Proceeds from attendance raised $3,995 for the Southern Maryland Food Bank
BENEDICT, Md. – Maryland farmers held their ‘Seasons on the Farm’ dinner the evening of Saturday, April 12 at Serenity Farm in Benedict. Hosting a crowd of 67 area residents and farmers with a five-course dinner, proceeds from the purchase of plates and tables and a silent auction raised $3,995 for the Southern Maryland Food Bank.
Supported by farmers and farm organizations throughout Maryland and Delaware, the goal of Seasons on the Farm is to create meaningful and sustained dialogue about food production between farmers and their neighbors, initiated by enjoying dinner together.
The five-course meal featured a Maryland-inspired menu highlighting ingredients from farms throughout the state and region, as well as the farmers who produce them, including deviled Easter eggs topped with micro-greens or a lump of crab; a split pea soup with chopped ham; Chesapeake Bay crab cake with apple orchard slaw; and prime rib pit beef with horseradish mashed potatoes.
“This dinner offered the opportunity for area residents and farmers to enjoy dinner in a unique setting, while supporting the shared vision of farmers and the Food Bank of providing safe, nutritious and affordable food,” said Susanne Zilberfarb of the Delaware Soybean Board, which works closely with the Maryland Soybean Board and other farmers throughout the state. “Farmers welcome the opportunity to sit down with people from the community and talk about how food is produced.”
The silent auction featured items from local cover band The Bucket List, Baltimore Orioles tickets from Senator Thomas V. "Mike" Miller, Jr., Valentines Delight Farms in Avenue, Butler’s Orchard in Germantown, Solomons Island Winery and Vineyard, Spirits of Calvert in Prince Frederick, Serenity Farm in Benedict and Scalped Salon and Spa in Prince Frederick.
Farmers in Maryland and throughout the region are proud of their long-standing dedication to producing food. Some of them have been doing so for 10 or more generations and on the same land their forefathers worked by hand.
While the size, scale and production methods may have changed, their dedication to responsibly producing the foods we all enjoy has remained the same. In fact, today's farmers take pride in producing your food, raising healthy crops and livestock, while protecting and conserving the land.
So whether you're enjoying scrapple for breakfast, a cheese steak sandwich for lunch, fried chicken for dinner, or watermelon for a snack, know that farmers and our families are committed to producing safe, nutritious and affordable food.
About Seasons on the Farm: Seasons on the Farm is a program supported by Maryland and Delaware farmers, designed to increase transparency and familiarity with farming and farmers by talking openly to the community about how food is produced today. For more information, please visit www.SeasonsOnTheFarm.org.
About Maryland Soybean Board: The Maryland Soybean Board administers soybean checkoff funds for soybean research, marketing and education programs in the state. One-half of the checkoff funds stay in Maryland for programs; the other half is sent to the United Soybean Board. To learn more about the Maryland Soybean Board, visit www.mdsoy.com.