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Farm Credit
leader Lending support to rural America速
Help us honor leaders in agriculture. Find out how on page 12!
volume 20 | ISSUE 3 | $3.95
Pursuing Your Passion
s MidAtlantic Farm Credit, ACA
In This Issue
J. Robert Frazee, CEO MidAtlantic Farm Credit Board of Directors M. Wayne Lambertson Chairman Paul Baumgardner Vice Chairman
FARM AND LAND
4 ADane New Way of Life Miller and Caitlin Browne of Berks
County, Pennsylvania are teaching their young family about sustainability and growing their own food.
6 From Capitol Hill to The Farm After years of working on Capitol Hill,
Paul Sorenson traded his suits for khakis to operate Gravel Springs Farms in Union Bridge, Maryland.
Deborah A. Benner Brian L. Boyd Gary L. Grossnickle Dale R. Hershey Walter C. Hopkins Anthony M. Ill T. Jeffery Jennings Fred R. Moore Dale J. Ockels Jennifer L. Rhodes Ralph L. Robertson, Jr. Alan N. Siegfried Douglas D. Scott Joseph D. Snapp Fred N. West
Our mistake! In our last issue, we announced the 2015 election results. We listed the name of one of the nominating committee members in the Keystone Election Region incorrectly. His name is Kevin M. Sellers. We apologize for the error. facebook.com/MidAtlanticFarmCredit @midatfarmcredit mafc.com/blog
8 Youth and Enthusiasm 10 Tyler Fresh Out of High School Located in Preston, Maryland, Ball Nurseries, Triggs bought a chicken farm in owned and operated by 26-year-old Trevor Ball, offers customers a variety of plants and flowers.
Shenandoah, Virginia right after high school and, with help from his family, plans to grow over the years.
+MafcMidAtFarmCredit MidAtFarmCredit @midatfarmcredit
OUR ASSOCIATION
12 Fresh Perspectives Search 13 Calling All Cooks! 13 AgBiz Masters Program SOCIAL
14 Dog Days of Summer 15 Talkin’ Shop COMMUNITY
16 Properties for Sale 2
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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
s president’s message
Go and Get It
s events | deadlines AUG/SEP event place
8/29-9/7 Frederick Farm-to-Fork
Frederick, MD
Offices Closed
7 Labor Day
12-17 All-American Dairy Show
Harrisburg, PA
16-18 Solanco Fair
Quarryville, PA
18-26 The Great Frederick Fair
19 Main Street Ag
20 MARC Family Farm Day
23-25 West Lampeter Communty Fair
Frederick, MD Winchester, VA Cockeysville, MD Lampeter, PA
30 Sales closing for wheat and barley
OCT event place
20 Frederick County Association of Realtors Tradeshow
Frederick, MD
NOV event place
1 Daylight Savings Time Ends 4-5 Field to Tray Conference
Rockville, MD
20 Sales closing for orchard, vineyard and nursery
26-27 Thanksgiving
Offices Closed
In our last issue, I introduced you to our latest group of scholarship winners. I was lucky enough to talk with some of them at our stockholder meetings. It was, to say the least, inspiring. One thing that amazed me about our winners—and about young people in general—is the planning skills they use. Not only do many young adults know what they want to do after they complete their education, they have very specific plans regarding how they are going to get there. Their attitude was Plan, Prepare, Go Get It! And I loved their energy. I was reminded of those young people when I read the stories in this issue. All of the members featured here are young, smart, and have that same focus and commitment. And very few of them have “traditional” farm backgrounds—they’ve gotten where they are today through hard work and learning as they go. Like Tyler Triggs of Shenandoah, VA, who bought a farm right after high school. If you are an entrepreneur (or want to be one), and you’re nervous about taking the next step, read his story and be inspired. Or Dane Miller, of Leesport, PA, who didn’t have a background in agriculture, but who had an interest in how his food choices could help him achieve his athletic goals. Today, he owns a gym and a 25 acre farm, where he has pasture-raised poultry. I think you’ll also be inspired by Paul Sorenson of Union Bridge, MD, who operates a CSA on a 150 acre organic farm. He and his wife Emma were lucky to have access to her Grandmother’s farm, but it was passion and hard work that turned that farm into the thriving business it is today, serving 150 families with fresh, local food. Finally, I hope you like the story of Trevor Ball and Ball Nurseries of Preston, MD, who bought a 30 acre farm when he was only 26. He’s been teaching himself the nuances of the nursery industry, with help from the previous owner. All of our featured members have one thing in common—a passion for agriculture. They all took different paths to reach their dreams, and they all had different obstacles, but they also had a vision for the life they wanted to live. All four of these young farmers would be great candidates for our national Fresh Perspectives search. Fresh Perspectives is looking for agricultural visionaries, and 100 from around the country will be recognized. To nominate someone—or apply yourself—you can learn more on page 12 or at farmcredit100.com. If you have a vision of your own—whether you’re just starting or simply expanding—I hope you’ll share your passion with us. Because if you have a dream you want to pursue, we want to help you go get it.
For a full list of events, please visit mafc.com VOLUME 20 | ISSUE 3 | mafc.com | 3
FARM AND LAND
Learning a new way of life
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Dane Miller, his wife Caitlin Browne and their young children, Lincoln and Sanderson, appreciate rural life on their Berks County farm.
Dane designed a simple feeding system to deliver a grain ration to the broilers. He markets the broilers to customers who appreciate pasture-raised poultry.
Story and photos by Sally Colby
| It’s tough to get started in farming, and even tougher for young people who don’t have the
advantage of growing up on a family farm. But the number of new, start-up farms is on the rise, and more young people are willing to become involved in a risky, but highly rewarding career.
