Rural and Urban Connections by MidAtlantic Farm Credit

Farm Credit Lending support to rural America®

leader

Rural and urban connections

We’ve got some big news on how we’re helping students planning to work in ag. Turn to page 16 for the details!

VOLUME 21 | ISSUE 3 | $3.95

s MidAtlantic Farm Credit, ACA

In This Issue

Thomas H. Truitt, Jr., CEO

FARM AND LAND

MidAtlantic Farm Credit Board of Directors Paul Baumgardner Chairman Jennifer L. Rhodes Vice Chairman Brian L. Boyd Gary L. Grossnickle Laura M. Heilinger Dale R. Hershey Walter C. Hopkins

4 Connecting Philadelphia with Farmers 6 Drew Feeding Baltimore Organically and Joan Norman of One Straw Farm, Philly Foodworks, founded by Dylan Baird and Ryan Witmer, is a unique food share system connecting farmers across the region with customers looking to obtain fresh, local products.

located in White Hall, Maryland, grow organic fruits and vegetables, and also run a CSA with 1,400 members and 35 pick-up sites around the Baltimore area.

Anthony M. Ill T. Jeffery Jennings M. Wayne Lambertson Fred R. Moore Dale J. Ockels Ralph L. Robertson, Jr. Alan N. Siegfried Douglas D. Scott Joseph D. Snapp Fred N. West

facebook.com/MidAtlanticFarmCredit @midatfarmcredit mafc.com/blog

8 The An Ideal Retreat Inn at Huntingfield Creek, located

in Rock Hall, Maryland is owned by Jim and Joanne Rich and offers urbanites a relaxing place to disconnect and enjoy country living.

10 Julie Finding Success in the City Stinar of Sharpsburg, Maryland

sells herbs and meats in farmers markets around Washington, D.C., where her unique herbal lemonade has grown wildly popular with her customers.

+MafcMidAtFarmCredit MidAtFarmCredit @midatfarmcredit

OUR ASSOCIATION

12 Q&A with Joanne Clendining

of Maryland Public Television’s Maryland Farm and Harvest

14 Centennial Celebration Photo Album

16 Ag Students: We Want You! COMMUNITY

17 Properties for Sale

questions or ideas If you have any questions or ideas for the editorial staff of the Leader, contact Jenny Kreisher at 888.339.3334, e-mail her at jkreisher@mafc.com or write her at MidAtlantic Farm Credit | 700 Corporate Center Court | Suite L | Westminster, MD 21157. 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. If you wish to no longer receive this publication, please email: unsubscribe@mafc.com. Use “Unsubscribe Leader” in the subject. 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 | 45 Aileron Court | Westminster, MD 21157

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s president’s message

Bridging the gap

s events | deadlines SEP

event place

Labor Day

Offices Closed

Valley Farm Tour

Winchester, VA

14-16

Solanco Fair

Quarryville, PA

16-24 The Great Frederick Fair Frederick, MD 23-Oct 1 State Fair of Virginia Doswell, VA

MARC Family Farm Day

28-30

West Lampeter Community Fair

Sales closing for wheat and barley

Cockeysville, MD West Lampeter, PA

OCT event place

Shenandoah Autumnfest

Woodstock, VA

18 Frederick County Association of Realtors Show Frederick, MD

Maryland Million

Laurel, MD

Urban vs. rural—though only miles apart, the two communities can feel like two completely different worlds. Many urban dwellers visit the countryside to get away from the hustle and bustle, while rural residents head to the city streets for new experiences in food and culture. Both atmospheres are appealing and recently, we’ve seen an exciting theme of teamwork develop between farmers and those who reside in urban settings. For some city residents, access to fresh, locally-produced food is rare. There is a growing need in not only increasing the availability of this kind of food, but also in teaching people where it comes from. This issue features four customers who are working to connect these two communities, and in the process, are finding they have more in common than they think. For example, Dylan Baird and Ryan Witmer created Philly Foodworks, a food share program based out of Philadelphia, to connect residents around the city with foods grown by farmers from the surrounding counties, all the way out to Lancaster. Their customers not only learn about the farmers, but they also learn more about their food, such as when certain crops are in season. Drew and Joan Norman, owners of One Straw Farm in White Hall, Maryland, supply fresh produce to Baltimore restaurants and operate a community sponsored agriculture (CSA) program which has 1,400 members and 35 pick-up sites around the Baltimore area. The Inn at Huntingfield Creek, owned and operated by Jim and Joanne Rich of Rock Hall, Maryland, is only an hour from Baltimore, but offers its urban visitors a relaxing retreat from their busy lives. Rumor has it their berry breakfast bread pudding is a must-have (and we may have the recipe on page nine). Lastly, we feature Julie Stinar of Sharpsburg, Maryland, who sells eggs, meat and herbs at Washington, D.C. farmers markets. Her herbal lemonade is a huge hit, selling out fast at the markets. These customers are not only bringing food to urban communities—they’re bringing education and new experiences, too. We couldn’t be prouder of their efforts, and it’s exciting to watch the once large gap between urban and rural communities shrink as a result. We can’t wait to see what they do next!

