Looking for fresh holiday ideas and events that are fun, inexpensive and good for the environment? Well, it’s not too late to find a copy of the 2008 Farms for the Holidays Guide mini guide. The informative publication lists a bevy of regional farms offering home grown alternatives to traditional holiday shopping and activities. This year, make the holiday season memorable and really “go green.”

 

The Farms for the Holidays guide makes it easy to find that special last minute gift, a perfect tree, or a fun family outing at a farm nearby. The guide lists many locations in St. Mary’s, Charles, Calvert, Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties. It is organized by category of items: greenery and home décor; gifts; wine; poultry; meat and seafood; winter vegetables and holiday farm events. This free guide directs holiday enthusiasts to luscious farm fresh winter produce, beautiful handmade centerpieces for festive tables, and plump local turkeys to help create a holiday meal everyone will love.

Other products offered are homemade jams, jellies, honey, and a wide variety of winter produce. Soaps from goat and sheep milk, as well as cozy cold weather accessories including blankets, and cuddly teddy bears made from sheep or Alpaca wool are also featured in the guide.

In addition to the creative gifts and foods the guide offers, many farms are hosting holiday events on the last two weekends before Christmas including live nativity performances, Christmas open houses, Santa visits or a fantasy trip to the North Pole.  There’s still time to attend a ‘how to’ workshop to create your own festive decorations, or pick up a pre-made holiday garland or wreath to ‘dec’ your halls Southern Maryland style.

“Think of it as a present to you and your community – our rolling countryside and beautiful views are your free gift with every farm purchase and ensure our farms prosper into the future,” said Christine L. Bergmark, Executive Director of Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission.

One of the featured farms is Villa De Alpacas Farm. “Yes we’ll be open the last two weekends before Christmas, our Alpacas love visitors! We don’t have a store but I do sell 100 percent Alpaca wool products made with the fleece from my animals,” said owner Angel Forbes Simmons. The Alpaca farm offers gorgeous sweaters and scarves that make elegant gifts at prices ranging from $30 to $60.

Another featured farm is Willow Oak Flower and Herb Farm in Severn. “We are a family owned farm and have been in business for 29 years.  We incorporate nature into everything we do; in fact we were green long before it was cool to be green!” said Heather Carr, daughter of owner Maria Price. The farm will be hosting its last craft workshop on Dec. 20. “[Visitors will] learn how to make holiday arrangements with fresh flowers, berries and winter greens and ‘Our Trip to the North Pole’ will run until Dec. 23.” The enjoyable outdoor experience runs from Monday through Saturday, from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

There are similar offerings from many other local farms including, Goddard’s Dairy in Compton with fresh turkeys and gifts; White Oak Point Farm in Prince Frederick, which has homemade jams and jellies. There is Serenity Farm in Benedict that has a live nativity, petting zoo including performing emus, llamas, donkeys and goats.