New Episode of Maryland Public TV series Maryland Farm & Harvest Airs Tuesday

OWINGS MILLS, MD – Maryland Public Television’s (MPT) popular original series Maryland Farm & Harvest is now in its third season with new half-hour episodes airing Tuesdays at 7 p.m. The series puts a human face on Maryland agriculture by telling stories of the people, skills and technology required to sustain and grow the state’s number one industry.

In recent months the Maryland Farm & Harvest production team has filmed at more than two dozen farms and agriculture facilities across the state. Early episodes of the new season highlights some of the challenges local farms encounter – such applying different types of irrigation to meet crop needs and analyzing soil to ensure it’s as productive as possible – and explores industry advancements including use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) to help farmers improve their harvests and save money.

Joanne Clendining, who earned an Emmy® from the National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter (NCCBC) of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for her work as Maryland Farm & Harvest host, returns for season three.  Joining Joanne is Contributing Editor Al Spoler, who serves up the Local Buy segment during each episode.

During its first two seasons Maryland Farm & Harvest has been nominated for five Emmy awards from the NCCBC of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Featured on the program on Tuesday, November 24 at 7 p.m. are:

• Springfield Farm in Glencoe. Just in time for Thanksgiving, Al Spoler, host of The Local Buy segment, visits one of the state’s turkey growers. Spoler learns about Springfield Farm’s “heritage breed” turkey, which not only has a unique taste, but the farmers claim it’s close to what the Pilgrims would have known.

• Roseda Black Angus Farm in Monkton. The farm markets its Roseda Beef and is one of the largest suppliers of dry-aged beef in the mid-Atlantic region. Host Joanne Clendining visits the farm and learns about how genetics play a role in creating top-notch beef. 

• Deerfield Farm in Centreville. Deerfield Farm and farmer Jenny Rhodes are highlighted during this episode. Some farmers truly do it all, and Jenny has been able to raise a family while maintaining a chicken farm and working for the University of Maryland Extension, helping other farmers make the most of their land.

• Miller Farms in Clinton. Miller Farms is a supplier for “Hungry Harvest,” a business that helps connect farmers that have surplus produce with needy families. Host Joanne Clendining learns more about the farm’s important work to provide Maryland families with nutritious local produce.

The series airs on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. on MPT-HD and is rebroadcast on Thursdays at 11:30 p.m. and Sundays at 6 a.m. Each show also airs on MPT2, on Fridays at 6:30 p.m.  For more information visit mpt.org/farm.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture is MPT’s co-production partner for Maryland Farm & Harvest. Major funding is provided by the Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board.

Additional funding is provided by Maryland’s Best; the Maryland Soybean Board; MidAtlantic Farm Credit; the Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation; the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation; and the Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts.  Other support comes from the Arthur W. Perdue Foundation; the Maryland Nursery, Landscape & Greenhouse Association; the Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association; the Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc.; Willard Agri-Service Company; the Maryland Farm Bureau Service Company; the Mar-Del Watermelon Association; and the Maryland Grape Growers Association.

About MPT

Launched in 1969 and headquartered in Owings Mills, MD, Maryland Public Television is a nonprofit, state-licensed public television network and member of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).  MPT’s six transmitters cover Maryland plus portions of contiguous states and the District of Columbia.  Frequent winner of regional Emmy® awards, MPT creates local, regional, and national television shows.  Beyond broadcast, MPT’s commitment to professional educators, parents, caregivers, and learners of all ages is delivered through year-round instructional events and the super-website Thinkport, which garners in excess of 19 million page views annually.  MPT’s community engagement connects viewers with local resources on significant health, education, and public interest topics through year-round outreach events, viewer forums, program screenings, and phone bank call-in opportunities.

###