Who says you can't start farming now?

Leader Farm Credit

Financing Rural America for More Than 90 Years

Who says you can’t start farming now?

volume 16 | issue 2 | $3.95

Scholarships Awarded Election Results Photo Contest

in this issue

Leader

farm | land

4 From a Personal Passion,

volume 16 | issue 2

A Business Grows in Westminster, Maryland

6 Warming Hearts One Sweet

MidAtlantic Farm Credit, ACA J. Robert Frazee, CEO

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Treat at a Time in Bucks County, Pennsylvania

Gary L. Grossnickle Chairman

8 Putting Dreams on Solid

Fred N. West Vice Chairman

Financial Footing—Praises for the StartRight Program on the Eastern Shore

10 Public House Produce—A

Business with Roots Deep in Virginia

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your association

12 2011 Scholarship Winners 14 Annual Meeting Review 15 Election Results 16 Young Farmers Starting Right 17 Capturing Life in the Country Annual Photo Contest

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If you have any questions or ideas for the editorial staff of the Leader, contact Donna Dawson at 800.333.7950, e-mail her at ddawson@mafc.com or write her at MidAtlantic Farm Credit, 680 Robert Fulton Highway, Quarryville, PA 17566. This publication is for you, our reader. We’d love to hear from you!

The Leader is published quarterly for stockholders, friends and business associates.

18 In the Garden: Old Friends

If you wish to no longer receive this publication, please email: unsubscribe@mafc.com and by putting “Unsubscribe Leader” in the subject.

community

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Paul D. Baumgardner Deborah A. Benner Brian L. Boyd Dale R. Hershey Walter C. Hopkins T. Jeffery Jennings Christopher Kurtzman M. Wayne Lambertson Fred R. Moore, Jr. Dale J. Ockels Jennifer L. Rhodes Ralph L. Robertson, Jr. Paul J. Rock Lingan T. Spicer Christopher R. Stiles Rodger L. Wagner

Questions or Ideas

home and garden

20 Properties for Sale

MidAtlantic Farm Credit Board of Directors

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See Bob’s latest blog, more photos and a whole lot of other good stuff by visiting our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ midatlanticfarmcredit

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The Farm Credit Administration does not require the association to distribute its quarterly financial reports to shareholders. However, copies of its complete report are available upon request or see quarterly updates online at mafc.com. The shareholders’ investment in the association is materially affected by the financial condition and results of operations of AgFirst Farm Credit Bank and copies of its quarterly financial report are available upon request by writing: Susanne Caughman, AgFirst Farm Credit Bank P.O. Box 1499, Columbia, SC 29202-1499 Address changes, questions or requests for the association’s quarterly financial report should be directed to: MidAtlantic Farm Credit, ACA by calling 800.333.7950 or writing: MidAtlantic Farm Credit P.O. Box 770, Westminster, MD 21158-0770

message from the president

A Strong Start is Half the Battle

Whenever I talk to farmers in our area— successful farmers who have been in business for generations—I hear the same thing: do you think that there’s a future for the next generation? Do you think that farming will continue in our area?

We think about that a lot here. And we talk a lot about what we can do to make agriculture a viable career option for people who have farming in their blood, and want to make it their business.

I know you’ve heard us talk about our StartRight program before. We’re pretty proud of it—it’s a program designed specifically for the needs of young, beginning, small and minority farmers. It has three separate parts—the credit part, which offers special terms and rates for young, beginning, small and minority (YBSM) farmers; a mentoring piece, which helps YBSM farmers find the support and resources they need; and an educational piece, which offers online tutorials to help YBSM farmers get the business skills they need to be successful.

This issue of the Leader focuses on YBSM farmers in our area who have started—and maintained—successful businesses with the help of our program (and lots and lots of work on their part).

You’ll read about how Greg Lambrecht of Maryland went from a career in the Coast Guard to a career as a winemaker (and a good one, at that!) And how Caleb and Patricia Torrice of Pennsylvania decided to live the sweet life by running their own bakery and orchard (just reading the story made me want a slice of pie!) On page 8, you’ll see how a young married couple on the Eastern Shore used our StartRight program to buy their first farm. Finally, learn about a Virginia family who put together

The stories are all inspirational, and a great tribute to the planning and perseverance of farm families in our area. If you’re worried about the future of farming for the next generation, I suggest you give this issue to any young person who has farming in their blood. You can tell them that it’s not an easy road, but it’s one that’s well worth it.

(And tell them that there are lending partners here to help them!)

Speaking of lending partners, I don’t have to tell you that Farm Credit is different from other lenders; if you work with us, you know that already. But you might not think about all of the specifics that make us so unique.

One of the things that make us different is the fact that we are governed by people who use our services. And those people are elected by other people who use our services—people just like you. It’s a unique business model, and it’s one that ensures that we always keep our strategic decisions focused on what is best for our borrowers.

You can see who was recently elected for our upcoming nominating committee (they’ll get together later this year to nominate candidates for next year’s election), and who was elected to our board of directors, on page 15.

It’s this group of people (along with our full board, listed on the inside cover of this magazine) that will give us the strategic direction for the next year. I’m never sure exactly what each year will bring, but I do know this: our commitment to helping the young, beginning, small and minority farmers in our area is not a passing fad. We’ve been doing it across the country for 95 years now, and we don’t plan on changing our focus.

You can tell the next generation of farmers that. It’s my personal promise to them that we’ll continue to offer the services and support to help them make their dreams of farming come true.

JULY event

place

1 Deadline: wheat and barley premiums due

1 Horse Progress Days Kinzer PA

4 Independence Day MAFC offices closed 15 Deadline: acreage report deadline 15-17 Kent County Fair Tolchester MD 16 Frederick County (VA) Local Foods Expo Winchester VA 20 Tawes Crab and Clam Bake Crisfield MD 22-30 Delaware State Fair Harrington DE 22-30 Cecil County Fair Elkton MD 23-30 Lebanon Area Fair Lebanon PA 25-31 Somerset County Fair Princess Anne MD 28 Grain Marketing for Women Wye Mills MD 28-31 Harford County Fair Bel Air MD 30-31 Morgan County Fair Berkeley Springs WV 30-8/6 Berkeley County Youth Fair Martinsburg WV

AUG event 4-6 Great Pocomoke Fair

events | deadlines

It’s one of my favorite times of year. I try to get to each of the meetings a little bit early so that I can visit with some of our members—which is something I don’t get to do as often as our other staff members.

an extensive business plan for a successful produce operation…and how they are now harvesting the rewards of the planning.

place Pocomoke MD

4-8 Caroline-Dorchester County Fair Denton MD 6-13 Howard County Fair West Friendship MD 8-13 Queen Anne’s County Fair Centreville MD 12-14 Worcester County Fair Snow Hill MD 13-16 Talbot County Fair Easton MD 16-18 Ag Progress Days Rock Springs PA 20-27 Page Valley Agricultural and Industrial Fair Luray VA 26-9/5 Maryland State Fair Timonium MD

SEP event

place

5 Labor Day MAFC offices closed 15 Deadline: apple and peach premiums due 28 Delmarva Poultry Conference Ocean City MD 30 Deadline: sales closing for wheat and barley ­ For a complete list of fairs and events, visit our website at mafc.com

volume 16 | issue 2 | mafc.com

A few weeks ago, we held our five annual stockholder meetings throughout our territory (you can see a complete wrap up of the meetings starting on page 14).

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To produce their distinctive wines, Greg and Karen Lambrecht supplement the harvest from their three acres with grapes grown by carefully selected growers in Carroll and Baltimore counties.

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Greg and Karen share their love of grapes and winemaking by taking part in a new farmer training program that gives adults a hands-on introduction to the hard work and rewards of owning a vineyard.

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From a personal passion, a business grows

story SUSAN WALKER, photos by SUSAN WALKER and ROBERT and ROSEANNA PRAYDIS, R&RPHOTOS

Though he spent the first 23 years of his career at sea, Greg Lambrecht’s new love is firmly rooted in the soil of Serpent Ridge Vineyard, the Carroll County winemaking operation he and his wife Karen started in 2002.

Greg’s passion for winemaking was born when he was

pile. The snakes fled, but they made a big impression on Greg and the vineyard had its name. “There were probably only about three snakes under there, but in my mind there were 100 of them!” he says with a laugh.

While getting their new venture underway, Greg and

a U.S. Coast Guard officer stationed on the West Coast.

Karen were both working full-time, Greg in the Coast

When he’d get time off, he would travel in the Russian

Guard and Karen for the biotech company Amgen. Both

River Valley, visiting and volunteering at local wineries

their “day jobs” required a good deal of travel, making it

in one of California’s most well-known wine regions.

challenging to get the vineyard off the ground.

