Governor Moore to Induct Deford Family into Agriculture Hall of Fame

Family from Baltimore County to Receive State’s Most Prestigious Agriculture Award

ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 9, 2025) — Governor Wes Moore and Maryland Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks today announced the Deford Family of Baltimore County as the 2024 inductees into the Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame.  The family will be honored at the 55th Annual Taste of Maryland Agriculture event, being held on Thursday, February 6, 2025 at Maryland Live! Casino and Hotel.  

“The DeFord family represents the best of Maryland, and I am excited to welcome them into the Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame,” said Gov. Moore. “Across twelve generations, the Deford family farm has kept Marylanders fed, protected the environment, and helped to grow our economy. When we say that agriculture is our state’s top industry, it’s people like the Deford family who remind us why.”

Created by former Governor William Donald Schaefer in 1991, the Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame honors agricultural leaders who exemplify high standards of achievement and commitment to the industry and their communities. Nominations are accepted at local University of Maryland Extension offices. 

“It is an honor to welcome the Deford Family into the Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame,” said Secretary Atticks. “Their record of agricultural excellence, community engagement, and advocacy proves time and time again that they are a cornerstone of Maryland agriculture. I’m looking forward to welcoming them to the Governor’s Ag Hall of Fame this February!”

The Taste of Maryland Agriculture celebration, sponsored by the Maryland Agriculture Council, is the state’s premier agricultural event, bringing industry leaders together with state and national legislators. Nearly 900 attendees are expected to gather to celebrate during this year’s event.

The event will feature a bounty of Maryland agricultural products served throughout the evening, with food and tastings from the state’s beer, wine and cidery supporters. In addition to the induction of the Governor’s Agricultural Hall of Fame family, 11 outstanding programs will receive Maryland Agriculture Council Educational Grants during the program.

Tickets are $100 per person and reservations must be postmarked by January 10th to be included in the program. Late reservation tickets will be $130 and your organization/business will not be included in the program. Tickets purchased after February 2, will be $150.

Reservations may be made by credit card with Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-taste-of-maryland-agriculture-tickets-974934544467 or go to https://mdagcouncil.com for mail-in forms.

For more information, call Maryland Ag Council Executive Director Susan Summers at 240-446-3601.

The Deford family is the 56th inductee in the Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame. More information on each hall of fame family is available on the department’s website.

About the Deford Family

The Deford family, 12th-generation Marylanders, has been a prominent force in Maryland’s agricultural and wine industries, particularly through their ownership of Boordy Vineyards and Long Green Farm in northern Baltimore County. The family’s agricultural history dates back to the 18th century when Long Green Farm was first established by the Gittings family. The Defords acquired the farm in 1938, and Robert Deford, Jr. began managing it full-time after World War II, focusing initially on livestock and crops. In 1965, following advice from Philip Wagner, the founder of Boordy Vineyards, Robert planted a vineyard on the farm. 

The vineyard became the focus of Robert’s son, Rob Deford III, who took over the farm’s management in the late 1970s. Amid the growing pressures on small family farms due to modern agriculture’s consolidation, Rob proposed purchasing Boordy Vineyards from Wagner and relocating the winery to their farm, which marked the start of a new direction for the family. After extensive challenges, Boordy became financially stable by the 1990s, and in 2000, the Defords preserved the farm by placing a conservation easement with the Maryland Environmental Trust. Rob’s son, Phineas Deford, joined the winery in 2008 after completing viticulture and business education. 

This generational shift, combined with a series of strategic investments in vineyard replanting and a new winery facility in 2012, elevated Boordy Vineyards’ wine quality. In 2023, the family restored their historic barn, ensuring its preservation for future generations. Today, Boordy Vineyards operates 50 acres of vineyards in Maryland, producing a wide variety of wines and collaborating with local growers. 

The Defords are also dedicated to environmental sustainability, implementing practices such as wastewater management and habitat restoration. Additionally, they are active in the community, with Rob and Phineas serving on various boards related to land preservation and agriculture. Boordy Vineyards has earned numerous accolades, including multiple Best in Show awards at the Maryland Governor’s Cup and recognition for its leadership in the wine industry. The Deford family’s commitment to agriculture, quality winemaking, and community service continues to shape Maryland’s agricultural landscape, as they celebrate their 80th anniversary in 2025.

