Liquid Agriculture

Not too long ago, agriculture was only thought of as being corn, wheat, and livestock. Today’s agriculture industry is more diverse than ever, as aquaculture, plant proteins, and hydroponics are becoming more prevalent in the arena. Farmers today are more becoming more techsavvy, and are constantly on the lookout for what the next “big thing” will be for their consumers.

Around the time when those consumers became interested in learning more about where their food came from, the local food movement boomed, with smaller farmers creating items like artisanal cheeses and homemade soaps to sell at their community farmers markets. Another industry also recognized this opportunity, and jumped right on it—craft beverages. Today, there are over 7,000 breweries and over 8,000 wineries in the United States, all brewing their own flavor, and providing more than just beverages to those who are looking for an authentic taste—they’re serving up some pretty unique experiences right alongside them.

Spring Gate Vineyard, located just outside of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, is a perfect example. Not only do they create unique wines (one even has glitter in it), they also host a variety of events throughout the year, attracting thousands to their location.

Located in Montgomery County, Maryland, that land that is home to Waredaca Brewery is rich in history, dating back to 1932. Over time, the family transitioned it into an equestrian event center, which is continues to be a hot spot amongst area horse lovers. The addition of the brewery has attracted more interested from those looking to enjoy a craft beer and the peaceful view.

William and Jennifer Layton of Vienna, Maryland started Layton’s Chance Vineyard and Winery in 2005. Neither coming from a winery background, William took several grape growing and winemaking classes and today, the couple is one of the most popular wineries on the Eastern Shore.

Lastly, we feature a brand new winery—Star in the Valley, located in Strasburg, Virginia. Shane Waller and Cara Mroczek purchased the land in 2013, after discovering their shared dream to open a winery. Both certified sommeliers, Shane and Cara are excited to bring their love of wine to their local community, and look forward to growing their business.

As agriculture continues to evolve, a new wave of jobs that many of us never saw coming is forming to support those within our industry. The Farm Credit Foundation for Agricultural Advancement’s scholarship program honors those students who are pursuing a career in ag. This year, the Foundation awarded a total of $180,000 in scholarships to 18 local students— check out pages 12 and 13 to meet the honorees.

I’ve been involved in agriculture my whole life, and it never ceases to amaze me how “crafty” farmers can be. The customers in this issue all have diverse backgrounds, but share a love of making things from scratch and putting it out there for others to enjoy (or not). I think that boldness is something every farmer has in common.

Cheers!

Thomas Truitt