When he was transferred to Maryland 15 years ago, the

“We spent every spare moment—every weekend and

Pennsylvania native and his wife planted a personal vine-

holiday—planting, taking care of the vines, building our

yard of just 36 vines behind their Carroll County home.

winemaking facility, researching and purchasing equip-

“We started as amateurs, making wine for ourselves

ment. We couldn’t have done it without all the help and

and our friends,” explains Greg. “We enjoyed it and

support we got from friends, family, and volunteers,” Greg

even won a few awards. As we talked about it, we

notes. “We’d have folks volunteer to help us harvest the

thought this was a chance for us to take something we

grapes, then we’d feed them and share some good wine.

really liked doing and expand it into a small business. “ The Lambrechts purchased a five-acre piece of land in Westminster. They planted three acres of the property with several different varieties of grapes. One fall day, Greg was clearing some

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some snakes taking advantage of the warmth under the

It’s amazing, but we’re never short of volunteers eager and willing to lend a hand. We have wine lovers from the area as well as people who come from southern Pennsylvania and northern Virginia.”

tradition meets high tech Greg, who is in the process of

brush and stones along a fence line

earning his winemaking certi-

to prep the area for planting. As

fication from the University of

he moved the rocks, he uncovered

California, Davis, is responsible

Though Serpent Ridge’s wines have a different character than their California counterparts, Greg is a firm believer in embracing the regional differences Maryland wines offer.

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The Lambrechts rent out the tasting room for small events including special occasion parties and corporate gatherings.

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Serpent Ridge wines are handmade in small lots. Greg customizes the techniques he uses based on the demands of the fruit rather than working from a set recipe.

“I also work with some of the growers who supply additional

style of many of his wines on Australian wines. He’s even spent

grapes to Serpent Ridge, so I understand the challenges and

time visiting Australian vineyards and meeting with winemakers

opportunities that Greg and Karen may encounter.”

to better understand their art.

“Winemakers in Australia are very forward-thinking,” he says.

“I’ve taken a lot of concepts I learned there and applied them to

fine wine comes to Carroll County When Greg and Karen opened Serpent Ridge, theirs was

our operation.”

the only vineyard/winery in Carroll County. Since then, one

For instance, Serpent Ridge’s wines are aged in poly flex tanks,

more licensed winery has opened, two are close to opening,

an Australian innovation that holds more wine than an oak barrel

and two more are in the planning stages. Greg believes the

and takes up less space. The tanks breathe like two-year-old oak

area has what it takes to produce a variety of fine wines. “The

barrels and produce excellent vintages. He also seals his wines with

soil is rocky and loamy and we’re on the same latitude as the

another Australian invention called a “zork.” The alternative closure lessens oxidation and cork taint (unpleasant scents or tastes caused by dry or damaged corks) and can be reused easily.

farm | land

for all the winemaking decisions at Serpent Ridge. He models the

wine growing regions in Bordeaux, France. Maryland’s grapes offer wonderful varietal characteristics and earthy undertones so this area has the potential to produce some great wines.”

Another new approach used at Serpent Ridge involves what

Business is good at Serpent Ridge. Serpent Ridge

Greg calls putting oak in the wine rather than the wine in oak.

wines have garnered a number of awards in the Maryland

Pieces of aged oak are encased in a non-reactive mesh bag and hung in the flex tanks during the fermentation and aging process, imparting an oaky note to the wine.

“Why are we still cutting down old growth forests to make oak barrels that will be used up in a few years?” asks Greg. “Flex tank technology and the addition of oak to the wine produce products as good as those

Governor’s Cup Competition and the Maryland Winemaster’s Choice Competition. The Lambrechts’ wines are sold locally in five retail outlets and 10 additional retail stores in Maryland.

In addition, you can find their wines at multiple Maryland restaurants. The vineyard produces and sells out of about 1,500 cases of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet and Sauvignon blend,

aged in barrels.”

Even the oak pieces Greg uses in his winemaking have a life after Serpent Ridge. A

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local craftsman makes them into cutting boards that are sold in the Serpent Ridge tasting room.

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When Greg and Karen decided to start Serpent Ridge, they went to MidAtlantic Farm Credit to get the capital needed to build the tasting room they opened in 2009. Up to that point, since they were both working, they paid for most of their equipment and vineyard stock out of pocket. “I didn’t want to start a small business with a huge debt,” says Greg.

Because they were just beginning their business, loan officer Bill Schrodel arranged a StartRight loan for the Lambrechts which has a discounted interest rate for the first five years of the term. That period of lower interest was especially important because it takes about five years or more before a vineyard can produce and sell its first wines. Typically, it takes three to four years before you can harvest grapes and then another year or two for the fermentation and aging process.

“Working with Bill is like having a partner who looks out for your best interests,” adds Greg. “He calls me when interest rates drop and has suggestions for how we can save money. He really takes the time to understand our business.”

“Greg was originally talking to our secondary market department, and they recommended he work with me because I had the background that was a better fit with his needs,” says Bill.

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Seyval Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Albarino, and Vidal a year.

They also debuted a new Australian-style sparkling Cabernet this spring.

Annual sales increased 30 percent from the first year of production to the second and are 40 percent ahead of last year in 2011. Serpent Ridge welcomes between 20 and 30 visitors to its tasting room every day it’s open, and Greg was surprised and pleased that level of traffic held when they opened over the winter holidays last year.

Greg recently hired a full-time vineyard manager and two tasting room employees, so he and Karen can have some time to enjoy the fruits of their labors. Their five-year plan for Serpent Ridge includes increasing production by 50 percent, adding a new grape press, more fermentation tanks, and a new refrigeration system.

“The winery and grape production industry in Maryland is one of the largest growth industries by percentage in the state,” adds Greg. “It’s a great opportunity for the state and

volume 16 | issue 2 | mafc.com

patience and planning

I’m glad I have the chance to be part of it.” For more information about the vineyard visit: serpentridge.com.

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The deli at Tabora Farm and

Orchard is usually swarming with locals at lunch time. The Torrice Family and their employees prepare plenty of lunch favorites, including soups.

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Patricia and Caleb share

cookies from the bakery with their children (from left) Jack, 18 months; Grace, four months; Molly, three; and Brody, four. They enjoy wearing their

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Warming Hearts

matching Tabora Farm and Orchard shirts—what a great looking family!

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one sweet treat at a time story Jennifer Hetrick, photos by Jennifer Hetrick and Tabora Farm and Orchard

In the summer, Caleb and

Patricia sell their own freshly grown

New York natives Caleb and Patricia Torrice moved to Chalfont, Pennsylvania in Bucks County two and a half years ago. There, they finally decided to whisk their dream to life in the shape of an agriculturally-based bakery and market called Tabora Farm and Orchard.

of fruit-inspired flavors. There are orchards of fruits and fields of vegetables with U-Pick options and they do baked goods gift baskets, as well! The Torrices also hold many community events for families at the farm, including an Easter Egg Hunt, Tabora Homemade Ice Cream Day and monthly live music on the patio.

Growing up on a fruit orchard in Oswego, New York and then pursuing formal studies in fruit science at Cornell University, Caleb’s interest in agriculture has spanned a lifetime. He started his career as a Cornell Cooperative Extension agent before going on to owning a farm market on Long Island and running a pruning business during the winters. Patricia’s passions materialized at the elementary school level where she taught for 14 years.

“I like the art of selling a product, whether it’s from the field or in the bakery,” Caleb says. When he and Patricia took over the farmland, many of the orchard’s trees had been let go, so it has taken time to enliven them again. “By taking better care of the trees in the orchard, we had a much better U-Pick season and the community really appreciated our efforts.”

But the farm market and bakery scene spoke to the husband and wife duo enough that when they found Tabora Farm and Orchard in a search online; they knew they’d discovered their future home and livelihood, where their little ones would eventually run around, ready to grab from the freshly-baked cookie supply.

A multi-faceted operation in every sense of the phrase, the market includes the bakery as its largest component, a deli swarming with locals for lunch, and a new winery

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The land consists of 11 acres, with eight of them tillable. Caleb says he expects apple production to increase from 1,200 bushels to 2,000 bushels on their 1½ acre orchard this year.

produce in their market. However, out of season, they make sure to offer healthy fruits and veggies from other producers for customers looking to keep their diets well-rounded.

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A winery just down the

street uses Tabora Farm and Orchard’s summer-grown fruit

In season, Caleb, Patricia and their employees use whatever ingredients they can straight from the land. All foods in the bakery and deli are made with the freshest possible ingredients and from scratch. In fact, all food is made from seasonable products and from scratch.

to create a colorful

eyes on their pies

room.

Caleb explains that they spent many late nights in the bakery learning the tried and true recipes that were always crowd pleasers. He

variety of wines.

Shown here are the shelved wines in the new wine-tasting

farm | land 3

also spent some time reshaping new formulas till they turned out perfect as well.

When Caleb and Patricia initially took over in mid November 2008, there was a very steep learning curve as they needed to prepare 3,000 pies by Thanksgiving week! They accomplished their goal that year, and today their pie selection is vast and well known in the community.

