Local Orchards Grow Tasty Produce | Agriculture Saving the Bay | Young Farmers in the County In partnership with Frederick County Office of Economic Development | Supplement to Frederick Magazine
Supplement to Frederick Magazine
PUBLISHERS Shawn Dewees Joseph Silovich MANAGING EDITOR Nancy Luse ART DIRECTOR & PRODUCTION MANAGER Matthew Piersall GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Annie Ellis Matthew Piersall CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Turner Photography Studio FREDERICK COUNTY OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Helen Propheter, director Heather Gramm, assistant director Katie Stevens, agriculture business development specialist ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Stephanie Dewees stephdewees@fredmag.com Linda Dove ldove@fredmag.com Leslie Lillo llillo@fredmag.com DISTRIBUTOR Josh Ensor alloutdist@aol.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Stephanie Dewees subscriptions@fredmag.com
Telephone: 301-662-8171 FAX: 301-662-8399
www.fredmag.com Letters to the editor: editor@fredmag.com Homegrown Frederick is an annual publication of Diversions Publications, Inc., 6 N. East Street, Suite 301, Frederick, MD 21701-5601 (ISSN 006-923). Periodicals postage paid at Frederick, MD 21701 and at additional mailing offices. Subscriptions to Frederick Magazine, $24.95 per year, which includes the Homegrown Frederick and all other annual guides (available through the business office). Back issues w/in the last 12 mo/$3.95. Prior to 12 mos. ago/$7. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Frederick Magazine, 6 N. East Street, Suite 301, Frederick, MD 21701-5601. Customer inquiries to same address or call 301-662-8171. Distributed through mail subscriptions, home delivery, and sold at newsstands and other locations in Frederick, Upper Montgomery counties, and throughout the Central Maryland region. Advertising rates available on request. Manuscripts, drawings, and other submissions must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Frederick Magazine is not responsible for unsolicited material. All rights to submissions, including letters and e-mail, will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright purposes and as subject to Frederick Magazine’s unrestricted right to edit and to comment editorially, unless otherwise negotiated with the author. Printed on © DIVERSIONS PUBLICATIONS, INC. 2019. All contents of this publication are protected by Recycled copyright and may not be reproduced in whole or in part for any reason without prior Paper approval of the publisher.
4
CONTENTS 10
8 The Farm-to-Table
ABOUT THE COVER Frederick County orchards are an important part of what local growers produce, whether it’s apples, pears, berries or cherries ripe for the picking.
24 First Environmentalists
Connection
30 Markets Feed Local Residents 10 Bushels of Fruit 34 Spirits from the Farm
24
16 Fall for Annual Festival, Fairs and Shows
38
21 Homegrown Hay Days
38 Continuing a Tradition 44 Farm Listings 7
BRINGING HOME WHAT’S GROWN EATING LOCAL MOVEMENT IS EXPECTED TO GROW STRONGER The terms farm-to-fork or field-to-table have been around for several years as farmers and producers promote the notion that food is tastier, retains its nutritional qualities and is better for the environment than shipping goods across the country or flying them in from around the globe. Katie Stevens, agriculture business development specialist at the Frederick County Office of Economic Development, believes that the eating local trend will become even stronger. “Already we can add the term farm-tobottle,” she says, with local fruits, grains and hops making it into the libations of county brewers and distillers—some of whom are operating from farms. Generally speaking, Stevens says, “People are more knowledgeable about where their food comes from” and prefer having ingredients that they can see growing on a neighboring farm or showing up at their favorite farm market, along with the grower who can tell them about how it’s raised and how to prepare it. There’s also a little “happy” factor to knowing that your eggs came from a chicken named Gertrude, for instance.
8
“People are also able to support the growing methods they prefer, whether it’s organic, grass-fed,” freerange or other practices, she says. Stevens sees more restaurants getting on board with locally sourcing the ingredients in their kitchens, many making a special note on their menus about where the meat is from or which farm grew the heirloom tomatoes in the salad. Farmers markets continue to be a popular source for local food and Stevens lights up when asked if a year-round market would
be a good addition. This would mean a challenge to growers, perhaps the use of more high tunnels to protect tender plants during the colder months, but she’s confident they could succeed, just as they have with the valueadded aspects they’ve brought to their operations. Beef farmers are finding that it’s profitable to sell cuts of meat at the farm or are overcoming low milk prices by making ice cream and cheese. “And it’s exciting to see how many young farmers there are, people who didn’t grow up on farms who are getting into it,” Stevens says.
9460 Liberty Rd. Frederick, MD 301.898.1200
700 E. Diamond Ave. Gaithersburg, MD 301.670.9300
www.rippeonequipment.com
1115 Baltimore Blvd. Westminster, MD 410.848.5000
In Frederick, neighborhood and road names are all that remain of orchards that once flourished west of the city. Orchard Way and Hillcrest Orchards are reminiscent of a time when fruit trees grew where the Golden Mile is, part of a network of orchards that spanned the lower reaches of the Catoctin and South Mountain ridges. North and west of Frederick, you can still find many of these orchards. When spring becomes summer, the strawberries burst forth. Once the sun warms the ground, blueberries and peaches begin to ripen. Fruits come and go through November. Pryor’s Orchard and Catoctin Mountain Orchard near Thurmont still grow bushels of fruit and host visitors who come to buy throughout the growing season. Country Pleasures Farm in Middletown has been providing heritage apples and other organic fruits since 1985.
People once wanted apples and pears by the bushel. Today, however, people are happy to buy fruit by the quart, half peck and peck. The most people will buy at a time is a half-bushel, Hauver says.
trees, the fertilizing and the spraying,” Hauver says. Each summer, the Hauvers hire high school and college-age students to sell fruit in the market. “That’s indoor work,” she says. But it’s harder to hire people to work in the orchard. Most people don’t want to work outdoors anymore, she says. Hauver, her husband, Pryor and Rice tend to the trees all winter, however, getting them ready for the growing season. As long as it’s above 20 degrees, they’re outside pruning during daylight
Pryor’s Orchard Martha Hauver has been a part of Pryor’s Orchard for 60 years. Her first husband’s parents started the farm in 1905, transitioning it from a dairy farm to an orchard. Today, about 50 of the farm’s 80 acres produce fruit. The other 30 acres grow trees for lumber. Hauver, 80, has spent her entire adult working life planting and pruning trees, picking fruit and selling it. In the early days, she would climb high ladders into the apple trees and pick a bushel at a time. “Now we have dwarf trees, which are easier to pick and spray and prune,” she says.
A variety of berries are ripe for buying at a farmers market.
Pryor’s Orchard is still a family-run operation. Her husband, Gary Hauver, her son, Galen Pryor and Darryl Rice comprise the staff. “We do all of the pruning, the harvesting, the planting of
hours. “We’re going to do it as long as we physically can,” she says. “It keeps you young.” Harvest at Pryor’s starts in mid-June with sweet cherries. Then come sour
11
There’s a big demand for Honeycrisp apples, which come out in late July. September brings Golden Delicious and Cortlands. 12
cherries and blueberries. Late June has early peaches, but most peaches start coming in July. Around that time, the first nectarines and apples are ready to be picked. July also brings sweet plums and apricots. “Those are iffy,” Hauver
says. “It depends on the weather.” Late freezes often kill the blossoms. When the weather cooperates, the plums and apricots are very tasty, she says. August brings the first Asian pears. Peaches are finished by midSeptember. Apples and pears last through November. “By midNovember, we close the market,” Hauver says. Peach varieties have changed over the years. Belle of Georgia was once a popular peach. “We changed to meet the demands,” Hauver says. Today, people like Red Haven, Sunhigh and Loring peaches. They still sell some Cling peaches, popular for canning. Apples are much different. Red Delicious was once a tasty, thin-skinned apple, but has become tasteless, Hauver says. “They went for color, and forgot the flavor.” She likes the Fuji apples. There’s a big demand for Honeycrisp apples, which come out in late July. September brings Golden Delicious and Cortlands. Staymans, one of the few older apple varieties to remain popular, are available in October. Their tartsweet flavor and firm flesh are good for pies. Pryor’s offers pick-your-own cherries and blueberries, but customers seem to prefer buying other fruit packaged and ready to go. “I think people eat as much fruit as ever, but what’s down is canning,” she says.
Catoctin Mountain Orchard Numerous family farms surrounded the small Thurmont community in the 1930s, and most had small orchards. The area was known for its fruit, especially black raspberries. Families packed them in baskets and took them to a factory in Cavetown, where they were canned as black raspberry pie filling. Black raspberries from the Catoctin Mountain region were sought all across America. Bob Black’s father, Harry, started working at Kelbaugh Orchard during World War II. After the war, Harry decided to buy a farm and grow fruit. He nearly bought one in Martinsburg, but Ira Kelbaugh made him an offer. “If you do a good job, I will split the profits with you.” The orchard opened a small fruit stand along U.S. 15 in 1948. “My dad said you could count on your hands and feet the number of cars that passed by in a day,” Black says. Harry worked hard, and by 1961, the orchard was his. He built a 7,000bushel cold storage facility, “and a pond to swim in,” Black recalls. It was a good thing. “The 1960s were drought years,” Black says. The pond came in handy, to water the fruit. “My uncle had strawberries with irrigation ponds.” The shale soil, which nourished the fruit, didn’t hold water well. In 1962, Harry built another pond, along with an irrigation pump. More ponds followed in the next two years. Today, the ponds form the drip irrigation system that waters much of Catoctin
Blossoms in the spring eventually become apricots.
Mountain Orchard’s 70 acres. “Water is key in our business,” Black says. In the 1960s, Harry and his brother, Lee, had an agreement. Lee would manage the picking process, and Harry would market the fruit. After Harry added the cold storage area, he enlarged the market. Traffic was beginning to pick up on U.S. 15, and customers were coming. Now 67, Black and his siblings were helpers in the family business. Today, he and his sister, Patricia Black, own Catoctin Mountain Orchard. One of Black’s first major decisions, in 1983, was to convert the open-air market to an indoor market and add air conditioning. The market gradually expanded, and features strawberries, black raspberries, blueberries, apricots, sweet and sour cherries, white and yellow peaches and nectarines, plums, kale, cabbage, squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplant, apples, pears,
Concord grapes, blackberries, cantaloupes, peppers, rhubarb, kiwi berries and more. Early on, the Blacks adopted integrated pest management, which requires less water and fewer pesticides; and composting, which cuts down on the need for fertilizer. The climate along the Catoctin Ridge, cold in the winter, and hot in the summer, is nearly ideal for growing fruit. The only downside is the humidity, Black says.