Bill Kitsch, regional lending manager for Farm Credit, says that many young people are drawn to the way of life that farming offers. “It’s a philosophy, a way of life, that’s attracting them,” says Bill, describing the new generation of start-up farmers. “What is old is new again. People want to know where their food comes from.” But there’s more to it. Young people are engaged with others through technology, and willingly embrace the community aspects of farming. “Today’s farming tends to be a very social industry,” says Bill. “Young people are already tied in socially with technology—it’s part of their fabric. There’s a lot of collaboration and camaraderie among farmers, and young people are merging the lifestyle of being engaged socially as food advocates.” Dane Miller and his wife, Caitlin 4
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Browne, are a perfect example of a young family with a strong desire to get into farming, but with little or no ag background. Dane, an athletic trainer, and Caitlin, a school teacher, both share a passion for understanding where their food comes from, but did not grow up in farming families. “When my brother and I were in college, we read about farming and talked about what we could do,” says Dane. “We were interested in sustainability and raising food for our own family.” Although Dane worked on a turkey farm for several summers while attending Penn State University, that was the extent of his ag background. However, as a competitive collegiate shot putter, who followed a rigorous training schedule and nutrition plan, he became interested in his food and how it could help him achieve his athletic goals.
With the help of Farm Credit, Dane and Caitlin purchased a 25 acre property in Leesport, Berks County, in the fall of 2013. The property has a conservation easement, which complicated their initial financing attempts. “We couldn’t get a traditional bank loan because the easement disallowed that,” says Dane. “Then we went to Farm Credit and they were glad to work with us.” Dane appreciates the old-fashioned personal service offered by Farm Credit, and noted that his loan officer, Jarod Fisher, even visited him at his gym to discuss loan options. In addition to personal service, Farm Credit can provide that needed first step for hopeful young farmers. Many young and beginning farmers look for help with the initial start-up, which can include equipment purchases, machinery and livestock and, in some cases, real estate.
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The broilers and their hoop structure are moved to fresh pasture daily with the help of a four-wheeler.
After eggs are collected and washed, Dane packs them for customers who pick them up at his gym.
Three year old Lincoln Miller is old enough to learn about what it takes to keep a small farm running.
Farm Credit’s StartRight program is very flexible, which is perfect for this market, and gives them access to credit at a reasonable rate. Farm Credit also offers a Farm Fresh Financing program that’s geared toward new generation farmers. “Those are folks who are involved in local, sustainable, organic production,” says Bill. “That offers even more flexibility when we’re working with farms that have no history. We like the customer to have some production experience somewhere along the line, but they may have only a business plan.” The family’s first livestock experience was with Buff Orpington chickens. “The first year we only had about 40,” says Dane. “The biggest year for us was when we had 350 broilers. We did several rounds of broilers, and had ducks and turkeys, too.” To house his broilers, Dane uses a system that has grown in popularity among small farmers. The birds are housed in a simple, partially covered
hoop structure that is moved to fresh grass daily with a four-wheeler. Four automatic feeders constructed of PVC pipe keep the birds supplied with a locally produced feed formulated for growing birds. While some structures, often referred to as chicken tractors, can be moved by hand, Dane created a structure that is larger and taller. This allows him to move around inside easily to check the birds and make sure feeders and waterers are clean. The family houses 40 laying hens on another part of the farm in a tractor designed for layers. Dane owns and operates a gym training many local student athletes. Many of his customers are interested in supporting a local food source. “People are starting to value purchasing grassbased livestock,” he says. “I also serve as a drop-off point for raw milk from Wholesome Dairy Farms, a certified raw milk dairy in nearby Yellow House, and sell beef from Hershey Harvest, a grassbased farm in Lancaster.” Dane says that he gets a lot of positive comments on
the flavor of the grass-fed beef. “There’s also a convenience factor to having our products at the gym,” says Caitlin. “People can come and get eggs, milk and beef. A lot more clients are into eating locally and sustainably raised meats.” At one time, Dane and Caitlin raised some pigs on a rented farm, and anticipate doing that again on their current property. “Pigs are so easy to raise,” says Dane, “and there’s a market for them. People love pork chops, ham and bacon.” Dane and Caitlin have considered adding goats or a few cows, and will probably raise additional broilers in the future. Dane says that he has discovered that there are numerous aspects to farming that he didn’t necessarily anticipate. “People don’t realize how hard it is to get a property where there is nothing and develop it into a functioning farm,” he says. “Then, you have to figure out marketing and how to sell products.” l VOLUME 20 | ISSUE 3 | mafc.com | 5
FARM AND LAND
From an overgrown garden to a certified organic farm | Paul Sorenson’s days used to involve dressing in a suit, heading to Capitol Hill, and working as a congressional aide. But a lot has changed for Paul and his wife Emma in the past five years. Today, Paul wears a baseball cap, khakis and muddy work boots as he and two of his three full-time summer employees sort and wash the organically grown onions they’ve just picked from one of the fields at Gravel Springs Farms. “For me, a good day now is when I don’t have to leave the farm,” says Paul with a smile.