Offerings include: apple, apple raspberry, banana cream, blueberry, cherry, coconut cream, coconut custard, key lime, lemon meringue, mincemeat, peach, pecan, and pumpkin. Last year at the holidays they also offered mixed berry, pear raspberry, pineapple and mango, strawberry and strawberry rhubarb.

After Caleb and Patricia took over Tabora Farm and Orchard, they built a patio outside for customers to enjoy the grounds and inside they revamped the product layout of the market.

Instead of having the cookies off to the side they put them right in the middle of the store. Caleb says this automatically increased sales as most customers noted that the cookies’ new location made them “irresistible and very easily attainable.”

Hand-decorated specialty cookies for bridal showers and other occasions are becoming a popular request, as are wedding cakes.

A new gluten-free section of the bakery has also taken the market by storm, as customers with allergies to wheat are ecstatic to finally have homemade desserts available for purchase.

a piece of cake Because this is Caleb and Patricia’s first official farm together, MidAtlantic Farm Credit’s StartRight Program was perfect for their needs. It provided them with credit at a time when economic factors made getting credit from other banks challenging.

Caleb describes his experience with MAFC quite literally as a ‘piece of cake’.

“After frustrating experiences with other banks,” Caleb says, “we really appreciate MAFC because they gave us the chance that no one else would.”

Today, their inventory and equipment has been funded through MAFC lending. Next, Caleb and Patricia intend to purchase their home, its land, and the market with assistance through MAFC, as they are currently leasing from the previous owners.

Loan officer Carla Green considers Caleb’s attention to detail to be a real asset. She says he did such a thorough job of

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presenting their ideas in the business plan that this ultimately had a big impact on securing the final loan that let them take over Tabora Farm and Orchard.

market musts Caleb and Patricia don’t just manage the operation, they enjoy the products themselves. Caleb prefers the ham and Swiss cheese stuffed roll around lunch time, while Patricia says chocolate raspberry sticks and homemade chocolate marshmallow fluff ice cream tickle her sweet tooth.

Everyone can find a favorite as Tabora offers a very rich experience, whether it is the thickly crusted quiches, vegetarian dishes, salads from the deli or the chocolate dipped almond horns, Pusta Brot bread, apple cider donuts from the bakery, or the extensive in season produce selection grown on the property.

Patricia handles a lot of the behind the scenes paperwork like bookkeeping, payroll, deliveries and scheduling, and of course raising the children in between her administrative tasks.

Young sons Brody, 4, Jack, 18 months and daughter Molly, 3, are always smiling their way over to the market when they run outside of the house with mommy to visit Caleb as he’s working with the staff.

Four-month-old Grace has not yet had the pleasure of developing her own sweet tooth, but Tabora Farm and Orchard will certainly give her that opportunity once she takes her first steps and can make her way into the bakery.

pushing ahead at home Spices, spice blends, and bulk teas, many of which are organic, are a new highly anticipated line of products for sale at the market. The Torrice Family is excited to cater to local customer demand for these goods which were not so easy to locate in this stretch of Pennsylvania countryside.

“I don’t know many jobs where your work is 20 yards away from your home,” Caleb says, happy with the choices he and Patricia have made for their family.

Content with the decisions that have led to where his family now calls home, Caleb says he and Patricia only look forward to the future in expanding their dream now made possible through Farm Credit. If you’d like more information about Tabora Farm and Orchard visit: taborafarmandorchard.com. n

volume 16 | issue 2 | mafc.com

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Ben Brown, Denton

area poultry farmer, drives his tractor out of a work shed on the 94-acre farm (shown below) he and his wife Christy purchased last year with the help of a StartRight loan from Farm Credit.

The package of loans included: funds for the purchase of the farm, the tractor, needed upgrades to two poultry houses and major renovations to the home.

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Ben and Christy

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Putting dreams on solid financial footing

praises for StartRight Program story and photos by GARY HORNBACHER

short drive from the couple’s present farm and Christy as a nutrient management planner for USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service, where she covers Maryland’s Caroline, Talbot and Dorchester counties.

On that day, the young couple was already focused on buying a farm.

For someone with farming background—especially someone young wanting to own a farm of their own and build a life with loved ones—it’s the stuff dreams are made of.

“Farming has been in my blood since I was 10,” says Ben. “And Christy’s a farm gal at heart so everything just snowballed after we met.”

Ben and Christy’s story really begins on September 20, 2008, their wedding day. Both were employed in the agricultural sector—Ben working for Neal Farms Inc., a

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advice and followup of Cara Sylvester (center), their Farm Credit loan officer, for helping make the young couple’s dream of farm ownership

It’s a pretty Cape Cod home, a large outbuilding, a shop and a couple of poultry houses. If you’re fortunate—and not driving past the Denton, Maryland farm too fast—you might even catch a glance of five miniature horses and a quarter-horse gamboling in the pasture.

In this case, it’s Ben and Christy Brown’s dream.

Thanks to MidAtlantic Farm Credit’s StartRight program, their dream has become reality in just two short years.

credit the timely

possible.

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Christy’s registered

quarter horse and one of five miniature horses she raises and shows as a hobby get more than their share of attention.

buying a farm an “impossible dream” for many

Christy shares the

Wanting to own your own farm, however, is easier said than done, especially for young adults like Ben and Christy. They had the farming background but no opportunity to buy land from their families.

with the farm’s two

workload that comes 35,000-total capacity poultry houses and 50 tillable acres but still has time for her horses.

The home needed major renovation and the two poultry houses required some significant upgrades before they could be put back into production. Perhaps issues for some, but opportunity for Ben and Christy.

“We felt we could offset the cost of the property with the poultry,” explains Christy, adding that both she and Ben were already familiar with poultry operations.

Still, the couple needed some answers, and since the farm was a private sale and had not been listed yet, they needed them quick.

“I called Farm Credit and was connected to Cara [Sylvester],” explains Ben. “She’s actually the one who told us about the StartRight program. The first time we sat down and talked about the numbers I think I held my breath the whole time. But the program is great for somebody just starting out and for sure it made the difference for us.”

StartRight loan program responsive to young farmer needs “The StartRight program can be used for just about any kind of collateralized Farm Credit loan,” explains Cara, a loan officer in MAFC’s Denton office. “I’ve done others but this was the first property purchase I’ve done and it went really well.”

How well? Well, 45 days after Cara and the Browns first sat down, Ben and Christy were proud farm owners. Settlement was the day before Thanksgiving and the couple immediately began the process of updating the chicken houses.

“We took our first flock of 35,000 chickens on December 31, 2009,” Ben says proudly. “And four months later, after completely gutting and remodeling the home, we moved in.”

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“In their case,” Cara explains, “we also did a separate fiveyear loan for the poultry house repairs. That will work well since it will be paid off just when the StartRight loan is up for repricing.”

Less than two years after seeing their dreams turn to reality, the Browns have settled into a familiar but hectic—and always rewarding—routine. Both still work away from home, but between juggling careers and farm work, the poultry operation is thriving. Ben rotates corn and soybeans on the farm’s 50 tillable acres and is also enrolled in the state cover crop program.

“Christy does all the book work,” says Ben. “And we are both involved working with the chickens.”

It helps that Neal Farms is less than two miles away—close enough for Ben to take care of chores associated with his poultry operation that can’t wait. He also has an arrangement with his employer that allows him to pay for the use of equipment as needed.

“We bought a tractor with the help of Farm Credit,” says Ben, “and eventually I’d like to get another tractor and build a couple more chicken houses. There’s definitely room for expansion—for more pastures, more chicken houses.”

Christy’s eyes sparkle when Ben talks about ‘more pasture’.

She has one registered quarter horse and five miniature horses.

“I show the miniatures at fairs,” she says, “as well as showing my quarter horse at registered horse shows, but most of all they’re for personal enjoyment.”

“It’s very hard for young people to go out and buy a farm on their own,” says Christy. “Thanks to Farm Credit and their StartRight program, we’re doing something many can only dream about.” n

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volume 16 | issue 2 | mafc.com

Less than a year after being married, they found it! There was a 94-acre farm nearby being offered for sale that included a home, two poultry houses and several outbuildings. Buying the farm represented a major commitment— maybe even one beyond the young couple’s means, they worried.

farm | land

Call it the right program at the right time. Farm Credit’s StartRight program is designed for young, beginning farmers like Ben and Christy. It is simple, flexible and responsive. “It worked out really nicely for them,” says Cara, explaining that under the StartRight program Farm Credit’s already very competitive interest rates are discounted for the first five years—a time when cash flow can be most critical.

But unphased by high property costs, start-up farming expenses and related financing concerns, Ben and Christy kept looking for that special opportunity.

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David and Heather grow a wide

variety of produce, but find that sweet corn, green beans, and tomatoes are their biggest hits.