Country Pleasures Farm Eating apples is a fall pleasure today, but there was a time when apples were primarily for drinking. Most of the apples grown at Country Pleasures Farm go into hard cider. Owners Eric and Lori Rice grow heritage apples. Some are sold for eating,
13
Although apples are the most popular hand-held fruit, pears also have a following.
but many of these apples don’t taste like modern apples. The sweetness just isn’t there. The Rices have been growing fruit at their Middletown farm since 1985. They bought the farm intending to grow fruit organically. “We still are the longest established organic farm in Maryland, and the longest established organic orchard in all of the Mid-Atlantic, if not the East Coast,” Rice says. “We had to do a lot of experimentation. I spent many hours in the National Agricultural Library, reading old studies.” Maryland, along with California and Washington state, were pioneers in the organic produce movement, and Eric Rice credits current State Attorney General Brian Frosh and current U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., with getting state support for the fledgling organic farm industry. The farm grows lots of berries and heritage apples. At first, the apples 14
were grown to eat or make Calvados, an apple liqueur, but the past decade has seen an explosion in the hard cider industry. Three years ago, the farm started producing its own hard cider, along with some fruit wine. The farm now has seven acres planted in apple trees, three acres of pear trees and over two acres in berries. They sell their fruit at farmers markets and in the Willow Oaks Tasting Room at their farm. You can buy apples not sold in supermarkets, apples like Black Twig, Golden Russet, Roxbury, Hawkeye, Spitzenberg, Winesap, Harrison and Hewes Crabapple. Most of these apple varieties are native to either Maryland or the MidAtlantic. “They don’t look like the apples in the grocery store,” Rice says. “They’re not uniform in look or color.” Heritage apples tend to have lots of sugar, but also lots of tannin. The tannins and the acidic sugar make for
good hard cider flavor, a flavor that’s more dry than sweet. Hard cider suits the Maryland climate of cold winters and hot, humid summers. “It is a good area for growing fruit,” he says. “The summer humidity is a bit of a problem, but we have a reasonably long growing season, reliably cold winters, and not a large number of summer storms.” Summer’s warm daytime temperatures and cool nighttime temperatures also help, he says. The Rice family also raises beef cattle. Eric Rice is a professor at Johns Hopkins University when not growing fruit, and the couple raised their three children on the farm.
Visit an Orchard Pryor’s Orchard 13841B Pryor Road, Thurmont. 301-271-2693. Open June 15-Nov. 15. www.pryorsorchards.com Catoctin Mountain Orchard 15036 North Franklinville Road, Thurmont. 301-271-2737. Open May-January. www.catoctin mountainorchard.com Country Pleasures Farm 6219 Harley Road, Middletown. 301-371-4814. Open weekends April-December. www.country pleasuresfarm.com/Countrypleas uresfarm.com/Welcome.html
FALL FOR ANNUAL FESTIVALS, FAIRS AND SHOWS By Gina Gallucci-White
When walking through area grocery stores, many don’t take the time to appreciate the perfectly ripe fruits, carefully packaged meats and bountiful supply of vegetables. These are items readily available thanks to the hard work from farmers. To better educate residents on their food supply, there are a number of agriculture events in the fall that folks are invited to attend to learn more about the profession that has been the backbone of Frederick County since its founding.
While many of us routinely drive by farms, most don’t have the opportunity to stop and visit for an up close and personal tour. Homegrown Hay Days, set for Oct. 19-20, throws open the barn doors and lets residents walk right into about 20 farms across the county from creameries, wineries and breweries to an alpaca farm and those with fall festivals and pumpkin patches. “We have a little bit of every-thing,” says Katie Stevens, the county’s Office of Economic Development agriculture business development specialist. “There is just such a wide variety of things you can learn about sustainable agriculture. Each farm does something different.” Formerly known as Family Festival at the Farm that started in the 2000s, the event was renamed, Homegrown Hay Days, two years ago to better align with the Homegrown brand. “The real purpose is to get people out and experience what happens on a farm, learn about where their food comes from and get to meet the farmer,” Stevens says. Some farmers offer
16
guided tours while others put on special activities for the weekend. “The farmer actually getting to talk to the consumer is key,” she says. “As farmers, we get stuck in our daily routine and just (being) on the farm and we don’t get out to talk to people...(With) this event, the
consumer can talk directly to the farmer. Education is key in agriculture today because people are so far removed from farming so it is a great opportunity for everyone in the agriculture community to talk to the public about what is happening in agriculture and how they can be involved.” Stevens says.
COMMUNITY SHOWS If your shoe closet isn’t up to farm standards, (looking at you with the flip flops and high heels) then head to one of several area community shows that showcase agricultural products. Hosted in early
17
October, the Middletown Valley Community Show offers visitors the opportunity to see many of the end products of farming such as canned and baked goods, plants and flowers, plus garden produce and fruit. Kid’s activities as well as arts and crafts are also on display. Community shows are a great way to learn about agriculture. “It’s a fun thing to go to and they accidentally learn stuff,” says Devra Boesch, event co-chair. Many of the children who enter are involved in FFA and 4-H and can show off their hard work on projects during the show and win ribbons and prizes, says Boesch. The show has been a Middletown Valley fall staple for more than 50 years. “There are too many people out there especially children nowadays who don't know where their food is from,” Boesch says. “...This way, not only can they see where their agricultural stuff is from but they can also participate and say ‘Grandma is going to let me grow a flower and I am going to cut this flower and I’m going to bring it in and I am going to showcase this lovely dahlia that Grandma helped me grow in her garden. I now know where this flower came from.’” Rodman Myers helped to establish the event now known as the Thurmont and Emmitsburg Community Show in 1957.
18
Initially Emmitsburg had a community show and Myers helped to get a show in Thurmont, too. Myers, who runs Catoctin Mountain View Farm, had been involved with FFA and 4-H growing up as well as in the Grange, so he wanted a local show for residents. When Emmitsburg High School closed in 1968, the two shows were merged into one. Today, the early September three-day event is held at Catoctin High School and needs more than 100 volunteers to host.
“I never thought (the show) would get this large,” he says. Some of the contests include fresh and canned fruits and vegetables, jellies and preserves, baked goods, sewing, crocheting, needlework, embroidery, knitting, arts, paintings and drawings, photography and crafts. Myers notes he often hears from judges ‘My gosh, you have more here at this show than some of the county fairs we go to.’ “It speaks well for people in the community for what they do,” he says. Two of the most
popular events are the livestock show and sale featuring hogs, sheep and goats as well as the cake sale. The annual show also offers an opportunity for folks in the agriculture community to see each other. “A lot of people say I haven’t seen you since last year,” Myers says. The Great Frederick Fair has provided a reunion-type atmosphere for agriculture enthusiasts for more than 150 years. The nine-day event is hosted at the fairgrounds in the middle of Frederick City. Jacqui Nigh, sponsorship and marketing director, notes this coming year’s theme of “City Streets, Country Roads” is appropriate because the location brings together the
19
city and agriculture. “It allows them to walk through the barn, to talk to farmers, to go through exhibits that show them how all of the technology is playing a role in agriculture.” While some may head to the carnival rides and/or take in a concert by a national recording artist, many more are going to the agriculture areas where folks may get to see a calf being born in the Kenley T. Hubble LLC Birthing Center or watch the horse pull or harness races. Last year, the
20
GFF had more than 3,130 exhibitors, 4,470 animals and 15,100 exhibits. The GFF also has a partnership with Frederick County Public Schools, Ag in the classroom, which provides curriculum activities for grades from preK up to 5th grade. More than 18,000 students participated in the program last year including Spud Buddy to teach them about the five senses and “It’s Fair Game” educating kids on different county and state agriculture facts by putting animals on fake money. Around 5,500
students visited the fair for a school field trip and visited many of the stations. “Our mission is to promote agriculture and educate our youth about the industry of agriculture,” Nigh says. “That is why The Great Frederick Fair exists.” Find more information for community shows and fairs at www.maafs.com/fairs-of-maryland
Adams County, PA
HOMEGROWN HAY DAYS OCTOBER 19TH AND 20TH Ca
Cou nty
rr ol lC ou nty
Wash ingt on
PARTICIPATING FARMS 1. Black Ankle Vineyards* 2. Brookfield Pumpkins 3. Catoctin Breeze Vineyard* 4. Catoctin Mountain Orchard 5. Distillery Lane Ciderworks* 6. Gaver Farm 7. Glade Link Farms 8. Jumbo’s Pumpkin Patch 9. Linganore Winecellars* 10. Mayne’s Tree Farm 11. Milkhouse Brewery at Stillpoint Farm*
12. Nick’s Organic Farm 13. Orchid Cellars 14. Rocky Point Creamery 15. Scenic View Orchards 16. South Mountain
nty
Creamery
17. Summers Farm 18. Sycamore Spring Farm 19. Thanksgiving Farm 20. Whispering Meadows 21. Winterbrook Farm
Lou dou nC ou nt y, VA
ery m o
u Co
ntg
Mo
*Craft Beverage Tasting Available 21
Saving the Chesapeake Bay is not just something environmentalists do. Farmers do their share, too. “People forget every time a farmer loses topsoil, he loses productive ground,� says Denny Remsburg, district manager for the Catoctin and Frederick Soil Conservation Districts. Farmers are often criticized for allowing soil and fertilizer to run off into local waterways, where it creates sediment and starves the water of oxygen and nutrients. But Remsburg says that Frederick County farmers are implementing steps to prevent this. Brian Sweeney and his father, B.J. Sweeney, who raise beef cattle on their 180-acre farm on Ballenger Creek Pike, are prime examples. About four years ago, the Sweeneys converted crop fields to pasture and planted trees and shrubs near streams on the 180-acre farm. They began feeding their cows and storing the manure under cover. They also fenced off the streams from the livestock and installed new water sources.
First
Environmentalists By Karen Gardner
“It’s transformed the entire farm,” B.J. says. “Farming used to be tough, but we have made a lot of improvements. The farm is a lot cleaner and the water is a lot better. The animals are no longer drinking and peeing and pooping in the water. It’s all fenced off. We have 10 drinkers and the animals can walk in between each field.” The farm is surrounded by creeks and springs, and the new water system takes advantage of that abundant water supply. Manure, once stored in piles in the open, is now stored under cover. There’s a covered feeding area, which in winter helps to concentrate the manure in one area. The cows are grazing more, which means the family can grow less feed. And the creeks surrounding the farm are cleaner. Because the cows mostly forage on pasture for food, they now sell grass-fed, freezer-ready beef. B.J. Sweeney credits his son for the upgrades. Brian Sweeney is the nutrient management advisor for the
Sweeney Family Sweeney Family
University of Maryland Extension in Washington County and thought the state’s cost-sharing program would make the improvements worthwhile. “It was the smartest decision we’ve made, and I’ve recommended other farmers do it, because it’s so much nicer,” Brian says. “I have a neighbor who says farmers are the first environmentalists, but it’s hard to make changes because the profit margins are so small.”