Quotes from the Nominators:

“Since the purchase of the Long Green Valley Farm in 1938, the Deford Family have been leaders in Maryland agriculture, land preservation, and setting high standards for environmental sustainability” said Erika Crowl, Senior Extension Agent for University of Maryland Extension in Baltimore County. “ They have devoted countless hours to perfecting their wines by working closely with Extension, Soil Conservation District, Farm Bureau, Maryland Wineries Association, and many other agricultural organizations. We are honored to have the Deford Family represent Baltimore County and to be a part of their induction to the Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame.”

“We are excited to be part of honoring the Deford family for their deep roots in Maryland agriculture and service to their community,” said Executive Director of the Maryland Agriculture Council, Susan Summers. “As 12th generation Marylanders, this family has been an inspiration to many in sustaining and growing the beautiful Boordy Vineyards and Long Green Farm. They truly deserve this prestigious award, and we are happy to host this event to highlight an amazing family.”

# # #

Follow Maryland Department of Agriculture on Facebook @MdAgDept

January 6, 2025

Department’s Spay and Neuter Grants Program FY26 Grant Application Window Opens January 10

Applicants Must Apply by April 11, 2025 at 5:01PM

ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 6, 2025)– The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Spay and Neuter Grants Program is seeking applications for competitive grant projects that will help reduce intake and euthanasia numbers in Maryland animal shelters. Applications may be for pet-focused projects and/or feral cat-focused projects.

The FY26 grants cycle will award approximately $850,000 in funds to eligible projects that efficiently and effectively facilitate, promote, and increase spay and neuter services for cats and dogs in Maryland.  Applicants may not request more than 25% of their organization/program annual operating budget, with a maximum grant allowance of $75,000. Organizations with a budget of less than $20,000 may request a maximum of $5,000. There is a minimum allowance of $5,000 for all applicants.

Application forms, instructions, and other materials have been updated for FY26, and will be available on the Spay and Neuter Program’s webpage on January 10, 2025 at 12:00PM. The FY26 application window closes on April 11, 2025, at 5:01PM, and late submissions will not be considered.  Eligible organizations include municipal or county governments and 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal welfare organizations. Applicants must be in good standing with the IRS, State of Maryland, and local Animal Control Authorities. See the program’s RFP document for more information on eligibility and the application process. 

This program is funded through fees paid by the pet food industry for each product they register to sell within the state. To date, the program has funded 317 grant projects throughout the state that collectively have completed over 119,565 spay and neuter procedures.

The Spay and Neuter Grants Program was established by the Maryland General Assembly during the 2013 Legislative Session. A seven-member advisory board, appointed by the Maryland Secretary of Agriculture, reviews all grant applications and provides recommendations to the Secretary on how grants should be administered. 

More information about the Spay and Neuter Grants Program is available on the department’s website. For questions about the program, contact the Spay and Neuter Grants Program Coordinator, Jen Swanson, at (410) 841-5766 or [email protected]. 

# # #

December 30, 2024

ALERT: Pet Food Recall Notice 

Includes Northwest Naturals Brand 2lb Feline Turkey Recipe Raw & Frozen Pet Food

ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 30, 2024) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture is alerting pet owners of a recall that involves pet food sold in Maryland. A sample of Morasch Meat’s Northwest Naturals brand 2lb Turkey Recipe raw & frozen pet food tested positive for a H5N1 strain of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus. Testing conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) and the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (ODVL) at Oregon State University confirmed a house cat in Washington County contracted H5N1 and died after consuming the raw frozen pet food. Tests confirmed a genetic match between the virus in the raw and frozen pet food and the infected cat.  