In addition to their summer CSA program, they offer a fall CSA program. CSA members receive weekly email newsletters with food preparation tips, recipes, crop news, and other items of interest.

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Heather now works full-time away

from the farm, but

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A business with roots deep in the garden story and photos by JENNIFER SHOWALTER

The fast pace of life these days often removes people from the beauty of gardening, but David and Heather Sours of Luray, Virginia were not about to let life get in the way of them having a garden. In fact, their love for gardening has led them into a business that is growing like a weed!

David’s passion for playing in the dirt started at an early age. While growing up, his parents had a greenhouse, landscaping business, and a large family garden that he helped with. Following high school, David went to Virginia Tech and majored in horticulture with an option in crops. While there, he also took several landscape design classes.

Heather, David’s high school sweetheart, has fond memories of being involved with her family’s garden.

“We always had a garden out of necessity while I was growing up. I remember being sent to the bean patch for punishment. Whenever I got in trouble, I had to pick beans, snap beans, or pull weeds,” laughs Heather.

Heather’s love for the environment led her to pursue a degree in Environmental Science. After graduating from Virginia Tech in 1997, Heather took a job in northern Virginia. She and David relocated, and he worked as a residential landscape designer in the area.

After a few years of living in the hustle and bustle of northern Virginia, Heather and David were excited for the opportunity to move back to Luray in 2006. They

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were eager to build a house and start a garden to raise their daughter Lauren around. David went to work full-time in his dad’s greenhouse, and Heather worked part-time for United Research Services as an environmental consultant.

trip to farmers market—the beginning Aside from their jobs, each year David and Heather’s garden got bigger and bigger and they gave more and more produce away. By 2008, their garden had far outgrown the needs of their family, so Heather suggested taking some of the produce to the LurayPage County Farmers Market. David had never been to a farmers market and was not thrilled about the idea.

After selling out of their produce two weeks in a row, David changed his opinion and decided to increase the size of their garden. With demand far exceeding their supply, David and Heather took advantage of the market opportunity and developed Public House Produce. At the time, they were purchasing half the produce they were selling from the Shenandoah Valley Produce Auction in Dayton, Virginia, but knew the next step was for them to become self-sufficient.

the lending process begins As they expanded their business, David and Heather realized they had reached the point where they could

helps out every chance she gets.

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Public House Produce is a

family owned and run operation that is banking on the local food movement. To help promote locally grown vegetables, meats, and valueadded products, David has headed the development of Page County Grown. For more information, visit: pagecountygrown.com.

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From helping her dad plant

tomatoes to gathering eggs, Heather and David make an effort to include Lauren in on as much of the experience as possible.

David and Heather currently have six acres in production with 51 different vegetables and 84 different varieties. Having reached their limit on acreage, they have to be as efficient as they can by utilizing such things as raised beds and an irrigation system. “It’s all about efficiency. We can’t just expand.

We have to be efficient and produce quality,” says David.

With David’s goal to never use personal assets to pay for business purchases, he visited MidAtlantic Farm Credit (MAFC). David’s comprehensive business plan, SWOT analysis, explanation of goals, and organization allowed him to form the start of a great relationship with MAFC. Farm Credit’s understanding of agriculture, reputation of good service, and willingness to design payment schedules around seasonal cash flow was important to the Sourses.

“Flexible payment options sold us on Farm Credit. That ability is fantastic,” says David.

meat and eggs complement vegetables

outlets that keep growing The expansions they have made allow them to sell their own produce at the farmers market; at the Shenandoah Valley Produce Auction; contract grow for The Fresh Link, a distributor of fresh foods to area restaurants; and operate a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program.

The CSA program gives individuals an opportunity to assume some of the risk of the operation by agreeing upfront to share in the anticipated seasonal start-up costs and in return be allocated part of the harvest. The program has a way of connecting people to farm life and gives them a better understanding of where food comes from.

Public House Produce’s main CSA runs for 16 weeks, starting in late May or early June and ending in early September.

CSA members receive a weekly share of fresh produce that they can pick up at the farm during two different designated times each week.

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After a successful trial run of raising pasture broilers, they plan to raise 2,500 pasture based broilers this year. David moves the birds to fresh pasture each day and supplements them with grain until they are eight to nine weeks old. This year they are contracted to provide broilers to the Mimslyn Inn in Luray and will be doing a trial run with The Fresh Link.

Being only five years old, Lauren plays a big role in Public House Produce. She supplements the business with her flock of laying hens. Lauren hopes to use the money that she collects from her eggs to purchase two horses and a buggy to haul her eggs to the farmers markets.

The exponential growth David and Heather have seen in their business makes them feel there is potential for expansion. They are in the process of weighing their options of purchasing land versus finding a suitable track of land to sign a long-term lease. “Our demand is exceeding our supply, but I am not sure where we go from here. We are occupying every stitch of ground we have right now,” says David. He then adds, “I ask myself if this local movement is a fad or if it’s here to stay. More and more, I think it’s here to stay.”

David and Heather have experienced a level of success that most do not accomplish until they have several years under their belts. With much future ahead of this young couple, their drive and business composure is sure to open many doors along the way. For more information on Public House Produce, visit publichouseproduce.com. n

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volume 16 | issue 2 | mafc.com

With the help of Farm Credit, David and Heather purchased a tractor and tiller in 2009. Since then, their relationship with Farm Credit has allowed them to purchase several other pieces of equipment, put in an irrigation system, and build a shed with a storage cooler.

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farm | land

no longer do everything by hand. “We didn’t even own a tractor or a single piece of equipment,” says Heather.

Having taken economic classes at Virginia Tech, David had a detailed business plan and had run various analysis to see if different investments made economical sense.

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2011 Scholarship Winners story by Sandy Wieber

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Denise Beam | Elverson, PA

Jacqueline Binkley | Shenandoah Junction, WV

Ashley Caroff | Quakertown, PA

Parents: Nelson and Marilyn Beam Currently studying Animal Science at Penn State Berks Campus, Denise Beam sees the big picture. She has been working on her family’s hog farm since she was a child, and she’d like to ultimately use her education to benefit her industry on a global scale. Along those lines, she’s thinking about becoming involved in an overseas agricultural program based in genetic research. “[I chose] a major that would allow me to continue improving livestock,” she said.

As she works towards that, she’s improving herself as well…with a 4.0 average, she is truly a special college freshman.

Parents: Jacob and Anna Binkley Jacqueline Binkley is a sophomore at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV, majoring in family and consumer sciences with a minor in marketing. She hopes to own her own event planning business in the future. To prepare for that, Jacqueline works in the Office of Advancement at her school, helping to plan events for fundraisers, athletics, and alumni. She also has been exceptionally busy with school and community activities for the past 10 years—holding leadership roles in her 4-H club, volunteering at a long list of organizations, and winning multiple national awards for her photography.

Parents: John and Bonnie Caroff Ashley is a high school senior with plans of teaching history, or working in a political office. She is a young woman with a clear sense of the importance of leadership; it’s one of the reasons that she likes cooperatives.

“Not only do the members receive a dividend of the [cooperative’s] profit,” she says, “but they also get to vote for the leadership of the cooperative. By voting for the leadership, you can make sure your ideas are heard and represented.”

Carissa Doody | Union Bridge, MD

Samantha Garst | New Windsor, MD

Earl Gwin, III | Berlin, MD

Parents: Dave and Carole Doody Carissa Doody has spent her life around cows, working on her family’s 150-cow dairy. When it was time to choose a major in college, she wasn’t looking for a change; she was looking for another opportunity to do what she loved. Last year, Carissa was accepted early decision at Virginia Tech, earning a spot in their dairy science program with a pre-vet option. “My aspiration is to become a large-animal veterinarian working with dairy cattle,” she says.

Parents: Brad and Sheila Garst Some students enter college without a clear vision as to their future. Not Samantha Garst.

She knew she wanted to work with animals since she was a child. Today, she is a college junior at Virginia Tech, studying dairy science with minors in animal and poultry science and equine science. Samantha plans to pursue a career as a veterinary pathologist. “This career will allow me to work and help the animals that I love by diagnosing and curing diseases,” she says. Her choice will mean about 10 years of secondary schooling, but she says she’s ready. “I’m looking forward to it!” she says.

Parents: Jeanene and Sonny Gwin High school senior “E.J.” Gwin is the kind of well-rounded student that every parent hopes for. His history teacher says he’s a “mature, hard working student athlete who has been very successful in managing numerous responsibilities that range from school, team sports, volunteer work, and a part-time job.”