NOV event place

Sales closing for pasture rangeland and forage

Sales closing for orchard, vineyard and nursery

24-25

Thanksgiving

For a full list of events, please visit mafc.com

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PS: I want to thank all of our customers, friends and family members who made it out to our offices on July 15 to celebrate Farm Credit’s 100th birthday. These events were a big success, and we couldn’t have done it without you! Check out page 14 for some of our favorite pictures from the day. VOLUME 21 | ISSUE 3 | mafc.com | 3

FARM AND LAND

Rural-urban partnerships bring fresh food to the city Story and photos by Sally Scholle

| How do people in cities connect with those who grow food? What’s the best way to ease the

divide between urban and rural communities? And what does ‘local’ really mean? Dylan Baird (on right) and Ryan Witmer, co-founders of Philly Foodworks, work with farmers to source fresh fruits and vegetables for urban consumers.

Young entrepreneurs Dylan Baird and Ryan Witmer came up with a concept that would allow city residents to participate in a flexible food share program that would include fresh produce and other food products from area farms. Both men had already dabbled with the concept of acting as middlemen when they worked with an urban farm program, and knew that distribution was the main marketing challenge for small farms. Their original idea was to create sustainable food production within the city, but soon realized that cultivating relationships 4

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with farmers and city partners would be a more practical way to get fresh food to people. “There’s no convenient way for many people to buy fresh food,” says Dylan, explaining how Philly Foodworks was conceived. “There’s a farmers market, a regular CSA or maybe the grocery store will have some local offerings. But some CSAs don’t have a lot of flexibility, and it’s hard to have produce delivered to the house.” Dylan and Ryan agree that the two most highly trusted sources of fresh food are direct farm CSAs and farmers markets, but city residents don’t necessarily have

easy access to either. Their goal was to create a food program through which people could receive fresh produce and other farm products while maintaining a traditional CSA model. The concept for Philly Foodworks was finalized in 2014 after much research and communication with the farmers who would supply items for shares. The program began with 350 shares, and this year, there are 1,000 active members. Dylan describes how the system works. “Customers can sign up for two different kinds of shares,” he says. “One involves the food share filling it for them,

phillyfoodworks.com facebook.com/Phillyfoodworks @Philly_FoodWrks @phillyfoodworks

or a la carte, which allows people to select items themselves.” Customers can also select a meat, cheese, egg, or bread share. To help ease the burden of paying the total cost of the food share at once, customers can either put money on their account or select a pay-as-you-go option that charges their account after the box is delivered. “We have a home delivery option that covers most of the densely populated areas of the city,” says Dylan. “There are also several pick-up points for customers where they can pick-up twice a week. We have about 50 delivery points throughout the city, and several have twice-weekly delivery.” As is the case with other successful fresh food direct marketing efforts, word-of-mouth has proven to be the most effective way to spread the word about Philly Foodworks. “We also have postcards and brochures throughout the city,” says Dylan. “We have signage at the pick-up sites, and we partner with neighborhood associations and other groups that reflect our values.” Although many cities throughout the United States offer high-end, on-line grocery retail with an emphasis on local food, Philly Foodworks is unique in that it maintains close relationships with local farmers. Customers trust the food source,

and Ryan and Dylan agree that trust is important. “Our customers care about local agriculture and fresh vegetables,” says Ryan. “It’s almost impossible to get to ‘know’ the farmer because there isn’t enough time, but they can purchase food from farms they value and care about, and get weekly updates about what’s happening on the farms so they’re still invested.” Dylan says that maintaining the CSA aspect is important because of the investment in farmers and the ongoing relationship with them. “We work with farmers on logistics and product variety,” he says. “We’re doing pre-season planning and estimating how many pounds of tomatoes we’re going to grow.” Ryan believes that an important distinguishing feature of the program is that items are offered based on what’s seasonal and fresh. This allows the customer to learn about what’s in season without locking them into specific products that they won’t use. Although some of the farmers who supply food for the program are certified organic, not all are. Those who are not follow organic production methods as closely as possible. Philly Foodworks tries to partner with farmers who are as close to the city as possible to maintain the ‘local’ aspect. One of the farmers Dylan and Ryan started working with is Rueben Riehl of

Lancaster County. Rueben was already hauling produce to Philadelphia markets, so he agreed to bring extra produce to the city to help fulfill the shares. Rueben grows produce on four and a half acres and in a high tunnel. He grows what he refers to as ‘typical’ Lancaster County vegetables including arugula, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, summer squash, green beans, and potatoes. Since the program requires more than Rueben can grow, he organized the Honey Brook Harvest Collective to help supply additional produce for Philly Foodworks. The collective includes other growers in Lancaster County who supply fresh produce throughout the season. These farmers can realize a higher profit working with the collective than if they sell through the local produce auction. Farmers provide their available crop list to Philly Foodworks, then after Philly Foodworks finds out what they’ll need for customers that week, Rueben receives an order and passes it along to growers in the collective. Dylan and Ryan are always looking for more farmers to supply produce, and invite area farmers to contact Philly Foodworks for more information about working with the program. l

Snap peas grown on the Lancaster County farm of Rueben Riehl will make their way to Philly Foodworks customers within hours of picking.

Philly Foodworks is housed in an industrial building in Philadelphia, where fresh vegetables and other food items are carefully custom packed each week.

