Media Advisory: MDA to Select Maryland’s Best 2012 Ice Cream Trailblazer on Monday, Sept. 10

ANNAPOLIS, MD (September 06, 2012) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) will select the first ever Maryland Ice Cream Trailblazer in a special “pull-a-winner-out-of-an-old-milk-jug” ceremony next week. MDA minted the Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail earlier this summer and encouraged all Marylanders to visit the seven dairy farms in the state that sell ice cream on farm. Ice cream lovers could pick up an official Ice Cream Trailblazer Passport and have it stamped at each creamery and send it to MDA for a chance to win prizes. MDA has received more than 100 completed passports (and they are still coming in).

Maryland Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance – who visited all seven creameries on the Trail this summer – will draw the winning passport next week. The 2012 Ice Cream Trailblazer will win (1) a $50 gift certificate to the creamery of his/her choice; (2) a DVD of The Maryland Harvest, an hour-long documentary about renown Maryland chefs and their partnerships with local farmers; and (3) a copy of the acclaimed cookbook Dishing Up Maryland by Lucie Snodgrass. Not to mention incredible bragging rights. The media is invited to attend.

What: Selection of the First Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trailblazer
Who: Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance and Deputy Secretary Mary Ellen Setting
When: Monday, September 10, 11:30 a.m.
Where: Maryland Department of Agriculture, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis

Reporters who wish to attend the event should RSVP to Julie Oberg, 410-841-5888 or [email protected] or Vanessa Orlando, 410-841-5889 or [email protected]