Maryland Farm & Harvest
Season 7
Airing Tuesdays at 7pm on MPT
• Repeats Thursdays at 11:30pm and Sundays at 6am on MPT
• Repeats Fridays at 7:30pm on MPT2
With host Joanne Clendining
EPISODE 714: Agriculture and COVID-19
Air Date: June 16, 2020
In this special episode, we take a look at how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting agriculture. We begin by speaking to Jason Scott of Walnut Hill Farms, Jenny Rhodes of Deerfield Farm, and Katie Dotterer-Pyle of Cow Comfort Inn Dairy about the pandemic’s impact on their grain, poultry, and dairy operations. Next, we travel to Graul's Market in Cape St. Claire, Maryland to see how local farms supply produce that keeps grocery store shelves full and visit Godfrey’s Farm to learn how farmers keep our food safe. Then, on The Local Buy, Al Spoler visits Waverly Farmers Market in Baltimore to learn how markets are adapting to new social distancing rules so they can still provide healthy, farm fresh food. Al also talks to David and Emily Hochheimer from Black Rock Orchard and Tony Brusco of South Mountain Creamery about how their businesses have changed.
EPISODE 701: Season 7 Premiere
Air Date: November 12, 2019
The new season of Maryland Farm and Harvest starts with an inventive farmer who created his own potting mix for growing organic broccoli at Summer Creek Farm. Then, we see how much work it takes to bring food to consumers, as we follow Albright Farms to the Baltimore Farmers Market and Bazaar. Next, Tulip Pond Farm shows how proper manure management is essential to modern dairy farming. Lastly, on The Local Buy, Al Spoler visits Crooked Creek Farm and then Smuckers Meats to see how free range pork is turned into a delicious sausage with old-world flavor.
EPISODE 702
Air Date: November 19, 2019
We start this episode at waterman Tommy Courtney’s pound nets in Saint Mary’s County, where he catches several kinds of fish. We’ll follow his rockfish catch from the pound net to the lunch rush at Courtney’s Seafood Restaurant. Then, we visit Baltimore-based business Biotrophics and its partner company Instar Farm, which are developing mealworms that could one day be used in animal feed. Next, we travel to Walnut Ridge Farm and ALL Produce in Western Maryland to learn about how important high-speed internet is for their businesses… and the frustrations that come when the internet doesn’t work. Lastly, on The Local Buy, Al Spoler puts together meal kits for The Roving Radish using kale from
Earth First Farm in Howard County.
EPISODE 703
Air Date: November 26, 2019
Our first stop of the episode is at Seneca Ayr Farms in Montgomery County, where the Linthicum family has been farming for almost 200 years. Then, it’s off to Strength to Love 2, an urban farm in Baltimore City that employs former convicts and helps people make connections with where their food comes from. Next, we meet Dr. Fred Lewis, a 92-year-old equine veterinarian in Howard County, who’s not slowing down any time soon. Lastly, on The Local Buy, Al Spoler enjoys a cocktail at The Bluebird Cocktail Room & Pub in Baltimore that’s made with peas from Karma Farm in Baltimore County.
EPISODE 704
Air Date: December 3, 2019
This episode is all about the importance of water on the farm… whether the harvest is on land or in the water itself. We start at the Choptank Oyster Company, where we learn how oysters are farmed and how too much rain can hurt oysters and change their flavor. Then, we explore how conservation drainage systems help farms and the environment through smart water and nutrient management. Next, we meet a Kent County farmer who is irrigating his fields with water from a local wastewater treatment plant. Lastly, on The Local Buy, Al Spoler learns how to fish for eels with waterman Troy Wilkens, before tasting his catch at The Salt Line restaurant in Washington, D.C.
Local Buy Recipe - Grilled Eel with Sunchokes, Spinach and Sauce Romesco
EPISODE 705
Air Date: December 10, 2019
In this episode, we take a look at the important roles women play in Maryland agriculture. First, we meet fifth generation farmer Kayla Griffith, who has relaunched the Griffith Family Produce business and is bringing new ideas to her family’s farm. Then, it’s off to Ordinary Point Farm, where owner Frances Bayard has partnered with the Cecil County Soil Conservation District to help mitigate erosion. Next, we hop in the combine with Margaret Ann Dodd, who is one of the many farm women that the National Agricultural Statistics Service is working to better reflect in the National Census of Agriculture. Lastly, on The Local Buy, Al Spoler goes to Shaw Orchards to pick some beautiful red raspberries, before sampling some in a freshly-baked pie.