The changes have made the farm’s operation much more efficient, however. More fields for grazing have made it easier to rotate the cows between pastures. The farm uses less feed and hay. Feeding under cover helps preserve the hay and feed they do use. Cost-sharing, which the Sweeneys took advantage of, helps farmers pay for these plans, which in turn helps them improve their own farming outcomes, Remsburg said. “Seventy-five percent of farmers in Frederick County are covered
Farmers Take Steps to Protect the Earth 25
by a nutrient management plan,” Remsburg says. That’s the highest participation rate in the state. Any farmer who has more than eight animals or earns more than $2,500 in gross income from a farm in a year must have such a plan. That means the manure that’s produced must be stored in such a way that it’s not left to run off into rivers and streams, and fertilizer must not run off fields and into waterways.
State regulations prohibit farmers from spreading manure on fields during winter, when it’s most likely to run off instead of being absorbed into the ground. With 1,300 farms in the county and 181,500 acres of farmland out of a total 424,000 acres, those numbers are tops around Maryland. “Federal and state programs help farmers offset the costs of these best management practices,” says Brent Cammaugh, district conservationist for the Frederick Field Office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Frederick County farms are using best management practices almost as much as the other 22 counties put together, Cammaugh says. “Not too many sectors are doing what Frederick County farms are doing.”
26
Some of that is because Frederick County has lots of pasture, which doesn’t need as much fertilizer as row crops do, Cammaugh says. Pasture also provides fields with a permanent ground cover, even during the winter months when the land is dormant. Pasture helps fields use nutrients more efficiently. Lots of beef farms in Frederick County are converting to grass-fed operations. Farms that once grew
crops are also providing more pasture for dairy cows, sheep, goats, chickens and turkeys. “There’s more and more market for grass-based beef and dairy,” Cammaugh says. The toughest part of converting to a pasture-based operation for many farmers is finding that market. Farm markets are a source, and some farmers, like the Sweeneys, market directly to the public.
Covered Storage Areas More farmers are also adopting covered manure storage areas. Farmers lose much less manure to rain and floods when the manure is protected from the elements, Remsburg says. State regulations also prohibit farmers from spreading manure on fields during winter, when it’s most likely to run off instead of being absorbed into the ground. Covered storage areas make complying with this regulation much easier. For farmers still growing crops, however, there are steps they can take to make sure their crop-producing fields aren’t sending dirt and sludge into local streams, Remsburg says.
One is planting cover crops during the cold months. Another step, one that is easy and inexpensive, is installing grass filters. These are 30-foot wide strips of grass depressions that hold sediment and chemicals, and prevent them from flowing into nearby waterways. Some farmers, like the Sweeneys, take that extra step and plant riparian buffers, a combination of trees, shrubs and native grasses along waterways. According to the University of Maryland Extension, these buffers improve water quality by removing sediment and chemicals before they reach the waterways. When properly cared for,
Frederick County farms are using best management practices almost as much as the other 22 counties combined.
these buffers can lessen the impacts of flooding, clean up the groundwater, prevent soil erosion and preserve or even improve wildlife habitat. The width of a riparian buffer depends on the type of soil, the slope of the land, the kinds of vegetation grown and whether the land is in a floodplain. Typically, riparian buffers are 35 to 100 feet. “We have farmers who want to do riparian buffers, but it is a lot of work,” Cammaugh says. Riparian buffers do need to be maintained. Weed control requires more work in the first year, but buffers do need to be inspected at least once a year after that, and also after severe storms. The Sweeneys put about six acres into riparian buffers through the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program. Landowners are paid up to $250 per acre to enroll in the program, and reimbursed for up to 87.5 percent of the cost to plant trees, shrubs and other native vegetation along waterways. They are also paid an annual per-acre rental rate. “We did it where we thought it made sense to plant trees, where we thought trees would be nice,” Brian Sweeney says.
27
Filling Plates with Local •••••••
Fare
In the search to find food that hasn’t traveled thousands of miles, Frederick County residents have options ranging from weekly markets held during the growing season or Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) enterprises where you share in whatever bounty the farmer produces. Following are resources for fresh-from-the-farm-to-the-table offerings:
FARMERS MARKETS Emmitsburg Farmers Market 302 S. Seton Ave. Fridays, 3 p.m.-6:30 p.m. June-September
Frederick Farmers Market at Everedy Square & Shab Row Church and East streets Thursdays, 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Late-May through September
Farmers Market at NCI-Frederick Fort Detrick, Building 549 Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. April-October
Field Fresh Farmers Market Great Frederick Fairgrounds 797 E. Patrick St. Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. End of April-November
Frederick Farmers Market
Key City Food & Farmers Market
Wolf Furniture parking lot 1215 W. Patrick St. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. End of April-November
121 N. Bentz St. Fridays, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. May-October
Frederick City Market 331 N. Market St. Sundays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May-November
Corner of Eaglehead and Coldstream drives Thursdays, 4 p.m.-7 p.m. June-August
Friends of Frederick Farmers Market
Middletown Farmers Market
1 Wormans Mill Court Saturdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. May-November
12 S. Church St., Middletown Thursdays, 4 p.m.-7 p.m. May-October
Grace Farmers Market
Myersville Farmers Market
9380 Butterfly Lane Fridays, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Mid-May-mid-November
301 Main St. Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon April-October
Jefferson Farmers Market 4603 Lander Road Wednesdays, 4 p.m.-7 p.m. May-September
Lake Linganore Farmers Market
New Market Farmers Market 93 W. Main St. Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon May-October
31
Pleasant Hill Produce 301-471-2699 www.pleasanthillproduce.com
Rights of Man Farm 240-674-2727 www.rightsofmanfarm.com
Seed of Life Nursery & CSA 240-344-6533 www.seedoflifefrederick.org
South Mountain Creamery 301-371-8565 www.southmountaincreamery.com
Sycamore Spring Farm 301-788-6980 www.sycamorespringsfarm.org
Thanksgiving Farms 301-662-1291 www.thanksgivingfarmandgarden.com
ORCHARDS Catoctin Mountain Orchard Thurmont Main Street Market Municipal Center parking lot, South Center Street Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon June-September
Urbana Library Market 9020 Amelung St. Sundays, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. May-October
YMCA of Frederick Market 1000 N. Market Ave. Tuesdays, 3:30 p.m.- 6:30 p.m. May-October 32
COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE (CSA) Full Cellar Farm 301-639-9711 www.fullcellarfarm.com
301-271-2737 www.catoctinmountainorchard.com
Country Pleasures 301-371-4814 www.countrypleasuresfarm.com
Pryor’s Orchard
301-607-4048
301-271-2693 www.pryorsorchards.com
The Little Red Wagon Produce
Scenic View Orchards
240-439-9401
301-271-2149 www.scenicvieworchards.com
House in the Woods Farm
Open Book Farm 240-457-2558 www.openbookfarm.com
C. Richard Dewees Oil Company 24 Hr. Emergency Service Budget Plans Automatic Delivery Annual Burner Contracts
301-271-7303 Thurmont, MD Proudly Serving Frederick County Since 1970
WET YOUR WHISTLE FREDERICK A BEACON IN THE LIBATION SEARCH Maryland has more than 1,000 acres of grapes being turned into wine. Frederick County is front and center with many vineyards located within its borders. But there’s more. The county is also home to a growing number of breweries and distilleries, many relying on local growers to provide ingredients to make their products special. Visit www.homegrownfrederick.com to view a map of locations.
Springfield Manor Winery, Distillery, & Brewery
AMERICAN SHOCHU COMPANY
BREWER’S ALLEY
FLYING DOG BREWERY
4539 Metropolitan Court, Frederick www.newamericanspirits.com
124 N. Market St., Frederick www.brewers-alley.com
4607 Wedgewood Blvd., Frederick www.flyingdogbrewery.com
ATTABOY BEER CO.
CATOCTIN BREEZE VINEYARD
FREY’S BREWING COMPANY
400 Sagner Ave., Frederick www.attaboybeer.com
15010 Roddy Road, Thurmont www.catoctinbreeze.com
8601 Mapleville Road, Mount Airy www.freysbrewing.com
BARLEY AND HOPS
DRAGON DISTILLERY
HIDDEN HILLS FARM AND VINEYARD
5473 Urbana Pike, Frederick www.barleyandhops.net
1341 Hughes Ford Road, Suite 108 Frederick www.dragondistillery.com
7550 Green Valley Road, Frederick www.hiddenhillsfarmandvineyard.com
BERRYWINE PLANTATIONS LINGANORE WINECELLARS
DISTILLERY LANE CIDER WORKS
13601 Glissans Mill Road, Mount Airy www.linganorewines.com
5533 Gapland Road, Jefferson www.distillerylaneciderworks.com
BLACK ANKLE VINEYARDS
ELK RUN
44463 Black Ankle Road, Mount Airy www.blackankle.com
15113 Liberty Road, Mount Airy www.elkrun.com
34
IDIOM BREWING CO. 340 E. Patrick St., Frederick www.idiombrewing.com
JUG BRIDGE BREWING 911 E. Patrick St., Frederick
LINKS BRIDGE VINEYARDS 8830 Old Links Bridge Road, Thurmont www.linksbridgevineyards.com
LOEW VINEYARDS 14001 Liberty Road (Md. 26), Mount Airy www.loewvineyards.com
MILKHOUSE BREWERY at STILLPOINT FARM 8253 Dollyhyde Road, Mount Airy www.milkhousebrewery.com
MONOCACY BREWING 1781 N. Market St., Frederick www.monocacybrewing.com
ROCKWELL BREWERY 880 N. East St. www.rockwellbrewery.com
SMOKETOWN BREWING STATION 223 W. Potomac St., Brunswick www.smoketownbrewing.com
MAD SCIENCE BREWING AT THANKSGIVING FARMS
NEW MARKET PLAINS VINEYARD
SPRINGFIELD MANOR WINERY, DISTILLERY & BREWERY
1619 Buckeystown Pike, Adamstown www.madsciencebrewing.com
11111 W. Baldwin Road, New Market www.newmarketplains.com
11836 Auburn Road, Thurmont www.springfieldmanor.com
MAZZAROTH VINEYARD
OLDE MOTHER BREWING CO.
8333 Myersville Road, Myersville www.mazzarothvineyard.com
526 N. Market St., Frederick www.oldemother.com
MCCLINTOCK DISTILLING
ORCHID CELLAR MEADERY & WINERY
35 S. Carroll St., Frederick www.mcclintockdistilling.com
STEINHARDT BREWING CO. www.steinhardtbrewing.com
8546 Pete Wiles Road, Middletown www.orchidcellar.com
MIDNIGHT RUN BREWING 912 N. East St., Frederick www.midnightrunbrewing.com
RED SHEDMAN FARM BREWERY 13601 Glissans Mill Road, Mount Airy www.redshedman.com
Tenth Ward Distilling Co.