Story by Susan Walker, Photos by Susan Walker and the Sorenson Family
The operation, located in Union Bridge, Maryland, is a 150 acre certified organic farm. Paul and Emma grow produce and flowers that they sell through their popular Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, which delivers fresh fruit, vegetables, and more to the offices on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., as well as sites in Alexandria, Virginia and Baltimore, Maryland. They also sell at the Fells Point Farmer’s Market in Baltimore and wholesale to area restaurants. Gravel Springs is a family farm in every sense of the word. The Sorensons share the 175-year-old farmhouse with Emma’s parents and will soon be sharing it with their first child. Her mother raises the cut flowers they sell and her father, a
journalist by trade, handles maintenance of equipment and farm buildings. The farm has been in Emma’s family for more than 50 years. When her father was growing up here in the 1960s, the farm was a dairy and grain operation run by his father and mother, the Lowmans. When his father died, his mother worked hard to keep the farm in the family, eventually placing the land in agricultural preservation and renting out much of the acreage. “I grew up around the farm, spending weekends here, but I wasn’t actually a farm kid,” says Emma, who is a physician assistant at Carroll Hospital Center, in addition to working on the farm. “We were very fortunate that my grandmother preserved the homestead
and we were able to move back here and start farming. That’s something special that a lot of young farmers don’t have.” Paul was also raised in a farming community in Indiana. Although his father was an autoworker and the family did not live on a farm, Paul was an avid outdoorsman and his brother-in-law is a corn, soybean and wheat farmer, so a connection to farming is also strong on his side of the family. When the Sorensons moved to the farm five years ago, they started by planting produce on 1/8 of an acre. Says Paul, “What we really had was an overgrown garden that we used Emma’s grandfather’s small Cub Cadet tractor to turn over. We sold heirloom tomatoes to a local restaurant and were so excited
Emma and Paul are looking forward Farm Land of to welcoming the and next generation farmers to Gravel Springs.
Before vegetables are planted in the fields, they’re nurtured in the greenhouse, which includes a custom, computer-regulated watering system designed by a friend.
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gravelspringsfarms.com Facebook.com/GravelSpring
when we took five bags of lettuce and a handful of our tomatoes to the Fells Point Farmers Market, even though we probably should have been a little embarrassed by how little we had to sell.” Today, they have 13 acres in mixed vegetables and fruits including asparagus, strawberries, fennel, kohlrabi, snap beans, onions, garlic, heirloom tomatoes, potatoes, watermelon, specialty sweet potatoes, herbs, and more, all grown organically. The Sorensons currently have 150 CSA shareholders, up from their first year during which they had just five. They plan to increase the acres they cultivate over the next few years so they can sell more wholesale produce. While she was in graduate school earning a master’s degree in public and environmental health, Emma read a great deal about the impact of agriculture on human health and the environment. “When we started farming, we both agreed it was important to take care of the land and farm
in a sustainable way. We want our family to grow up here in as clean and healthy an environment as possible,” she says. The Sorensons are both active with the Chesapeake Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture’s (CASA) Future Harvest initiative, which they say has been a huge help in learning how to be successful organic growers. “We’ve learned so much at CASA’s field days,” says Paul. “We’ve gained a tremendous amount of knowledge getting out there and talking to farmers who are practicing sustainable and organic farming. We’ve also learned a lot from other organic farmers, like Joan Norman at One Straw Farm. She’s been incredibly generous sharing her expertise.” In addition to following sustainable and organic farming practices, the Sorensons use natural springs on the property for irrigation and move their chickens around the property in a wheeled chicken coop so that different areas get fertilized by the nitrogen in
@GravelSprings GravelSpringsFarms
the waste. They’ve also planted several thousand trees on the farm to help preserve water quality in the nearby Roop Branch of Little Pipe Creek. Mary Jane Roop, the Farm Credit loan officer who helped the Sorensons finance new equipment and a renovation to add an in-law apartment to the house, as well as helping them with a Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) grant, says, “Paul and Emma are so receptive to checking out all the available learning opportunities and are so conscious about what they need to do to be good stewards of the land.” Adds Paul, “This is what we’re passionate about. You have to work hard and smart, but it’s all worth it.” l
A wide selection of tasty heirloom tomatoes make Paul and Emma’s stand at the Fells Point Farmers Market a popular stop.
In addition to the eggs their chickens lay, the Sorensons also have an apiary and produce honey.
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FARM AND LAND
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Trevor and Farm Credit loan officer Lisa Cunningham talk in the sales area. Lisa says Trevor “is willing to learn new things, stay on top of the market trends and do what it takes to make it in this industry.”
Empty greenhouses are ready for poinsettias for the holiday season. Trevor begins planting for spring in January. “You have to start ordering plants in September and October to make sure you get what you want,” he says.
Trevor Ball Aims High: youth and enthusiasm are a winning combination Story and photos by Nancy L. Smith
| “I started with nothing. There’s nowhere to go but up,” says Trevor Ball of Ball Nurseries,
located in Preston, Maryland. Surely eagerness to succeed, willingness to face challenges, enthusiasm for hard work, and a strong sense of direction are the hallmarks of a successful farmer. In Trevor, those characteristics are so well manifested that there should be a new word to describe him, but until there is, his drive is something to be admired rather than named.
