SMADC recently completed a series of six stories showcasing beginning farmers in the Mentor Match program. The project highlights the rich diversity of Maryland agriculture that is evolving to replace the centuries-old, single-crop (tobacco) model, as well as the varied backgrounds of those embarking on new farm careers today. Highlighted farms range from a flower farm in inner-city Baltimore to a produce farm on the banks of the Patuxent River. Participants are varied as well. Some are young entrepreneurs building a first business. 
Others turned to farming mid-career.
Tomorrow’s Harvest is a project by SMADC designed showcasing the varied faces of new farmers in
Maryland and the value of mentorship in agriculture. Participants were drawn from Maryland FarmLINK’s Mentor Match program, wh
ich pairs new farmers, including farmers branching into new types of farming, with an experienced farmer with relevant expertise.
Programs like the Mentor Match are in place to keep farming alive in our region. It’s encouraging to see people choose farming as a career, not just young people, but those of all ages. The people in these stories are the future of farming, and they are all creative and smart, and really interesting to listen to.
Funding for the Tomorrow’s harvest project was made possible by the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA, Grant #2012-49400-19552), as a state-wide grant issued to SMADC and partners. In 2017 SMADC will offer the Mentor Match program to beginning farmers in the 5 counties of Southern Maryland only. If you are interested in becoming joining the program, see the details in the link below.
We want to give you a sneak peak here on the blog before it gets released next week…
Read the stories HERE!
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