This Saturday, kids can learn local history while planting a seed or sipping a cool glass of fresh-pressed apple cider at the interactive Flashback Farming event at the Baltimore County Agricultural Center and Farm Park, in Cockeysville
The event is hosted by the Maryland Agricultural Resource Council, a non-profit organization that preserves the history of farming and agriculture in the region. It will feature presentations by 12 groups from Baltimore County on the history of farming in the county from the 1800s to the mid-20th century. Each group will have a station that will include demonstrations, historical artifacts and interpretations from the time period. The event will also feature a presentation on slavery and indentured servants by the Hampton National Historic Site, which is located in Towson.
Among the organization that will deliver presentations at the event are the Port Discovery Children's Museum and the Historical Society of Baltimore County.
"Our station will have a photo exhibit showing farming from the 1800s to the 1950s," said Kathleen Barry, executive director of the historical society.
Farming was very important to Baltimore County, with tobacco as a main cash crop, said Lara Murphy, events and interpretive specialist with the Maryland Agricultural Resource Council.
"Farming played a big impact from the 17th century to today," Murphy said.
Children who attend the event will receive a passport. Murphy said, adding that those who visit all of the stations to complete the passport will receive a prize.
The event also will include displays of modern, high-tech farm machinery, including a driverless tractor that uses a GPS system to navigate.
Murphy recommends packing a lunch, though food will be available at the event. The event also will include music provided by the bluegrass band, Free Range Blue, and farm animals that children can pet.
"Plan to be there for a couple of hours," Murphy said.
Flashback Farming will take place Saturday, June 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Baltimore County Agricultural Center and Farm Park, on 1114 Shawan Rd., in Cockeysville. Group tickets are $15 per carload in advance or $20 on the day of. Tickets are available at http://www.marylandagriculture.org.