Customers can opt for seasonal favorites or choose vegetables that they prefer according to what’s available each week.

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FARM AND LAND

One Straw Farm helps feed Baltimore | It’s only 25 miles from the Govans neighborhood in Baltimore City, where One Straw Farm’s Joan Norman grew up and where one of the farm’s 35 CSA pick-up sites is now, to the farm in White Hall, but there’s a world of difference between the two places.

Story and photos by Susan Walker

Govans, like many city neighborhoods, has a large number of fast food restaurants and convenience stores, but less access to the fresh fruits and vegetables that are essential for a healthy diet. Drew and Joan Norman’s community supported agriculture (CSA) program and participation in a number of the city’s farmer’s markets are helping remedy that problem. The Normans have been growing organic vegetables and fruits at One Straw Farm since 1983, when they purchased the original 83 acre property and planted three to four acres of produce. Over the years, the farm has grown to 115 acres, with 65 acres of vegetables and fruits and 65 acres of hay. Their son Drew raises heritage breed pigs on 30 acres that includes about 23 wooded acres so that the pigs can roam and root more like they would if they weren’t domesticated.

“I had worked on farms from the time I was 15, including a dairy farm. I wanted to do dairy, but we didn’t have enough land for that and I wasn’t sure I was ready for the commitment that dairying requires, so I decided we’d grow vegetables, fruit and hay,” explains Drew. “I always knew that I wanted to farm organically. When I was working at the dairy, I read a pesticide label. And that scared me. At the University of Maryland, I had a soil professor who really impressed on us the importance of soil life and the relationship between the soil and plants. I realized soil was designed with everything that’s in it for a reason so I decided that for me, organic was the best way to farm.” The Normans sold their produce to wholesalers and restaurants that focus on farm to table-based menus, including Woodbury Kitchen, The Black Olive, Clementine, and Charleston. “People

kept asking us where they could buy our produce and I had to say they couldn’t,” says Joan. “So in 1999, we started the CSA with just eight member families. Our first pick-up site was at Boordy Vineyards, which is owned by friends of ours. Today, we have more than 1,400 members and 35 pick-up sites around the Baltimore metropolitan area. Farming is not always the easiest thing and you’re not sure what to do. I asked God what He wanted me to do and His reply was, ‘Feed my people.’ I didn’t know how I could possibly do that, but that day a church called asking if it could be a CSA site and I thought maybe this is what I’m supposed to do. Today we have four church pick-up sites and two with the Jewish Community Center, and we donate one share for every 10 we drop off to a site, so people can share this food with other members in the community who may be in need.”

The farm’s name comes from “One Straw Revolution”, a book by a Japanese farmer and philosopher about his work to develop a natural, sustainable approach to agriculture.

Among the crops the Normans grow are a wide range of greens, from lettuces and cabbage to collards, bok choy and chard.

In addition to better-known varieties of lettuce, the Normans also grow unusual greens like celtuce, a heritage Asian green also known as celery lettuce.

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Joan, Drew and son Andrew will soon be joined on the farm by the Norman’s sonin-law, who will handle financial matters and marketing.

The One Straw Farm CSA is just one of the ways that the Normans make it possible for people in and around Baltimore to have easy access to high quality, organic produce. They also sell their vegetables and fruits at six farmers markets, several of which are located in downtown Baltimore. “As a Baltimore city native, it just feels better to me when I’m selling what we grow directly to people rather than boxing it up, putting it on a truck and sending it away. Saturday morning at the market, you’re talking to the people who eat what you grow, sharing their successes and failures and encouraging them to try new things,” adds Joan. “Someone has to feed Baltimore and it feels good to be part of that.”

The Normans are also committed to helping the next generation develop a desire to eat well. They’re active participants in the American Institute of Wine and Food’s Days of Taste program. The program, started by chef Julia Child, teaches fourth and fifth graders about all the different types and flavors of food and takes them to local farms so they can learn where their food comes from. “We have kids who come from city public schools and it’s exciting to see the transformation that happens when they’re here,” says Joan. “They start asking questions about the crops and you can see the light go on as they begin to onestrawfarm.com

make connections between what they eat and what we’re showing them. I tell them they should take two bites of every vegetable they meet and I’ve met kids from the program 10 years later who tell me they still do that!” Adds Joan, “Families are so busy today that they don’t take the time to cook and eat together. They’re missing out on an important part of being a family. When people get more interested in what they’re eating and where it comes from and choose to buy locally grown, organic produce from ‘their farmer’, it strengthens that connection between food and family and that’s good for everyone.” l

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FARM AND LAND

Cheerful sunflowers welcome visitors to the Crystal Barn and manor house at the Inn at Huntingfield Creek. Just over an hour from downtown Baltimore, the Inn offers relaxation and escape.

The Inn at Huntingfield Creek: An ideal retreat for urban dwellers Story and photos by Nancy L. Smith

| The very old and the sparkling new co-exist on Maryland’s Eastern Shore at the luxurious

Inn at Huntingfield Creek, just outside Rock Hall, Maryland. Jim and Joanne Rich have created a thoroughly modern oasis on land whose history is older than that of the nation itself.