TENTH WARD DISTILLING CO. 55 E. Patrick St., Frederick www.tenthwarddistilling.com
WILLOW OAKS CRAFT CIDER Barley and Hops
6219 Harley Road, Middletown www.willowoakscraftcider.com
35
"U Y A R M O N T H E& When you buy directly from farmers, you get fresh, healthy produce, keep your food dollars close to home, and support a local farm family.
HOMEGROWN FREDERICK, a service of the Office of Economic Development, serves farmers and citizens by promoting local agriculture and business in order to preserve the rich heritage of our County. Search for local events, creameries, craft beverages, products and more.
Visit www.HomegrownFrederick.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
armers F r e g n u o Y nuing i t n o C e r a riculture g A k c i r e Fred Tradition
——
ite allucci-Wh By Gina G y Studio h p ra er Photog rn u T by Photos
Growing up in Gettysburg, Allison Rostad remembers her mother often driving her to the South Hanover Wal-Mart Supercenter to get their groceries. Rostad would always be on the look out for a herd of Highland cattle at a farm on the way. “I would beg (my mom) constantly ‘Pull over I want to touch these cows!’ She would lock the doors and lock the windows so that I would not try to reach my hand out or anything crazy,” Rostad says. “I always had this desire to pet a cow.” Years later, Rostad was working as a graphic designer when she met Josh Stewart who works as a project manager for a general contractor by day and on his family’s Deer Run Farm in the evenings. He invited Rostad up to meet his family’s Red Angus beef cattle five years ago. “I’m petting (the cow) and I’m like ‘Oh my gosh. This is love. Instantly
it was ‘This is what I want to do. This is where I want to be — working with the animals.’” Rostad, who began dating Stewart, left her job as a graphic designer several years later and came to work at the farm full time after the family purchased a neighboring poultry enterprise featuring more than 500 chickens with four different colonies—
Allison Rostad left her job as a graphic designer and went into farming full time at an Emmitsburg-based operation that sells eggs and baby chicks.
Ameraucana, Delaware, Marans and Welsummer. In addition to beef products, the Emmitsburg-based operation now sells eggs and baby chicks at their farm and through area farmers markets. “I almost feel like I didn’t necessarily pick farming,” she says. “Farming kind of picked me.” The average age of a Frederick County farmer is 56.5 years and yet there are numerous younger farmers who are continuing the agricultural profession which dates back to the dawn of humans. Stewart was 10 when his parents, Ronald and Annie, bought their farm. He grew up doing chores such as bailing hay and loading manure before and after school and on weekends. The family also grows their own crops to feed the animals, so he was often out in the fields, too. Today, as a project manager, Stewart considers his farm work a way to relieve stress from his day job. While others go for a run or a swim at the gym, he takes out his stress through farming. “People at work ask me ‘Why would you want to go home and work more?’ ‘Why would you want to work all these hours a week?’” Stewart says. “I honestly don’t know if I could handle the stress of being a project manager without the farm job. It really allows me to just let go. (Farming is) really enjoyable for me. I guess it’s sort of in my blood. I’ve been around it my whole life. ...
39
Being able to go home and spend time outdoors with my family, with Allison, actually is a stress relief for me. I really enjoy that.” While they don’t get many days off, the couple finds farming very rewarding. “Every afternoon when I have to collect the eggs, no matter how many days I do it, collecting the eggs is like the most exciting time because you’re like how many eggs are you going to get? Are there going to be any cool ones? Weird ones? Little fairy eggs? Whatever it is,” Rostad says. “Even though you know they are going to lay them again tomorrow or they are going to lay them again the next day, you are still so excited to collect the eggs. It’s just knowing that you are putting in something and every day you are going to get something out.”
The average age of a Frederick County farmer is 56.5 years and yet there are numerous young farmers who are continuing the agricultural profession.
40
Though it’s uncommon for beef cattle to be super friendly, their Red Angus are around humans regularly and come when they are called by name. Calving season can be bittersweet for Rostad because she knows their future will be short. “But when you hear someone tell you how great their steak was, you are the one that did all the work to get it to taste that great,” Rostad says. “I firmly believe it would not taste as good as if (the cows) were not friendly. I really think their personality will dictate the taste of the beef. It’s seeing the rewards in doing all the work.”
‘A Little Bit of an Obsession’ Dan Carroll planted a few hops for home brewing purposes which quickly morphed into “a little bit of an obsession that turned into a couple of acres” on his mother’s property in Rohrersville. Several years later, he bought a farm off Mount Zion Road in Frederick. Today, Pleasant Valley Hops farms six different hops varieties across both properties on 12 acres and works with eight to 10 breweries including Flying Dog. Farming “teaches hard work for sure,” Carroll says. “It teaches discipline especially with a crop. If you do one thing wrong, it can affect the end-product, which is months away. It really teaches you, I think, to really cross your T’s and dot your I’s at the beginning of a season to make sure that you can have a fruitful end of season. ...The challenge keeps it interesting. There is always a new hurdle. Always something new every single year that it’s like we think we got that down last year and now there is this.” The farm is also in the process of opening their own on-site brewery, Prospect Point Brewery, in early August. The 40-foot-by-70-foot pole barn will overlook the hop yard and start off with six beers made on site with their hops. Carroll aims to get up to 12 on tap and include rotational seasonal beers as well. “With growing the hops on the farm, we will be able to focus on beers that really bring out what the
“Farming teaches hard work for sure,” says hops grower Dan Carroll whose farm is in the process of opening its own on-site brewery. He balances farming with a full-time job as an electrician.
farm represents,” Carroll says. “That’s what I really look forward to, being able to produce beers that have our crop in it where we can say it is only our hops in it. I think that adds a little something special to it.” Carroll balances the farm in addition to his full-time job as an electrician. “(Balancing the two) makes (life) interesting come spring and when we really start getting busy
with hops and then definitely when it comes to harvest time. I definitely put long days in there for sure.” But he loves coming to the farm to work. “I appreciate being able to get my hands in the dirt,” he says. “It’s nice when you are out there, and you don’t have people talking in your ear. ...The ground doesn't talk back to you. It might not cooperate all the time, but it doesn’t talk back.”
41
Frederick counTy 4-H BeeF, SHeep & Swine Sale
Thursday, September 19th, 2019 Time: 5:30pm The GreaT Frederick Fair BeeF Show rinG, BuildinG 18
• Sale Order: Swine then Alternating Beef and Sheep through remainder of the sale •
Registration Procedure: Registration begins at 4:30pm at the Beef Show Ring. You will need to provide name, address, phone number, and drivers license. You will then receive a buyers number. This card needs to be provided to the auctioneer when a purchase is made. The auction begins at 5:30pm.
LETS TALK TuRKEY, and so Much More. Sure, We Offer the Area’ s Freshest Turkey but Did You Know We Also Make
Fresh Turkey Sausage Potpies, Turkey Jerky Turkey Snack Stix
Not to Mention
(6 Flavors)
Smoked Turkey Parts
All Natural Fresh Chicken, DEli-Sliced Roast Beef, Country Ham and Pork Bacon At Amazing Prices
301.271.2728
•
www.hillsideturkey.com
30 Elm St., Thurmont, MD 21788 • Store Hours: Thursday and Friday 8am-3pm, Saturday 8am-12pm
Stop By and See For Yourself. Get Perky, Eat More Turkey
FINDING IT ALL ON THE FARM PROVES POSSIBLE Farming continues to play an important part in the local economy with 65 percent of the land zoned for agriculture. Increasingly, consumers are seeking fresh, locallyproduced food and other products and Frederick County farmers and growers are meeting the demand—whether it’s raising alpacas, beef cattle and heirloom vegetables, or inviting you to pick-yourown fruits and vegetables and enjoy a corn maze and hay ride. THE FOLLOWING ICONS DESIGNATE SPECIAL FARM FEATURES. Pick-YourOwn
Homegrown Hay Days
45
ALLEN’S APIARY 9980 Harvest Drive, Frederick 240.409.3589 • 240.793.5532 www.allensapiary.com Allen's Apiary is a great source for fresh, local honey, 100 percent beeswax candles and homemade honey oatmeal soaps. Stop by to pick up your honey or visit them at one of the local farmers markets.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT The apiary has more than 100 hives spread throughout Frederick County and is producing honey for a few local restaurants.
BARTGIS FAMILY FARM, LLC 1699 Shookstown Road, Frederick 240.285.7005 • www.bffarm.us Bartgis Family Farm is a beef operation offering freezer-ready beef by the pound. Their beef is naturally raised with no antibiotics, no hormones and they mix their own feed with grains harvested locally.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Monthly specials are posted on their web page and Facebook.
46
BELLE BLOOMS FARM 3311 Paprika Court, Adamstown 240.277.0275 • www.bellebloomsfarm.com Belle Blooms Farm is a family farm growing high-quality, specialty cut flowers. Seasonal flower CSA shares are available, as well as buckets of blooms for DIY weddings and events. Call or visit the website for information on floral workshops, farm tours and farm stand hours.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Monthly farm tours highlight unique blooms of the season.
BLACK ANKLE VINEYARDS 14463 Black Ankle Road, Mount Airy 301.829.3338 • www.blackankle.com At Black Ankle Vineyards they believe that a prime vineyard site marked by rolling hillsides and rocky soils, combined with meticulous care of their vines and land will yield grapes that make wines of depth, nuance and character. Wine Tastings, Tours (Saturday & Sunday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., weather permitting), Cozy indoor/outdoor seating, Polish pottery and other merchandise, Entertainment/events, groups welcome, private event rentals. Refer to website for hours.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT All wines are sold at the farm and online. In addition, a cheese plate featuring an assortment of locally-produced cheese is available. 47
BLUE DREAMS USA 11700 Old Annapolis Road, Frederick 301.882.4747 • www.bluedreamsusa.com Blue Dreams USA is the first of its kind lavender, rose and tea farm boutique in the United States. Surrounded by scenic views, it's a place where you can unwind while enjoying the beauty of lavender, roses and tea gardens on a 25-acre farm. They offer pick your own lavender in summer, tea tasting, afternoon tea, plus thoughtful gifts and artisan quality crafts inspired by nature, lavender, roses and tea. Open to the public on weekends in summer to early fall.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT If you are looking for a special place to spend time with your family this summer, or to celebrate special occasions, please contact them for more information.
48
BROOKFIELD PUMPKINS, LLC 8302 Ramsburg Road, Thurmont 301.898.3527 • www.brookfieldpumpkins.com Brookfield Pumpkins is a pick-your-own pumpkin patch located on a six-generation cash crop farm with a beautiful view of the Catoctin Mountains. Many customers start their visit with a hayride to the 15-acre patch to explore the fall produce and pick the perfect pumpkin. Also enjoy the family-friendly Corn Maze for a Cause (100 percent of proceeds are given to local charities), petting zoo, corn tables, and countless photo opportunities. Call or visit the website for more information.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Hayrides (Friday – Sunday), petting zoo, corn tables, Corn Maze for a Cause ($), face painting ($, SaturdaySunday), and apple cider ($).
