HoCo Fresh

09/01/2026

Our new office! 🎉💚🫡

The Agricultural Center will be home to the Office of Agriculture, UMD Extension Offices, Howard County Farm Bureau, and others, as well as meeting rooms for workshops, trainings and events

08/12/2026

Local Farms Meet Local Flavor at the 2nd Annual Farm-to-Fork Face-Off!

The 2nd Annual Farm-to-Fork Face-Off, an initiative of the Howard County Office of Agriculture and its HoCo Farms initiative, brought local farms, chefs and businesses together at the 80th Howard County Fair to showcase the quality and creativity of Howard County agriculture.

Three local chefs faced off in a 45-minute culinary challenge using locally raised beef and fresh local produce. Congratulations to this year's winners:

🏆 2026 Farm-to-Fork Steak Competition Champion: Mark Bucher, Medium Rare
🌽 Best Creative Use of Locally Grown Ingredients: Chef Daniel Bradescu, Blackwall Barn & Lodge - Columbia, whose local corn crème brûlée impressed the judges with its creativity.
🥕 Premier Presentation of Locally Grown Produce: Chef Rob Horner, Woodstock Inn

🥩 Mary Acres Farm, owned by Howie Feaga, provided the locally raised Delmonico and Porterhouse steaks, while produce came from Cruz Crops, Through the Forest Farm, Norman's Farm Market, Singh Sugar Maple Farm, Merry Acres Farm and the Office of Agriculture’s The Roving Radish.

The event brought together the Howard County Office of Agriculture, Howard County Fair, HCEDA, Howard County Department of Planning and Zoning, Westlake Ace Hardware Ellicott City, local farmers, chefs and businesses to celebrate and support Howard County’s more than 300 farms.

Thank you to Howard County Executive Calvin Ball for his continued support of Howard County agriculture and to all the partners who helped make this year's competition possible. We were proud to sponsor the chef gift cards and support the event judging.

08/11/2026

🔥Who are you cheering for? Come feel the excitement of the crowd at the **Farm-to-Fork Face-Off** as three nominated talented chefs battle it out using Howard County raised beef and Howard County grown produce.

Date: Tuesday, August 11th,
Time: 6:00 PM –7:30 PM
Location: Howard County Fair -4H Patio

Medium Rare
Blackwall Barn & Lodge - Columbia
The Woodstock Inn-returning to defend their 2025 title!

Bring your cheering voice, cheer the chefs as the competition heats up! Seating and standing room are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Free with fair admission. Audience giveaways!

Who will take the title this year?

07/17/2026

Recently, the Howard County New & Beginning Farmers had the opportunity to participate in a special farmers market designed with our senior population in mind. The market was in collaboration with the Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services -Office on Aging and Independence and Maryland's BestBest! 🌱
It was wonderful to see farmers share their fresh, locally grown products while connecting with neighbors and new customers. Events like these help strengthen our local food system while creating new opportunities for beginning farmers to grow their businesses.
Thank you to everyone who came out to support our New & Beginning Farmers and our local agricultural community! 💚
Thank you to for having us!

07/16/2026

Howard County new and beginning farmer Cruz Crops table of locally grown produce!

07/14/2026

Who's joining us TONIGHT? Wednesday, 7/15. 7pm-9pm.

👍 Like. 🔄 Share. 📣 Show up.

Your county needs to hear from you. We hope to see you there!

Help Shape the Future of Farming in Eastern Howard County!

Savage Farmers Market Board President, Norma Broadwater, is serving on the Eastern Howard County Agricultural Task Force, and they want to hear from you!

The Task Force is working to create recommendations that will help our farming community thrive in eastern Howard County, and your input can help guide that work.

Join Norma and your neighbors after the Market this Wednesday at the George Howard Building in Ellicott City for a community conversation about how we can help our local farmers grow. Literally.

Whether you're a farmer, gardener, Farmers Market regular, or simply someone who cares about local food, we hope you'll be part of the conversation.

We'd love to see you there! 🌱

07/09/2026

SEE YOU THERE- Tomorrow!

Date: Friday, July 10, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Location: Ellicott City 50+ Center,
9411 Frederick Road Ellicott City, MD 21042

*Transportation: Parking is available onsite. For those using RTA, Line 405 drops off at the Ellicott City 50+ Center (Stop 3).

* Onsite Farmers’ Market: There will be two farmers in attendance on Friday that will have local produce available for purchase. Both Farmers accept the S-FMNP benefits and will be able to accept benefits on Friday.

07/09/2026

07/08/2026

Planning to enjoy screen free outdoor fun this summer? Visit Howard County farms! Download the Open Rewards to log your visits and earn cash back on any purchases and rewards just for visiting!!!
Open Rewards