In January, with loans from Farm Credit and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the 26-year-old purchased a 30-year-old nursery from Ed and Becky Collins. The 27 acre property has 17 greenhouses and two acres of outdoor growing space. Unlike many young farmers, Trevor is not from a farming background. His grandfather farmed, he says, but his parents rent out their land and raise chickens. His mother had a greenhouse and sold flowers, baskets and perennials; she now takes care of the retail side of his business. Trevor’s farming involvement started early. “I rented my first farm when I was a senior in high school. I 8
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started growing produce for auctions and fruit stands,” he recalls. With a Farm Credit loan for a tractor and equipment, he also grew corn, soybeans and grain. He began driving a truck at age 20, following in the tire tracks of his grandparents, parents and brother. “I hauled feed commodities and produce in season,” he says. At 21, when he could legally drive over the state line, he began driving full-time. Trevor had no formal training in truck driving, saying “I just read the truck manual and went and took the test.” Trevor credits the previous owners for their assistance in the nursery. “Without the Collins’ help, it probably wouldn’t be possible to take on all of
this. Becky helps with the books and paperwork and I can call Ed at any time. It’s nice when you can go to someone else and ask a question. “They could have sold to anyone or just put it on the market, but Ed wanted to see what he built continue. He put a lot of trust in me,” Trevor says. He wants to put his imprint on the operation. “There’s a lot of potential here. I want to remodel and change things up. I want to turn it into a yearround operation. I want to expand everything —trees, shrubs, perennials— and build up the landscaping part and work with landscapers.” Trevor also hopes to expand the wholesale end of the operation. “I’m
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Ball Nurseries includes greenhouses and an outdoor growing area. Trevor says, “The growing part is what I like—planting something and watching it grow.”
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When seen in the late spring, the greenhouses and sprawling sales area are sparsely decorated with plants, testimony to a successful sales season.
Colorful zinnias are offered in Trevor’s greenhouse. Buyers this spring left a scant selection of flowers for late-comers.
Facebook.com/pages/ Ball-Greenhouses/647572245371780
open to anything, but I don’t foresee truckloads [of his plants] up and down the East Coast. Maybe I will open another retail outlet someplace else on the shore, but that’s years down the road,” he says. He planted strawberries this year for a planned “you-pick” operation, but made a disappointing discovery. “Deer like strawberries. I found out the hard way,” he says. Despite being surrounded by deer with suspiciously red-stained muzzles, Trevor says the future looks promising. “I am getting a good start by buying an already-established business. I don’t see anything catastrophic happening to cause me to lose it.” He is not concerned with the opinions of others who may say he is too young or in over his head. “Sure, there are people who think I’m crazy. I like that. It keeps you motivated,” he says. As with trucking, Trevor’s lack of
formal training has not been a deterrent to success. “Ninety percent is just learning from doing it. Suppliers have shows and seminars. There’s a lot on the Internet. Information technology has been very helpful. It’s instant – you can look up a problem and get an instant answer about what it is and what to do. You don’t have to wait for someone to come out and help you,” he says. Contemplating the future, Trevor says, “I’m open to anything, but I don’t want to get to where I spread myself too thin.” He admits, though, “If I get more land, I would entertain the idea of building chicken houses.” Lisa Cunningham, Trevor’s Farm Credit loan officer, says, “To be a young farmer takes a lot of fortitude. Trevor has that. His determination, drive and great work ethic made him stand out. He is eager to expand his operation and has a plan to grow the business. He is willing to learn new things, stay on top of the
market trends and do what it takes to make it in this industry.” Trevor brought a large measure of self-assurance to the nursery, but deers’ taste for strawberries has not been the only thing that surprised him. The complexity of the operation at first stymied him, “There is a lot of planting, a lot of paperwork. You have to be organized—when to plant, how to plant so it grows a certain way. “One of the hardest things is watering. It sounds like it should be the easiest but you have to try to get it wet enough but not too wet,” he explains, noting that he does not water on cloudy days to help control disease. Trevor’s enthusiasm marks him as a young man on the way up. “It’s fun. All of it. I’m not happy to sit around. The busier I am, the happier I am. It’s been seven days a week and I’ve loved every minute of it. Even the bad days are still good days.” l VOLUME 20 | ISSUE 3 | mafc.com | 9
FARM AND LAND
Virginia teen gets an early start in farming
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Tyler Triggs just bought a broiler breeder egg farm in Shenandoah Virginia. Tyler, who is 19, is one of Farm Credit’s younger customers.
Tyler decided to make agriculture his livelihood after taking a job working for another farmer as a young teenager. About 30,000 chickens produce eggs at Tyler’s farm. Tyler collects eggs five times daily, gathering as many as 21,000 eggs a day.
| Tyler Triggs recently graduated from Page County High School. This summer, 19–year-old Tyler will be getting up early to check on his chickens, his cows and gather eggs. His main priorities are keeping his livestock healthy and building for the future. That’s because Tyler did something few people at his age do: he bought a farm.
Story by Star Traylor, Photos by Star Traylor and the Triggs family
Located in Shenandoah, Virginia, Tyler’s broiler breeder farm is home to about 30,000 chickens that lay fertilized eggs, that will eventually become broilers. He also has a herd of about 40 head of beef cattle. He bought the farm with a loan from Farm Credit. Tyler looked at different properties in the area before deciding to buy the poultry farm, which is close in proximity to to his home, where he lives with his parents. In high school, he was a member of FFA and worked for a nearby farmer who ran an operation similar to the one he just purchased. “I wanted to be a veterinarian. Then I started working for another farmer,” Tyler says. “That’s
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when I realized I wanted to do this.” He was about 13 when he started working at a farm in Shenandoah, exchanging work for hay and feed that he fed to the cows, goats, horses, and pigs that he was raising on his family’s property. When Tyler told his parents he wanted to buy his own farm after high school, they thought it was a great idea. In fact, Tyler’s brother, Taner, is his biggest helper with daily chores ranging from feeding livestock to gathering eggs. Tyler’s parents, Billy and Kristy, support him in all of his agricultural endeavors. Tyler collects about 1,000 eggs at a time, harvesting approximately 21,000 eggs a day. The eggs come out on
conveyor belts and go into a cart that gets stored in a cooler where they can stay at a consistent 70 degrees. The chickens are housed in three separate buildings on the farm. The Harrisonburg branch of George’s Family Farms owns the chickens and their feed. An employee of the company picks up eggs from Tyler’s farm twice a week. The company also provides a service tech who makes a weekly visit. Tyler isn’t exactly a typical client for Farm Credit loan officer Jason Miller, whose office is in Woodstock, Virginia. Although young clients often apply for smaller loans, fewer than five percent of Jason’s clients are recent graduates buying a whole farm.