EPISODE 706
Air Date: December 17, 2019
We begin this episode at the Maryland Steam Historical Society’s 64th annual steam show, where farm equipment from yesteryear is brought back to life. Then, it’s off to Garrett County, where the Carr Family of Three Sisters Farm is turning surplus zucchini into zucchini bread. Lastly, on The Local Buy, Al Spoler visits Martha’s Table, a community development organization in Washington, D.C. that provides fresh produce to people in need. One of this week’s items is Tuscan kale from Baywater Farms, which Al learns how to use at the non-profit food truck, SevaTruck.
EPISODE 707
Air Date: December 24, 2019
In this special winter holiday episode, we explore how Maryland farms contribute to holiday cheer. First, we visit Willow Oak Flower and Herb Farm, where Heather Carr makes beautiful Christmas wreaths with greenery grown on the farm. Next, Ian Hertzmark of Migrash Farm shows us how he uses ancient grains to make sufganiyot, a traditional donut eaten during Hanukkah. Then, on The Local Buy, Al Spoler decorates gingerbread cookies made with ginger from Two Boots Farm.
EPISODE 708
Air Date: December 31, 2019
We begin this episode at Green Street Academy in Baltimore, where students learn math and science through agriculture. Next, we follow fifteen-year-old Hannah Haines as she raises, shows, and sells a goat for her 4-H market project. Then, on The Local Buy, Al Spoler visits Red Wiggler Community Farm, where employees with developmental disabilities grow food for a Community Supported Agriculture program.
EPISODE 709
Air Date: January 7, 2020
We start this episode at Middle Neck Farms, where MADTECH Drones surveys the fields using drones that can see problems before the human eye can. Next, we travel to Southern Maryland, where farmers are fighting back against a dangerous weed called Palmer Amaranth. Then, on The Local Buy, Al hunts for eggs at Willow Valley Farm, before eating a farm fresh breakfast.
EPISODE 710
Air Date: January 14, 2020
We begin this episode in the middle of winter at Hill Haven Farm, where there’s still plenty of work to do despite the cold weather. Next, we head to the Eastern Shore to see how farmer Jamie Robinette of Way Moore Farms raises meat chickens under a contract with Mountaire. Then, we learn how the Soybean Checkoff program helps fund research and promote soybeans. Finally, on The Local Buy, Al Spoler discovers how Angelina’s Crab Cakes is shipping a Maryland delicacy across the country.
EPISODE 711
Air Date: January 21, 2020
On this episode, we take a look at how Maryland’s farmers are contributing to locally-produced beverages! We begin in Allegany County, where paw paws from John Popenoe’s orchard become a key ingredient in one of Western Maryland Lemonade’s flavors. Next, we see how cows are fed and milked robotically at Shenandoah Jerseys, and then follow along as the Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers Co-Op processes and bottles milk from farms throughout the region. Then, we learn how siblings Drew Baker, Lisa Hinton, and Ashli Johnson are looking to redefine American wine with their new vineyard, The Burnt Hill Project. Finally, on The Local Buy, Al Spoler learns how a special herb from Star Bright Farm is used to make kombucha at Hex Ferments.
EPISODE 712
Air Date: January 28, 2020
We start this episode at Rusty Rooster Farm, where farmer Jeff Petit is harnessing the sun to help lower his energy bills. Next, we follow along the months-long process of making a corn maze at Lawyer’s Winterbook Farm. Then, on The Local Buy, Al visits Holiday Memories Farm, where he learns how to turn peppers from the greenhouse into hot pepper jelly.
EPISODE 713
Air Date: February 4, 2020
We begin this episode by following big trees grown by Ruppert Nurseries as they’re transplanted at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. Next, we find out what happens to corn when it gets to a storage facility called a grain elevator at Eddie Mercer Agri-Services. Then we learn how Dr. Chris Walsh from the University of Maryland bred an apple specifically for Maryland growers. Finally, on The Local Buy, Al Spoler visits Blades Orchard, where farmer Lynda Blades makes delicious cider donuts using cider made with apples from her farm.
