Embracing Change for a Better Tomorrow

Story and photos by Maria N. Listman

The McHenry family farm has been perched in the charming town of Kennedyville, Maryland for 100 years. The farm has experienced a change in crops, a shift in livestock, financial stressors, and the heartache of losing a close family member. Not ones to back down from a challenge, the next generation of McHenry farmers have risen to the occasion.

Joey and Jenell McHenry own McHenry’s Harvesting and Beef, a custom harvesting and direct-toconsumer frozen beef business. They recently won Farm Credit’s inaugural Farmers on the Rise award and received $10,000 for the work they’re doing as they grow their operation.

Joey is a fourth generation farmer, where he and his wife, Jenell, lease the land from his grandparents. The same land that once grew tomatoes and raised dairy cows is now a beef cattle operation that also grows corn, soybeans, wheat, barley, and hay. The neighboring street is called Dairy Road, in recognition of the dairy farm that the McHenry’s ran all those years.

Beef cattle were always on the property, but it wasn’t until 2012 that the family decided to fully transition from dairy to beef. After the passing of Joey’s father, the youngest McHenry knew he needed to do more to sustain himself and his grandparents. At the time, Joey was running their grain operation, and decided to expand into custom harvesting to continue the family’s agriculture legacy.

“There’s no way to predict the future, you’re going to have to change with time, and see where things go,” reflects Joey.

Since this young entrepreneur offers custom harvesting for other farmers, it has helped with the expansion of their beef business. Joey explains, “When you’re a grain farmer, you get a check in the spring, and the fall. That’s all you get.”

Over the years, the McHenry’s have added to their herd, working primarily with Angus and Charolais. In 2019, they started offering direct-to-consumer frozen beef that is grass fed, grain finished. Joey focuses on the genetics and raising of the animals, in addition to custom work that includes baling, harvesting, trucking, and planting.

Jenell likes to call herself a farm wife. She is an eighth generation farmer from the Eastern Shore who grew up on a poultry and grain farm. She works full time for an agricultural consulting company, while overseeing sales and communication for their beef customers.

“In 2020, the business really took off because of COVID,” explains Jenell. “We currently have an online form that people fill out and they pick a day and time to pick-up.” Customers make their selection, visit the farm and Jenell will have their order waiting for them outside their door. They offer a wide variety of cuts, with Ribeye and Delmonico being the most popular among their customers. Half and whole cow orders are an option as well.

Since winning the Farmers on the Rise award, Joey and Jenell plan on building a she-shed toward the front of their property as a greeting place and store front to pick up beef orders.

“I’m ecstatic that we received the award, and feel blessed and honored just to be recognized,” Jenell shares. “Even though we both have family in agriculture, this is something we did on our own and built together. Getting this award means a lot; people are recognizing what we’re doing, and the hard work we’re putting into our business.”

Joey and Jenell have big plans for their future, while being new parents to baby Lee. They want to expand their herd, buy more land, and turn their current farm into a showcase to welcome visitors.

“I was overjoyed for both Joey and Jenell once I had heard they had won,” says Tyler Majchrzak, Farm Credit loan officer. “They both are extremely hard working and well respected in the farming community.”

Kennedyville has become a summertime destination spot, where folks pass through and buy their meat. Shipping their products is being considered, but their immediate focus is on their hometown.

“I want to make sure our community and neighbors are getting the first opportunity, and that’s also where I see us growing,” explains Jenell. “We’ll get to the point where we can finish more beef and offer it to more people.”

Taking over the family business is no small task, but Joey and Jenell have lived and worked on farms their whole lives. These young entrepreneurs understand the importance of change, guaranteeing them a better tomorrow.

Follow McHenry’s Harvesting and Beef on Facebook @McHenryBeef and Instagram: @mchenrysbeef

Why are Joey and Jenell farmers on the rise?

I believe that Joey and Jenell have started to create a diverse operation at such a young age that we haven’t quite seen in our area. I’m excited to see their business grow in the future.

—Tyler Majchrzak, Farm Credit loan officer