farm and land
FORGETTABL E AN UN
friendly face STORY AND PHOTOS BY ANDREA HAINES | A GENERAL HUNT FOR THE DEFINITION OF “LEADERSHIP” FINDS YOU
THESE DESCRIPTIONS: STRONG COMMUNICATION, PASSION AND COMMITMENT, POSITIVITY, AND COLLABORATION.
G I V I N G T when needed, but sharing that open F O E F I L “I then moved on to the [retail] Ocommunication between members is inA 1914. grandfather John Baumgardner began
A visit to The Harvest Barn Country Market in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, to
agriculture hay business, beef raising, and farming
important. The role of a director is an
produce. It was through this transition that
honor and to be taken seriously. After all
I gained the most businesses relationships.”
we are the voice of the fellow farmers that
Collaboration is a strong business trait for
entrust their livelihoods and investments.”
you feel like you’ve known him for years.
the farmer. He’s learned this by serving on
Paul describes his experiences on
It was apparent to me, observing for just
many boards over the years, specifically
a short while, the excitement and general
MidAtlantic Farm Credit’s Board of Directors.
have a chat with the market’s owner, Paul D. Baumgardner, reminded me of a few of those key descriptions. What I found was a positive, friendly face; a man that makes
the board to be positive and innovative.
TO T H E F U T “We always went to these ‘learning N I G N has served as Chairman of the Usessions’ , and I would come back to my interest he took in each visitor crossing the Y I Paul R L E F own business pumped up and ready Board of Directors, Vice Chairman, and market’s threshold.
of agriculture member of the audit committee for
to apply what I had learned,” he shares.
Emmitsburg, Maryland, Paul is now heavily
MidAtlantic Farm Credit. “The first two
“It’s encouraging and a privilege to be
invested in the operations of the market.
to three years on the board, you learn
surrounded by like-minded and smart
“I milked cows for some time,” he explains.
to listen,” he says with a grin, reflecting
people. I know it’s what has helped me
The farm has changed a good bit since his
on his induction in 2005. “Offering input
grow over the years.”
A once acclaimed dairy farmer from
THE HARVEST BARN COUNTRY MARKET
AG
U LT U R A L L E A D E R S C I R H
IP
shifting economic megatrends
IS WHERE CONSUMERS GO TO LEARN A LITTLE ABOUT AGRICULTURE AND
TAKE FRESH, LOCAL PRODUCTS HOME. THE BAKERY CASE OFFERS SWEET TREATS TO HUNGRY SHOPPERS WHILE THEY BROWSE THROUGH LOCAL HANDMADE GIFTS. YOUNGER GUESTS CAN ENJOY THE OLD FASHIONED
CANDY BOOTH. VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT HARVESTBARNCOUNTRYMARKET.COM FOR A LIST OF VENDORS AND PRODUCTS OFFERED.
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| VOLUME 24 | ISSUE 1 | mafc.com
