In West River, Kimberly Hyland isn’t kid-ding around. She has taken her love of goats and goat’s milk to create her own business, Gray Goat Soaps. Kimberly handcrafts small-batch soaps made with love, care and the special ingredient — fresh goat milk from her farm. “I was always interested in animal husbandry, but never saw myself farming full time. We purchased our first goats as a source of fresh milk for our family,  but — as every farmer knows — it’s very hard to keep small herds of goats small,” says Kimberly who raises and milks the goats. “As my herd grew and we had excess milk, I ..read more

 The holiday season is all about cozy moments, family fun and making memories. And for a lot of families, that special memory is picking out a Christmas tree together. In West River, there’s a place that brings that holiday magic to life — Holiday Memories Farm. For 10 years, this family farm has been offering folks a chance to create their own piece of Christmas joy. The land itself has a rich history. Gary Palmer, the owner, bought the farm in December 2014. Before that, it belonged to the Crandell family, who owned it for an impressive 75 years. They were true homesteaders, growing e ..read more

The same soybean oil that gives your favorite candle its soothing glow is now helping vehicles roll down highways, too. Tire manufacturers are harnessing the versatility of soybean oil to create eco-friendly, high-performance tires. And it’s not just a novelty; one local government is using them in its fleet. “We have been looking for various ways to incorporate sustainable practices across our operation beyond the obvious strategies such as electrification and the use of alternative clean fuels,” says Rick Hilmer, Prince George’s County fleet manager. “One of the strategies that we became in ..read more

Thanksgiving in Maryland is more than just a holiday — it’s a celebration of the bountiful local produce, seafood and rich agricultural traditions that define our state. This year, the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s marketing program, Maryland’s Best, is spotlighting the “Eat Like a Marylander” Thanksgiving campaign. The initiative encourages residents to enjoy local produce through Thanksgiving boxes available from participating local farms curated with delicious, locally sourced ingredients. Emily’s Produce in Cambridge is one of the farms participating in the program. “This is a grea ..read more

By Amber Rozich, Gaver Farm  The Gaver Farm 2015 Maryland Pride and Apple Kiddie Corn Mazes were harvested in November 2015, and we then planted winter rye. The photo below was taken in April 2016 of the rye cover crop. Can you see the apple paths in the rye? The maze’s paths are a darker color green than the rest of the field. This is because more nutrients are available to the rye since no corn crop grew on the paths to utilize the nutrients. The rye where the corn grew is light green because the corn used those nutrients. Our goal as farmers is to only apply the amount of nutrients th ..read more

At Paradise Stables in Mount Airy, healing and hope come together in an unexpected way: through horses. The Common Ground program, a part of this peaceful haven, offers veterans, first responders and other at-risk groups a path to recovery thanks to the unique power of equine therapy. Paradise Stables’ story began in 2006, but owner Elizabeth Tate’s love for horses goes back much further. “As a child, I would use my allowance on $5 riding lessons at a local barn,” she says. Her passion for horses remained into adulthood. After running a defense contracting business, Elizabeth decided to follo ..read more

Redemption Farms is gearing up for its inaugural Fall Fest & Farm Tour this year, and the excitement is growing. The farm, owned by Wayne Cawley and family, has prepared a day filled with family-friendly activities that bring the best of fall to life. From pick-your-own apples and pumpkins to farm tours and a host of food trucks, Redemption Farms is ready to deliver an unforgettable autumn experience for visitors of all ages. Wayne sees it as a celebration of the season as well as an opportunity to educate the community about farming. “As a newer farm business, we’re always looking for wa ..read more

The Mar-Del Watermelon Queen Program is a unique, year-long experience designed to promote the watermelon industry throughout Maryland and Delaware. The queen plays a pivotal role in educating the public about the health benefits of watermelon, the importance of buying local, and how watermelons are grown. Karli Abbott, the current Mar-Del Watermelon Queen from Trappe, Maryland, was drawn to the program by its uniqueness and the breadth of experiences it offers. “The title itself  — Watermelon Queen — captures attention, but what really drew me in was the amount of opportunities associat ..read more

Every autumn, as the leaves turn gold and the air grows crisp, Strohmer’s Farm in Woodstock becomes a lively hub for its annual Fall Festival & Farm Tour. This year is special as the farm celebrates its 10th anniversary of the event. What started in 2014 as a simple gathering of friends and family has become a beloved local tradition. The Strohmer siblings — Bud, Dee, Richard and Brenda — initially set out to bring people together to enjoy the harvest season. With homemade decorations, hayrides and pumpkin picking, the first festival laid the foundation for a decade-long celebration. “The ..read more

Maryland is facing a challenge in its waterways with the invasion of certain fish species: blue catfish, flathead catfish and Chesapeake Channa (formerly known as snakehead). These invasive species are not just a nuisance; they pose a threat to the Chesapeake Bay’s delicate ecosystem. The blue catfish, introduced in the 1970s in Virginia’s James River as a trophy fish, has particularly become a problem, consuming local seafood like blue crabs, Eastern oysters, striped bass and even ducks! The flathead catfish, brought to the James River in the 1960s for recreational fishing, also adds to the ..read more