
Value-Added Agriculture
Tailor Made for the LESMD Region
Value-added Agriculture may include not only the production and/or processing of agricultural products, but an associated educational and interactive component of the public – Agritourism. With increased consumer interest in the “farm to table” movement, Value-Added Agriculture and its related component Agritourism has become a viable option for farmers and processors in the LESMD Region to gain visibility and diversify their operations.
Source: Value-Added Agriculture In Maryland: An Economic Analysis
Value-added Agriculture includes farms/agricultural producers, as well as processors and small food businesses. Products may be specifically segregated by identity or production characteristics, such as organic or locally-grown. Categories encompass nearly the entire range of food and beverage products. Further processing such as drying, cleaning, milling, pelletizing and operations associated with repackaging are also part of the value-added mix. At the same time, Agritourism activities such as retail sales, u-pick, corn mazes and farmers markets transforms a farm into a destination thus contributing to diversification of core operations by providing an element of marketing as well as income.
In the LESMD Region the relationship between Value-added Agriculture and Agritourism is evident in successful operations involving the production of locally branded beer and dairy products. With regard to the latter – 21st Century industry consolidation and changing farm demographics led to a precipitous drop in the number of dairy farms. The response was a diversification effort in which a local dairy incorporated the key elements associated with Value-Added Agriculture. The result is a highly visible, artisanal brand with which the consumer associates a natural process and a specific local farm.
Some of the LESMD Value-Added Agriculture Companies
Chesapeake Bay Farms was established in 1946 in Worcester County, Maryland and is proud to be Worcester County’s last remaining dairy farm. With 2 retail locations in the county, their products include small batch artisanal ice cream, milk, cheese, butter, yogurt, grass fed meats and more.
Chesapeake Bay Farms Website
The Hideaway Farm is a small agriculture operation using organic methods for growing fruits and vegetables. They produce their own line of jams and relishes along with making homemade chocolates.
More Info
Hales Farms is family owned and operated, specializing in seedless watermelon. Each year they grow between 350 and 400 acres of seedless watermelons that are distributed up and down the east coast. They also grow a wide variety of produce as well as field corn and soybeans.
More Info
