Vote for Your Favorites Farmers’ Market!

Everyone loves a little friendly competition, right? Well, if you think you own (or shop from) the best farmers’ market in the country, make sure to submit your vote! The American Farmland Trust has kicked off its 4^th annual America’s Favorite Farmers’ Markets contest at votemyfarmersmarket.org.

Shoppers can vote – only once – through Sept. 3 for as many participating markets as they choose.

The 2012 contest has expanded to include all 7,175 markets listed in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Farmers’ Market Directory. The grand prize, a $1,000 Farmers’ Market Inspiration Award, sponsored by the Farmers’ Market Coalition, will be presented to the farmer who shows the greatest dedication to his or her market.

Last year, Virginia had more winning markets than any other state, with nine ranked in the top 20 and four in the top 5, in their respective size categories.

So, go ahead and vote for your favorite market!  And while you’re at it, leave us a comment of who you voted for!

Right Now, It’s All About Sweet Corn!

TRIVIA: Which of the following fresh vegetable crops ranked highest in economic value in 2011 in Pennsylvania?

A. Sweet Corn
B. Potatoes
C. Pumpkins
D. Tomatoes

Be sure to put your guess in the comments section below before reading any further…

Okay, so the answer is A, sweet corn.  Did you get the answer correct?  Well, in 2011, Pennsylvania farmers harvested 13,000 acres of sweet corn that had a total estimated work of $30.5 million.  As sweet corn is coming into season all over the region, including Pennsylvania, this month, here are a few quick tips for selecting the best sweet corn at your local farmers’ market:

1. Look for fresh green husks and ears that are filled all the way to the tip.
2. The tassels should be light brown and sticky to touch.
3. Kernels should be tender, full, and firm enough to puncture under the slightest pressure.
4. Refrigerate immediately to preserve the corn’s sugar content and flavor. (It can stay fresh up to 5 days if sealed tightly!)

Do you have any tips of your own for picking or preserving your fresh sweet corn? Share them below!

Have You Seen “The Maryland Harvest?”

In a culture that is increasingly separated from its agricultural roots, all most Americans know about their food is that it comes from the grocery store.  Pretty disturbing, huh?  Fortunately, the rise of the “Eat Local” movement is helping people all across the country reconnect with the foods they eat and the farmers who grow or raise those foods.

So, we ask again, “Have you seen The Maryland Harvest?”  This is a new hour-long documentary that aired on Maryland Public Television highlighting the partnership between local farmers and chefs, giving the viewers a chance to get to know the farmers who supply the bounty of produce, meat, and seafood they devour.  You may know the host, Al Spoler, as a co-host of “Cellar Notes” radio program and a former MPT director.

The documentary includes interviews with over forty Maryland farmers and eight local chefs who work with them.  This documentary is important for educating the public about how important farming and the farmers are to having nutritious products on our dinner tables.

Tell us – What do you think? How can we educate the public about the importance of farming? And most importantly, have you seen The Maryland Harvest? To read more, check out page 4 of our Farm Credit Leader magazine.

“U-pick”, I pick, we all pick strawberries!

It’s true – nothing beats a fresh strawberry straight from the patch.  If you grew up on a farm, you most likely remember heading out to the garden, dusting off the dirt and devouring a few right then and there, before mom or dad caught you, of course!

If you aren’t growing your own strawberries this year, you should consider taking your family to participate in a “U-pick” at a local farm.  Here are a few tips for proper “U-pick” etiquette:

• Check in with a staff person to receive instructions and a bucket for picking
• Stay in the designated areas, fields, or rows
• Do not walk on or straddle the black plastic raised beds
• Supervise your children at all times
• Do not consume strawberries in the field
• Dress in comfortable clothes and closed toed shoes
• Do not bring pets
• Do not litter in the fields or other farm property

Here are a few suggestions for finding the best strawberries:

• Pick only fully red strawberries – white or green tips are not fully ripe and do not continue to ripen after being picked
• Size is not important – small berries are just as tasty, if not more than large ones
• Look deep in the center of plants for hidden strawberries
• Walk to the far end of the patch where fewer pickers venture for prime picking
• Don’t overfill your container – this crushes the berries at the bottom and causes some to fall onto the ground

“U-pick” farms can be a great source of family fun and delicious local produce. Visit your Department of Agriculture website to find “U-pick” farms in your area.  Be sure to comment and let us know where you are headed!

