This week and next, look for the newly released 30 minute film, “Discovering the New American Farmer” on local cable television channels. This film portrays farmers, old and new, who are finding innovative ways to overcome the complex pressures that have changed the face of farming in Southern Maryland and across the nation. Find out what it means to be a “New American Farmer” and how you can help support and preserve farmland.
“We wanted to create a film to portray the glory and beauty of Southern Maryland’s farm, and show consumers what they can do to keep it our farms and farmland vibrant and thriving” said Christine Bergmark, executive director of the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, the organization that sponsored documentary.
In this national-award winning documentary, Southern Maryland farmers, watermen, and policy-makers describe the changing face of farming, the decline of the family farm, and why and how our local community and our nation should take steps to preserve our valuable agriculture and aquaculture resources. You’ll learn about the rise and fall of tobacco as Maryland’s cash crop, farmland preservation, food safety, specialty markets and agritourism, and what you can do to help keep farming healthy and viable in your community.
Local Broadcast times and dates for the "Discovering the New American Farmer" film:
* St. Mary's Cable Channel 95: Thursday, Sept 28 at 10 pm, Friday, Sept 29 at 9 am, Sat, Sept 30 at 4 pm and 6 pm, Sun, Oct 1 at 10 am, 12 pm and 8 pm.
* Calvert Comcast Channel 6: Saturday, Oct 1 at 8 pm, Sunday, Oct 2 at 8 pm
* Charles County Cable Channel 95: October 1, 2 and 3 at 4 pm
Copies will also be available with closed captioning in DVD form in mid-October. To find out more, contact the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission at 301-274-1922 or cbergmark@tccsmd.org.