Those time management skills will come in handy next year as he enters University of North Carolina Wilmington in the honor program. “I intend on growing and maturing as an individual through my education,” says E.J.

your association Parents: Henry and Brenda Holloway High school senior Mark Holloway knows what it takes to have a successful business. He’s watched his father buy a feed and farm supply business that’s grown from one store to four retail stores, a fleet of delivery trucks, and a business which supplies feed, farm supplies, and lawn and garden products to a large geographical area. “Without a good business education and a background in agriculture,” Mark says, “this would have been very hard to accomplish.” Mark plans to study agriculture systems technology at Iowa State University in the fall.

Julie Schmidt | Federalsburg, MD Parents: David and Kathy Schmidt Julie is a high school senior. She hasn’t quite decided what she wants to do with her life yet (she’s considering a career in art, science, nursing, or agriculture), but she definitely knows where she wants to do it: and that’s the Eastern Shore. “I love the country so I would like to get a job on this side of the bay…there has never been an option of moving away!” Julie plans to enter Salisbury University in the fall.

Shelby Hurley | Mardela Springs, MD Parents: Steve and Tina Hurley Shelby Hurley has a love of agriculture that began when she was very young. Today, she is active on her parents’ farm, working in their produce stand, as well as taking care of plants, and maintaining the farm’s nutrient management plan. She’s active, that is, when she isn’t taking care of school work at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, where she is a freshman majoring in ag business. Eventually, Shelby would like to become a nutrient management consultant, as well as expand her family’s current business.

Laura Claire Vogler | Winchester, VA Parents: Robert and Jean Marie Vogler A college sophomore at Virginia Tech, Laura Claire is aware of the power of music.

“Through music, I learned valuable lessons on responsibility, developed a good work ethic, and accomplished goals,” she says.

Some of those traits are exhibited in her extra-curricular work—such as volunteering for Personal Ponies, a group that works with special needs children; working as a 4-H camp counselor, and of course, being a member of a local orchestra, and giving private music lessons to area students. Laura Claire hopes to share that power with other students as a music teacher, and is majoring in music education.

Samantha Martz | Martinsburg, WV Parents: Richard and Wendy Martz Samantha knew at a very young age that she had an affinity for animals. Today, she is a freshman at Delaware Valley College, studying livestock science and management, with an eye towards veterinary school. “As a progressive agriculturist, I wish to help farmers with innovating their farms, either through medical techniques, or [by] putting my support behind new agricultural ideas,” says Samantha. “My background in 4-H and FFA has inspired me to take my education and put it to use not only to help myself, but to help those around me.”

Lauren Williams | Lebanon, PA Parents: David and Christine Williams Lauren Williams has noticed something— that there’s a distinct gap between agriculturalists and environmentalists.

She’s decided to do something about it: she’s a junior at Cornell, taking natural resources and animal science courses. When she graduates, she hopes to go to law school, so that she can better interpret policies and work with ag (and the dairy industry in particular) to help negotiate the changing landscape.

volume 16 | issue 2 | mafc.com

Mark Holloway | Darlington, MD

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Farm Credit 1

2

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Salisbury

Salisbury

Salisbury

Made for you. Owned by you. Here for you. | 2011 Annual Meetings

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6

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Salisbury

Dover

New Holland

volunteer to collect the ballots which are cast at the meetings. Customers also have the option of voting by mail after the meetings if they prefer.

Modern Maturity Center always provides a delicious meal. Every meeting has a great selection of food—but we all love the mashed potatoes in Dover!

is! A long-time Farm Credit customer, Mr. King won one of the two tubs of flowers given away. A total of ten tubs are given away during the five annual meetings.

1 Election time: Each year customers

2 A time to visit: Customers, staff,

and invited guests have time to mix and mingle during the meetings. It is always a good time to catch up with friends and neighbors.

3 All smiles: Lloyd Webb, regional

manager for MAFC (left) and MAFC director Jim Long share a humorous exchange before the meeting.

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5

Dover

4

Dover

Dover

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4 Bountiful buffet: The staff at the

5 Bright colors abound: Marcia

Spence of Dover, DE won the handmade Amish quilt. A beautiful quilt is given away at each of the five meetings.

6 Texas style: Bob Phillips, host of

Texas Country Reporter television series, shared some big-size Texas stories with the audiences in Salisbury, Dover and New Holland.

7 Fit for a King: Naaman King that

8 Celebration time: MAFC returned

over $25 million in patronage to its customers this year. Celebrating the occasion is (from left): Robert Frazee, MAFC president; George Greig, PA Secretary of Agriculture; Gordon Denlinger, State Representative from Lancaster County; and Kenny Bounds, MAFC Government Affairs officer.

9 Bright future: Director Rodger

Walk the Wagner presents Denise Beam with her scholarship. Denise is the daughter of MAFC customers Nelson and Marilyn Beam from Elverson, PA.

MidAtlantic Farm Credit

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New Holland Walkersville Winchester

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Winchester

10 Retiring from service: Marty Kable

(right) was recognized for his years of service to the MAFC board. Jim Long, director, presents Marty with a gift of appreciation.

11 Laughter and smiles: Emory Austin had the attendees in Walkersville and Winchester smiling and laughing during her presentation. Her message was motivational and her humorous stories were enjoyed by everyone.

12 Quiet moment: Laura Bailey,

corporate secretary for MAFC enjoys a quiet moment to prepare for the election portion of the meeting. Laura serves as the election officer at each of the meetings.

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Walkersville Walkersville New Holland

Central Maryland Election Region

New Holland Winchester Winchester

Board of Directors

Walkersville

13 Checking the list: Kenny Bounds and Angel Adams, MAFC staff members, review the guest list before the meeting is called to order.

14 All lined up: Trays of patronage

checks await pick-up from customers in attendance. Customers of MAFC look forward to picking up their patronage checks at the meetings.

15 Hustle and bustle: The hallway is a busy place as customers, staff and guests arrive at the Walkersville Fire Hall. MAFC staff handled getting everyone registered quickly via computerized registration.

e Talk

Want to see more photos

from our annual meetings? Visit our Facebook site at facebook.com/

midatlanticfarmcredit

Position #1 (5-year term) Paul D. Baumgardner Position #2 (4-year term) Gary L. Grossnickle

Chesapeake Election Region (3-year term) Lingan T. Spicer

Delaware Election Region (4-year term) Dale J. Ockels

Keystone Election Region (4-year term) Dale R. Hershey

Marva Election Region (4-year term) M. Wayne Lambertson

Valley Election Region Position #1 (4-year term) T. Jeffery Jennings Position #2 (2-year term) Christopher R. Stiles

2012 Nominating Committee (All positions 1-year terms)

Central Maryland Election Region Rodney G. Harbaugh Jeremy J. Wagerman

Chesapeake Election Region C. Breckenridge Debnam James Brian Quinn

Delaware Election Region Burton D. Messick Fred N. West, III

Keystone Election Region Lawrence Z. Good Jay L. Weaver

Marva Election Region Douglas W. Green Henry T. Oakley, Sr.

Valley Election Region Jerry A. Burner Charles R. Garber

volume 16 | issue 2 | mafc.com

photos by DONNA DAWSON

your association

2011 Election Results

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New Farmers starting right story by SANDY WIEBER

In this issue, we’ve focused on farm families who have utilized MidAtlantic’s StartRight program to help them get their businesses off the ground.

While access to credit is very important to new farmers,

online training, we also host two “face-to-face” meetings, where participants have a chance to

our StartRight program isn’t just a series of credit products.

interact with each other as well

It’s a complete resource package that gives young, beginning,

as with the professor.

small and minority farmers the tools that they need to be successful in their venture.

One part of that package is an educational component—the AgBiz Masters program—which allows current and wouldbe farmers to hone their business and financial management skills. “We know that start-up farmers have a lot of challenges,” says Carl Naugle, MidAtlantic’s chief credit officer.

“The AgBiz Masters program gives them access to valuable

All of the courses were developed with Dr. David Kohl, a Professor Emeritus at Virginia Tech. Topics for the first year (it’s a two-year program, but participants can feel free to take just one year) include: • Megatrends of agriculture • Strategic business planning • Preparing for your lender

skills and industry information that can help make their opera-

• Constructing a balance sheet

tion successful.”

• Constructing an income statement and cash flow

never enough time Of course, finding the time to get that training is never easy. That’s why the AgBiz Masters program is an online program, designed with a series of interactive, on-demand modules (that means you can do them whenever it suits your schedule, not your professor’s!) that take just one hour to

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complete. To supplement your

projection

your association

what’s the cost Time is just one resource that we know is in short supply. Another limited resource for beginning farmers is money. That’s why MidAtlantic is offering a limited number of scholarships to participate in the program.

Capturing Life in the Country – Annual Photo Contest Announced

The cost to approved participants is just a $60 registration fee. That covers single operators, as well as couples and/or business partners who would like to participate in the program together. In the world of education, it’s an absolute bargain!!

sign me up The next program’s registration period is October 1 through October 31, 2011. You can register online

We need your help to fill our 2012 calendar with images that illustrate life in the country! Get your camera out and show us the many aspects of agriculture and country living in your area. It might be a scenic waterway, livestock, barns, fall foliage, snowy landscapes—give it your best shot.

