woman in sunglasses and baseball cap smiles while a cow licks her face
Cow kisses. Apparently this means the cow accepts the author as one of them. The author has not stopped mooing ever since. Photo credit: Aliza Worthington

If you think Shark Week is fintastic, you’re going to love Maryland Public Television’s (MPT) udderly delightful initiative: Cow Week, airing July 21 – 28 on Maryland Farm & Harvest!

Come pasture time away with Cow Week’s fun and educational daily digital premieres, filled with fascinating cow facts and stories about the farmers and families who care for these gentle bovine creatures.

New digital shorts featuring content from the series’ upcoming 12th season will be unveiled on the Maryland Farm & Harvest Facebook page, Instagram, and YouTube channel using the hashtags #CowWeek, #SharksvsCows, #CowShark, and #BovinePrime.

Highlights include a spotlight on cow photography, cow cuddling, and the life of an agricultural pageant winner.

Cow photographers Don Birk and Dale Stith are professionals to whom many farmers turn when they need to advertise and market their farms. Cows do not necessarily smile on request or sit still for bovine stylists (if such a profession exists). Birk and Stith travel the country snapping photos of cows for their customers.

At Mary’s Land Farm in Ellicott City, visitors can experience Cow Cuddling if they’re in need of some relaxation via cowsmosis. This reporter can tell you it is effective, as she enjoyed the very mooooooving experience over Memorial Day weekend this year thanks to an invitation from her cousin! That’s right, apparently hugging, snuggling, brushing, or lying next to an 800-pound steer has been scientifically proven to calm people down. Mary’s Land Farm has a team of six therapy cows affectionately known as “pasture puppies” who will not only tolerate your affection but return it if you are giving off the right vibes.

partial view of cow's face looking down at photographer with blue sky above
Cow Heaven? The cow gazed at the author while she was lying down next to it snuggling. Photo credit: Aliza Worthington

MPT also shines a spotlight on Ms. Agvocate 2024, Lindsey Jacobs from Millersville, Maryland. She grew up on her family’s Church View Farm, and the 2024 Ms. Agvocate USA winner will help viewers see how agriculture pageants are helping create new advocates for agricultural communities.

The eight-day Cow Week initiative will be anchored by a cow-themed special episode of Maryland Farm & Harvest on Tuesday, July 23 at 7 p.m. on MPT-HD and the MPT livestream. Hosted by Joanne Clendining, the episode will include segments about cattle breeds while visiting family farm operations in Havre de Grace, Frederick, and Keysville; caring for calves during a visit to Maryland Delight Beef in Westminster; dairy struggles in the volatile agriculture business, with profits depending on many factors outside a farmer’s control, by visiting two family farms in Maryland; and a segment hosted by Al Spoler called “The Local Buy.”

“The Local Buy” has Spoler satisfying his sweet tooth with a visit to Misty Meadows Farm Creamery in Smithsburg. Spoler is not the only one visiting farmers Betsy and David Herbst as they show him how they turn their cows’ fresh milk into ice cream — he must share their attention with visitors from Grace Academy Summer Camp in Hagerstown who are likely as eager for a taste of the ice cream as Spoler is.