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Tyler checks in on the chickens at his egg farm. Although more farmers in the region raise broiler chickens, Tyler opted to buy a broiler breeder farm because he prefers the work and atmosphere.
Taner Triggs, Tyler’s 14-year-old brother, feeds hay to the cows. Taner works for Tyler at the farm.
Tyler also has a herd of beef cattle on his farm in Shenandoah.
Jason said Tyler’s previous experience in farming and his business plan made him a good candidate to receive a Farm Credit loan. “It’s hard work, but that’s what he’s accustomed to. That’s what made him a good candidate—his experience and his financial sense. His family background makes it more feasible,” Jason says, “because he’s not flying solo.” Younger clients typically have less equity when applying for loans, Jason explains. That’s why Farm Credit has special programs designed for new and beginning farmers. Among Tyler’s many concerns as the new owner of a poultry farm is an outbreak of the avian flu that has killed millions of birds in the Midwest. Because the illness is spread by migrating birds, visitors to the property must sanitize their hands and wear special plastic
coverings on their shoes to prevent the spread of germs by someone who may have come in contact with the manure of an infected bird. June was peak production time at Tyler’s farm. With a particularly vicious strain of avian flu circulating, Tyler takes every precaution to protect his chickens. An outbreak at the farm could quickly infect all of them. “If I would get the avian flu, I would have to sit empty for several months,” Tyler explains. Peak production time for chickens at the farm is based on the animals’ age. The chickens’ lifespan is approximately one year, Tyler says. After about a year of laying eggs, the chickens are sold to processors who use them to make soup and other products. For Tyler, working seven days a week at his new farm isn’t a big sacrifice. He is used to hard work and long hours on the
farm. When Tyler has to be away from the farm, he has security cameras and systems to notify him if something is wrong. Tyler is not only among a minority of farmers because of his age, but also due to the type of operation he runs. In the area Farm Credit serves, there are more farmers who raise broiler chickens than produce the eggs. Tyler says he wanted to be a broiler breeder because he had experience working on a broiler breeder farm, and he prefers the work to raising broiler chickens. “I like the atmosphere better,” he says. His five-year plan includes building his cattle herd and possibly buying more land. Tyler is now fulfilling a lifelong dream of owning his own farming operation. His plans for the future are to keep expanding and diversifying in partnership with his younger brother Taner. l
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OUR ASSOCIATION
Honoring Those with Fresh Perspectives
Nomination Categories: 1
Youth Leadership (21 and under) Including officials in local FFA/4-H groups, or other rockstar youth ag leaders!
2
Leadership (over 21) Extension agents, 4-H leaders, and others leading by example.
3
Rural Policy Influence Those making a difference in our communities through policy change, including legislators or ag advocates.
4
Beginning Farmer or Rancher Achievement These nominees may be new to the game, but they are off on the right foot!
5
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Producers who are constantly looking to dive into the newest trends in ag.
6
Sustainability and Natural Conservation The farmer down the street whose main concern is conserving our natural resources. Or maybe you, who has a passion for sustainable ag.
7
Financing Stewardship Doesn’t have to be Farm Credit! This could be a grant program provided by an agency close you to.
8
Mentoring and Volunteerism These generous people give back by sharing their knowledge and experiences with the new generation of farmers.
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Rural Education and Community Impact Ag teachers, workshop hosts and others who inspire learning.
July 2016 marks Farm Credit’s centennial celebration! To gear up for the big event, Farm Credit is holding a nationwide search to find the people who are helping to shape the future of agriculture in America. Now through December 18, applications are being accepted to honor 100 people throughout the country who are making strides in the ag community. These individuals will be announced in March 2016. The top ten honorees—one from each of the nomination categories to the right—will receive $10,000! Are you or someone you know a fit? Please fill out the nomination form at farmcredit100.com to enter. Good luck!
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Rural and Urban Connection This category can include chefs, farm market directors and others who bring rural living to urban dwellers.
Calling A ll C Submit your ho liday recipe for ooks:
a cha nce to win !
Believe it or not, the holid ays will be u for our winte pon us befo r issue and ar re we know e looking to it! We’re plan Have a go-to you to help ning stuffing reci u s fi ll u p p our recipe b e for the holid family reque o x. ay s? Is there one sts each Chri dessert that stmas? Emai by October 3 your l your recipe 0 and you w s to jk re isher@mafc ill be entered to goodie bag .com win a Farm C and may be redit cookin featured in o Good luck! g ur next Lead er magazine !
Looking to Expand Your Business Skills? Register now for our AgBiz Masters Program! Perfect for young and beginning farmers, our AgBiz Masters program will provide you with the tools you need to succeed when it comes to business and financial management. The learning series, which includes online modules and activities, coupled with face-to-face learning sessions, will help answer all of the questions you have about managing and marketing your own agricultural business. Registration for our next class is open now through October 31. Please visit agbizmasters.com or call 888.339.3334 for more information!