CASTLE HILL FARM 5814 Broad Run Road, Jefferson 301.371.4111 • www.voracsuffolks.com Farm-fresh, excellent tasting lamb from Frederick County is the specialty of Castle Hill Farm. Lambs are grain-fed and grass-fed, with no growth hormones or steroids. USDA inspected. Processing is done at Hemp’s Meats, Jefferson. The farm was settled in 1813 and Castle Hill is the fourth owner from the original land grant, farming for 35 years.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Castle Hill specializes in custom-processed lamb, whole or half lambs, lamb for a BBQ, lamb sausage, lamb burgers, 4-H market lambs to show at county fairs; lamb leasing program to 4H’ers—lambs leased for the summer, at no leasing cost to the 4-H family; Registered ewe and ram breeding stock, ewe breeding services, Suffolk and Hampshire fleeces and Greek Easter lambs.
CATOCTIN BREEZE VINEYARD 15010 Roddy Road, Thurmont 240.578.3831 • www.catoctinbreeze.com Catoctin Breeze is a boutique vineyard and winery operation producing small lots of fine quality Maryland wines. The winery offers a range of varietal and blended wines, as well as a selection of honey wines known as mead. From thoughtful attention to the vines, careful selection of fruit, and gentle winemaking methods, their commitment to producing the finest quality wines is reflected in each bottle. Catoctin Breeze offers both general and private tastings.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Live music is hosted every weekend, spring through fall, a perfect time to unwind and enjoy a beautiful day with wine, family and friends. Visit www.catoctinbreeze.com/events for more information.
49
CATOCTIN MOUNTAIN ORCHARD 15036 N. Franklinville Road, Thurmont 301.271.2737•www.catoctinmountainorchard.com Catoctin Mountain Orchard is a fourth generation fruit, vegetable, and berry farm celebrating more than 55 years in business. One hundredplus acres produce products sold at the retail market on the farm. Pickyour-own crops and flowers are available including apples on Saturdays and Sundays in September and October. Call or visit the website for days and hours at their retail farm market.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Products also include plums, peaches, nectarines, apricots, apples, pears, grapes, kiwiberries, blackberries, sweet cherries, black raspberries, tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, peppers, cabbage, kale, fruit pies, cookies, crumb cakes, apple butter, cider, honeycrisp apple sauce and local honey. Supplies the school lunch program with peaches, apples, pears and plums.
CLEMSONVILLE CHRISTMAS TREE FARM 10120 Clemsonville Road, Union Bridge 410.848.6083 • www.clemsonville.com At Clemsonville’s 250-acre Christmas Tree Farm you can cut or dig trees—fir, pine and spruce—plus get wreaths, swags and tree stands. All trees are $25. The farm dates back to 1775 and has an historic mansion copied from George Washington’s home at Mount Vernon. The farm is the home of Guinness Record-breaking wreaths. Member of the Maryland Christmas Tree Association.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Clemsonville has been a Christmas tradition for over 50 years. Visit the Christmas Barn, explore the Nature Maze, see Boulder Garden Christmas Wonderland and go to Picnic Park. Open daily after Thanksgiving until Christmas, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fresh-cut trees, greenery and cut your own firewood truckload $30. Free punch and cookies. 50
COOLING SPRINGS FARM 2455 Ballenger Creek Pike, Adamstown 301.874.0235 • www.coolingsprings.org Cooling Springs Farm has been cared for by nine generations of the Michael family since it was founded by Andrew and Barbara Michael in 1768, making Cooling Springs Farm one of America's oldest farms owned by the same family. From 1702 to 1707, Andrew's father, the Swiss naturalist Franz Ludwig Michel, was the first European explorer of what became Frederick County. Today, cattle roam the farm's hills which Franz Ludwig mapped, Andrew cleared, and later generations have tended. Cooling Springs Farm is now powered entirely by sun and wind.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Cooling Springs Farm has been open to the public as a historic site since 2004. Call ahead to schedule a free tour, which includes a look at Franz Ludwig's map.
DEER RUN FARM 15131 Sixes Road, Emmitsburg 717.357.4521 • www.deerrunfarmmd.com Deer Run Farm is a combined registered Red Angus cattle operation and heritage breed chicken hatchery operation located in northern Frederick County. Owned and operated for over 22 years by the Stewart family, Deer Run Farm offers an on-farm retail store of humanely raised beef and pastured eggs. During the spring and fall chicks are hatched out regularly on the farm and sold all across the United States and to backyard flocks right here in Frederick County.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Deer Run Farm puts Maryland on the map by being the United States’ cleanest, certified disease-free chicken hatchery. They’re the only chicken hatchery in the United States to test regularly for MS, MG, AI and PT.
51
DISTILLERY LANE CIDERWORKS
EBERLE CHRISTMAS FARM
5533 Gapland Road, Jefferson 301.834.8920 • www.distillerylaneciderworks.com
13415 Liberty Road, Union Bridge 301.898.4232 • www.eberlechristmasfarm.com
Distillery Lane Ciderworks, located just outside of historic Burkittsville, specializes in growing a wide variety of apples perfect for cider, baking and eating. The family-owned and operated farm and cidery offers unique apple varieties, sweet cider and hard cider. Their heritage apples are prized by apple lovers, bakers, and home brewers for their exquisite taste. Open yearround, Saturdays and Sundays noon – 5 p.m. Check the website in the fall for extended hours.
They are a family-owned and operated Christmas tree farm located on 40 rolling acres with Civil War-era buildings. They offer a great variety of tree species ranging from 4 to more than 12 feet for you to cut. Fresh-cut trees range from 6 to 11 feet and are kept in water for you. Open the day after Thanksgiving 10 a.m. until dark five days a week. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Hard and fresh cider featured on this heritage apple farm.
52
A full service farm with a wide variety of trees and accessories. Fresh custom garlands and hand-made wreaths of all shapes and sizes by on-site artist. Shaking and baling included.
ELK RUN VINEYARDS
ENGLAND ACRES
15113 Liberty Road, Mount Airy 410.775.2513 • www.elkrun.com
5620 Detrick Road, Mount Airy Market Sales: 240.674.2028 Hay and Field Products: 240.674.2030 www.englandacres.com
Their original vineyard was planted in 1980. With rich soils of schist and shale the roots can sink 35 feet reaching minerals and water. As a result Elk Run has the oldest classic Vinifera grafted vines in Maryland, harvesting 25 acres of premium grapes. This year their 37-year-old Chardonnay vines took Best of Class and a Double Gold in the New World International Competition. The only growers of Gewurztraminer in Maryland this spicy off-dry wine also took a Double Gold and Best of Class in the International Tasters Guild.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Elk Run grows five varietal whites and six varietal reds producing everything from sparkling to port. Continually offering flavors that cannot be tasted elsewhere in Maryland, they invite guests to review the wines on their website which also has a drone show that pans the vineyard, plus come out and experience Elk Run as their guest.
England Acres Family Farm raises pasture raised/grass finished Angus beef, pasture raised chickens and eggs from pastured hens are seasonably available. Freezer ready beef by the cut, 30-pound sampler, split side and by the side (cut to customer specifications). Beef sales by appointment; call or email for information. The farm fields are managed by Jeff England to yield quantity hays for horses, cattle, sheep and goats to rabbits. Seasonal supply available in squares, bundles and round bales. Call him directly at 240-674-2030 for variety availability, prices and delivery options.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Visit at lambing time, watch chicks grow to maturity, frequent the gardens as the produce ripens, help to plant potatoes in April and dig them in August, press apples into cider, all to learn the benefits of eating with the seasons. 53
FLYING GOAT FARM 5241 Bartonsville Road, Frederick 443.538.8303 • www.flyinggoatfarm.com The owners have 25 acres that they farm in an organic and sustainable way, with fruit, berry and nut trees, free-range chickens, guinea fowl, Angora goats, cormo and BFL sheep. They sell organic eggs, jams and pickles at the farm or at local farmers markets. As their orchard matures they will also offer fruit, berries and nuts. They sell mohair locks, fleeces, roving and yarn and hand-dyed commercial quilting fabric and yarns. Call or visit the website for hours.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT They offer spinning, dyeing and weaving workshops and have occasional farming specialty classes such as pruning and animal husbandry as well.
FLYING PIGS FARM 9233 Bessie Clemson Road, Union Bridge 301.898.8956 • www.flyingpigsorganic.com Flying Pigs Farm offers certified organic blueberries. The 25-acre farm is located in eastern Frederick County and dates to the 1860s. The current owners have spent the past 16 years improving the soil and water quality, removing invasive species, as well as planting pollinator strips and hundreds of native trees. Blueberries are available from mid-June to mid-August.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Delicious, certified organic blueberries are available at The Common Market, several Frederick restaurants, or by calling or emailing the farm directly to place an order. 54
FOX HAVEN ORGANIC FARM & LEARNING CENTER 3630 Poffenberger Road, Jefferson 301.748.2427 • 240.490.5484 • www.foxhavenfarm.org Features certified organic hay and vegetable production and sales. They are developing and using innovative conservation practices and research programs, used to enhance organic methods for improving healthy food production and for building healthy soils. Workshops and seminars are held to encourage those who visit the Learning Center to eat and to grow healthy foods and to improve the health of their soil.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT The Learning Center is available for your seminars, workshops and group meetings. "Farm Stay" rentals are available to house groups. Weekend or week-long stays are available.
FULL CELLAR FARM 3901 Lander Road, Jefferson 301.639.9711 • www.fullcellarfarm.com They grow fresh vegetables, herbs, cut flowers and pastured poultry, pork and eggs on the scenic westward slopes of the Middletown Valley. Though not certified organic, they aim to grow the prettiest and tastiest food for the local community in a way that leaves the farm healthy and productive for future generations. You can find them at area farmers markets, CSAs and local food hubs.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Talk to Kip about the winter CSA and "A la carte" delivery programs to get seasonal vegetables, meats and eggs from November through April. 55
GAVER FARM, LLC 5501 Detrick Road, Mount Airy 301.865.3515 • www.gaverfarm.com Gaver Farm features a Farm Market with pumpkins, apples, cider, fall produce, corn stalks, decor and farm fresh food. Take a free hayride to pick your own pumpkins and apples and enjoy the Fall Fun Festival complete with farm animals, corn maze, straw activities, jumping pillow and over 50 family-friendly attractions. For over 30 years Gaver Farm has provided cut-yourown and fresh-cut Christmas trees, wreaths, roping, swags and fresh greenery.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Gaver Farm is a family-owned and operated working farm offering seasonal farm products, fresh-baked pies, their famous apple cider donuts and family fun on the farm.