History runs deep here; even before Huntingfield Manor was part of a land grant from Lord Baltimore to settler Thomas Ringgold in the mid-18th century, it is believed to have been the site of a Native American village. More than half of the arrowheads in the local museum were collected from the property. Before American independence, Huntingfield Inlet, a small cove on the property just off the Chesapeake Bay, was a major port of call for local farmers who had to have their crops assessed by British tax officials stationed there. Few arrowheads are found here today—though surely many 8

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remain— because all farming is no-till. A winter barley and wheat cover crop is killed and soybeans are planted for summer. The work is done by neighboring farmer Trey Hill of Harborview Farms. “We are in tenancy with Trey, not just leasing land,” Joanne specifies. Jim, Joanne and Trey collaborate closely on an annual planting plan. “We don’t rotate. We plant soybeans only,” Joanne says. The reason? To create carefully designed sweeping streams of plants to grace the outdoor wedding venue huntingfield.com facebook.com/huntingfieldcreek

and other parts of the grounds. Corn is avoided because its tall green walls would mask the meticulous landscaping and restful lake vistas. “We tell Trey to make the property pretty,” says Joanne. The planting plan includes two acres of sunflowers planted against a backdrop of dense woods and an expansive ribbon of lavender, used to beautify the landscape and enhance wedding decorations. The previous owners of the Inn had used Farm Credit, so when other lenders offered high-interest commercial financing, the Riches turned to Farm Credit loan officer Sharon Redding. She says Farm Credit views the operation

s Jim says, “I am so Type A, I always have to be doing

something.” He and busy Type A guests cannot help but relax on the dock overlooking Huntingfield Inlet.

s Innkeepers Jim and Joanne in one of their property’s

secluded gardens. Jim has an MBA in hotel and restaurant management from Michigan State University.

s The natural world is just outside the window

when guests awake at the Inn. The Inn offers a full country breakfast and complimentary sodas, beer, wine, and cookies.

as agricultural rather than commercial More than one-half of all guests come from surprises like a dead tree decorated with because the Riches are involved in the the Washington, D.C. area, giving city folk colorful wine bottles to an impossible farm. Jim and Joanne say their success an opportunity to stretch and breathe in height. Kayaks and bicycles await the “has a lot to do with trust. Farm Credit the open countryside. The Baltimore skyline energetic, while lounge chairs on the dock has a degree of trust in what we do and is visible from the Inn’s restful dock, just 16 offer an intimate haven. how we do it.” miles away across the Chesapeake Bay. The There’s a kitchen garden with heirAs business executives, the couple road trip, however, takes more than an hour. loom tomatoes, asparagus, and exotic vegelived internationally and throughout the With 12 rooms in seven cottages and tables like yellow beets that city dwellers country. After retirement, they saw a sale list- the main house, the Inn has a capacity of may never have seen. Joanne, a talented ing for the Inn and, appreciating that it was about 30 guests. The innkeepers’ objective chef and caterer, prepares breakfast every “within shooting distance of Wilmington,” is to offer complete relaxation. “Everything morning with Jim, including the Inn’s own did not consider any other property. we do is an attempt to get them to put Very Berry Breakfast Bread Pudding. The Since purchasing the property, the their cell phones down,” Joanne says. dish, once a seasonal offering, garnered so Riches have planted 800 trees and shrubs The Inn encourages relaxation and many comments on TripAdvisor.com that and built six new cottages and a party reflection in a sophisticated but distinctly guests began requesting it year-round. It is barn graced by massive crystal chanrural setting. Its advertising tagline is now a permanent fixture of the breakfast deliers. A remnant of an earlier time, a “always the element of surprise.” Joanne menu and the recipe is published on the towering holly just outside the new crystal explains, “There is a discovery process to Inn’s website and below. barn was “in poor condition,” says Joanne. the property. There are so many elements On a tour of the verdant grounds The tree is systemically treated to assure here—to watch guests discover them is with fountains, colorful gardens tucked its preservation, as are the Inn’s arbor great.” A small swimming pool is bordered in niches and lush greenery everywhere, vitaes and crepe myrtles. The majestic old with blueberry plants. A stroll through Joanne marvels, “The soil is so arable it’s holly, festooned with lights, is the site of the woods to the inlet is punctuated with unbelievable. None of this the bar during parties. existed seven years ago.” The Riches enlarged In addition to weddings k ee Cr d el gfi tin un H a pond to create a water and weekending city dwellers, In n at ad Pudding re B st fa ak re B feature with fountains the Inn has hosted yoga classes, ry er Very B enly into ev d kle rin sp , res ua visible from the wedding a women’s retreat, the local h sq bread cut into 1-inc 1 loaf of sturdy white h venue. The pond fits so well stop of Vermont Bike Tours, and dis ” buttered 9” x 13 in the landscape, a pair of local events. The Riches hope to 1 tsp. vanilla Beat together: r ga su ospreys nest next to it. pursue small business meet1/4 cup brown 6 eggs 2-1/2 cups of milk The Inn hosts seven or ings and business retreats. No 1/2 tsp. cinnamon . tes eight weddings a year, but matter why they come or what inu ow to sit 15 m ur over bread and all Po operates year-round as a bed harried existence they have left t with 1/4 cup Add to bread mix: or frozen berries (not strawberries), do and breakfast, or “retreat” as behind, guests can find transh Two cups or so fre e. oic ch r. ur ga yo su Joanne prefers to call it, that quility and solace here. l own jam of and add 3/4 cups br , melt a stick butter over bread and fruit. Bake at is both pet- and child-friendly. In a small saucepan ly . Pour even porated bubbling. Enjoy! Boil until fully incor tes until puffed and inu m -45 410° for 40

