12/17/02
By CARYL VELISEK
Long known for its dairy farms and as the home of Francis Scott Key, author of “The Star Spangled Banner,” Frederick County, Md., has seen a population growth in the past 20 years that has made its historic town of Frederick the second largest city in the state. Along with that dubious distinction has come the usual set of problems associated with growth, including the loss of farms and farmland.
The county has been faced with the challenge of keeping agriculture, its largest industry, a viable segment of the economy and still allow for growth.
A number of programs have been put in place to that end over the past few years including farmland preservation, agricultural impact studies, and the inclusion of agriculture in its economic development plan.
Farmers markets and an on-line “Virtual Farmers Market” have been eagerly received by producers and consumers alike, according to Elizabeth Miller, the ag specialist at the Frederick County Office of Economic Development, and recently efforts to maintain a viable farm economy have been stepped up with several new programs including the creation of a “HomeGrownHere” logo, a self-guided farm tour, and several pieces of legislation that are pending, to help make farming a little easier in the largest county in the state.
Among other legislation, the Frederick County government is currently considering tax credits for farm buildings and tax exemptions for certain ag-tourism activities that could benefit farmers.
The idea for the tour, which is called “FamilyFestival@The Farm,” was hatched by the public relations committee of the Frederick County Office of Economic Development, a group comprised of members of the ag industry, representatives of public education and of the office of economic development of the county government. The tour was held Oct. 19 and 20.
The tour was aimed at the general public, explained Becky Brashear, who has chaired the public relations committee since its inception. “We’ve had farm tours in Frederick County in the past but they were mainly for farmers and those interested in observing farm practices and coming away with information to apply to their own operations.
This tour is a self-guided tour and will be educational as well as fun for the entire family.
There were ten farms on the tour with a variety of things for the public to see and participate in.
There were pumpkins, hayrides, bull riding demonstrations, grape picking, farm animal petting, including alpacas, fresh apples, homemade icecream and crafts to buy and breathtaking views of rolling farmland and the Catoctin Mountains.
All were served up “with much information about what our farmers do and how it relates to the rest of the population including how farmers protect the environment,” Brashear said.
Participating farms included: Brookfield Farm, LLC, Elk Run Vineyard, glade Link Farm, HedgeApple Farm, J Bar W Ranch, Mount Airy Alpaca Co., Scenic View Orchard, South Mountain Creamery, Windsong Arabians, and Winterbrook Farm.
The “HomeGrownHere” logo was issued this summer and is in great demand with farmers and local restaurants and other businesses, according to Miller.
“Consumers prefer to buy local,” Miller said.
“They prefer the freshness of local products and like to support the local farm economy, according to our findings.”
The logo identifies farm products that are produced or processed in Frederick County.
It will be appearing on fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, meats, wool and alpaca products, any farm product that is grown or processed in the county.
It will be displayed at restaurants, in grocery store windows, at farmers markets, and on packaging or farm fresh products.
“The logo is a bright red oval shape and is provided by the Office of Economic Development to those who produce and distribute Frederick County farm products,” said Marie Keegin, executive director of O.E.D.
“By being able to identify and purchase local farm products, consumers are supporting the economic viability of our ag-industry,” Keegin said.