Posted by chris on March 5, 2010
The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) is looking for artists, farmers, vintners, chefs and owners of eligible local business who would like to be included in the upcoming edition of Southern Maryland Trails: Earth, Art, Imagination, a popular local guidebook featuring things hand made, home grown and authentically Southern Maryland.
The fourth edition of the guidebook will be printed in late summer of 2010 and will showcase the region’s culture, heritage, cuisine and natural beauty. The book features four Trails across the five Southern Maryland counties (Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s) and highlights art galleries, art studios, farms, B&Bs, wineries, eateries, lodgings, parks and natural areas along these Trails. It includes maps, photos and detailed descriptions of Trails sites, along with suggested itineraries and a calendar of special events at the sites. It is distributed free at Trails sites, visitors centers, county fairs, festivals and via the Web.
Businesses that feel they meet the Trails criteria may submit an application between now and March 31, 2010. Applications and a list of criteria are available at www.somdtrails.com/partners.html or by calling SMADC at 301-274-1922.
Owners of current Trails sites must submit a renewal form before March 31 to have their listing continued in the new book. There is a fee to apply for or renew a Trails membership. Applicants may submit an application or renewal form after March 31 if they pay a late fee. No applications will be accepted after April 23, 2010.
The upcoming edition of the book will feature, for the first time, full color ads for local businesses and organizations. Those interested in advertising in the Trails book, whether they are partner sites or not, can download the application which has an advertising contract attached.
For more information about the Southern Maryland Trails, visit www.somdtrails.com. Information about all of SMADC’s programs, including the Trails, is available at www.smadc.com.
The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) was established to promote diverse, market-driven agricultural enterprises, which coupled with agricultural land preservation, will preserve Southern Maryland’s environmental resources and rural character while keeping the region’s farmland productive and the agricultural economy vibrant.
To learn more about additional programs and resources, contact SMADC, P. O. Box 745, Hughesville, MD 20637; phone: 301-274-1922; fax: 301-274-1924; email cbergmark@smadc.com or visit www.smadc.com.
Posted by chris on April 29, 2009
Searching for farm fresh produce and want to find it locally? The 2009 – 10 So Maryland, So Good Farmers’ Market Guide is now available through the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC). The guide lists the locations of regional Farmers’ Markets in the Southern Maryland and metro-Washington DC area that offer the finest and freshest products from Southern Maryland farms. The user friendly guide provides market contact information by county (Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s, St. Mary’s and DC Metro) as well as hours of operation, individual Web sites and the dates of special market events and Customer Appreciation days. A handy fold out map makes it easy to pin-point the exact location of each market and a regional harvesting chart shows you when your seasonal favorites will be available at their most delicious peak. For restaurants, stores and brokers seeking local produce, the guide also includes the locations of the region’s two wholesale produce auction sites. To view or download the Farmers’ Market Guide, visit www.somarylandsogood.com or call (301) 274-1922 for a list of pick-up sites.
Not all produce that is marketed as ‘local’ is truly locally grown. In these environmentally conscious times look for the So Maryland So Good logo at a farmers’ market in
your neighborhood to be certain of Southern Maryland home-grown freshness, and do your part to reduce the carbon foot print by minimizing the distance your food travels to your plate. Southern Maryland’s markets offer a wide range of produce year round and many more farm raised products including cut flowers and potted plants, fresh eggs, local honey, jellies, jams and baked goods. A trip to a farmers’ market makes a wonderful family outing and is a great way to teach children about healthy eating habits, farm fresh foods and how important farms are to the environment.
The Farmer’s Market Guide is one of many resources created by SMADC in support of regional agriculture to assist local farm-based businesses in their continued growth and commercial viability. A related effort is the upcoming state-wide Buy Local Challenge Week (July 18 – 26). Marylanders are challenged to pledge to eat at least one locally grown item per day for a week. To participate in the Buy Local Challenge, simply visit www.buy-local-challenge.com for more information and links to local farms, farmers markets, menu ideas and shopping tips, and special Buy Local Challenge Week events. Check back regularly as the Buy Local Challenge Web site is being updated so that you can post your own BLC event.
Reasons to Buy Local:
- Exceptional Taste and Freshness
Local food is fresher and tastes better than food shipped long distances from other states or countries. Local farmers can offer produce varieties bred for taste and freshness rather than for shipping and long shelf life.
- Strengthen the Local Economy
Buying local food keeps your dollars circulating in your community. Getting to know the farmers who grow your food builds relationships based on understanding and trust, the foundation of strong communities.
- Support Independent/Family Farms
There’s never been a more critical time to support your farming neighbors. With each local food purchase, you ensure that more of your money spent on food goes to the farmer.
- Enhance your Family’s Health
Knowing where your food comes from and how it is grown or raised enables you to choose safe food from farmers who avoid or reduce their use of chemicals, pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, or genetically modified seed in their operations. Buy food from local farmers you trust.
- Protect the Environment
Local food doesn’t have to travel far. This reduces carbon dioxide emissions and packing materials. Buying local food also helps to make farming more profitable and selling farmland for development less attractive.
The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission was established to promote diverse, market-driven agricultural enterprises, which coupled with agricultural land preservation, will preserve Southern Maryland’s environmental resources and rural character while keeping the region’s farmland productive and the agricultural economy vibrant.
To find out more about the guide or to learn more about additional programs and resources, contact SMADC, P. O. Box 745, Hughesville, MD 20637; phone: 301-274-1922; fax: 301-274-1924; email cbergmark@somarylandsogood.com; or visit these websites: www.somdtrails.com or www.somarylandsogood.com .
Posted by chris on February 17, 2009
The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) has just released “Farms for the Future: Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission 2009 Report,” a comprehensive account of the commission’s multi-pronged strategy to support local farmers as they transition away from tobacco into sustainable, economically viable agricultural alternatives.
The report outlines the creation of the commission, which was established in 2000 (in conjunction with Maryland’s Tobacco Transition Program), to support transitioning farmers and promote agricultural land preservation.
“We are proud to say that as of 2009, SMADC has aided many more than the original 900 former tobacco farms and helped preserve more than 22,000 acres of agricultural land, forests and wetlands in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s counties, the state’s main tobacco transition region,” said Dr. Christine L. Bergmark, executive director of SMADC. “This report examines what we have accomplished so far, and gives some insight on what remains to be done. We hope it may even serve as a roadmap to other areas facing these same challenges.” WAIT! There is more to read… read on »
