MPT series Maryland Farm & Harvest features locations in Baltimore City, Caroline, Queen Anne’s, and Frederick counties on December 12

OWINGS MILLS, MD – Maryland Public Television’s (MPT) popular original series Maryland Farm & Harvest, now in its fifth season, will feature farms and other locations in Caroline, Frederick, and Queen Anne’s and counties as well as Baltimore City during an episode airing Tuesday, December 12 at 7 p.m.

The upcoming episode explores Maryland’s rich agricultural heritage and features the following segments:

• The Hermitage, in Centreville (Queen Anne’s County). The episode begins with a visit to an Eastern Shore farm, The Hermitage, which has been in one family for more than 350 years. Viewers meet Benjamin Tilghman, the latest family member to serve as steward of the historic property as he works to preserve the farm’s legacy while securing its agricultural future. Over three centuries, the Tilghman family farm has transitioned from growing tobacco to raising dairy cattle, and most recently to growing corn, wheat and soybeans. The first Tilghman to operate the farm, Richard, was granted the land on a “thumb grant” from Lord Baltimore, Charles Calvert, in 1658.
• Country Pleasures Farm and Willow Oaks Craft Cider in Middletown (Frederick County) In this segment, viewers are introduced to farmer Eric Rice, who raises organic apple varieties at Country Pleasures Farm, including the golden russet, that haven’t been popular in commercial orchards since colonial times. The reason? These apple varieties are the key ingredients in cider Eric produces at Willow Oaks Craft Cider that harkens back to the earliest days of the country. He is also helping to reestablish an historic apple orchard at nearby Antietam National Battlefield in Washington County with the hopes of giving visitors a literal taste of history.
• Mount Pleasant Acres and Black Dirt Farm, in Preston (Caroline County). This segment takes viewers to Mounty Pleasant Acres, 70-acre farm that was once part of the Underground Railroad. Here farmers Paulette Greene, a former teacher, and Donna Dear, a Vietnam veteran, raise organic grain and produce. As African Americans, Paulette and Donna feel a special connection to the property, and, as a way to help other black farmers become established, they’ve chosen to share a portion of their acreage with farming newcomers Blain Snipstal and Aleya Fraser of Black Dirt Farm.
• Baltimore City Arabbers, in Baltimore. During this episode’s “The Local Buy” segment, host Al Spoler walks along with one of Baltimore’s last remaining Arabbers as he sells fresh produce on the city’s streets using a horse and wagon. Arabbers have been a part of Charm City since the 18^th century and continue to be a valuable food resource to residents in city neighborhoods. Al offers a smoothie recipe, concocted from fruit found on the Arabbers cart, at mpt.org/farm.

Watch a preview

###