OWINGS MILLS, MD – Maryland Public Television (MPT) will showcase the diversity of the state’s top commercial industry in a new episode of Maryland Farm & Harvest, premiering Tuesday, March 17 at 7 p.m. The episode features stops in Baltimore County, Frederick County, and Baltimore City, focusing on sustainable ranching, the resurgence of industrial hemp, and the craft of Maryland winemaking.
Now in its 13th season, the Emmy® award-winning series continues its mission to tell the stories of the people and technology sustaining Maryland agriculture. Host Joanne Clendining introduces this week’s segments from Liberty Delight Farms in Reisterstown.
Sustainable Stewardship in Reisterstown
The episode kicks off with an intimate look at Liberty Delight Farms in Baltimore County. Owner Shane Hughes demonstrates a commitment to sustainable practices while raising hundreds of cattle and other livestock. The segment follows a day in the life of Hughes, illustrating how his focus on animal welfare and environmental stewardship has reduced runoff and waste while building a thriving local business.
The Hemp Resurgence
Viewers will also explore the modern comeback of a historic crop: industrial hemp. While the versatile plant was a staple for centuries in textiles and construction, it is currently seeing a resurgence driven by small Maryland businesses. The episode features Hart Hemp in Frederick and JJ Innovative Materials in Baltimore, both of which are leading the way in developing new hemp-based products for the region.
A Taste of History: “The Local Buy”
Segment host Al Spoler visits Boordy Vineyards in Hydes, the oldest winery in Maryland and a member of the Maryland Agriculture Hall of Fame. Third-generation winemaker Phineas Deford guides Spoler through the manual harvesting and sorting process that defines their high-quality production. To conclude the tour, Spoler samples the winery’s special 80th Anniversary Founder’s Reserve.
More than 19 million viewers have watched Maryland Farm & Harvest on the statewide public TV network since its debut in 2013. The series has traveled to more than 500 farms, fisheries, and other agriculture-related locations during its first 12 seasons, covering every Maryland county, as well as Baltimore City and Washington, D.C…