Morasch Meats, a Portland, Oregon-based company, is voluntarily recalling its Northwest Naturals brand 2lb Feline Turkey Recipe raw & frozen pet food. The recalled product is packaged in 2-pound plastic bags with “Best if used by” dates of 05/21/26 B10 and 06/23/2026 B1. The product was sold nationwide through distributors in AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, MD, MI, MN, PA, RI and WA in the United States, and British Columbia in Canada. Pet owners are urged to immediately check their supplies and dispose of the product. For additional information or questions, customers may contact Troy Merriman of Morasch Meats of Portland at 503-257-9821 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm PST, Monday through Friday.  

Full News Release Here 

###

Follow Maryland Department of Agriculture on Facebook @MdAgDept

Former Maryland Agriculture Secretary Hagner Mister Passes Away at 90

Served as Maryland Agency’s Sixth Agriculture Secretary 

ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 30, 2024)– The Maryland Department of Agriculture is saddened to share the passing of the department’s sixth Secretary, Hagner Mister, serving in the role from January 2001 to January 2003.  Prior to being named Secretary, Hagner served as the Agency’s Deputy Secretary for three years.  

“I was incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of former Secretary Hagner Mister,” said Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks.  “Hagner led the Department with grace and dedication, and Maryland’s farmers benefited from his leadership.” 

Born in 1934, a lifelong resident of Calvert County, Hagner graduated from Calvert County High School then went on to serve in the Maryland National Guard and U.S. Army Reserves. Loyal to his Calvert County heritage, Hagner also served as a member of the Calvert County Board of County Commissioners, the Calvert County Board of Education, and the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland. 

In 2020, Hagner received the R. Clayton Mitchell Jr. Award for Distinguished Public Service from then Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot.

His greatest joy was that of being husband to Helen Ann and father to their three children, six grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren. 

The family of Hagner Mister will receive friends on January 1, 2025, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Rausch Funeral Home-Owings, 8325 Mt. Harmony Lane, Owings, MD 20736. A Funeral Service will be held on January 2, 2024 starting at 11 a.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 90 Church Street, Prince Frederick, MD 20678.

For Hagner’s full obituary, please visit Rausch Funeral Home’s website. 

# # #

Follow Maryland Department of Agriculture on Facebook @MdAgDept

December 19, 2024

Maryland Reaches New Milestone in Biocontrol Efforts for Eastern Hemlock Conservation

ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 19, 2024) – This fall, the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Forest Pest Management Program achieved a significant milestone in protecting Eastern Hemlock trees through its ongoing partnership with state and federal agencies, utilizing the Laricobius nigrinus beetle as a control method.

From October 25 to November 18, 2024, the Forest Pest Management team conducted inter-state collections of L. nigrinus beetles at Rocky Gap State Park. These beetles, first released in 2004 as part of a strategic pest management initiative, have played a crucial role in combatting the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid, a serious threat to the health of Eastern Hemlocks. Thanks to the collaborative efforts between the department and the U.S. Forest Service’s Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Initiative, Rocky Gap State Park has emerged as one of the most successful locations on the East Coast for the establishment of this biological control.

This year’s collection set a new state record, with over 14,000 L. nigrinus beetles harvested and redistributed to various states including Vermont, Kentucky, Tennessee, and multiple sites within Maryland. Over the past four years, this multi-state cooperative project has successfully collected more than 33,000 beetles, aiding vulnerable hemlock forests as far north as Maine and as far south as Tennessee.

The success of this initiative can be attributed to the dedicated efforts of Forest Pest Management staff, particularly former Forest Health Specialist Biff Thompson. His two decades of expertise in establishing L. nigrinus populations in Maryland and his commitment to training staff in beetle behavior and collection techniques have been instrumental. Thanks to his leadership, staff were able not only to collect thousands of beetles from Rocky Gap but also to identify four new sites across Maryland with high potential for future collections.

Participants in the 2024 project also included the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Catoctin Mountain Park, Kentucky Division of Forestry, The Nature Conservancy, Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry, Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, and the U.S. Forest Service. The success of this initiative demonstrates the power of collaboration among these state and federal organizations.

For more information about the department’s Eastern Hemlock Conservation program please visit www.mda.maryland.gov. 

