Celebrate Agriculture All Weekend in Calvert County July 15-16, 2006

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md., -- July 12, 2006 - Spend the weekend in Calvert County and learn about the roots of agriculture, purchase basketsful of the freshest local produce, adopt a pet or learn about composting, oysters, the Calvert Farmland Trust and the tricks of master gardeners.

Join the merchants and vendors at the Calvert Country Market on Saturday, July 15, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm for a special summer produce sale, hot dogs and snacks. Visit with beautiful greyhounds under the parking lot tents, courtesy of Greyt Expectations, a greyhound rescue group, and enjoy a host of house pets available for adoption from the Humane Society of Calvert County.

Indoors, there will be displays on oyster farming from the Circle C Oyster Ranch, agricultural information from So. MD So Good, the Calvert Farmland Trust, a Bay-wise landscaping display and composting and gardening tips from the Master Gardeners of Calvert County. Free coloring books will be available for children while supplies last.

The Calvert Country Market is the only year-round, indoor market in Southern Maryland and people come from miles around to shop for farm-fresh produce, cakes and baked goods, jams, honey and beautiful floral bouquets. Located in the Prince Frederick Shopping Center, at the corner of Rt. 4 and Duke Street, Calvert Country Market features a butcher, green grocer, yarn, ceramics, wood crafts, polymer clay supplies, antiques shop, fine jewelry, candies, candles, baskets and a gourd shop.

Complete your weekend on Sunday July 16, by visiting a working horse farm from 1:00 – 4:00 pm during the 2006 Farm Tour. Enjoy refreshments, equine demonstrations and exhibits, entertainment and agriculture-related events at the Lucky Cricket Farm in Huntingtown, Md. Visitors are required to park at Plum Point Middle School in Huntingtown and take the free shuttle to the farm, about 1 mile away.

The 2006 Farm Tour is coordinated by the Calvert County Department of Economic Development and the Calvert County Agriculture Commission. The Agriculture Commission conducts the Farm Tour to educate Calvert residents about traditional farming and to provide the public with an opportunity to interact with the farming community.

For more information on Calvert Country Market events or the farm tour, please visit the Web sites at www.calvertcountrymarket.com or www.calvertag.com, or contact the Calvert County, Maryland Department of Economic Development, 410.535.4583 or 800.331.9771, via e-mail info@ecalvert.com.

For more information on the Calvert County, Maryland Department of Economic Development, our visitor sites and attractions and the services available to assist County businesses, call 410.535.4583, 800.331.9771 or 301.855.1880; or send an e-mail to info@ecalvert.com