BENEDICT, MD  — Maryland farmers held their Seasons on the Farm dinner the evening of Saturday, April 12 at Serenity Farm in Benedict. Hosting a crowd of 67 area residents and farmers with a five-course dinner, proceeds from the purchase of plates and tables and a silent auction raised $3,995 for the Southern Maryland Food Bank.
Seasons on the Farm is a program supported by Maryland and Delaware farmers. It is designed to increase transparency and familiarity with farming and food production. The goal of the dinner was to spark meaningful and sustained dialogue between farmers and their neighbors.
The five-course meal featured a Maryland-inspired menu highlighting ingredients from farms throughout the state and region, as well as the farmers who produce them. Some meal items included deviled Easter eggs topped with micro-greens or a lump of crab; a split pea soup with chopped ham; Chesapeake Bay crab cake with apple orchard slaw; and prime rib pit beef with horseradish mashed potatoes.
“This dinner offered the opportunity for area residents and farmers to enjoy dinner in a unique setting, while supporting the shared vision of farmers and the Food Bank of providing safe, nutritious and affordable food,” said Susanne Zilberfarb of the Delaware Soybean Board. “Farmers welcome the opportunity to sit down with people from the community and talk about how food is produced.”
The silent auction featured items from local cover band The Bucket List, Baltimore Orioles tickets from Senator Thomas V. “Mike” Miller, Jr., Valentines Delight Farms in Avenue, Butler’s Orchard in Germantown, Solomons Island Winery and Vineyard, Spirits of Calvert in Prince Frederick, Serenity Farm in Benedict and Scalped Salon and Spa in Prince Frederick.