56
GLADE-LINK FARMS, LLC 12270 Woodsboro Pike, Keymar 301.898.7131 • www.gladelink.com Glade-Link Farms is family-owned and operated. For nearly 50 years, it has provided customers with fruit, vegetables, cut flowers and fall decorations. Pick-your-own strawberries, blueberries, pumpkins and fall vegetables. Wedding and event design with homegrown cut flowers available. They participate in local farmers markets. Call or visit the website for hours.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Acres of strawberries and blueberries are complimented by cauliflower, cabbage, collards, kale, green beans, turnips, pumpkins and fall decorations and cut flowers.
GOOD HOPE FARMSTEAD
HARA-VALE FARM
10820 Renner Road, Woodsboro 240.367.9676 • www.goodhopefarmstead.com
4309 Cap Stine Road, Frederick Bakery: 301.788.5409 • Farm: 301.471.5968 www.edscountrybakery.com
Good Hope Farmstead is a pasture-based family farm, passionate about raising food that's good for you and the environment. The well-being of their animals and preservation of the land and soil is at the forefront of their farm planning. They offer duck eggs from their organic-fed flock, non-GMO chicken, pastureraised lamb and mutton, non-GMO pastured pork, and 100 percent grass-fed beef.
Hara-Vale Farm is a four-generation family farm which has successfully transitioned from dairy farming to all natural, pastureraised beef, egg, hay and straw sales and a livestock hauling business. The farm is also home to Ed's Country Bakery featuring old-fashioned baking at its best. Their eggs and select beef cuts are available for sale in the bakery. Call or visit the bakery website for hours.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Products are available year-round for pick-up on the farm by appointment, local home delivery, or at the City of Rockville, Bowie and Frederick Key City farmers markets. Visit the farm website for further details.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT They offer baked goods, including wedding cakes, all natural pasture-raised and grain-finished beef sold by the quarter or half or in a variety of cuts and ground beef; hay and straw bales and livestock hauling. 57
HEDGEAPPLE FARM 3760 Buckeystown Pike, Buckeystown 301.662.0226 • www.hedgeapplefarm.com Hedgeapple Farm dates to 1731. Since 1956, the Jorgenson family has operated a dairy and a beef farm on the property. Since 1997, it has been a nonprofit research and educational foundation farm dedicated to improving and promoting grass-fed Angus beef. In 2006, the owners reconstructed a 1790s-era log cabin to serve as a market to sell the grass-fed and grass-finished beef raised here. Call or visit the website for hours.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Individual cuts of beef are available and sold by the pound. Their beef is dry-aged and sold vac-sealed and flash frozen. They also offer a premium boxed assortment package, outstanding beef jerky and monthly beef specials. Beef is 100 percent grass-fed and grass-finished. No grain ever. Open three days per week all year-long.
HIDDEN HILLS FARM AND VINEYARD 7550 Green Valley Road, Frederick 301.660.8735 • www.hiddenhillsfarmandvineyard.com Sharing the land with their beautiful horse farm, Hidden Hills Farm and Vineyard produces elegant, dry wines and has 12 of 103 acres in grape production. Come and visit Frederick’s first and only winery located on an equestrian facility in Frederick’s gorgeous horse country. Enjoy your wine and a picnic as you watch the horses play. Phone for a tasting appointment.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT They welcome you to be a part of Frederick County’s beautiful horse country as you learn more about local wine production; minutes away from historic Downtown Frederick.
58
HIDDEN HILLS HORSE FARM 7550 Green Valley Road, Frederick 301.305.5963 • www.hiddenhillshorsefarm.com Nestled in 103 spectacular acres in Frederick, Hidden Hills Horse Farm is one of the area’s most beautiful equine boarding facilities for the enjoyment of both horses and riders. They offer horse boarding in luxurious, well-equipped horse stables as well as year-round riding in the outdoor and indoor horse arenas and horse trails.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Shower and changing rooms are available for you and heated wash stalls with hot water for your equine companion. Your horse will thrive in our luxurious turnouts.
HILLSIDE TURKEY FARMS 30 Elm Street, Thurmont 301.271.2728 • www.hillsideturkey.com Hillside Turkey Farms is a family-owned, third generation farm and retail store specializing in today's family needs. The main focus is further processing of poultry to make meals more fun and interesting. They carry many fresh poultry products, deli items and some prepared foods. Hillside Turkey Farms is a USDA inspected plant serving the public with a retail store and in many local restaurants. Call or visit the website for store hours and more information. Don't forget to order your fresh turkey or turkey breast for the holidays!
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Fresh turkeys and breasts, turkey sausage, ground turkey, soups, turkey jerky, turkey snack sticks, fresh chicken, deli-sliced roast beef and country ham, pork bacon, smoked turkeys and breasts, cheeses, turkey pot pies and other products. 59
HOUSE IN THE WOODS FARM 2225 Park Mills Road, Adamstown 301.607.4048 • www.houseinthewoods.com House in the Woods Farm is a certified organic diverse farm near Sugarloaf Mountain. They offer a 20-week CSA, featuring heirloom vegetable varieties and heirloom tomatoes. In May, they sell seedlings to home gardeners, featuring many varieties of heirloom tomato plants. They have been in operation since 2000. Visitors welcome by appointment.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT It’s the mission to get people involved during Farm Hands Days, lending a hand to plant, tend and harvest the crops. Produce available for sale at the farm by appointment. Educational tours and harvest events.
60
J BAR W RANCH 10530 Green Valley Road, Union Bridge www.jbarwranch.com This father, son and daughter partnership has received recognition nationwide for producing and hosting pro-bull riding. The ranch has been credited for professionalism displayed at their Battle of the Beast. They maintain more than 750 head of Generation of Genetics Bucking Livestock. Call or visit the website for hours and event dates.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Battle of the Beast event, pro-bull riding, cowgirl barrel racing, mutton bustin’, face painting, food, souvenirs, including T-shirts, cowboy hats, etc.
JT&R EXOTIC MEATS 6300 Old Middletown Road, Middletown 240.674.7656 • www.facebook.com/jtrmeats Nestled in the heart of the Middletown Valley, JT&R Exotic Meats, is proud to be owned and operated on a third generation farm, by a fifth generation farmer. Here at JT&R they specialize in bringing you the highest quality meats from their own homegrown herds of Water Buffalo, European wild boar, short haired Big Horn Sheep and goat. Their animal health practices are second to none. They are a truly all natural farm because the animals’ feed is grown on their beautiful 250 acres. The meat is extremely healthy for you as well as boasting low fat contents, low cholesterol levels, not to mention it tastes great. See them at one of the many local markets this season, and feel free to reach out on social media at Facebook.com/jtrmeats. Home delivery available.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Farm-raised Water Buffalo, Wild Boar, short haired Big Horn Sheep and Boer/Ibex Goats.
JUMBO’S PUMPKIN PATCH, LLC 6521 Holter Road, Middletown 301.371.6874 • www.jumbos.org Jumbo's Pumpkin Patch, LLC is a part of Homestead Farms, owned by the Huffer family. Homestead was purchased in 1870 and has now been home to seven generations. Pick your pumpkins from the 30-acre patch and find your way through a 15acre corn maze. Hayrides, fall shopping, yummy food, activities for children and fun for the whole family.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Visit the Craft Attic to shop for handmade items from over 50 local vendors, enjoy a fresh-squeezed lemonade and funnel cake at the Snack Shack and marvel at the gorgeous selection of farm-grown chrysanthemums.
61
LILYPONS WATER GARDENS 6800 Lily Pons Road, Adamstown 1.800.999.5459 • www.lilypons.com Lilypons is an aquatic plant farm that was started in1917. In addition to harvesting and selling aquatic plants, they offer a full line of water gardening products such as liners, pumps, filters and fish. The farm is located along the scenic Monocacy River and is a destination for nature lovers. Visit the website for hours and events.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Aquatic plants, fish, pumps, filters, gift items, birding products, heaters for ponds, nets and more.
LINGANORE WINECELLARS 13601 Glissans Mill Road, Mount Airy 301.831.5889 • www.linganorewines.com Linganore Wine Cellars is the oldest family-run vineyard on the Maryland Wine Trail. The Aellen family first opened Linganore in 1976 and it currently boasts 86 acres of active vineyards. The Aellen family produces more than 30 varieties of wine, ranging from elegantly dry white and red dinner wines to luscious semi-sweet varietals, fruit and dessert wines.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Celebrating over 40 years, Linganore offers it all—wine tasting, tours, festivals, and hosts private events. Open seven days a week, 361 days a year. Come and join the family adventure. 62
LINKS BRIDGE VINEYARDS 8830 Old Links Bridge Road, Thurmont 301.466.2413 • www.linksbridgevineyards.com Links Bridge Vineyards has been growing premium grapes for nearly 10 years. Two years ago they began crafting estate wines in small batches, focusing on style, taste, and excellence. They now have a variety of wines that are ready for you to try. The vineyards, winery, and sales room overlook the scenic Monocacy River, just north of Frederick at the site of Old Links Bridge. Come for a visit, sample the wines and enjoy a walk or a picnic along the river bank. See website for hours of operation.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Links Bridge Vineyards may be the only vineyard in Maryland that you can visit by canoe or kayak. They are located on the Monocacy River between Creagerstown and Devilbiss Bridge. Just look for three old bridge piers (not connected by an actual bridge), pull your boat up on the shore beside the rightbank pier, and look for a sign directing you to the winery.
THE LITTLE RED WAGON PRODUCE 11434 Keymar Road, Woodsboro 240.439.9401 The Little Red Wagon is a small family farmette specializing in flowers and bedding plants, plus seasonal produce that is picked daily. Check out the spring selection of vegetable plants, flowers and unique handcrafted planters. During the summer they will be selling their fresh produce at the roadside stand. Open seasonally Monday-Saturday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT In spring and early summer, traditional potted plants, along with distinctive hanging baskets, wooden planters, etc. Cut flowers and beautiful bouquets every day. Offering summer and fall CSAs with a large variety of in-season produce. 63
LOEW VINEYARDS 14001 Liberty Road, Mount Airy 301.831.5464 • www.loewvineyards.net The history of winemaking in the Loew family dates back to the mid-19th century in Eastern Europe. To renew that tradition, Bill and Lois Loew put down roots (literally) in Frederick County. They planted their first grapevines in 1982, and since that time, have focused on producing a diverse selection of fine handcrafted wines. They take great pleasure in sharing their love of wine with visitors to the winery.
