Originally from China, snakehead is a voracious predator that feeds on native species of fish and other Chesapeake aquatic wildlife. Fortunately, these invasive species taste delicious! From fried to broiled, in tacos or a poor boy, the versatility of this fish has local chefs excited. If you haven’t tried it yet, order it at your local seafood restaurant or pick some up to cook at home. Check out our Snakehead Recipes

Since they were first introduced into the Chesapeake Bay, the blue catfish population has increased dramatically. This invasive species was first introduced into our waters during the 1970s and is now prolific throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. In 2018 there was an estimated 500 million pounds of blue catfish in the bay. Due to lack of awareness among chefs and consumers, local watermen and processors have not been able to use this species at a high enough number to mitigate their impact on other Chesapeake Bay mainstays like blue crab, rockfish, and oysters. Catching and eating blue catfish is one tasty way to reduce the numbers of this invasive fish. Blue catfish caught from the Chesapeake Bay is often compared to rockfish in taste and texture and can be cooked in a variety of different ways such as frying or baking. Try out one of our blue catfish recipes in the link below! Blue Catfish Recipes.

Maryland is home to a thriving number of flower growers and ornamental plant producers. Cut flowers brought in $1.9 million into the state’s ag economy in 2017, the last Ag Census. There are many options for beautifying your home. Including local plants in your plans benefits you, your neighbors and the state! Look for plants and flowers at farmstands and farmers markets. For cut flowers, go to here. For nurseries and garden centers, go here. For gardening tips from the University of Maryland, go here.  

Maryland oystermen and oyster farmers are pulling up the bounty of our waters this season. Try them shucked in stews and fried. Or, enjoy their raw briny essence. According to the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Statistics Service Census of Aquaculture, Maryland farmers sold $3.5 million in oysters in 2018. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports that in 2018 Maryland watermen received $6.7 million in sales of wild caught oysters. To find local oysters to enjoy at home, select this link to our Direct to Consumer Map To find a seafood restaurant with oysters select this link to the Maryland Crab & Oyster Trail In the video below learn how to fry Maryland oysters.

Click the map to go to our interactive web site connecting you directly with farmers and seafood companies doing direct sales to replace markets unavailable during the COVID-19 pandemic. Food and agriculture businesses remain essential under Governor Larry Hogan’s Stay at Home order; including farmers markets, farm stands, and local seafood suppliers.

Maryland’s vineyards and winemakers offer a wonderful way to celebrate our great state! Curbside service is widely available and seating to provide social distancing as well. Learn about our wineries and cider producers here: https://marylandwine.com/wine-trails/ For pairings of Maryland wine from Governor Hogan’s 2019 Buy Local Cookout, check this cookbook: https://mda.maryland.gov/Documents/2019-BLC-Cookbook.pdf

The Maryland Department of Agriculture—in partnership with the Farmer Veteran Coalition and MidAtlantic Farm Credit— has adopted a new logo to for the Maryland’s Best Homegrown By Heroes program. Working with the Farmer Veteran Coalition, the new Maryland logo features refreshed colors and, most notably, the inclusion of a female service member. In an effort to support Maryland veterans who have returned home to the farm, the Homegrown by Heroes program provides unique signage to identify and promote products at farmers’ markets and local groceries grown by local veterans. “I am proud that we have this program in support of our state’s military veterans,” said Agriculture Secretary Joe Bartenfelder. “These brave men and women have served and protected our country, and they deserve all the support we can give. I encourage all Marylanders to seek out products with the ‘Homegrown By Heroes’ label.” The department’s family of Maryland’s Best logos was created to identify and promote products as locally grown or produced. The addition of the Homegrown by Heroes logo expands on this effort and recognizes a small but important group of farmers who have served honorably and returned to the land. The Farmer Veteran Coalition was granted the honor […]

One of our most intriguing foods, oysters are like fine wine, its flavor a mirror of its habitat. Move a grapevine, you get a different wine. Oysters are same. Maryland oysters are sweet and delicate A result of merroir, the content and characteristics of the sea in which it grows, the Chesapeake haunts every slurp or savor you have of an oyster taken from its tributaries. Check out the links below to learn more about Maryland oysters and the locations where you can purchase them. Find restaurants serving local oysters here: www.seafood.maryland.gov/oyster-pledge Explore the seafood trail: www.visitmaryland.org/article/crack-shuck-savor-maryland Try some oyster recipes: www.seafood.maryland.gov/category/oysters/ Learn about the Oyster Recovery Partnership: www.oysterrecovery.org/

The Farmers Market Nutrition Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture supplemental nutritional grant and provides checks to low income senior citizens and participants of the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. Theses checks can be redeemed to purchase fresh fruit, vegetables, and cut herbs at local farmers markets.   Find the nearest farmer’s market where FNMP checks are accepted!