The top photos will be selected in September and winners notified. If you submit a photo and it isn’t picked for the calendar—we may use it in an upcoming Leader or annual report.

Submission Guidelines: • Digital photos are preferred (file format should be .jpg). They must be high resolution to be used in printed materials. Also, if you are printing a digital photo to send by mail, be sure to use the appropriate paper stock as this will allow for the best reprint results. Email your photo(s) and entry information to: ddawson@mafc.com • If you send a photo by mail, it is recommended that you place it between two sheets of cardboard or other protective material to avoid damage. Photos being sent by mail should be sent to: 2012 Calendar, MidAtlantic Farm Credit, 680 Robert Fulton Hwy., Quarryville, PA 17566

at agbizmasters.com, starting October 1. (Don’t worry, we’ll

• For best reproduction, photos should be a minimum of 5x7. However, smaller photos can be submitted.

remind you in the September issue

• Horizontal photos are preferred. Vertical photos will be considered if received.

ness (or just your business plan!) to

• A submission form must be completed whether you send digital photos or a photo by mail. If sending digital photos—the same information on the form must be included in your email. If sending photos via mail—attach the completed submission form to your entry (do not use staples or paperclips).

the next level, we encourage you to

• All entries must be received no later than August 19, 2011.

sign up for the fall AgBiz Masters

• Due to the volume of entries, photos cannot be returned. Please be sure to keep your original.

If you’re ready to take your busi-

program. It’s just one more way that

#

we’re committed to the success of the

MidAtlantic Farm Credit | 2012 Calendar Photo Entry Form

young, beginning, small and minority farmers in our area.

(Please print clearly)

n YOUR NAME

PHOTOGRAPHER’S NAME

YOUR STREET AND/OR PO BOX

CITY

STATE

ZIP CODE

EMAIL ADDRESS

Briefly explain the photo (location, who or what is in the photo, what action is taking place, in what season the photo was taken, etc.)

volume 16 | issue 2 | mafc.com

of the Leader!)

YOUR SIGNATURE I/we own the images submitted and hereby authorize MAFC to use the photo(s) and/or reproduction of the photo(s) including the individuals in the photo(s) and/or the property in the photo(s). This includes the following media [and others not specifically mentioned] for the purpose of advertising and publicity of our services: brochures, flyers, and other collateral materials, newspaper and/or magazine advertising, direct mail campaign, annual report, and electronic media.

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home and garden

Gardening with Old Friends

by Sandy Wieber

I’M SURE YOU’VE HEARD ABOUT A LITTLE THING CALLED FACEBOOK. Depending on your point of view, it is (a) a great place to find old friends, (b) a place to make fun of how poorly your high school prom date has aged, or (c) surely the end of the world.

I’m somewhere between the first two thoughts, definitely leaning towards “a great place to find old friends” (although I did see a current photo of one of my husband’s first girlfriends that put me in a good mood for about a week!)

The funny thing about old friends is how they can come back into your life again, and you can reconnect with them in a brand new way. I had friends in high school who were wonderful, but we drifted apart over the years between college, marriages, new kids, new houses, and new jobs. But now, years later (editor’s note: despite several requests to have our columnist fill in the proper number of years, she has refused to give that detail), we have met up again, and have become friends in a new way. I have a new appreciation for their support, quirky personalities, and wonderful senses of humor.

They are my “new” old friends.

And now I find myself doing the same thing in my garden.

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everything old is new again For years, I’ve hated marigolds (my apologies to our marigold growers—your’re all lovely people).

I didn’t like marigolds’ weird spicy smell.

Their colors seemed too “hot” in my otherwise soothing, and cooling palette of pinks and blues and whites (hey, I may not be cool myself, but my garden most certainly is).

Maybe I hated them because they were so prevalent when I was growing up in the 70’s—rows and rows of the orangey-yellow blooms, lining cement sidewalks and standing guard around the edges of the garden (to keep the bugs away from the vegetables, according to my Pappy).

This year, I saw their cheerful ruffled heads beaming at me from the nursery stands, and I said “Whoa! Look at that color!” And I bought a pile of them, filling the entire cart (you don’t even want to know how often I make a purchase at the nursery, take it to the car, and come back for another cart. As I like to tell my husband, if the car isn’t full, I’m not done).

Back to the marigolds. This year, I lined my beds with them (and made a new bed in the front yard, a small circle anchored in the center with the prettiest copper-colored birdbath).

While I was at the nursery, I spotted a cool, silvery blob of plants across the landscaping center (okay, I wasn’t wearing my glasses). Dusty miller!!! For years, I had said it with a look on my face like I had smelled something not so good.

What was I thinking? This plant is gorgeous— it brings a platinum brightness to the garden, it looks good even when you don’t water it…hey, my father-in-law had dusty miller last year, and after the snow melted (finally) this year, guess what? They still looked pretty good!!

I know that when you’re young, you make all kinds of mistakes. And you see the error of your ways as you get older and, hopefully, wiser. Maybe that’s what’s happening in my garden as well.

Last night, as I was watching Home and Garden Television (known to most people as HGTV…known to my husband as the “Paint Drying Channel”), I saw an ad for seasonal azaleas that bloom three times a year, instead of just once.

My gripe against azaleas has always been that they look spectacular for one week, and then pretty “meh” for 51 weeks. These new beauties promise blooms for three times as long, up to six weeks out of the year (and I have plenty of annuals that peter out after that amount of time).

Good grief—am I going to have to “friend” azaleas next?

SALE

Greenwood, Delaware 28 acre farm with 1,500 sq. ft. farmhouse. Three fenced pastures, horse run-in, manure shed, tractor bay with tractor, two chicken houses and much more. The farm is sub-dividable but in farm preservation until September 2011. $429,900. Contact Andy Whitescarver, Re/Max Horizons, 302.242.5557.

Marydel, Delaware

Delmar, Delaware

6 acre farmette with 1,500 sq. ft. road frontage on two roads.

Includes ranch home, two car garage, and outbuildings. Near MD line with DE tax benefits. $199,900.

Contact Gail Light, REMAX Horizons, Inc., 302.678.4304 or glighthouse@comcast.net

Two 540x45 poultry houses with excellent flock history and income.

Tunnel controlled with solid side walls, manure shed, horse pasture, and nice four bedroom, 2,000 sq. ft. home. Updated and well cared for, new pads and electric just completed. $499,900.

Contact Rusty Perdue, ERA Martin Associates, 443.497.8482.

Magnolia, Delaware Property with two homes, detached four bay garage and workshop, in-ground pool, pool house on 28 acres. Main home has three/four bedrooms, 3.5 baths, granite in kitchen, two fireplaces, great room, family room in basement, attached two car garage. Second home includes: three bedrooms, 2 baths, two car garage. $999,999.

Contact Debbie Bennett, RE/MAX Horizon, 302.678.4302.

community

PROPERTIES FOR

Seaford, Delaware 38+ acre cleared parcel, platted as (3) 12+ acre parcels and (1) acre parcel. Ideal for horse farm, horse track, or family home sites.

Country setting three miles east of Seaford. $279,900. Contact Drew Ward, Sussex Ventures, 302.841.3263.

Camden, Delaware

Delmar, Delaware 45 + acre farm with huge potential.

Three bedroom, 2.5 bath rancher.

Perfect for home-based business, horses, potential for 5 poultry houses, plus income from one bedroom rental apartment. Mobile home lot with hook ups. $665,000.

Contact Rhonda Evans, ERA Martin Associates, 410.749.1818.

15 acre horse farm with pasture, fencing, stables, hay shed and gorgeous traditional farmhouse. Hardwood floors, granite counters & custom cabinetry.

Detached garage/recreation room. Property boasts mature gardens and a large deck overlooking an in-ground pool.

Bordered by woodlands and a stream. $499,999. Contact Jeanne Scott, Wright Real Estate, 410.253.2958

Chestertown, Maryland

Fairplay, Maryland

Rocky Ridge, Maryland

33+ acre farm with custom four bedroom, 3.5 bath home.

Gourmet kitchen, wood floors, gas fireplace, luxury owners bath, fully finished basement.

In-ground pool, barn with loft, four fenced pastures, automatic waterers, 3+ bay tractor shed and 15 acres of hay field. $799,000. Contact Cindy Grimes, J&B Real Estate, Inc., 301.271.3487, Ext. 24.

Five bedroom, 4.5 bathroom home with many upgrades.

Total of 3,128 sq. ft. Granite countertops, screened porch, in-ground pool, three car garage, master bedroom on each floor. Located close to town. 60+ acres of farmland and woods. $749,900. Contact Chris Rosendale, Rosendale Realty, 410.758,0333.