MAD SCIENCE BREWING COMPANY AT THANKSGIVING FARM 1619 Buckeystown Pike, Adamstown 240.409.8723 • www.madsciencebrewing.com Mad Science Brewing Company is located at Thanksgiving Farms & Garden Center just south of Frederick on Md. 85 (Buckeystown Pike). Mad Science Brewing is open to the public for retail sales on Saturdays and Sundays from April to Christmas. Their emphasis is on high-quality, hand-crafted beer using their own homegrown hops, fruits, and vegetables that are available throughout the growing season at Thanksgiving Farms.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Wine tasting, winery and vineyard tours and picnic grounds. Several varieties of wine, from traditionally crafted dry white and dry red selections to unique semi-sweet and sweet wines. Wine-related crafts and gifts also are available.
64
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Mad Science Brewing Company offers a communitysupported brewery (CSB) program, which allows members to have access to special events, discounts and unique single-batch beers.
MARYLAND MICROGREENS 3091 Will Mil Terrace East, Monrovia www.marylandmicrogreens.com Craig and Sherill Carlson founded Maryland Microgreens in early 2017 to offer a wide variety of microgreens sold in living form to farmers markets, restaurants, caterers and individuals. Only pure water is used in the growing process utilizing non-GMO seeds grown on recycled and compostable cocoa fiber mats. Microgreens can have from four to 40 times the nutritional value of their mature counterparts. Plants are grown indoors with controlled temperature and humidity.
MAYNE’S TREE FARM 3420 Buckeystown Pike, Buckeystown 301.662.4320 • www.maynestreefarm.com This is a full-service farm offering everything from asparagus and pick-your-own strawberries in the spring and sweet corn all summer long to a hayride to the pumpkin patch in the fall. In December is the opportunity to come cut your own Christmas tree and to visit the wreath barn. Call or visit facebook for hours.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Microgreens are not just a healthy garnish on salads. Research shows these tiny seedlings harvested and eaten when they are just a few inches tall are a super food packed with antioxidants and other healthy nutrients.
Hayrides to the pumpkin patch, pick-your-own fruits, vegetables and pumpkins, cut-your-own Christmas tree. Pumpkin barn set up for group and bus tours and gatherings.
65
MAZZAROTH VINEYARD 8333 Myersville Road, Middletown 301.639.0303 • www.mazzarothvineyard.com Mazzaroth Vineyard is a family-owned and operated boutique winery in the Middletown Valley. Achieving a goal of crafting premium Maryland wines requires them to maintain a relentless focus in the vineyard and winery, combined with a respect for nature. They currently grow five varieties well-suited for the region. They enjoy sharing a passion for grape-growing and wine-making. Guests welcome by appointment.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT They are proud to be a glyphosate-free vineyard. Eliminating this herbicide allows them to cultivate a managed cover crop that moderates soil temperatures and produces more flavorful wines.
MIDDLETOWN VALLEY BEEF 5650 Catholic Church Road, Jefferson 301.502.5893 • www.middletownvalleybeef.wordpress.com They raise 100 percent grass-fed and grass-finished Black Angus beef. Their cattle are responsibly raised on pasture their entire lives. Every 12 hours they move them to a new field, so they always have fresh grass to eat. Their beef is available for sale in both retail and wholesale quantities either picked up at the farm or delivered to your home.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Ask about hard-to-find cuts like tri-tip and bavette steak. They encourage you to come visit and see how your food is raised. Call Matt at 301-502-5893 to set up a visit or place an order.
66
MILKHOUSE BREWERY AT STILLPOINT FARM 8253 Dollyhyde Road, Mount Airy 301.829.6950 • www.milkhousebrewery.com Milkhouse Brewery at Stillpoint Farm is Maryland’s first Farm Brewery specializing in classic styles of beer “improved with Maryland hops.” The brewery, which is situated on 47 acres, produces 5 yearround beers and rotates a couple of seasonal releases. Milkhouse has also started an “All Maryland Beer” program in December of 2016 that includes beers only made with Maryland-grown and malted barley, wheat, and rye, as well as Maryland-grown hops. These beers have wonderful unique qualities you will find nowhere else.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Tom Barse and Carolann McConaughy and all of the folks at Milkhouse are excited to share their journey with you. Please come out and visit the tasting room and share a perfect pint or two. They’re Maryland proud—drink beer grown here.
NEEDWOOD FARMS Burkittsville 301.834.8752 • www.needwoodfarms.com Needwood Farms is a fifth generation, family-owned and operated farm that has been in business for over 100 years. Their Angus and Angus-influenced cattle are raised hormone-free and bred for tenderness and flavor. They offer all-natural freezer beef by the quarter, half or whole. Their beef is raised and finished on hay and grains grown at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains outside of the historic village of Burkittsville.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT They sell only all-natural freezer beef raised on their environmentally-friendly family farm. They invite you to treat your family to a product that you’ll enjoy and trust.
67
NICK’S ORGANIC FARM
OPEN BOOK FARM
2733 Buckeystown Pike, Adamstown 301.983.2167 • www.nicksorganicfarm.com
6600B Roy Shafer Road, Middletown 240.457.2558 • www.openbookfarm.com
Founded in 1979, Nick’s Organic Farm sells directly to consumers. They raise all grass-fed Black Angus cattle, pastured chickens and turkeys, free-range eggs and food-grade corn, soybeans and small grains. Located outside Buckeystown on a 175-acre certified organic farm, they are committed to constant improvement of the soil. To receive notification of when to purchase their products, join the mailing list by emailing nicksorganicfarm@comcast.net.
They are a diversified livestock and vegetable farm serving Frederick and the larger Middletown Valley. In their farming methods they focus on soil health, livestock well-being and direct to consumer sales.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Grass-fed beef, no hormones, grain or antibiotics; ground beef, beef sausage and jerky; organic pastured chicken and turkey, heritage and standard breeds; organic free-range eggs; organic heirloom grinding corn, popcorn, and cornmeal, non-GMO; organic poultry feeds, hay and straw.
68
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Their farm offers a seasonal farm stand on Saturday mornings from May-October featuring their pastureraised meats and eggs and their own certified organic produce. Customers may also participate in a main season CSA (shop at the farm stand with your CSA tab) or a monthly winter CSA (November-February).
ORCHID CELLAR MEADERY & WINERY 8546 Pete Wiles Road, Middletown 301.473.3568 • www.orchidcellar.com They are Maryland’s premier meadery and winery specializing in complex honey wines, and unique red and white varietals. Visit their scenic tasting room in the Middletown Valley for an intimate tasting experience and an introduction into the divine world of mead. The tasting room sits among 15 acres of land, two acres of grapevines and a handful of beehives. They welcome mead fanatics, wine lovers and beer snobs to sample libations and engage with their questions and thoughts.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT They produce the oldest known alcohol: mead, a wine made from honey. Pick-your-own sunflowers available.
P&R FARMS 2901 Green Valley Road, Ijamsville 301.385.7898 • 301.509.1688 www.pandrfarms.com The goal of P&R Farms is to stay as true as possible to the farming practices of their ancestors by rotationally grazing the pastures to maintain the fields and avoiding antibiotics or GMOs. They believe in taking excellent care of their animals so, in turn, their animals will nutritionally take care of their family and their customers. Owners Pat and Reilly Curran offer beef, pork, chicken and their signature line of BBQ sauce, Slow Burn. The cattle they graze are predominantly grass-fed, registered Blonde D'Aquetaine ("Blondes"), known for their lean red meat that doesn't compromise taste.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT P&R Farms is the only farm in Maryland with registered Blondes. For more information on the Blondes or how to get some of their one-of-a-kind sauces visit their website.
69
PICNIC WOODS FARM 6433 Picnic Woods Road, Jefferson 301.371.9202 • www.picnicwoodsfarm.com Picnic Woods Farm is the home of a flock of Romney Sheep and miniature donkeys to guard them, Angus cattle and bossy geese. Their wool is sent to Prince Edward Island in Canada and spun into wool blankets in many colors. Visitors are welcome, including to see "Hank" the well-known soccer ball playing donkey.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Natural Maryland wool blankets are available in a variety of colors, both tweed and solids and are made from the wool from Picnic Woods Farm sheep.
POTOMAC SPROUT COMPANY 8202 Blacks Mill Road Thurmont 240.483.4891 • www.potomacsproutcompany.com Potomac Sprout Company is a hydroponic farm that grows and sells certified organic sprouts including broccoli, radish and alfalfa. The main focus of Potomac Sprout Company is setting the best practice standards for sprouting. Everything they do is geared towards bringing the highest quality sprouts to the market. For more information and recipes visit their website.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT You can pick up Potomac Sprout Company sprouts at The Common Market, MOM’s, Giant Food and other grocery stores along the East Coast.
70
PLEASANT HILL PRODUCE 10009 Kelly Road, Walkersville 8522 Biggs Ford Road, Walkersville 301.471.2699 • www.pleasanthillproduce.com Pleasant Hill Produce was founded in 2014 by Ben and Heather Sayler. They grow high-quality seasonal produce using environmentally friendly practices on two farms totaling four acres in Walkersville. Products are available through CSA shares and local farmers markets. Visitors are welcome by appointment.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT They offer a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, eggs, and other local products including meats, honey, and bread. CSA shares are available at several pick-up locations in Frederick County.
RED SHEDMAN FARM BREWERY 13601 Glissans Mill Road, Mount Airy 301.831.5889 • www.redshedman.com Red Shedman Farm Brewery & Hop Yard was established in 2014. It is located among the rolling hills of Mount Airy, on more than 200 acres of farmland between Frederick and Baltimore. They cultivate several varieties of hops including Cascade, Columbus, Chinook, Nugget and Crystal. Red Shedman beers range from blondes, stouts, and barrel aged beers, to an expanding collection of hard ciders. Red Shedman is open Wednesday and Thursday, noon-5 pm.; Friday and Saturday, noon-8 p.m., and Sunday, noon-7 p.m.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT In addition to having 14 rotating beers available on draft, they currently can eight beers on site that are available for sale in the tasting room and at many locations throughout the state. 71
RIGHTS OF MAN FARM, LLC
ROCKY POINT CREAMERY, LLC
9120 Ball Road, Ijamsville 240.674.2727 • 240.674.2733 www.rightsofmanfarm.com
4323A Tuscarora Road, Tuscarora 301.874.5005 • www.rockypointcreamery.com
This family-owned farm sells certified organic vegetables, chicken, turkey and eggs and all-natural, grass-fed beef along with all-natural goat and pork at their on-farm store. All animals are freerange. Winter and summer meat/produce CSAs are available. Call or visit the website for store hours.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT They operate a farm store with items such as freezer beef, goat, chicken and pork, plus fresh organic eggs and seasonal vegetables.
72
The creamery has 80 flavors of homemade ice cream, along with milk, brown eggs, cheese, and beef. They milk 180 Holstein dairy cows and raise 700 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat and hay to feed their animals. Each year a beautiful 1.5 acre sunflower field is planted and flowers are available for sale in July and August, with 100 percent proceeds donated to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Call or visit the website for hours.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Pasture-raised and grain-finished Black Angus beef is for sale at the creamery. Dry-aged, cut and vacuumsealed by a USDA certified butcher, the beef is delicious, lean, antibiotic-free, and ready for your dinner table.