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SOCIAL
This summer sure was a hot one! Thanks to everyone who posted pictures of their dogs having fun in the sun this summer, using the hashtag #dogdaysofsummer. Here are some of our favorites. Be sure to follow us on social media for more contests this season!
submitted by @bigdogtweeting
submitted by @fromcentralprk
submitted by @jennykreisher 14
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For this edition of Talkin’ Shop, we turned to some of our knowledgeable loan staff to give advice to all the young, beginning and small farmers out there who are following their passion. Still have more questions? No problem—we’re here to help! Give us a call at 888.339.3334 or follow us on social media for more helpful hints on getting started in agriculture.
What advice do you have for farmers just getting started? John Mylin – Quarryville, PA: Acquire knowledge and use it to develop a business plan. Accumulate some capital, and have a mentor you can trust and depend on. Keith Wills – Bel Air, MD: Have a business plan written, not in your head. The AgBiz Master’s program is also great and delivers many insights to start up operations. Amanda Knackstedt – Lancaster, PA: Create a two-year projection of income and expenses based on an “average” outcome and a “worst case” outcome. This helps you determine what risk-management tools you need to protect yourself in the “worst case” outcome. Bill Schrodel – Westminster, MD: Keep the day job while you’re starting out. Karen Swecker – Winchester, VA: Network! Build relationships with farmers, industry representatives, attorneys, your lender, and consumers. Having knowledgeable resources to call on when needed is key. Cara Sylvester – Denton, MD: Start saving now! Cash on hand is one of your greatest assets and often one of the weakest points on a beginning farmer’s balance sheet. Cash can be used toward down payments, permits, and start-up costs, and also provides a safety net for your new operation. Plus, it shows me that you are responsible enough to set aside money for a rainy day (or in the case of many farms, a drought!)
What do you find to be a common challenge for beginning farmers? Hannah Masser - Lancaster, PA: Developing a marketing outlet for their products. Some of the best players in the industry have gotten to that point because they have created an incredible variety of marketing outlets, but that can take time and experience. Keith: Not knowing where to start. They have great ideas and great energy, but unsure of what to do first. A business plan is essential. Marvin Charles – Lancaster, PA: Often, they find real estate prices to be high. They also sometimes lack a well-developed succession plan from the older generation. Amanda: A common challenge I see for beginning farmers is startup capital. While equipment and start-up expenses can be financed, it is important to invest cash into the business and to have a reserve to cover the unexpected. Cara : The most common challenge is having the resources to purchase a farm. Many beginning farmers lack the cash or excess collateral needed as a down payment in order to use traditional financing on a land purchase. Luckily, Farm Credit works with a variety of state and national resources to help minimize or sometimes eliminate that down payment.
What is the most important tool or resource one should have when starting out in farming? Hannah: A good accountant that is familiar with farming operations. This is especially crucial in the beginning, because it can help determine the best structure for their operation from the start. Keith: Having a great mentor can help you avoid pitfalls and provide direction. Additionally, having outside help from an accountant, attorney, Extension agents, etc. is helpful. These outside people may see good or bad aspects that you do not see, as you are so close to the day to day operations.
Karen: A mentorship with one or more farmers is invaluable. Including them in your brainstorming sessions and decision-making process may help prevent traveling down a dead end road.
For more beginning farmer advice from Farm Credit staff, sign-up to receive our blog at mafc.com/blog!
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COMMUNITY Ellendale, Delaware
Cambridge, Maryland
Sixty-seven acres of mostly tillable ground. Layout is conducive to irrigation. Over 1,000 feet of frontage on Ponder Road. This farm is located in the Ellendale sewer district. Farm now with future development potential! $535,000.
Pristine cottage with huge views of Jamaica Point and the Hyatt on the Choptank River. Amazing sunset views from the front of the home and protected docks in the rear. Everything has been updated. Also offers a swim deck, detached shed, boat lift, new roof, and new HVAC. $450,000.
Contact Wes Cromer, Masten Realty, LLC, 302.448.1032.
Contact Tim Miller, Benson & Mangold, 410.310.3553.
Cambridge, Maryland
Centreville, Maryland
Remarkable almost 100 acre farm. Hunter’s paradise with ponds, secluded woods and open fields. Gracious five bedroom main house features a gourmet kitchen with granite counters and center island, formal living and dining room, exceptional great room with fireplace, large barn, and waterside pool. $1,950,000.
Great country setting and only 20 minutes to the Bay Bridge. Recently updated kitchen and bathrooms, fresh paint, new HVAC system, new filter and pump on the pool, lots of cabinets, large deck overlooking the in-ground pool, large detached garage (30’ x 30’) with water and electric, all on just under two acres. $299,000.
This great home is waiting for you. Located close to Chestertown with so many great amenities, yet live outside of town with a spacious yard for the family. House has many possibilities. Full unfinished basement, two car garage with bonus room or great storage space. $269,900.
Contact Gretchen Wichlinski, Rosendale Realty, 410.758.0333.
Contact Harry Kaiser, Rosendale Realty, 410.758.0333.
Contact William “Skipper” Marquess, Exit Latham Realty, 410.924.3212.
Church Hill, Maryland
Church Hill, Maryland
Ellicott City, Maryland
Looking for a home with lots of charm and character, with modern updates? This is your home. Recent upgrades include central heat and air, paint, kitchen, well, septic, windows, etc. Hardwood floors throughout with a large fenced-in backyard with beautiful landscaping. Large work shop. $169,500.
This home is larger than it looks! Three bedrooms, two baths, and right around 1,400 square feet of finished living space. Remodeled inside and out, with a large deck off the back of house to enjoy your private yard. Beautiful refinished hardwood floors, fancy tile work, all new kitchen and appliances, new countertops, windows, and doors. $145,500.