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FARM AND LAND

Farmer Finds Success at D.C . farmers markets Story and photos by Stelleda Friend

| The Washington, D.C., farmers markets where Julie Stinar sells herbal lemonade for $3 a cup

and eggs for $6 a dozen are over an hour’s drive from her 132 acre Evensong Farm, located on a historic property in Sharpsburg, Maryland.

But Julie has found it’s worth . the trip several times a week to sell to customers willing to pay higher prices than they would at the grocery store for sustainably-produced local food. A farmer for the past 16 years, Julie is on the board of FRESHFARM Markets, a network of producer-only farmers markets that provide local products to customers who want to know where their food comes from and to support open space. “One of their priorities is knowing what goes into their family’s food.” Julie Julie Stinar sits on the front porch of her home at Evensong Farm in Sharpsburg, Maryland, with her dog Penny.

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says of her customers at the farmers markets. She attributes the success she has had with selling local herbs and meats in Washington, D.C. to two things: First, she adheres strictly to legal and ethical guidelines for raising and selling the foods. Second, her customers have a lot of questions related to the products they’re buying, and she’s always willing to answer them. “I get very interesting questions on how I raise my animals and I will answer every one of them,” says Julie, who

describes herself as “chatty.” It took several years for Julie to carve out a niche selling herbs, beef, pork, and eggs at markets in and around Washington, D.C.—almost the entire time from when she left her job at Nordstrom and moved from Montgomery County (MD) to her property in Sharpsburg. She started with a vegetable garden, which came as somewhat of a surprise to her mother because, as a child, Julie wasn’t particularly fond of vegetables. Growing up in suburban Kensington, Maryland, Julie turned her

evensong-farm.com

nose up at green beans from the freezer or a can. But she found eating fresh peas from a garden was a different experience. And her feelings about green beans changed once she became an adult and tasted fresh locally grown haricots verts, or French green beans, that had been prepared in a restaurant. Although she was raised in the suburbs, her parents owned a Christmas tree farm near Lost River, West Virginia, and Julie developed a love of agriculture helping out on the farm during Thanksgiving. As a teen, she volunteered on multiple horse farms. While working for Nordstrom, Julie knew she eventually wanted to buy a farm. Her husband, Brent, found the property, which came with a house built in the 1850s, and purchased it from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources with a Farm Credit loan in 2002, after leasing the property for two years. While Brent, who works for a company that makes accounting software, kept his full-time job, Julie was raising their two small children and learning about vegetable cultivation. “At that time, we didn’t have internet access out here. Everything I learned, I read in a book,” she says. Without investing in a lot of mechanical equipment for cultivation, Julie found growing, harvesting and

s Julie and her son Luka are shown at a farmer’s market in Washington, D.C. Julie has two sons, Luka, 12, and Gray, 15, both of whom help at the farm and at the markets where Julie sells herbs, herbal lemonade and meats.

facebook.com/Evensong-Farm113352581873/ facebook.com/urbanade @evensongfarm

selling the vegetables to be costly in terms of labor, and it wasn’t profitable. “There was no year that the vegetable garden made money. Part of that was my fault. We didn’t have the mechanical infrastructure to make this an efficient operation,” she says. One “crazy-hot” day in Washington, D.C., Julie started selling herbal lemonade, and it was a hit with farmers market customers. Her lemonade quickly started outselling her vegetables. Eventually, she stopped growing vegetables and trademarked her lemonade as urban+ade. Some regular customers purchase a reusable glass urban+ade bottle and bring it back for refills, while others buy the lemonade by the glass. To make the lemonade, Julie uses only lemon juice, cane sugar and herbs grown on the farm. The most popular flavors are Sage Mint and Red Basil Tarragon. She will also use juice from wild berries gathered around the farm or fruit juices obtained from other farm market vendors. The latest project at Evensong Farm has been constructing a building with a commercial kitchen where they’ll bottle the lemonade at the farm. Julie received

s Julie stops to visit with her pig, Bobby, while checking on her piglets.

a grant from MARBIDCO to cover part of the cost and accessed a line of credit through Farm Credit to cover the remaining construction costs for the 20’ x 24’ building. Julie’s two sons, Gray, 15, and Luka, 12, often help out at the farmers markets and at Evensong Farm, where they have about 40 head of cattle, 40 pigs and 500 chickens. Farm Credit loan officer Michelle Trumpower says Julie’s passion and dedication have helped drive her business. “She has a passion for everything she does,” Michelle says. “When Julie says she’s going to do something, she does it.” Although Julie learned a lot about agriculture as a vegetable gardener, she says selling meat, eggs, herbs, and lemonade direct-tomarket is not only more profitable for her than selling vegetables, but it’s also more enjoyable. “The reason I picked those is that those are the things I like to do. Most herbs are perennial, so they don’t need as much labor (as vegetables),” she says. “I love the animals. We just have to make sure we give them what they need and they do all the labor. And it’s fun. Growing vegetables in August is not much fun. So that’s part of running a business, too—figure out what your strengths are and play to them.” l

s Julie, left, talks about business at Evensong Farm

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FARM AND LAND

Q & A with Joanne Clendining Host of Maryland Public Television’s hit show Maryland Farm & Harvest

| As Maryland Farm & Harvest enters its fourth season this fall, we sat down with host Joanne Clendining to get her thoughts on what makes this show so special and what she’s learned over the past three seasons!

