Calvert County Economic Development Hosts Farm Tour For Local, State And Federal Officials – Bay Net

Calvert County Economic Development Hosts Farm Tour For Local, State And Federal Officials

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. – Local, state, and federal officials explored Calvert County’s agricultural landscape during the annual Calvert Farm Tour, hosted by the Calvert County Department of Economic Development on Wednesday, Oct. 30. This year’s tour brought together policymakers, local producers, and community stakeholders to explore the evolving landscape of Calvert’s farming industry. Through insightful discussions, a farm-to-table lunch, and visits to local farms and businesses, the tour highlighted the contributions of Calvert’s farmers and watermen to both the local economy and the community’s heritage.

Participants included:

• Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks
• Commissioner President Earl “Buddy” Hance
• Commissioner Vice President Catherine Grasso
• Commissioner Mark C. Cox Sr.
• Commissioner Todd Ireland
• Deputy County Administrator Linda Turner

Representatives from the Maryland Department of Agriculture, the Maryland Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, the Maryland Farm Bureau, and other local resource partners, organizations, and businesses also attended.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Emphasis: This farm tour aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

1. Goal 1: No Poverty
2. Goal 2: Zero Hunger
3. Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
4. Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
5. Goal 13: Climate Action
6. Goal 15: Life on Land

Insights from Economic Development Director Julie Oberg

“The Farm Tour is a powerful way to experience firsthand the importance of agriculture to our economy, our quality of life, and preserving our rural heritage,” said Economic Development Director Julie Oberg. “According to the latest USDA Census of Agriculture, Calvert County is home to 280 family farms on 25,152 acres, generating more than $6.3 million in market sales each year.”

As part of the tour, Secretary Atticks participated in a roundtable discussion with local producers at No Thyme to Cook in Solomons, overlooking scenic Back Creek. Secretary Atticks spoke about agriculture in Maryland and invited attendees to share their challenges, successes, and ideas to further strengthen Maryland’s agricultural sector. The lunch featured local fare, including oysters from Captain Smith’s Seafood in Solomons and produce from Chesapeake’s Bounty in St. Leonard.

Visits to Agricultural Businesses

The tour featured visits to agricultural businesses throughout the county:

Tettimers’ Produce Stand at Rolling Acres Farm

Tettimer’s Produce Stand began almost 25 years ago when the Tettimer family opened a small roadside stand featuring produce they grew and sourced from the region. Today, Matt and Kara Tettimer continue the produce stand and have expanded their operation into Rolling Acres Farm, a family-friendly agritourism destination. This family farm is an example of ways that Calvert farms are diversifying their business through agritourism, educational programs, and community events.

Patuxent River Seafood at J.C. Lore Oyster House

Patuxent River Seafood, established by Rachel and Simon Dean in 2008, harvests oysters, fish, eels, and crabs, providing fresh, local seafood to area markets and restaurants. The Deans also run Solomons Island Heritage Tours, part of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay Storytellers. Patuxent River Seafood has partnered with the historic J.C. Lore Oyster House to grow oysters in tanks for the business’ aquaculture leases in the Patuxent River.

J.C. Lore Oyster House was a seafood packing house for 90 years. The oyster house was founded by Joseph Cobb Lore in 1922 and rebuilt in 1934 after a hurricane destroyed the original structure. A National Historic Landmark since 2001, it is an extension of the Calvert Marine Museum that houses exhibits on oyster processing, integrating many of its original artifacts and records.

Perigeaux Vineyards & Winery

Founded by Mark Flemming and John Behun in 2002, Perigeaux Vineyards & Winery has grown from a small vineyard to a flourishing business that produces nearly 14 tons of high-quality wine grapes each year, and approximately 1,200 cases of wine. The vineyard continues to expand, connecting wine enthusiasts to the area’s rich agricultural roots.

Horsmon Farm

Horsmon Farm is a fourth-generation family farm operated by JR and Cathy Cosgrove in St. Leonard known for its high-quality meats, produce subscription services, and agritourism events. This year marks a decade of Horsmon Farm’s commitment to sustainable practices, from rotational grazing to conservation efforts that earned them the Soil Conservation Cooperator of the Year award in 2015.

Conclusion

The annual Farm Tour underscores the importance of Calvert County’s agricultural industry and its impact on both the local economy and community culture. For more information about Calvert County agriculture, visit www.CalvertAg.com.

Find information on Calvert County Government services online at www.CalvertCountyMd.gov. Stay connected with Calvert County Government through the mobile app, newsletters, social media, and more at www.CalvertCountyMd.gov/StayInformed.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty – The article mentions the economic contributions of Calvert’s farmers and watermen to the local economy.
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger – The article discusses the importance of agriculture and local food production.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The article highlights the economic impact of agriculture and the local farming industry.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – The article mentions the diversification of Calvert farms through agritourism and educational programs.
• SDG 15: Life on Land – The article focuses on the agricultural landscape and the importance of preserving rural heritage.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular, the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property.
• SDG 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular, women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources, and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets, and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.
• SDG 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services.
• SDG 12.6: Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle.
• SDG 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 1.4.2: Proportion of total adult population with secure tenure rights to land, with legally recognized documentation and who perceive their rights to land as secure, by sex and type of tenure.
• Indicator 2.3.1: Volume of production per labor unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size.
• Indicator 8.3.1: Proportion of informal employment in non-agriculture employment, by sex.
• Indicator 12.6.1: Number of companies publishing sustainability reports.
• Indicator 15.2.1: Progress towards sustainable forest management.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: thebaynet.com