Charles farmers earn two of 15 ag commission mini-grants

The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) in Hughesville recently approved 15 projects through the SMADC Farmer MiniGrant program for a total investment of $22,845, according to a news release.

SMADC received applications from farmers in all five Southern Maryland counties — Anne Arundel, Calvert Charles, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s. Charles County recipients included:

• Fox Run Farm ($2,000) — Matching funds for livestock buildings.

• Newport Valley Farm ($2,000) — Matching funds for pasture fencing.

“We’re excited to see the farming community responding so enthusiastically to the Mini-Grant program. It’s become quite popular and competitive — we wish we could fund all the projects that come in through the application process,” said Shelby Watson-Hampton, director of SMADC, which is a division of the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland.

The next cycle of the SMADC Farmer MiniGrant program opened on Nov. 1 and ends on Jan. 1, 2019. View the Farm Grants page at www.SMADC.com.

Health department announces flu immunization clinics

The Charles County Department of Health has released its schedule for free flu immunization clinics. Flu Mist will be available, according to a news release.

Additional evening clinics in schools throughout the county have been scheduled in order to accommodate those parents that wish to have their children immunized.

There are many benefits of the flu vaccination. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention some of the reasons are:

• The vaccination can prevent you from getting sick with flu.

• Reduces the risk of flu-associated hospitalization in both children and older adults.

• It is an important preventive tool for people with chronic health conditions.

• Helps to protect women during and after pregnancy. Getting vaccinated can also protect a baby after birth from flu.

• Getting vaccinated protects you and people around you, including those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness — babies, young children, older people and people with certain chronic health conditions.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses. Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine by the end of October, if possible, according to the release.

The remaining clinics are as follows:

• Tuesday, Nov. 13, 3 to 7 p.m., Thomas Stone High School, 3785 Leonardtown Road, Waldorf.

• Thursday, Dec. 13, 3 to 7 p.m., Charles County Dept. of Health, 4545 Crain Highway, White Plains.

For additional information about flu clinics, go to www.CharlesCountyHealth.org, or call the Charles County Department of Health at 301-609-6900.

SMADC’s 2018 Holiday Farm Guide released

Celebrate the season Southern Maryland style and find unique gifts, festive foods and drinks, plus holiday entertainment for the whole family, from the region’s family farms.

The Holiday Farm Guide booklet, published annually by the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC), connects consumers with regional farms, as well as wineries and distilleries, seafood producers, restaurants and stores that offer a wide variety of products grown and produced right here in Southern Maryland, just in time for the holidays, according to a news release.

This year’s guide showcases over 80 farms and agriculture-related businesses in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s counties. Listings feature ‘choose and cut’ Christmas trees, quality meats (and turkeys), award-winning wines and spirits, freshly harvested oysters and seafood, farm-made cheese, baked goods, jams and pickles, unique woven accessories and clothing, plus farm tours and tastings and many more authentic Southern Maryland ‘festive finds’ for holiday entertainment and gift-giving, according to the release.

Find the “Holiday Farm Guide” now, to view or download, on the “Get the Guides” page at SMADC.com. Free copies of the printed guide will be available in limited quantities at participating farms,