Interview by Jenny Kreisher and Photos provided by Maryland Public Television

Q: How did you get involved in the show, Maryland Farm & Harvest? Have you always had an interest in agriculture? Joanne: I don’t have an ag background, but my husband is a fourth generation farmer. The farm used to be mainly peaches and apples, but today its grain and some you-pick berries. People who grow up in ag are used to it all, but for someone like me who was new to the industry, it’s all so cool! There are so many different machines and types of strawberries— people should know this stuff. When my agent brought up this audition, it seemed like a match made in heaven.

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Q: How do you explain the show to people who haven’t seen it yet? Joanne: This show puts a face on ag. Today, people are more aware of where their food comes from, and they enjoy hearing stories about the people who grow their food. Viewers are able to see all of the hard work and effort that is involved. We also get a glimpse into the family aspect for many of the farms we feature, and the work ethic the kids have is impressive. Q: What do you think makes Maryland Farm & Harvest so unique? Joanne: There is nothing like this out there! There are not many programs that showcase farming and the human side of it.

Q: The fans range from urban dwellers to rural residents. What do you think it is about this show that attracts people from both areas? Joanne: There is a growing trend of people wanting to know what CSAs are and where their food is coming from. Everyone has to eat! We’re also finding that people are interested in the new technologies and techniques farmers are using today. A GPS is used to plant crops? Bears are a threat to farmers? The education aspect is a huge draw. The show appeals to everyone in the sense that people who know nothing about ag learn a lot, and people who are experienced in farming learn how others are doing it. One viewer may know everything about grain, but nothing about alpacas!

Q: How are you seeing agriculture changing in Maryland? Joanne: Being from New Jersey, I think one of the interesting things to me is all of the challenges Maryland farmers are facing with the Chesapeake Bay and the regulations. This has sparked the creation of new technologies to farm more sustainably. We’re also seeing a trend with diversification—adding new commodities to the business. There is also a growing trend in small, personal farm stands. Q: What is your most memorable visit so far? Joanne: Really, each visit is memorable—the people are great and each story is so unique. I will say though, when we went to the Maryland State Fair birthing center, we were able to see a calf being born. That will forever be the most amazing day. People really embrace the show and I love when they let us participate. Q: I’m sure you’re learned quite a bit from hosting this show. What has been one of your biggest takeaways, and something you wish others understood about farming and agriculture? Joanne: Farmers are some of the most incredible people you’ll ever meet. They have to know everything from math and mechanics to marketing, making them very intelligent and business savvy. Farming is such a gamble, and each farmer is a risk taker. I knew that when I married my husband, but this show just reinforces it. They work 12 to 18 hour days, seven days a week, and pretty much 10 months out of the year. They could lose money one year, but they’re back at it again the next year. Farmers are quite the inspiration! Tune in to MPT on Tuesdays at 7pm for all new episodes of Maryland Farm & Harvest, or watch them online at http://video.mpt.tv/ show/maryland-farm-harvest/. l VOLUME 21 | ISSUE 3 | mafc.com | 13

OUR ASSOCIATION

Farm Credit’s Centennial Celebration July 15, 2016 Didn’t make it to one of our office parties? Not to worry! Here are some of our favorite pictures from the day. Thank you to everyone who celebrated with us. Here’s to 100 more years of supporting rural America!

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We’ve got 10,000 reasons why you should study ag. We’re kicking off a new scholarship program this year, brought to you by the Farm Credit Foundation for Agricultural Advancement. We’ll be awarding 10 scholarships worth $10,000 each to students studying agriculture. You read that correctly—that’s a total of $100,000 in scholarships to local students! Our new scholarship program is open to all high school seniors and currently enrolled college students residing in MidAtlantic’s footprint who are planning to pursue a career in ag. This doesn’t have to mean you’re planning to be a farmer—this also includes food scientists, veterinarians, poultry nutritionists, or maybe even a Farm Credit loan officer! Applications will be accepted starting September 30, 2016 through January 13, 2017. Check out FCFoundationforAg.org for more information!

Need financing for any of these properties?

Chestertown, Maryland

Chase Farm. A magnificent 113 acre waterfront farm with 1000’ frontage on Langford Creek, near historic Chestertown. Features a three-bay brick Colonial home, 97.9 tillable acres, deep water pond and impoundment! $1,975,000.

Stunning views of the Chesapeake Bay and abundant wildlife are enjoyed by this secluded 23 acre waterfront retreat. The home was rebuilt in 2007 and custom-designed to maximize water views. Hickory hardwood flooring and cabinetry, an open floor plan and a loft style upper level den - great for entertaining! $995,000.