###

Follow Maryland Department of Agriculture on Facebook @MdAgDept

Maryland Permanently Preserves 4 Additional Working Farms

2024 Ends with 788 Acres of Additional Farmland Protected Forever

ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 19, 2024) – The Maryland Board of Public Works has approved four new easements through the Maryland Agricultural Preservation Foundation during their December 18th meeting, closing out a successful calendar year for the program. This initiative aims to permanently protect approximately 788 acres of prime farmland across the Dorchester, Kent, and Talbot counties, for an investment of more than $3 million.

“Farmers who commit their land to preservation play a crucial role in the future of agriculture in Maryland,” said Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks. “Their dedication to protecting prime farmland not only supports local communities but also ensures the resources needed for a thriving agricultural economy. This commitment is essential for the continued growth and sustainability of Maryland’s agriculture.”  

The Maryland Agricultural Preservation Foundation was established in 1977 as part of the Maryland Department of Agriculture. The foundation purchases agricultural preservation easements from willing farmers to forever protect prime farmland and woodland. The newly approved easements will help maintain the agricultural landscape of the state while bolstering efforts to promote local food production and sustain rural livelihoods. 

To view a list of the Maryland Agricultural Preservation Foundation easements broken down by county, see this chart. Having already achieved the 30% by 2030 goal as outlined in the Maryland the Beautiful Act as passed in the 2023 Session by the Maryland General Assembly, the newly-approved easements will help the state meet the next goal of conserving 40% of state land by 2040. 

For more information, please contact the foundation’s Executive Director Michelle Cable at (410) 841-5860 or [email protected].

###

Follow Maryland Department of Agriculture on Facebook @MdAgDept 

December 18, 2024

Dairy Cattle and Poultry Farmers Urged to Practice Enhanced Biosecurity

ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 18, 2024) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture has released new guidance urging Maryland dairy cattle and poultry farmers to remain vigilant and practice enhanced biosecurity on their farms due to the continued circulation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) detections in wild birds in the Atlantic Flyway. First detected in poultry in early 2022, HPAI has also been confirmed in lactating dairy cattle causing increased risk of infection between cattle herds and poultry flocks.  Consumers are reminded that pasteurized milk and properly prepared poultry products remain safe to consume.

Over the past 30 days, detections across the U.S. have increased with 90 confirmed flocks and 339 cases confirmed in dairy herds, however, there are currently no active cases in Maryland. Based on this uptake in cases, the Maryland Department of Agriculture is recommending, if possible, maintaining poultry indoors during this period of heightened risk. Additionally, all producers should assess the risk to their poultry and make informed decisions about allowing outdoor access.  The Department will assess risk again in early April 2025 to offer further recommendations.

“Maryland poultry farms and dairy farms should remain on high alert for HPAI infections in both poultry flocks and dairy cattle herds,” said Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks. “Home to many mixed species farms, we are urging Maryland farmers to be mindful of comingling poultry with dairy cattle and to increase biosecurity measures on all farms with poultry or dairy cattle.”

Poultry flock and dairy herd farmers are urged to follow these minimum guidelines to maintain a sanitary, biosecure premise:

• Restrict access to poultry and livestock by posting “Restricted Access” signage, securing the area with a gate, or both.
• Take steps to ensure that contaminated materials on the ground are not transported into the poultry growing house or livestock area.
• Provide the following items to anyone entering or leaving any area where poultry and cattle are kept:
  • Footbaths and foot mats with disinfectant;
  • Boot washing and disinfectant station;
  • Footwear change or foot covers.
• Cover and secure feed to prevent wild birds, rodents or other animals from accessing it.
• Cover and properly contain carcasses, used litter, or other disease-containing organic materials to prevent wild birds, rodents or other animals from accessing them and to keep them from being blown around by wind.
• Allow MDA to enter the premises during normal working hours to inspect your biosecurity and sanitation practices.
• Report any unusual bird deaths or sudden increases in very sick birds or dairy cattle to the department’s Animal Health Program at 410-841-5810 or after-hours to 410-841-5971. Also contact the USDA at 866-536-7593.
• Read up about HPAI and biosecurity measures on the Animal Health website.

