out at the Governor’ s Mansion in Annapolis.
Agri-business continues to be big business in Washington County: About 40 percent of the land mass supports agrelated businesses that generate more than $ 83 million in annual sales.
president of the Hagerstown-Washington County Chamber of Commerce.“ Leslie’ s involvement has brought representatives from agri-business to the boards of economic development, planning groups and other strategic community conversations.” Agri-business continues to be big business in Washington County: About 40 percent of the land mass supports agrelated businesses that generate more than $ 83 million in annual sales. Across the state, the county ranks No. 1 in hog production and No. 2 in both dairy and beef. Jim Kercheval, executive director of The Greater Hagerstown Committee, was a county commissioner when Leslie was selected for this slot in the Economic Development Commission. He saw her proven leadership in banking and her own agricultural roots as a good fit.“ When this position was created, we knew we needed to focus on finding a person who could build relationships” Jim recalls.“ We were lucky to get her.”
CONNECTING CITY AND COUNTRY“ Part of my job is in Annapolis,” Leslie says,“ but most of my assignments come from the ag community; that’ s where I hear about the immediate needs. Farmers can’ t stop working in the wake of some event like Hurricane Sandy. They can’ t wait it out huddled in the living room when the hogs need fed and cows need milked.” With that in mind, she has become a tireless advocate for the local farming community.“ One of Leslie’ s strengths has certainly been her enthusiasm,” Brien says.“ She’ s on call 24 / 7. I was driving to work early one morning and saw some cows loose along the road. Who do you call about that, especially before office hours? I didn’ t know where they belonged but I knew Leslie would know if I gave her the location and sure enough, she did!”
“ I work out of my truck and I wear boots and jeans,” Leslie says.“ I know my farmers by first names, their kids and their grandchildren. When something needs to be brought to light in Annapolis, I know exactly which farmer to take along to address it. We need to find the right round peg to fit into the right circle, and that’ s where I come in … There are leaders and there are followers,” she continues.“ I like to think I am the bridge. Our farmers have a lot to contribute and a story to tell.”
And Leslie has been both a leader and a bridge. She was the first person from Washington County to be selected to participate in LEAD Maryland, an agricultural-based leadership program that focuses on ag issues in the state. It ends with international travel and study, and Leslie’ s assignment took her to Hong Kong, Vietnam and Taiwan as she
36 March / April 2013 Hagerstown: The Best of Life in Washington County & Beyond