Leader: Generations of Success

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Farm Credit

leader Lending support to rural America速

MEET OUR 2014 SCHOLARSHIP winners inside!

volume 19 | issue 2 | $3.95

Generations of Success

s In This Issue MidAtlantic Farm Credit, ACA

FARM AND LAND

J. Robert Frazee, CEO MidAtlantic Farm Credit Board of Directors Fred N. West Chairman M. Wayne Lambertson Vice Chairman

4 Longenecker’s Hatchery

A longstanding poultry operation in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Longenecker’s has an eye towards the future with help from the next generation.

6 Five Generations of Farmers

The Crum family in Frederick County, Maryland has grown their farm into a successful operation through years of hard work and dedication from family members.

Paul D. Baumgardner Deborah A. Benner Brian L. Boyd Gary L. Grossnickle Dale R. Hershey Walter C. Hopkins T. Jeffery Jennings Christopher Kurtzman Fred R. Moore, Jr. Dale J. Ockels Jennifer L. Rhodes Ralph L. Robertson, Jr. Paul J. Rock Joseph D. Snapp Lingan T. Spicer

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

8 Fawnwood Farms

Each of the four generations of this family operation has added a special touch to Fawnwood Farms in Chestertown, Maryland, with a fifth generation on the way!

10 Cave Ridge Vineyards

Located in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, Randy and Karen Phillips, with help from their daughter, are running a popular winery with plans to grow the family business.

MidAtlantic Farm Credit MidAtlanticFarmCredit

OUR ASSOCIATION

12 Scholarship Winners 14 Annual Meetings in Action 16 Patronage Program 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

Back in the Day

s events | deadlines JUN

event

place

0-21 Delmarva Chicken Festival 2 21 First day of summer JUL

Centreville, MD

event place

1 Wheat and barley premiums due 9-12 Talbot County Fair Easton, MD

4 Independence Day MAFC Offices Closed 15 Acreage report deadline 18-19 Pennsylvania Christmas Tree

Growers Association Conference Frackville, PA 17-26 Delaware State Fair Harrington, DE 19-26 Washington County

Ag Expo and Fair Sharpsburg Pike, MD 31-Aug 2 The Great Pocomoke Fair Pocomoke, MD AUG

event place

2-9 Howard County Fair West Friendship, MD 6-9 Caroline-Dorchester County Fair Denton, MD 8-10 Worcester County Fair Snow Hill, MD 10-16 Clarke County Fair Berryville, VA 11-16 Queen Anne’s County Fair Centreville, MD 14-16 Wicomico Farm and Home Show Salisbury, MD 15 Spring crop premiums due 17-23 Jefferson County Fair Kearneysville, WV For a full list of events, please visit mafc.com

I’ve often heard people describe how things were “back in the day”, meaning the way that they remember events from when they were much younger.

I remember, back in the day, when no one even thought about multi-generational farms. It was the norm, and it was an efficient way to get things done—with Grandpop handling field work, for instance, the son or daughter in charge of the bulk of the work on the farm, and the kids feeding calves and cleaning out pens. It was what we called “farming” back then.

Today, we don’t take these family-based farms for granted. We know how hard it is to farm—and how hard it is to do it generation after generation. I’m not saying for a minute that it’s harder than getting started—because buying land and building a business is a big obstacle for many people today—but it does have its own challenges. Will the next generation want to farm? Can the family members work together?

What happens if you need a skillset that no one in your family has?

That’s why I’m so impressed with the families highlighted in this issue of the Leader. Like Longenecker’s Hatchery, a Lancaster County, PA farm that has been raising chicks since 1919. And the Crum family, who has been farming in Frederick County, MD, since 1891. Then there’s Fawnwood Farms, a dairy farm in Chestertown, MD, looking forward to the fifth generation being born this spring. And finally, there’s the youngest venture in our issue—Cave Ridge Vineyard, a 31 acre vineyard in Mount Jackson, VA, which is run by two generations of dedicated growers, with a third pitching in when she’s not in elementary school.

Any operation in business as long as the businesses above have seen their share of ups and downs in the industry. Some of them may have diversified their farms, or even switched businesses entirely, but what remains through the generations is twofold: a love of the land and a commitment to family. It’s a great legacy that our loan officers get to see every day, and I’m glad that Farm Credit has been a part of so many families’ success.

Speaking of success, we wish all the best to our 2014 scholarship winners. Since 2000, we’ve given out almost $220,000 to young students in our region. You can see why we know that we’ve made a great investment in their futures on page 12.

We distributed those scholarship funds at our annual meetings, which you can see on pages 14 and 15. We no longer deliver patronage checks at those meetings, but that’s only because we mail the checks so that our members can get them sooner. This year we distributed over $36 million in patronage money—and that’s just since January 2014!

We think it’s important to manage your cooperative in a way that we will be here for generations and generations. Thank you for supporting us in those efforts.

PS—Don’t miss seeing results for our board and nominating committee elections on the back page. They’re the people who will be leading your association into the future! volume 19 | ISSUE 2 | mafc.com | 3

FARM AND LAND

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Daryl Hilsher and his son Andrew work together to ensure healthy chicks. The entire Longenecker Farm and Land team prides itself on building and maintaining solid relationships with customers.

Andrew Hilsher, who is studying agribusiness management at Penn State University, has gained hands-on experience in all facets of hatching chicks while working with his family at Longenecker’s Hatchery. Andrew is especially interested in learning about the breeder aspect of the hatchery industry.