USDA APHIS’ website for its Defend the Flock program and HPAI in Livestock as well as the University of Maryland Extension programs have many valuable resources available for poultry owners, including a variety of instructional videos, to help mitigate the risk of HPAI on their operation.

For more information on avian influenza, please visit the department’s website.

# # #

Follow Maryland Department of Agriculture on Facebook @MdAgDept

December 17, 2024

Department Announces New Electrical Vehicle Fueling Equipment Guidelines

ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 17, 2024) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture has announced that starting January 1, 2025, the department’s Weights and Measures program will begin registering service agencies and technicians involved in the installation, repair, and calibration of electrical vehicle fueling equipment. The addition comes as the sale and use of electric vehicles rise across the State. Falling under a measuring device as it is measured by kWh, the Department’s Weights and Measures Program has the authority to register agencies and technicians just as is done with gas pumps or scales.

To register a service agency or technician, please fill out the application found on the Weights and Measures program page on the department’s website and email to [email protected]. Include the certification of standard used in calibration along with the agency application.

After reviewing your application the office will contact you with additional information about requirements, testing, and payment of fees. The cost to register is $200.00 per agency, $50.00 per technician, plus an additional $25.00 for the required test and will be payable by invoice only.

For any questions, please contact the Weights and Measures program managers Alison Wilkinson at [email protected] or 410-841-5790.

###

Follow Maryland Department of Agriculture on Facebook @MdAgDept 

December 16, 2024

MPT Series Maryland Farm & Harvest Visits Locations in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Caroline, and Carroll counties During December 17 Episode

ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 16, 2024) – Maryland Public Television’s (MPT) original series Maryland Farm & Harvest, now in its 12th season, will feature farms and locations in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Caroline, and Carroll counties during an episode premiering on Tuesday, December 17. A preview of the episode can be found on the series’ webpage at mpt.org/farm. 

Maryland Farm & Harvest airs on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. on MPT-HD and online at mpt.org/livestream. Episodes are also available to view live and on demand using the free PBS app and MPT’s online video player. 

The popular weekly series takes viewers on a journey across the Free State, telling engaging and enlightening stories about the farms, people, and technology required to sustain and grow agriculture in Maryland, the state’s number one commercial industry. 

With introductions filmed at Sharps at Waterford Farm in Brookeville (Howard County), the December 17 episode features the following stories:

• 4-H Families: Chamelin Family Farm (Carroll County) – 4-H is a family affair for the Chamelins. Parents Sam and Jennie Chamelin first met during their time in 4-H, and their three children all participate in the program today. Viewers meet the family at their farm home in Westminster and follow along as 16-year-old son Caleb vies for the crown in the Carroll County 4-H & FFA Fair’s Swine Showmanship competition.

• Agriculture Queens of Maryland (Anne Arundel and Baltimore counties) – Meet two of the state’s newest agricultural ambassadors: 2024 Mar-Del Watermelon Queen Karli Abbott and 2024 Ms. Agvocate USA Lindsey Jacobs. Karli, a Trappe (Talbot County) native who’s completing her undergraduate studies at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and Lindsey, who works at her family’s Church View Farm in Millersville and is pursuing her master’s degree at Virginia Tech University, explain how they achieved their titles and show viewers what it takes to serve as ambassadors for the agriculture industry.

• The Local Buy: Bethesda Methodist Peach Festival (Caroline County) – Every year, hundreds of people flock to the volunteer firehouse in Preston, where handcrafted goods adorn local stalls and a team of volunteers from Bethesda Methodist Church work to feed hungry visitors. Among the event’s most popular treats is peach cobbler, which boasts a sweetness derived from local ingredients. Segment host Al Spoler helps pick the dish’s main ingredient at nearby Heritage Orchard before heading to the firehouse to taste the finished product. More information about Heritage Orchard will be available at mpt.org/farm.

Following the December 17 episode, Maryland Farm & Harvest will deliver encore presentations of holiday specials from previous seasons on December 24 and 31. The first five episode of the series’ 12th season will re-air on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. from January 7-February 4, 2025. The sixth episode will debut on February 11 and will be followed by weekly episode premieres through the season finale on April 1.  

