New Episode of Maryland Farm & Harvest premieres January 10

Popular weekly series showcases Maryland’s largest industry

Co-host Al Spoler with Jack King of King’s Organic Berry Farm in Ridgley (Credit: Maryland Public Television)

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Maryland Public Television’s popular original series Maryland Farm & Harvest is now in its fourth 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. Episode 409 will premiere Tuesday, January 10, at 7 p.m.

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 four.  Joining Joanne is Contributing Editor Al Spoler, who serves up the Local Buy segment during each episode.

Featured on this week’s episode:

• Pine Grove Farms in Caroline County. Farmer Bill Caulk, who raises produce, donates his long hair to Locks of Love at the Baltimore Farmer’s Market.
• Stone Valley Farm in Carroll County. Viewers meet Colin O’Meara, who doesn’t come from a farming background but has still managed to break into the business.  O’Meara shares how he has overcome challenges to grow his grain and cattle farm in Westminster.
• Rill Family Club Lambs in Carroll County. Brad Rill shows what it takes to produce a Maryland State Fair award-winning show lamb.
• During the Buy Local segment, host Al Spoler visits King’s Organic Fruit in Caroline County, where he talks to Jack King—a former dairy farmer turned organic berry farmer.

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 7 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 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.

# # #

Follow the Maryland Department of Agriculture on Twitter @MdAgDept