Contact Clint Evans, Cross Street Realtors, 410.778.3779 or 410.708.0630.

Contact Sarah Dean, Cross Street Realtors, 410.778.3779 or 410.708.2528.

Call your local Farm Credit office. All of the properties listed on these pages are offered for sale by local, licensed Realtors and Auctioneers. MidAtlantic Farm Credit is not affiliated with these properties, nor are we responsible for content or typographical errors. Please call the Realtor or Auctioneer listed for more information.

Centreville, Maryland A 52+ acre waterfront historic farmhouse, circa 1800, with a tennis court, pool, pastures for horses, cottage, two guest apartments, office suite, and several barns. This property sits high on the banks of the Corsica River with approved percs and subdivision potential. $3,450,000. Contact David Kaufmann, 443.223.3026.

Cordova, Maryland

Finksburg, Maryland

Cordova rancher situated on eight acres. Offering three bedrooms and two baths, huge family room with a pellet stove, updated master, kitchen with stainless appliances and new counters, full finished basement, garage, concrete pool, rear patio, 55’ x 75’ pole shed, 35’ finished with pit and tons of storage, and pasture areas with run-in sheds. $595,000.

28 acre horse farm with 30’ x 5’ six stall brick barn with storage above. Lighted riding ring, four fenced paddocks, three fenced pastures, pond, board fencing, large brick rancher with spacious rooms, three fireplaces, loads of storage space. In a great location. Estate sale—sold “as is”. Some subdivision potential. $554,000.

Nice 297+/- acre farm with two irrigation wells—one with a 75 acre pivot. Farm on Carroll Clark Road, just south of Massey. There is a house on the farm, but with no real value. $3,800,000.

Contact Bryan Wieland, Benson & Mangold, 410.829.5913.

Contact Garry Haines, Haines Realty, 410.876.1616.

Contact Wm. David Leager, Sassafras River Realty, Ltd., 410.778.0238 or 410.708.0891.

Port Deposit, Maryland

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Custom ranch home is on 30 fenced acres. Two OPPORTUNITY OPPORTUNITY large pole barns to store equipment or set up a workshop. About 25 acres are tillable. Basin Run Stream runs through the property. House has three bedrooms, two and a half baths, formal living and dining rooms, country kitchen, wood stove, and extra-long two car garage. Home REALTOR warranty! $479,000. OPPORTUNITY OPPORTUNITY ®

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Contact Jessica English, Coldwell Banker Chesapeake, 410.920.4206.

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Properties for sale

COMMUNITY

Massey, Maryland

Stevensville, Maryland

Thurmont, Maryland

Kent Island waterfront horse farm features beautiful settings on a 15 acre property. Beautiful home with two story entry foyer, spacious kitchen with granite, and large master suite. Approximately 10 acres of lush pasture, 12 acres fenced, center aisle six stall barn, storage rooms, training ring, and fenced paddocks. $899,000.

Nice farm lot with 25 acres featuring panoramic views. Private setting in an area of custom homes with similar size lots. Property is rectangular in shape and includes a pond. Approximately 738 feet of road frontage and does not have a shared driveway. Well installed —15 gallons per min. $299,900.

Contact Michael Rosendale, Rosendale Realty, 410.643.2166.

Contact Jim Bass, Real Estate Teams, LLC, 301.695.0000. volume 21 | ISSUE 3 | mafc.com | 17

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COMMUNITY Westminster, Maryland

Westminster, Maryland

Worton, Maryland

It gives us great pleasure to offer this unique 207 acre property with a completely restored three bedroom home and a barn that has been restored with an in-law suite. The property currently has 60+/- tillable acres and 147 acres of woods. The property is also in the National Registry of Historic Places. $944,000.

Beautiful brick farm house with two and a half stories of living space. Updated kitchen and baths, with second floor laundry. Numerous outbuildings include a large barn and finished office/workshop space with 21.45 acres. Land is currently farmed and has income potential. There is a lovely view of the pond from the large front porch. $559,900.

81 acre farm adjacent to rail line, with eight acre pond and industrial zoning. $950,000.

Contact Randall Pearre, Landy & Property Real Estate, 410.916.4049.

Contact Lisa Sparr, RE/MAX Components, 410.262.5871.

Contact Jody Baker, Cross Street Realtors, 410.778.3779 or 410.708.3536.

Green Lane, Pennsylvania

Kunkletown, Pennsylvania

Step back to yesteryear in this charming farmhome with four bedrooms, hardwood flooring, and a beautiful floor plan. Approximately 2,400 square feet, situated on 2.48 acres. Partially fenced. You’ll also find a huge barn with very versatile uses and several small buildings. Located five minutes from New Jersey. $269,900.

Gorgeous secluded farmette with a five stall barn, fenced arena, close to miles of trail riding. Manageable property with four bedroom, three bath house, fireplace, multiple garages, and low taxes. $425,000.

True country living with low taxes! Plenty of acreage for farming, horses, or other livestock, or build your new home to enjoy the miles of views from this 24+ acres. Partially wooded for the best of both worlds! Property is currently in Clean and Green making for very affordable taxes. $150,000.