Bring the horses! Truly unique Victorian equestrian estate on seven picturesque acres has all the classic charm you would expect, combined with the modern convenience you need. Recently remodeled roof, windows, gutters, porch posts, rear deck, and garage doors. $1,275,000.
Contact Chris Rosendale, Rosendale Realty, 410.758.0333.
Contact Steve Miller, Rosendale Realty, 410.758.0333.
Contact Tim McIntyre, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, 410.480.3555.
Elkton, Maryland Charming three-bedroom cottage style Cape Cod home on 9.6 acres in the middle of Fair Hill horse territory and in ag preservation lands. Four stall center runway horse barn with tack room, hay storage, fenced paddock, and pasture. Pond nestled in a wooded area. Five minutes to Fair Hill Natural Resource Area with riding trails. $435,000. Contact Paula H. Gilley, Mason Dixon Realty, 443.206.0746.
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Chestertown, Maryland
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Denton, Maryland
Want to live near and be a part of the 4-H community? Three parcels available, starting at $65,000. Contact Anne Jones, Champion Realty, Inc., 410.310.1249 or 410.479.3993.
New Market, Maryland
Queen Anne, Maryland
A rare find! A 2,100 square foot Cape Cod and a 1,000 square foot rancher on 19+ acres. Can subdivide one lot off the 19 acres. Tucked away and secluded with a private drive. Huge 28 ‘x 20’ garage with workshop and exercise room. In-ground pool with slide. New pellet stove. Low property taxes due to ag status; hunt your own land! $475,000.
Beautiful 18th century brick manor home situated on approximately 12.31 acres. Complementing this home are panoramic views, a spring fed stream, many shade trees, a heated in-ground pool, and a 19th century bank barn. $948,000.
Reduced! Why commute when you can work from home on this beautifully maintained 14 acre chicken farm. This partially wooded property has everything you need - updated three bedroom home, 650’ x 30’ fully functioning chicken house, 5+ wooded acreage, and fully stocked pond. $349,000.
Contact Dawn Kyle, Champion Realty, Inc., 410.310.5899.
Contact Tom Rozynek, Frederick Land Company, 301.606.6448.
Contact Megan Rosendale, Rosendale Realty, 410.758.0333.
Stevensville, Maryland
Stevensville, Maryland
Sudlersville, Maryland
Beautiful Chesapeake Bay waterfront parcel. With adjoining parcel for sale to total over 30 acres and almost 500 feet of waterfront on the bay. There aren’t many waterfront parcels left, especially with acreage on Kent Island. Boat, hunt, bring the horses - the possibilities are yours for the taking. $750,000.
Kent Island waterfront horse farm! Fifteen acres. Beautiful home with two-story entry foyer, spacious kitchen with granite countertops and a large master suite. For the horses: approximately ten acres of lush pasture, 12 acres fenced, center aisle six-stall barn, storage rooms, training ring, and fenced paddocks. $995,000.
Come check out this unique property with about two acres of land minutes from 213 and 301. Beautiful mature foliage allows privacy and numerous outbuildings available for storage or projects. Investor or handyman’s dream! Opportunity to continue use as rental property. $179,900.
Contact Tammy Rosendale, Rosendale Realty, 410.758.0333.
Contact Michael Rosendale, Rosendale Realty, 410.643.2166.
Contact Melissa Perron, Rosendale Realty, 410.758.0333.
Taneytown, Maryland
Taneytown, Maryland
Union Bridge, Maryland
Farmette with large farmhouse, 60’ x 44’ pole shed, 200’ x 24’ run-in shed and bank barn on 9.33 acres located between Taneytown and Emmitsburg. Many possibilities—steers, EQUAL HOUSING EQUAL HOUSING horses, alpacas, nursery/landscaping/mulch, OPPORTUNITY or repair shop (always verifyOPPORTUNITY with county). Country kitchen, hardwood floors, laundry, and half bath on main floor, master bedroom has walk-in closet. Windows updated in 2012, furnace in 2013. Easy commute to Route 15. $299,900.
Lovely historic four-five bedroom stone colonial overlooking your own large Koi pond with footbridge on the most picturesque 19 acres in Carroll County. This stone home has a sunny spacious solarium, large country kitchen, patio, front porch, and upper balcony. Also has a workshop, stable and gazebo. A must see! $324,900.
Beautiful 131 acre horse farm, not in ag preservation. Two homes on the property. A custom built 4,000+ square foot main house built in 2007. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible with elevator. The second home is a 2,000 square foot colonial with three bedrooms, two full baths. Bank barn with 10 box stalls and five tie stalls, stable barn with six stalls with rear run-in. Forty-five fenced acres, 60-65 acres of cropland. $2,200,000.
OPPORTUNITY Contact Bonnie and John Speak, Long and OPPORTUNITY Foster Real Estate, 410.984.2302.
Contact Karen Carroll, Haines Realty, 410.375.8898.
Contact Garry Haines, Haines Realty, 410.984.6556.
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Greensboro, Maryland
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Need financing for any of these properties? 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. Union Bridge, Maryland
Pristine lot, ready for your dream home! 10.7 acres of gently rolling hills and mature trees. Views to Mt. St. Mary’s and scenery with remarkable sunsets. Plenty of room for animals. Lot has perc and a great well. Subject to reasonable, negotiable covenants (size and type of construction, permitted uses, etc.). $220,000. Contact Matt Tomlinson, Frederick Town Realty, 240.793.4633.
Westminster, Maryland
Sixty-one acres and priced to sell! Attractive brick colonial farmhouse circa 1800’s. Acreage consists of four separate deeded parcels, beautiful rolling land with frontage on county-maintained paved road. Not in farmland preservation. $525,000.
