A MANCHESTER dairy farm will honor Carroll County's celebration of Farm-City Week with a free farm tour and box lunch Wednesday, compliments of the Carroll County Farm Bureau.
Tours will be given at the Harry Sellers family farm, Panora Acres, off Traceys Mill Road.
"The purpose of Farm-City Week is to share the understanding of the interdependence of the urban and rural communities," said Jean Knill, farm bureau information director. "We put the producer and consumer together to show where food is coming from and so farmers can understand the needs of the consumer.
"Farmers will be there, but we're hoping nonfarmers will come," Knill said.
The bureau has celebrated Farm-City Week since it was begun by Kiwanis International in 1955. The national Farm-City organization, based in Illinois, offers information about issues affecting agriculture and educational programs that connect urban populations with agriculture.
In Carroll, the farm bureau connects farm-centered businesses and organizations with nonagricultural businesses. This year, it decided to take the public to the farm. Sellers, farm bureau district director, offered his dairy farm for tours.
The Sellers farm, like many in Carroll County, offers school tours, and family members are familiar with answering questions and bridging the gap between life among farm animals and life in the suburbs. On Wednesday, bureau members will be tour guides, explaining to visitors the automated process of milking, feeding calves, and keeping a dairy herd healthy and productive.
"They are milking 200 dairy cows, raise their own calves, and raise steer for beef. It's a multigenerational farm, with at least three generations living on the farm. It presents a nice opportunity for anyone who's not familiar with where their milk comes from," Knill said.
Cows usually are milked early and late in the day, but with cooperation from the cows, milking will be part of the midday tour. Milking is mechanized, with collection pipes that connect the cow to processing equipment and tank truck to ensure sanitary handling.
"Milk is never touched by the human hand nor does it reach the air," Knill said.
Lunch and tours will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., timed to attract the business community.
Knill recommends donning footwear appropriate for farm life. Homeschool students can be accommodated.
The national celebration of Farm-City Week occurs each year the week before Thanksgiving.
"This is the time we can be thankful for each other and our bounty," Knill said.
To reach Panora Acres, take the first left off Traceys Mill Road, which is off Route 30, two miles north of Manchester before the village of Melrose. To reserve a free box lunch: farm bureau office, 410-857-5503 by Friday.
Christmas sale
From the thousands of donated items taken to North East Social Action Program Inc., the ones that relate to Christmas and holiday celebrations are held out for the Christmas Sale, scheduled for 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at St. John's United Methodist Church, 1205 N. Main St., Hampstead.
The admission price is a staple food item for the food pantry. The sale benefits the needy in the North Carroll community who receive assistance from NESAP, which depends upon volunteers from about 40 area churches.
New and nearly new gift items, decorations, lights, Nativity articles and jewelry are highlights.
Refreshments will be sold.
Information: 410-374-9099.
Citrus for music
Tree-ripened citrus fruits ordered by North Carroll Band Boosters to raise funds for the band will be trucked to Hampstead. The fruit is grown at Callery-Judge Grove, which uses environmentally responsible farming techniques on 4,000 acres in Palm Beach County, Fla.
Navel oranges, pink grapefruit and tangerines can be ordered before Dec. 4 and will arrive Dec. 14.
Temple oranges, pink grapefruit and honey tangerines can be ordered before Jan. 30 and will arrive Feb. 8.
Telephone orders are taken by booster members. If your last name begins with A through F: 410-239-6375; if G through L: 410-239-6947; if M through R: 410-374-3887, and if S through Z: 410-239-4708.
Community blood drive
The Red Cross will hold a Manchester community blood drive at Grace Bible Church on Dec. 9. The church is at 3250 Charmil Drive, off Route 30 south of Manchester.
Register now to donate between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the church multipurpose room.
Information: 800-448-3543.
Pat Brodowski's North neighborhood column appears each Wednesday in the Carroll County edition of The Sun.