SCENIC VIEW ORCHARDS
SOUTH MOUNTAIN CREAMERY
16239 Sabillasville Road, Sabillasville 301.271.2149 • www.scenicvieworchards.com
8305 Bolivar Road, Middletown 301.371.8565 • www.southmountaincreamery.com
Scenic View Orchards is a seven generation owned and operated family farm. Their farm heritage requires sustainable farming practices—erosion control, field contouring, cover crops, crop rotation, farm land preservation and use of integrated pest management practices. They meet the needs of customers at farmers markets in Washington, Frederick and Montgomery counties, in addition to the Sabillasville farm market. The farm motto is “Get Fresh with Us.”
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Peaches, nectarines, lopes, melons, plums, apples, berries, cherries, sweet corn, tomatoes, green beans, squash, peppers, potatoes, honey, cut flowers, pears, pumpkins, cider in season and hay/straw.
South Mountain Creamery brings the farmers market to you and does the cooking, too. Fresh from the cow, all natural dairy, cage free, certified humane eggs, grass-fed beef, fruit and vegetables, bakery items, fresh homemade soups, salads, home cooked meals and healthy snacks. They home deliver to nearly 10,000 homes in D.C., MD, VA, and WVA, with a commitment to help customers live a healthier lifestyle by providing a convenient way to shop. They love visitors and are open 365 days a year for self-guided tours or during the week for guided tours. Go to Visit us on their website to learn more.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Visit every day to bottle feed the calves at 4 p.m. and see the cows milked from 1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Scheduled guided tours available from April-October. Signup for home delivery. 73
SPRING PASTURES FARM 6801 Mountain Church Road, Middletown 240.490.2058 • www.springpasturesfarm.com Spring Pastures Farm raises grass-fed, grass-finished beef without hormones, antibiotics or growth supplements. They are a small family farm in Middletown Valley where their animals thrive on a rich diversity of grasses. The herd lives outside year-round, supplemented with local hay in the winter as necessary. Their animals have access to spring or well water at all times. They handle their animals in a low-stress manner. They hope to share some of the family’s passion for this land and food with you.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT They sell retail freezer-wrapped cuts from their farm store as well as cut-to-your specification sides of beef. Everything from soup bones to delicious, fork-tender standing rib roasts. On-farm store open by appointment.
SPRINGFIELD MANOR WINERY, DISTILLERY, BREWERY 11836 Auburn Road, Thurmont 301.271.0099 • www.springfieldmanor.com Maryland’s first winery, distillery and brewery. Come for a taste, stay for the experience. The historic barn tasting rooms serve 15 award-winning wines, assorted craft beers on tap and Maryland’s most awarded fine spirits. Their aged straight bourbon, rye and corn whiskey are crafted entirely from corn grown on the farm. Visit the beautiful lavender fields which produce the prized Lavender Gin, winner of three double gold awards including the San Francisco Spirit competition Best of Class. Springfield Manor features indoor seating, outdoor patio space and event space for 300 guests & was voted Frederick’s best wedding venue. Come enjoy food, live music, great events and a beautiful country setting.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Handcrafted fine spirits: Lavender gin, rye, bourbon, rum, brandy and vodka. Ten award-winning varieties of wine. Assorted beer on tap. Lavender plants, flowers and products. 74
SPRUCE RUN FARM 12924 Spruce Run Road, Myersville 301.293.1070 • www.sprucerunrd.com Spruce Run Farm is a small farm located near Wolfsville. It grew from the owners’ desire to share their passion for agriculture and simple sustainable living with others. In addition to growing produce and beekeeping, they currently raise dairy goats, Hereford hogs, Katahdin Sheep, as well as chickens and rabbits for meat or pets. While you can find them at several farmers markets including Middletown and Myersville, as Spruce Run Farm continues to grow, they welcome you to visit.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Spruce Run Farm strives to bring the best of locally-grown or handmade items, featuring seasonal produce, jams and jellies, raw local honey, goat milk soaps, as well as fresh poultry and live or dressed rabbit.
STADLER NURSERIES 5504 Mount Zion Road, Frederick 301.473.9042 • www.stadlernurseries.com Stadler Nurseries has been a growing family business since 1932. Their first three garden centers, in Frederick, Gaithersburg and Manassas, Va., are where you will find an exceptional selection of trees, shrubs, annuals and perennials. They also have a wide selection of native plants and organic garden care products. Stadler is known for trees with over 300 acres in production. Almost all plants sold are locally grown. The staff is enthusiastic gardeners who love sharing ideas and advice with customers. Landscape design services are available.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials, bulbs and holiday plants, garden accents including fountains, statuary, wind chimes, firepots, birdbaths and containers of every size and style, also garden care products including an extensive selection of organic plant health care options. 75
SUGARLOAF’S BREEZY VALLEY FARM 1215 Buckeystown Pike, Adamstown 301.874.0958 • www.facebook.com/sugarloafsbreezyvalleygoats This family farm is nestled in the picturesque valley between the Catoctin Mountains and Sugarloaf Mountain. The family humanely raises Boer and Boer Cross goats. They sell goats as breeding stock and to consumers and restaurants, as well as for 4H projects, companions for horses, weed control and pets. They also sell orchard grass hay in small square bales and welcome visitors by appointment. See their farm page on Facebook search @ sugarloafsbreezyvalleygoats.
SUMMERS FARM 5620 Butterfly Lane, Frederick 301.620.9316 • www.summersfarm.com Summers Farm is a 100-acre working farm. Each fall they host an annual harvest festival to share their agricultural heritage. Activities include a 14-acre corn maze, slides, farm animals, two jumping pillows, farmer golf, pig races and more. Farm fresh food and bakery items include their famous homemade apple cider donuts.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT March and April are a great time to visit. Come in March and meet the goat kids. If you come at feeding time, you will get to see the goat stampede.
76
In the fall, take a free wagon ride out to the pumpkin patch and select the perfect pumpkin sold by the pound. A large assortment of gourds, straw, cornstalk bundles available for all your decorating needs.
SYCAMORE SPRING FARM
THANKSGIVING FARMS
6003 Elmer Derr Road, Frederick 301.788.6980 • www.sycamorespringfarm.org
1619 Buckeystown Pike, Adamstown 301.662.1291 • www.thanksgivingfarmandgarden.com
A 14-year-old CSA program on a 340-year-old farm that practices “Do No Harm Farming.” Producing over 65 varieties of vegetables, fruits, berries, nuts and herbs, plus pastured beef, poultry and eggs. Healthy food from incredibly healthy soil is available year round at the farm's market and country store. Tours, workshops and delivery sites are detailed on the website.
Thanksgiving Farms is a diversified 57-acre family-owned and operated business. They grow a vast selection of fresh fruits and vegetables March through December, and grow and specialize in unusual annuals, perennials, herbs and shrubs in a three-acre greenhouse and nursery garden center. They offer a CSA program throughout most of the year. 'We Grow Our Own' is their motto and they take great pride in an ability to offer products grown from start to finish on their sustainable family farm. Call or visit the website for hours.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Educational tours and classes, pastured meats, beef by the quarter or half. Winter program features hoop house produce and poultry.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Pick-your-own options are available along with fruits, vegetables, annuals, perennials, herbs, evergreens, shrubs and trees, a selection of gardening enhancements—pottery, statuary, trellises— and tools and gifts for gardeners. 77
VALLEY HOMEMADE AND HOMEGROWN 7800 Picnic Woods Road, Middletown 301.305.9796 Jamie Beth Derr, a Middletown dairy farmer and mother of two boys, has always had a passion for growing flowers in between all the other farm activities. Three years ago, she turned her love of flowers into a side business of growing and arranging blooms. The family farm, Valley-Ho Farm, has a roadside stand at 7704 Picnic Woods Road where cut flowers are available daily. She participates in the Middletown and Myersville farmers markets selling bouquets and arrangements.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Jamie Beth Derr also arranges flowers for local events and weddings using as many of her own homegrown flowers as possible.
WHISPERING MEADOWS ALPACA BREEDERS 13959 Unionville Road, Mount Airy 301.452.9460 • www.whisperingmeadowsalpaca.com Established in 1999, the farm maintains 30 alpacas. They started the first 4-H alpaca club in Frederick County. Their motto is “first in fiber, first in fun, first in Frederick.” They breed high-quality alpacas as well as their own hay and have a variety of other animals on the farm year round. Call or visit the website for hours.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT A variety of hand-made, home-grown, made in the USA, and Peruvian alpaca products available. From natural to dyed yarns, raw fiber, rovings, bears, hats, scarves, gloves, purses, sweaters, socks, dryer balls, throws and more. Vendors, food, games and family fun featured this year. Friend them on Facebook to see the latest news.
78
WILLOW OAKS CRAFT CIDER 6219 Harley Road, Middletown 301.371.4814 • www.willowoakscraftcider.com Eric Rice and Lori Leitzel Rice craft their farmhouse style cider from certified organic, American heirloom apples on their 35-acre farm in Middletown. Organic pears, blueberries, black currants and other fruits make tasty additions to Willow Oaks' ciders. Fabulous fruit, unique terroir and small-batch barrel fermentation let the flavors and aroma of the fruit shine through to a crisp, dry finish. Visit the website for tasting room hours.
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Fresh organic produce, beef, jam, flowers, seedlings, potted fig trees and more are available at the farm store in the Willow Oaks barn. Relax on the deck, enjoy a glass of cider and take in the view.
WINTERBROOK FARMS 13001 Creagerstown Road, Thurmont 301.465.3801 • www.winterbrookfarmsmd.com This family entertainment spot also known as Lawyer’s Winterbrook Farms offers hours of fun for all ages. Included in admission are over 25plus activities, including Maryland’s largest corn maze with over six miles of trails. They also have farm animals, mountain slides, mini ziplines, apple cannons and a hayride to the U-pick pumpkin patch. New for 2019! The Haunted Fields of Winterbrook Farms. Check out our website for more information on our haunted nights on the farm!
HOMEGROWN HIGHLIGHT Home of Maryland’s largest corn maze with over six miles of trails spread over a 30-acre corn field. Race down the 60-foot mountain slides, aim and fire the apple cannons at targets, enjoy activities in the big barn such as the 300-foot farm animal exhibit area. Enjoy a hot cup of local apple cider around the fire during our evenings on the farm activities. Something for all ages. 79
D.W. OGG Equipment Company
D.W. OGG Equipment Company
5149 Cap Stine Road | Frederick, MD
5149 Cap Stine Road | Frederick, MD
301-473-4250 | www.dwogg.net
301-473-4250 | www.dwogg.net