Private setting with a nice mix of wooded and open land. Twenty-two bucolic acres, pond, barn, and a beautiful free form built-in pool! Recently remodeled home with gourmet kitchen featuring cherry cabinets, granite, stainless appliances, and two new baths! Beautiful hardwood floors, spacious rooms and so much more. $825,000.
Contact Larry Haines, Haines Realty, 410.876.1616.
Contact Linda Borgmann, Riley & Associates Realtors, 443.286.1725.
Bangor, Pennsylvania
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White Hall, Maryland
Denver, Pennsylvania
Working farm with 202 acres and only 90 minutes from New York City and Philadelphia. 135 acres of crops, hay and pasture for cattle and equine grazing. Woodland totals 35 acres, including 17 acres of prime timberland. 4,000+ square foot two unit farmhouse with two ponds. Approved building site for another home. Multiple agricultural buildings. $1,250,000.
Seven acre farm with a two-story farmhouse and with oversized three car garage. 30’ x 64’ pole barn in a superb country location in Lancaster County. $429,000.
Contact Barbara Winn, Keller Williams Realty Group, 484.547.3098.
Contact Matthew Martin, Farm Folk Realtors, 717.629.6658.
East Greenville, Pennsylvania
Fleetwood, Pennsylvania
Grantville, Pennsylvania
Exceptional 54 acre farm with two houses: 1840 stone farmhouse and 1790 log/stone farmhouse. Other buildings include bank barn, garage and storage building. Land is almost all tillable with large, flat fields. Located five miles from the Quakertown exit on the PA Turnpike for a short commute to Philadelphia. $850,000.
Stone farmhouse circa 1803 on approximately 17 acres with light industrial/residential zoning. Possibilities include in-home business, horse farm, nursery, or other approved use. Features include three stone fireplaces, five bedrooms with one bedroom having private entrance, and two and a half baths. $425,000.
Picturesque 27 acre retreat with gorgeous views of the Blue Mountains, morning sunrises and evening sunsets over the pond with deep bellowing bull frogs and bass-chasing dragonflies. Soak up the sun sitting around the in-ground pool or rock your evenings away on the wrap around porch. $495,000.
Contact Gary L. Coles, New Pennsylvania Realty, Inc., 610.398.2559.
Contact Maurizio Peta, GKS Brown Realty Services, 484.220.0099.
Contact Rob Hess, Brownstone Real Estate Co., 717.821.1782.
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Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania
Twenty-eight plus acres. Certified organic farm with a remodeled historic farmhouse with a wraparound porch, and the original wainscoting in the kitchen and foyers. Four car block garage, two car garage with workshop (16’ x 29’) and two car garage (24’ x 24’) attached to the barn with full second floor at ground level, and two car pavilion. Yearround flowing spring. $528,888.
Gothic style architecture, two-story frame barn fully insulated on five gorgeous acres near Lake Nockamixon State Park. Perc approved with well and driveway installed. Great views and off a quiet country lane. Ideal for conversion to dramatic residence. $269,000.
This 65 acre West Brunswick Township farm is situated between Red Dale Road and Grove Street. The farm has a beautiful mix of fertile fields, woodlands and panoramic views of Hawk Mountain. Exceptional 1905 farmhouse is in excellent condition. Blue Mountain school district, zoned agricultural preservation, enrolled in Act 319. $695,000.
Contact Wasyl M. Onulack, Jr., Century 21 Keim Realtors, 610.823.7850.
Contact Chip Williams, Long and Foster Real Estate, 610.442.6559.
Contact Jonathan D. Coles, News Pennsylvania Realty, Inc., 570.386.5000.
Lenhartsville, Pennsylvania
Properties for sale
Kintnersville, Pennsylvania
Hamburg, Pennsylvania
Landenberg, Pennsylvania Two parcels of vacant land close to Fair Hill Training Center. Combination of open and wooded acreage. In Chester County (all limited to one home). Offered as: 21.07 acres- $256,000 or 70.67 acres - $760,000. Contact Christ W. Taylor, Beiler-Campbell Realtors, 717.786.8000.
Edinburg, Virginia
Dana Point Farm – 60 acres and 53 stall horse farm. Two barns, indoor arena, fenced pastures with water, and run-in sheds. Three separate living quarters include two barn apartments and a three-bedroom ranch house. Gorgeous pond and landscaping with wonderful curb appeal. Ideal for training, boarding or breeding. $1,150,000. Contact Cindy Stys, Cindy Stys Equestrian and Country Properties, Ltd., 610.849.1790.
Shenandoah Dream. Approximately 4,520 square foot Victorian on 46 acres with a stocked pond, rolling fields, 15 wooded acres, trails, riding arena, and multiple paddocks for equine. In three parcels with two more septic approvals. Six-stall heated barn with a 2,000 square foot apartment. Perfect for a vineyard, agri-business or tourism. Close to I-81. $1,195,000. Contact Bobby Poff, Johnston & Rhodes Real Estate, 540.975.0615.
What puts the life in your lifestyle? EQUAL HOUSING
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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 EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY 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
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mafc.com EQUAL HOUSING
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PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE BALTIMORE MD PERMIT NO. 7175
45 Aileron Court Westminster MD 21157
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Farm Fresh Financing As a young or beginning farmer, you know you need a variety of skills and resources to make your business work. You need to understand the soil, your crops, your marketplace. You need a good head for business, and customer service. You also need a committed financial partner. Someone who will be there for you, good years and bad. Someone who knows businesses—especially farm businesses—aren’t built in a day. That someone is Farm Credit. Call us today and see why we’re the freshest option in farm financing.
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