Colonial on private 12+ acres, close to shopping. Home has many upgrades and ADA EQUAL HOUSING compliant. Large home office OPPORTUNITY with built-ins. Charming playhouse, large 30x48 Mortontype building with parking for 3+ cars and workshop.

No HOA. Basement partially finished. $465,000. Contact EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY David Clinesmith, Weichert Realtors, 240.475.6336.

REALTOR 速

Adamstown, Maryland 5.2 acres great for horse lovers with views of Sugarloaf Mountain. Build your dream home. Perked and well in, electric to lot. $279,900. Contact Maureen Olson, Real Estate Teams, 301.606.8362.

EQUAL HOUSING

OPPORTUNITY

volume 16 | issue 2 | mafc.com

Queen Anne, Maryland

Six bedroom home on 9.6 +/- acres. 30x52 pole barn, 3,500 +/sq. ft. cabinet shop, 30x40 barn with 3 stalls, 2 tie stalls and hay loft. Call for more features! $449,000. Contact Ruth Kosikowski, Bob Moore Realty Company, 301.674.4255.

REALTOR

速

Need financing for any of these properties? Call your local Farm Credit office.

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MidAtlantic Farm Credit is not responsible for content or typographical errors. For more information on any of the properties listed on these pages, please call the Realtor listed.

At this time, we can only accept listings from licensed real estate agents.

REALTOR

速

PROPERTIES FOR

SALE (continued)

Hillsboro, Maryland

Denton, Maryland 52 acres on the Tuchahoe River in Caroline County, MD. High elevation and offers several waterfront home sites. $395,000. Contact Bill Wieland, Exit Latham Realty, 410.822.0175.

Rohrersville, Maryland

Westminster, Maryland

Renovated for luxurious living on six acres, four bedrooms, 3 full baths, spacious master suite with sitting room, two staircases, mahogany front porch, wood floors, stone spring house, and summer kitchen. $500,000.

Contact Ted Lapkoff, RE/MAX All Pro, 301.694.3425.

Three bedroom farmhouse on 29.5 acres. Plenty of outbuildings; large barn, lots of potential. $473,000. Contact Karen Carroll, Haines Realty, 410.876.1616 or 410.375.8898 or email at: karencarrollrealtor@ yahoo.com

Westminster, Maryland

Taneytown, Maryland

80 acres, 2 ½ story brick farmhouse circa 1797 with additions in approximately 1864. Stone foundation, cement cellar floor. Base board hot water oil fired heat.

Summer kitchen with original fireplace and bake oven. Bank barn and block dairy, 2 silos and more. $695,000. Contact Garry A. Haines, Haines Realty, 410.876.1616 or 410.848.1214 or email: larry@ hainesrealtyco.com

Chesapeake Bay with pier, new home built in 2008, four bedrooms, 2 full baths, 2 half baths, open floor plan with a view of the Honga River plus the Bay. Three car attached garage is another feature. $595,000.

Contact Eva Jane Simmons, Phyllis James & Associates, 410.397.3425.

Greensboro, Maryland

Upper Marlboro, Maryland

Private 182 acre farm improved with a five year old three bedroom, 3 bath Cape Cod. Features a wood stove, high efficiency gas heat, large bonus room, front porch and in-ground pool over looking pond. 42x75 pole barn with 21x21 game/trophy room with running water. Impoundments, food plots and woods. $995,000. Contact Eddie Matthews, Benson and Mangold, 410.310.4957.

Equine breeding/training farm close to Bowie training track and the PG Equestrian Center.

Southern living three bedroom, 2.5 bath model home on about 20 acres with center aisle barn, riding ring, round pen and multiple paddocks. Separate guest house. $900,000. Contact Laura-Lee Jones, Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc., 443.535.8016.

Preston, Maryland

61 acre farm, contemporary four bedroom home. Large pond, barn and outbuildings.

Rolling land in hay and pasture. $525,000. Contact Larry E. Haines, Haines Realty, 800.689.1214 or 443.536.6192 or email: larry@ hainesrealtyco.com

Millington, Maryland 24 acres mostly wooded, small pond and field. Approved perc just off Rt. 301. Private location for your home with room for recreation and hunting. $185,000. Contact Sharon Clark, Sassafras River Realty, Inc., 410.778.0238 or 410.708.7854. Visit: homesdatabase.com/QA7344565

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7.80 wooded acres in private community. Perc approved.

Build your own home or owner is licensed building contractor and ready to build your custom home. In the country, close to town. $149,000. Contact Susan Chambers, Lacaze Meredith, a Long and Foster Co., 410.924.3772.

Fishing Creek, Maryland

Waterfront equestrian property. Two large parcels are available for purchase in Skillington’s Right, located on the Choptank River, four miles from Easton. $325,000. Contact Dolores Emerson, Lacaze Meredith Real Estate, 443.262.2732.

Betterton, Maryland 85 acres, 67 tillable (productive soil), 15+ wooded. Near sandy public beach with subdivision potential. $975,000. Contact Wm. David Leager, Sassafras River Realty, Ltd., 410.778.0238 or 410.708.0891.

Visit: homesdatabase.com/KE7542328

Need financing for any of these properties? Call your local Farm Credit office.

MidAtlantic Farm Credit is not responsible for content or typographical errors. For more information on any of the properties listed on these pages, please call the Realtor listed.

At this time, we can only accept listings from licensed real estate agents.

Custom-built home on 20 acres. Four bedrooms, 4 full baths, great room, large kitchen and breakfast/morning room.

Property surrounded by several acres in Ag Preservation.

Contact Fran Sturgill, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, 410.876.1666, Ext. 6075.

Henderson, Maryland

Sharpsburg, Maryland

1820 stone farm with 11.91 acres.

Barn with water and electric service, the original smokehouse and seven paddocks. Located off the Antietam Battlefield Tour and in three historical publications.

Home has many restorations completed with original wood floors, five fireplaces, and handgrained work in library. $500,000.

Contact Vicki Karn, Mackintosh Realtors, Inc., 301.790.1700.

Easton, Maryland

Three story Eastern Shore manor home situated on 2.69 acres. Additional acreage available. Minutes from town but surrounded by farmland. Offers five bedrooms with 4 baths, wood floors, huge living and dining rooms with fireplaces, full walk out basement and three bay barn/garage. $346,000.

Contact Bryan Wieland, Exit Latham Realty, 410.829.5913.

Centreville, Maryland

Taneytown, Maryland

community

Westminster, Maryland

Renovated Colonial, 5.5 acre farmette with fenced pasture.

24x32 barn, 30x40 Morton garage. $369,900. Contact Judy Ingram, 800.288.1957, Ext. 6025 or 410.259.2019 or email judyingram@mris.com

Stevensville, Maryland

Chestertown, Maryland

Private lot, very secluded. 4.9 acre lot with perc site is loaded with wildlife. Pond located at rear of property. $124,500. Contact Jeff Plummer, Rosendale Realty, 410.758.0333.

Greensboro, Maryland

Preston, Maryland

Preston, Maryland

11+ acre farmette, 4,300 sq. ft., five bedrooms, 3.5 bath brick manor home. Includes mother-in-law suite, gourmet kitchen, hardwood floors, workshop/outbuilding and more. $599,000. Contact Linda Moore, Lacaze Meredith, a Long & Foster Company, 410.924.1399.

150 +/- acre waterfront farm with an active poultry operation.

Three modern chicken houses with a capacity of 77,000 birds.

Numerous outbuildings including 75 kw generator with shed, house trailer, and new metal pole barn. $1,295,000. Contact Tim Miller, Benson & Mangold, 410.310.3553.

Three bedrooms, 2 bath home on over 2.5 acres with detached two car garage. Home offers a living room/kitchen combo, a family room, and dining room.

The owner suite has a large bedroom with private bath and walk-in closet. $179,000.

Contact Mike Allison, Exit Gold Realty, 410.364.9009.

Three bedroom, 3 bath rancher with split bedroom floor plan and multiple decks. Located on 5.73 acres. Ideal for many uses.

Three car attached garage, two car detached garage, and one car detached garage. 30x80 outbuilding. $459,900. Contact Tom Boeshore, Rosendale Realty, 410.643.2166.

Chester River waterfront acreage. 23.14 acres surrounds four bedroom, 2.5 bath Colonial featuring front porch with Bay views and rear decking, including second level off master bedroom overlooking river and private pier. 40x40 outbuilding. $1,799,000. Contact Julie Cary, Rosendale Realty, 401.643.2166.

Preston, Maryland

18 acre farm with 4,000 sq.

EQUAL HOUSING ft. home, pool, outbuildings.

OPPORTUNITY House is like new and there is wide-open space. $649,000.

Contact Jonathan Fox, Benson and Mangold, 410.829.7753.

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7.6 acres with 24x30 three stall barn, 24x24 storage barn with separate well/electric and three pastures. Property has 24x60 workshop with two bay doors/ HVAC and separate electric/ water/cable/phone with office space. Home features 1,792 sq. ft. rancher with four bedrooms, 2 full baths and more. $299,900. Contact Brenda D. Abel, Champion Realty, Inc., 410.310.4475.

