New Episode of Maryland Public TV series Maryland Farm & Harvest Airs Dec. 29

ANNAPOLIS, 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.

Featured on the program on Tuesday, December 29 at 7 p.m. are:

• Schillinger Genetics in Queenstown. Host Joanne Clendining learns from scientist and farmer Billy Rhodes about new varieties of seeds that compete with genetically modified seeds.  Rhodes provides a tour of the molecular marker lab to see where scientists perform DNA extraction, looking for traits that will give crops such as corn and soybeans a higher quality protein with fewer sugars.

• Saathoff Farm in Easton. Farmer Robert Saathoff takes viewers through the five month corn growing process, from the tiny seed to the full ear, and the potential perils along the path.

• Arbaugh’s Flowing Springs in Union Bridge. What does it take to keep a dairy herd in tip-top shape? Well, for starters, regular check-ups from a large animal veterinarian. Joanne shadows Dr. Locher Bray as he examines the herd.

• The Local Buy: Al Spoler gets picking at Butler’s Orchard, where they grow everything from blueberries and strawberries to pumpkins and potatoes.

• Then & Now: How Corn Has Changed

A preview and additional information about the episode is available online at www.mpt.org/farm.

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. https://youtu.be/Gv_ZE1lGYzs

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