Contact Ron DeCesare, The Great American Real Estate Company, 610.863.6205.

Contact Barbara Winn, Keller Williams Realty Group, 484.547.3098.

Contact Paula M. Fritzinger, Koehler Marvin Realty, LLC, 610.393.6433.

Upper Mount Bethel Township, Pennsylvania

Pequea, Pennsylvania

Berryville, Virginia

Echo Knoll Farm is a turn-key horse property showcased on 24 acres with pastures, expansive views of the surrounding country side, and unobstructed views of the Susquehanna River dams. This lovely farm is located in beautiful Lancaster County, close to many horse related attractions. $725,000.

One of Berryville’s landmark houses—Bel Voi, circa 1820, on 11+ acres with mountain views! Gorgeous gourmet kitchen, four bedrooms, four and a half baths (two masters), fantastic dining room, original wood floors, slate-floored family room, and a guest house with bath. Lovely porches and patios. Board fencing. Route 7 commutable. $895,000.

Contact Petrina Calantoni, Cindy Stys Equestrian & Country Properties, Ltd., 484.903.0650.

Contact Chip Schutte, ReMax Roots, 540.323.0732.

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Luray, Virginia

Middletown, Virginia

32.8 acre farm off paved road tucked in for privacy! Three ponds, five bedroom, three full bath home with breezeway to additional small house. In-ground pool. Three wells, four water hydrants. Approximately 28 acres fenced, three stall barn, saddle room, hay loft, and fenced riding area. Large house—over 5,000 square feet with large rooms, deck and patio. Come see the horses, goats and chickens, and experience farm life minutes from town! $520,000.

Three bedroom, three and a half bath on 1.51 acres with mountain views. Great room, gourmet kitchen open to dining room and living room with stone fireplace and second prep kitchen/butler’s pantry. Main floor master and second upper level master with soaking tub. One bedroom, one bath guest suite over garage and two storage buildings. Views from several porches, the balcony, patio or deck! $364,900.

Stunning 35 acre site with 18 acre field fronting the Shenandoah River, with swimming hole. Amazing views of Signal Knob! Timber frame log construction, built in 2006, three bedrooms and two and a half baths, with a huge deck. A wall of windows, cathedral ceilings, stone fireplace. Total seclusion, gorgeous outdoor living! $689,000.

Contact Wendy Thrane, Coldwell Banker Premier Properties, 540.683.1597.

Contact Joseph Bowman, Panorama Realty, 540.472.1020.

Contact Karen Cifala, ReMax Roots, 303.817.9374.

Winchester, Virginia

Toms Brook, Virginia

Hedgesville, West Virginia

A rider’s home sweet home! Ten acre horse farm with a fantastic brick six-stall barn with wash stall, heated tack room, and office. A 200’ x 100’ sand arena. Four board fence and run-in sheds. Sprawling four bedroom, four bath brick ranch house with fireplaces and lovely brick patios, landscaping, and two car garage. Great guest house! $699,000.

Income-producing “Berry Farmette”. Gorgeous remodeled 1700s farmhouse with elegant addition. Offers three master suites (one on the main level) and three and a half baths. Gourmet kitchen with Wolfe range and granite countertops. Large deck, covered porch, and large bank barn. Drone video available. Gorgeous mountain views! $510,000.

197 acres fronting Sleepy Creek National Forest. Has an old house that has been used as a hunting camp for many years. Land is rolling, some cleared, a lot wooded. Well on property with streams - just beautiful. $2,000 per acre.

Contact Wendy Gooditis, ReMax roots, 540.533.0840.

Contact Cindy Hawkins, 540.335.9313.

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Properties for sale

Kearneysville, Virginia

Contact Tillie Spies, ERA Liberty Realty, 304.261.6702.

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What puts the life in your lifestyle?

If you have a dream to add more life to your lifestyle—whether it’s a pond for your kids to enjoy, fencing to keep your puppy safe and close to home, or even a brand new farm that would give everyone a little more room—call your local Farm Credit office. We want to be your lender for life.

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888.339.3334 | mafc.com EQUAL HOUSING

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PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID BALTIMORE, MD PERMIT NO. 7175

45 Aileron Court Westminster MD 21157

Centennial Photo Contest: Show Us What 100 Looks Like! You can see our 100 years of lending experience in our employees, customers and ongoing support for the agriculture community. Now, we want you to show us what 100 looks like to you! Have chickens? Maybe it’s a hundred eggs. Did you go to a you-pick farm? Show us the 100 blueberries you’re taking home. The possibilities are endless! Share your photos on social media using #ShowUs100. We’ll be selecting winners in three categories:

HERE TO HELP YOU GROW.

888.339.3334 | mafc.com

1 Most Submissions (the individual that submits the most posts using #ShowUs100) 2 Most Creative (think outside the box!) 3 Most Popular (encourage your friends to like and share your photo) This contest will run until December 31. The winners will be chosen by an MAFC selection committee and will receive $100. Get out there and #ShowUs100. Good luck!

America never stops. Thanks to the financial support of Farm Credit, neither do the farmers and ranchers who call her home. But the job is far from over. And as rural America grows further, we’ll be there. mafc.com/fc100.php