Wild Caught Chesapeake Bay Blue Catfish
The Chesapeake blue catfish was introduced into the Chesapeake Bay decades ago and has drastically increased in numbers. Tasting similar to rockfish, blue catfish are not your typical “catfish.” The fish is a tasty, white flaky fish that is excellent in a variety of recipes, such as our Maryland’s Best recipes.
Eating the wild-caught Chesapeake blue catfish is not only good for you, it’s helping the Chesapeake Bay. Blue catfish is consuming other species in the Bay, such as crabs, oysters, rockfish, and anything else in its path, which is causing ecological damage.
Consumers can find the fish in select grocery stores and restaurants. Maryland’s Best has compiled a list of both retail and restaurants that serve the wild-caught Chesapeake blue catfish.
Learn More8 April 2024
For Moms, By Moms
The temperatures are warming, the sun is shining (mostly), and bees are starting to wake – it’s about to be full on springtime, which means it’s also time to gear up for Mother’s Day! As we reflect on the awesomeness of Moms, we couldn’t help but think about another amazing group – the Maryland Cut Flowers Association. Filled with moms who are growing beautiful flowers, it only seemed right that we would feature these hard-working mamas – and offer a great way to get local flowers for the mom in your life! Below is a sample of some of the Maryland cut flower farms including the inspiring women behind them. We encourage you to take your mom or other moms you know out to the farms and enjoy a day of building bouquets. Many of them also have arrangements ready to go so that you can swing by and pick one up on your way to celebrate the mom or mom figure in your life! Mother’s Day is May 12 and Maryland cut flowers are available year-round but especially in April-November. Chesapeake Gold Farms Location: North East (Cecil County) www.chesapeakegoldfarms.com How to Purchase: Consumers can buy straight from our farm […]
27 March 2024
Celebrate Maryland Horticulture this Spring with Maryland Plants, Flowers and Trees
April is the perfect time of year to start planning your garden and landscape. Depending on the plants, it may be time to put them in the ground or it may be time to prep your soil. Some of Maryland’s Best Tips: Before you plant, check the date for the last frost as this could affect and harm less-frost tolerant plants. Have that date in mind as part of your planning. Check the area and make a note of how much sunshine, shade, and rain it receives. Consider planting native Maryland plants as these are what’s best in our ecosystem. You can learn a lot more about native plants at the Maryland Native Plant Society. Head to your local nursery with this information in mind along with an idea of what kind of plants you are looking for – flowers, vegetables, hedges, etc. If you have specific questions about planting in your area, the University of Maryland Extension Offices has a wide variety of experts and can help you better understand your area’s best practices. A list of county agents can be found here. Shopping local always has benefits like keeping money in the community, and supporting local jobs – […]
15 February 2023
Got Oysters? A Maryland Oyster Guide
As of 2023, there are 474 aquaculture operations and growing! With so many operations, there are plenty of varieties to try from salty delights like the Salty Buoys from Fallen Pine Oyster Company in Havre de Grace or more mild oysters like the Eastern oyster from the 38 North Oysters in Southern Maryland. Contrary to popular belief, Maryland oysters are available year-round and you no longer have to wait for an “r” month. Whether you shuck at home or are looking for a place to enjoy, make sure you ask for Maryland oysters. Supporting the oyster population in the Chesapeake Bay contributes to the health of the overall Bay and supports the local economy – in fact, the estimated economic impact in 2022 was $13,335,525.63! Oysters are also nature’s “filters” and play a vital role in the ecosystem. Check out this video supplied by the Oyster Recovery Partnership on the effectiveness of oysters in the water! Speaking of the Oyster Recovery Partnership (ORP), did you know they recycle oyster shells and use them to plant new water-filtering oysters back into Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay?? You can help by dining at one of the 200+ restaurants that recycle shells in […]
Maryland's Best Featured Product
Belvedere Farm has been owned and operated by the Harlan family since 1823. In 1996, Judy and Bill began growing and marketing cut flowers. By 2001, they were cultivating 25 varieties of annuals and perennials, all of which were sold at the farm stand. After Judy Harlan passed away in 2008, Bill made the decision to continue growing flowers, in honor of what Judy had begun. In the following years, more and more varieties of annuals and perennials were added to the growing season. This year Belvedere Farm is growing over 90 varieties of cut flowers and green fillers. It is selling to local florists and designers, participating in farmers’ markets and still selling at its original farm stand.
Belvedere Farm welcomed its fifth-generation farmer, Elizabeth Harlan, for the 2019 growing season. After practicing law for over 20 years, Elizabeth, who lives on the farm with her husband and children, made the decision to help her father run the flower business. She is excited to work side by side with Bill and the amazing group of individuals who have been growing, harvesting and arranging flowers at the farm for several years.
There are 182 Maryland Cut Flower Growers across the state according to the 2022 USDA Agricultural Census, which generate over 4 million dollars in sales.