Summer is an ideal time to check out local farmers markets, festivals and other events that feature fresh produce and goods sourced locally. They even offer learning opportunities for children, as little ones can see how their parents use a scale to weigh their food, exchange products for money and negotiate fair prices.
In the Chesapeake region, the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) celebrates these opportunities with a special Buy Local Challenge Celebration each summer. The event puts a spotlight on Maryland-grown products and regional artisans. SMADC, a nonprofit committed to cultivating a dynamic food system that is profitable for farmers and producers, empowering for communities and environmentally sound, encourages Marylanders to come to events such as these to support local agriculture, according to a news release.
Explore local agricultural vendors and artisans at this year’s Buy Local event from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. July 28 at Rolling Acres Farm & Tettimer’s Produce in Calvert County, a family-owned farm. Since the 1940s, it’s been a gathering place for the community, and more recently it became an agritourism destination in 2023.
For more information on SMADC and the Buy Local Challenge, visit smadc.com.