More than 16 million viewers have watched Maryland Farm & Harvest on the statewide public TV network since its debut in 2013. The series has traveled to nearly 500 farms, fisheries, and other agriculture-related locations during its first 11 seasons, covering every Maryland county, as well as Baltimore City and Washington, D.C. 

Encore broadcasts of Maryland Farm & Harvest air on MPT-HD on Thursdays at 11 p.m. and on Sundays at 6 a.m. Episodes also air on MPT2/Create® on Fridays at 7:30 p.m. Past episodes can be viewed on the free PBS app and MPT’s online video player, while episode segments are available on the series’ YouTube channel at youtube.com/c/MarylandFarmHarvest/featured. 

Audiences are invited to engage with the series on social media @MarylandFarmHarvest on Facebook and @mdfarmtv on Instagram. 

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; MARBIDCO; a grant from the Maryland Department of Agriculture, Specialty Crop Block Program; Farm Credit; Maryland Soybean Board; Maryland Nursery, Landscape & Greenhouse Association; Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts; Maryland Farm Bureau; The Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment; Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation; and by the citizens of Baltimore County.

# # #

December 10, 2024

Department’s Spay and Neuter Grants Program Announces FY25 Grant Recipients

ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 10, 2024) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Spay and Neuter Grants Program has announced the 36 grant recipients that will receive funding for projects that efficiently and effectively facilitate, promote, and increase spay and neuter services for cats and dogs in Maryland.  Grants are selected by a seven-member advisory board, appointed by the Maryland Secretary of Agriculture, that reviews all grant applications and provides funding recommendations to the Secretary.

These projects will receive a total of $959,216.00 in funding to complete 14,379 spay and neuter surgeries for pets of low-income Marylanders, and free-roaming unowned cats. Some projects began on October 1, 2024, while others will begin January 1, 2025, and will conclude when grant funding is exhausted, or April 1, 2026. Recipients include government animal shelters and 501(c)3 nonprofit animal welfare organizations. A full list of grant awardees can be found on the Spay and Neuter Grants Program website, where you can also find lists of all active owned pet projects and feral cat projects.

“The Department’s successful Spay and Neuter program has provided funding to countless organizations to help control the pet population in Maryland,” said Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks.  “These organizations do an outstanding job providing services to the communities in which they serve.”

Launched in 2014 with the purpose of reducing intake and euthanasia in Maryland shelters, the Spay and Neuter grant program is funded through fees paid by the pet food industry for each product they register to sell within the state. To date, the program has awarded $8,826,173 in funds, totaling 317 grant projects that collectively have completed over 119,565 spay and neuter procedures. As of December 31, 2023, annual data reported to the department indicates a decrease of 2% in dog and cat intakes to shelters, and a decrease of 50% in shelter euthanasia rates.

The FY26 Grant Application cycle will open in January 2025 and close in April 2025. Please visit the program website for application materials, instructions, and other information.

For questions about the program or the grant applications, please contact the Spay and Neuter Program Coordinator, Jen Swanson, at (410) 841-5766 or [email protected].

###

Follow Maryland Department of Agriculture on Facebook @MdAgDept

December 9, 2024

MPT Series Maryland Farm & Harvest Visits Locations in Allegany, St. Mary’s, and Worcester Counties During December 10 Episode

ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 9, 2024) – Maryland Public Television’s (MPT) original series Maryland Farm & Harvest, now in its 12th season, will feature farms and locations in Allegany, Worcester, and St. Mary’s counties during an episode premiering on Tuesday, December 10. A preview of the episode can be found on the series’ webpage at mpt.org/farm. 

Maryland Farm & Harvest airs on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. on MPT-HD and online at mpt.org/livestream. Episodes are also available to view live and on demand using the free PBS app and MPT’s online video player. 

The popular weekly series takes viewers on a journey across the Free State, telling engaging and enlightening stories about the farms, people, and technology required to sustain and grow agriculture in Maryland, the state’s number one commercial industry. 