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PROPERTIES FOR

SALE (continued)

Southern Carroll County, Maryland

Taneytown/Westminster, Maryland

125 acre working crop farm, level to gently rolling. Cleared with some wooded acreage, pond and stream.

Farmhouse, bank barn and other buildings are in need of repair.

Estate sale, sold as-is. Land is in Ag Preservation and presently under lease for crop. $950,000. Contact Nancy Maguire or Peter O’Sullivan, Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., 410.795.9600 or 410.552.7133.

Conowingo, Maryland 23 acre farm in a beautiful setting.

Barn, outbuildings, small orchard, pond and cute old style 3 bedroom farmhouse. $439,900.

Level 9.50 acre country lot with fenced pond area, partially wooded. Sand mound perc. Great location between Taneytown and Westminster. Owner/Broker to install well. $269,000. Contact Allan Reed, Charles Reed Real Estate, 410.751.1005.

Denton, Maryland Farmette which is horse-ready with large, modern home. Barn, pastures, and house with garage are all move-in ready! $395,000.

Contact Deb Dawkins, Coldwell Banker Chesapeake Real Estate Co., LLC., 410.822.9000.

Contact Charlie Roosa, Key Realty, Inc., 410.287.7241.

Easton, Maryland Dickerson, Maryland Stately house and tenant house on 164 acres in the Ag Reserve. Six bedrooms, 8 baths, pool, and tennis court. Additional house and tenant house can be built. Approximately 30% of property is wooded and 60% is in crops. $3,800,000. Contact Pat Smith, PBS, Inc., 301.530.9152.

Toddville, Maryland

Located in Talbot County, 356 +/- waterfront acres on Dixon Creek with a mixture of fields and woods. Seven perc lots, farmhouse and outbuildings. Magnificent piece of land just on the edge of town. $4,900,000. Contact Traci Jordan, Benson and Mangold, 410.310.8606.

Woodsboro, Maryland 180 acre +/- farm with two story farmhouse, bank barn, dairy barn, metal frame shed, 3 silos, and several outbuildings. 120 +/- acres tillable, 50 pasture, and 10 wooded with stream. Sale includes 2 acre +/- building lot pending final approval. In Ag Preservation and being sold as-is. $1,499,000. Contact Ronald Hart, Real Estate Teams, LLC, 301.664.2741.

Hunting property bordered by Fishing Bay and Goose Creek.

45.227 acres of marsh, woods, and creek with plenty of wildlife.

Includes a pond. Three bedroom, 2 bath home built in 1988 with two car garage. $420,000. Contact Rick Simmons, Sea Grace at North Beach, Realtors, 401.371.4600.

Oley, Pennsylvania

Quarryville, Pennsylvania Ottsville Pennsylvania

Circa 1800 farmhouse with five bedroom, 3.5 baths and 4,300 sq. ft on 15 private acres. Two bedroom guest house, 40x70 stone bank barn, two detached 2 car garages, one with four bay workshop. In-ground pool with screened pavilion. New addition in 2000. $1,100,000. Contact Ed Spayd, Century 21 Park Road, 610.378.0471.

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This homestead is located on a gently rolling site and surrounded by over 100 acres with fenced pasture and pond. Very private setting with farmland views surrounding this amazing property. $1,595,000. Contact George Broomall, Realty Professional Group, LLC, 717.756.5014.

New turn-key equestrian property.

Large custom five bedroom home on 12+ acres, new barn, 2 huge pastures. Ride to trails. $825,000.

Contact Cindy Stys, Cindy Stys Equestrian & Country Properties, Ltd., 610.849.1790. Visit: cshorseproperties.com

Mohrsville, Pennsylvania

24+ acres of beautiful farmland with 360 degree view.

Outbuildings include a five stall horse barn and huge storage garage. $400,000. Contact Jan Pasko, Century 21 Call First, 610.698.2061.

Need financing for any of these properties? Call your local Farm Credit office.

MidAtlantic Farm Credit is not responsible for content or typographical errors. For more information on any of the properties listed on these pages, please call the Realtor listed.

At this time, we can only accept listings from licensed real estate agents.

Lincoln University, Pennsylvania 121 acre modern 600 cow dairy facility designed for cow comfort and operating efficiency. Includes: double 16 Surge milking parlor, 475 cow free stall barn with slatted floors, 112 cow special needs barn. In addition: four homes, two apartments, office facilities, and more. In Ag Preserve and Act 319. $2,950,000. Contact Christ W. Taylor, Beiler-Campbell Realtors, 888.786.8715.

Pick-your-own fruit farm containing 147 acres of fruit trees, retail store with deli/bakery/produce and outbuildings including store, bank barn, cold storage, garages and schoolhouse. Operational orchard generating serious revenue plus long-range opportunity for other uses. $2,495,000. Contact Don Frederick, The Frederick Group, 610.398.0411.

Lebanon, Pennsylvania 10 acre property with 7 stall horse barn with tack closets, including 2 run-in sheds, implement shed attached to barn. Fenced in with 60 inch Diamond Mesh horse fence.

Two large pastures with heated Nelson automatic waterers. Perked, probed for a house on site. $265,000. Contact Theresa Lewis, Howard Hanna, 717.821.1068.

Cape Charles, Virginia Ranch home, four bedrooms, 2 baths, new flooring, new kitchen cabinets, new deep well, and new storage building. In-ground pool with slide. $167,000. Contact P.G. “Chip” Watson, III, Watson Realty, 757.695.2779.

Birdsnest, Virginia

Country living – quiet and secluded. Four bedroom, 2 bath, 2,754 sq. ft. farmhouse on 66.64 +/- acres. Home has nice floor plan, spacious rooms. $495,000. Contact Ralph W. Dodd, Ralph W. Dodd & Associates, LLC, 757.678.5377.

Cape Charles, Virginia

community

North Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania

Middletown, Virginia

Maurertown, Virginia

White Post, Virginia

Beautiful 47 acre lot with views to build your dream home.

Rolling farmland, minutes from major highways. Some cleared/ wooded. Low taxes from agricultural zoning. $349,000.

Contact Bill Copp, ERA Oakcrest Realty, Inc., 540.450.1247.

10 acres with mountain views.

Three bedrooms, 4 baths, finished lower level with bath and guest quarters. Additional living space above garages.

3,360 sq. ft. multi-purpose metal building. $499,000. Contact Sandra Fitchett, United Country Shenandoah Valley Realty, 540.477.9791.

Historic stone home on 40 acres, mostly open and board fenced.

Property has five platted lots. Four fenced paddocks & a large four stall barn. Home has exposed stone walls, three spacious bedrooms, formal dining, country kitchen & more. $695,000.

Contact Lisette Turner, Century 21 New Valley Realty, 540.247.4585.

Boyce, Virginia

Toms Brook, Virginia

EQUAL HOUSING

78 acre farm divided into 8 platted lots in the lower end of Northampton County. Lots range from 2.82 acres up to 38.37 acres. Currently farmed and paying $3,500/year rent.

Eight acres +/- of woods on northwest corner of the property. $339,000. Contact Dave Griffith, Coldwell Banker Harbour Realty, 757.647.2649.

Log home on 36 acres, open and woodland.

Includes 10 acres platted lot. Three board fenced paddocks, nice four stall barn, detached three car garage, and more out buildings. The log home offers 2,800 sq. ft. of custom living with stone fireplace, three finished levels, three bedrooms, three baths, two story family room and beam ceilings. $895,000. Contact Brennah Thomas, Century 21 New Valley Realty, 540.327.8134.

68.5 acres, five bedroom, 3+ bath home, master wing with fireplace, over 5,100 sq. ft. of living space with attached 30x58 game room, pool, detached eight car garage with drive-in shop and two bedroom apartment. Currently used for crops, hay and pasture. $1,100,000. Contact Anita H. Rhodes, Johnston & Rhodes Real Estate, 540.459.9650.

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MidAtlantic Farm Credit P.O. Box 770 Westminster MD 21158-0770

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

BALTIMORE MD PERMIT NO. 7175

Wanted: Your Fair Lady (or Gentleman!)

Do you have a photo of your local fair that’s anything but? (Anything but fair, that is!) Enter it in our fair photo contest on Facebook, and you could win $250*!

Just visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/midatlanticfarmcredit and click on the “Fair Photo Contest” link on the left. A panel of judges will narrow down the best ag related fair shots and then we’ll open it up to the public to vote on the winners. (We have prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.)

In the meantime, find your camera (or figure out how to use your camera phone), and become a fan of our Facebook page. Then get ready to post all the photos of your fair-weather friends!

*Contest deadline is September 30. For a complete set of contest rules visit the official site on our Facebook page.

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