Maryland farmers are rock stars!

The Maryland community will be gathered around their sets tonight to watch the premiere of The Maryland Harvest. This documentary is about Maryland farms and farmers and the chefs who love them. It is hosted by local radio personality Al Spoler and produced by Houpla Inc.

In a statement from Maryland Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance, he says, "The documentary highlights the growing importance that top chefs are placing food that comes fresh from the farm and the partnerships that are being formed to ensure consumers are getting the best tasting and most nutritious food possible."

At Farm Credit, we are pleased to have helped underwrite the cost of this program and are excited about it's premiere.

If you'd like to find out why Maryland farmers are rock stars and are the rolling stones of food check out The Maryland Harvest documentary tonight on MPT tonight (April 17) at 9 p.m.

Maryland's buy-local exhibit set for next month in Annapolis

Maryland growers are cordially invited to exhibit their products later next month at a state-run buy-local trade show, according to a press release.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture is holding the January 24 display that will be held in a bigger facility than the one earlier this year, which attracted the registration of more than 300 vendors. The vendors varied among farmers of produce, artisan cheeses, producers of ice cream and farmers of beef and bison. The exhibit also attracted representatives from supermarkets, chefs, directors of nutrition at schools, distributors and officials involved with economic development.

Officials with Maryland Cooperative Extension and regional agricultural marketing were in attendance as well.

Commercial purchasing agents are becoming increasingly interested in Maryland-grown fruits, vegetables, meats and specialty foods. Maryland farmers fulfill vital roles such as providing healthy food, saving and putting open farm land to good use, and widening rural economies.

The January 24 event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Football Stadium in Annapolis. For more information visit www.marylandsbest.net.

Gifts from Delaware abound

The First State is rife with holiday gift ideas that were locally grown and produced, according to a press release.

The Delaware Department of Agriculture presents the Delaware 2012 Value Added Food Guide, which holds delectable items like ales, beers and wines. Baked goods are available as is ice cream, jams and jellies. Consumers can purchase marinades, sauces, meats and cheeses.

"I am proud of this diverse array of quality products that will delight the taste buds and enhance the holiday experience for all," Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Ed Kee said. "The Delaware Department of Agriculture is available to assist our specialty food processors with marketing and promotion information for their products. DDA wants to help them grow."

Jack Markell, governor of the state of Delaware underscored the value of purchasing locally grown quality gifts as they contribute to the local community.

Buying locally helps keep people in Delaware working while also helping small business owners spend money on other small businesses, according to the governor.

Virginia encourages local buying during holidays

Virginians need not leave the Old Dominion during the holiday season for their food and beverage purposes as the state is very well equipped to accommodate them from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day, according to a press release issued by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Virginia peanuts and snack foods produced by Virginia's Finest are perfect to snack on during parades, television specials during the holiday season and football games. Turkey, beef and ham developed in Virginia mesh very nicely with sweet potatoes, squash, pumpkin and apples also grown in state for Christmas dinner.

"I think the most challenging part of farming is actually the marketing end of stuff," farmer Zachary Miller with Timbercreek Organics in Albemarle County told NBC29.com.

Supporting the effort to buy local aids municipal and state economies and helps sustain the agricultural industry. Boosting the state's economy by $55 billion per year and providing jobs to 357,000 people, agriculture is Virginia's biggest industry.

Additional ideas include purchasing Christmas trees grown on Virginia farms, oysters and clams from Virginia waters are perfect for New Year's Eve and Virginia vineyards produce many fine wines.