With introductions filmed at the Carroll County Farm Museum in Westminster (Carroll County), the December 10 episode features the following stories:

• Blessing of the Combines (Worcester County) – For nearly a quarter-century, the small town of Snow Hill has celebrated local farmers with a parade and blessing of the combines preparing for the fall harvest. Viewers meet organizer Becky Payne and see how her idea to honor the farmers who grow our food has blossomed from 500 people and some tractors into the town’s biggest event, boasting more than 8,000 attendees – almost four times the town’s population – and equipment ranging from vintage riding mowers to massive combines that can barely fit down main street.

• Bishop Walsh Aquaponics Lab (Allegany County) – Sitting atop Cumberland’s Haystack Mountain, Bishop Walsh School has been nurturing curious minds since 1966. Thanks to a new aquaponics lab, the school’s students are now also nurturing something of their own: fresh vegetables. The year-old project is so successful that it’s helping to feed students, staff, and even residents of a local homeless shelter. Viewers discover the roles students have at all levels of the preK-12 school in building, managing, and sustaining an environment for dozens of fish, hundreds of gallons of recycled water, and pallets of leafy greens that they eat, sell, and donate.

• The Local Buy: Tobacco Barn Distillery (St. Mary’s County) – Segment host Al Spoler takes a trip to Hollywood to revisit Tobacco Barn Distillery, which was featured during the series’ sixth season. At the time, the business had been producing its special brand of rye bourbon for less than five years. Al sees just how much the veteran-owned distillery has grown since then and what’s stayed the same for the small-batch distillery named “Top Farmer-Distiller” in 2023 by the American Craft Spirits Association. More information about Tobacco Barn Distillery will be available at mpt.org/farm.

More than 16 million viewers have watched Maryland Farm & Harvest on the statewide public TV network since its debut in 2013. The series has traveled to nearly 500 farms, fisheries, and other agriculture-related locations during its first 11 seasons, covering every Maryland county, as well as Baltimore City and Washington, D.C. 

Encore broadcasts of Maryland Farm & Harvest air on MPT-HD on Thursdays at 11 p.m. and on Sundays at 6 a.m. Episodes also air on MPT2/Create® on Fridays at 7:30 p.m. Past episodes can be viewed on the free PBS app and MPT’s online video player, while episode segments are available on the series’ YouTube channel at youtube.com/c/MarylandFarmHarvest/featured. 

Audiences are invited to engage with the series on social media @MarylandFarmHarvest on Facebook and @mdfarmtv on Instagram. 

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; MARBIDCO; a grant from the Maryland Department of Agriculture, Specialty Crop Block Program; Farm Credit; Maryland Soybean Board; Maryland Nursery, Landscape & Greenhouse Association; Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts; Maryland Farm Bureau; The Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment; Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation; and by the citizens of Baltimore County.

# # #

December 4, 2024

Winter Ban on Spreading Manure Begins December 16

ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 4, 2024) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture is reminding farmers that the winter ban on spreading manure and other nutrient sources on cropland—including food processing residuals (FPRs)—begins on December 16, 2024. Farmers may resume spreading these materials on March 1, 2025, in accordance with their nutrient management plan recommendations, provided that fields are not saturated, snow-covered, or hard-frozen. 

Maryland’s nutrient management regulations prohibit the spreading of manure, food processing residuals, and other nutrient sources on fields during the winter due to the increased risk of runoff into local waterways. Farmers are required to store liquid manure generated on their farms in designated structures. The department is authorized to assist livestock farmers in preventing overflows from these storage structures and in minimizing impacts on water quality. In the event of a potential overflow, farmers must contact the Nutrient Management Program for emergency authorization before any spreading occurs. 

Temporary field stockpiling of “stackable” poultry litter and other qualifying organic nutrient sources is permitted if the moisture content is 60% or less. However, farmers are not allowed to apply stackable organic nutrient sources to fields during the winter months under any conditions. Farmers should contact their regional nutrient management specialist if they have storage concerns, questions about the regulations, or need guidance on storage requirements. 

For more information on the winter ban, please visit the department’s Nutrient Management Program website.

###