Longenecker’s Hatchery meets generational challenges story and photos by Sally Scholle

| One-hundred years ago, nearly every farm kept an assortment of livestock, including

chickens, that provided both eggs and meat. Although some farmers hatched chicks on the farm, it was more common to purchase day-old chicks from a hatchery.

When Clayton Longenecker was raising chickens in his Lancaster County hatchery in 1919, nearly every rural town had a hatchery. Clayton’s two-story chicken house was typical for the time: breeder hens were kept on the top floor and their fertile eggs were transferred downstairs to incubators. Chicks were hatched in spring and summer because there was no way to efficiently transport and start young birds in cold weather.

Clayton’s son, John, took over the family hatchery in the 1940s. At that time, laying birds were often used for meat because there wasn’t a distinction between the two types.

In the 1960s, chickens were still being raised on open pasture with shelters; the early version of free-range chickens. That changed when Longenecker’s began the 4

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construction of broiler houses. During this time, John Martin joined the company and began to develop the breeder program as it is today.

“John Longenecker was a hatchery man,” said John. “He liked working in the hatchery, and he was very good at it. During the 1950s and 1960s, we sold broilers and commercial layers as day-old chicks or started pullets. That continued through 1979.”

As poultry production expanded, specialized housing for poultry was developed. At the same time, diseases emerged, including a highly virulent form of avian influenza. “That affected how the company evolved,” said Mark Martin, John Martin’s son and technical advisor for the company.

The disease devastated the industry and Longenecker’s lost about 50 percent

of their breeders. A vaccine was developed, but it wasn’t available for broilers. Since the goal was to eradicate the disease, poultry producers were quarantined and all infected birds were destroyed.

“It was a huge challenge to follow all of the quarantine guidelines and supply our customers,” said John, who explained that Longenecker’s contracted with Georgia producers to maintain a supply of hatching eggs. “The plants still needed broilers, and we were fortunate to be able to keep our main customers going.”

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the poultry industry underwent many changes, including flocks being challenged by disease and the subsequent development of vaccines to control those diseases. Most small hatcheries didn’t survive, but Longenecker’s did. Vertical

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Several families and generations have overcome numerous challenges in the poultry industry, and today, they continue to manage Longenecker Hatchery as a successful business. Top row, from left: Andrew Hilsher, Mark Martin, Daryl Hilsher and Steve Hilsher. Seated, from left: John Brubaker, Don Hilsher and John Martin.

To ensure that customers receive healthy birds, day-old chicks are carefully transported to farms in climate-controlled trucks.

integration, a system that allows farmers to raise birds for a profit while taking out some of the risk of enduring poor years, was also developed during this time.

“When the broiler industry was profitable, there was expansion,” said John, explaining the driving force behind integration. “Farmers could go through good times, but there were also down times. Processing plants needed chickens, and if farmers couldn’t afford to purchase the feed necessary to grow the birds and stay in business, how would a supply for processing be maintained? With integration, larger companies assumed the ownership of the birds and paid farmers to raise them. It saved a lot of farms.”

In the 1960s, Donald Hilsher and John Brubaker married into the Longenecker family, and today, along with John Martin, remain at the helm of the multi-generational family business.

Donald’s sons Daryl and Steve, along with John’s son Mark, also joined the company and play a key role in management.

Although improved technology made the hatchery more profitable, John says that the 1980s were challenging.

“Breeder feed costs due to the price of corn and soybeans were high,” he said. “At the same time, interest rates were high.”

One of Longenecker’s major customers went bankrupt, which forced the family to develop other markets, including sales of broiler chicks to Canada.

Because of the leadership team and multigenerational determination to persist, Longenecker Hatchery survived these challenges. Today, Longenecker’s is one of the largest independent hatcheries in the country. Daryl’s son Andrew, who is currently studying agribusiness management at Penn State, is the fifth generation to become involved in the business. Andrew spends a lot of time at the hatchery and is learning every facet of the business.

“To a lot of multi-generational businesses, it may look like one long tenure of bliss,” said Daryl, reflecting on the changes the company has undergone. “Coming through some of these rough periods, we wondered whether we should continue. Where is the future of this business if we don’t have control of our own breeders and disease issues, and will our customers survive?”

Longenecker’s Hatchery has always been forward-thinking and planning for the future. Financing from Farm Credit has helped with the purchase of new, state-of-the art incubators. The addition of a second hatchery in 2002 brought new customers and 20 additional breeder houses to supply fertile eggs.

As a long-time customer of Farm Credit, Longenecker’s Hatchery has enjoyed the patronage benefit, which distributes profits to member-shareholders.

“What we’re doing today is what the family did generations ago,” said Daryl. “Provide our customers, who are independent, generationally-raised, and local with our best product, which is a quality chick.”

Mark echoes Daryl’s thoughts on the importance of customer service along with highly qualified leadership.

“The focus at Longenecker’s Hatchery has always been on our customers and the people in the companies that we’re working with, as well as the chickens,” said Mark. “We’ve always had people who are knowledgeable about poultry and who work well with customers.” l volume 19 | ISSUE 2 | mafc.com | 5

FARM AND LAND

Five generations of farmers and one more in the making | Jason Crum’s family has been farming in Frederick County, Maryland since 1891, when his great, great grandfather, Solomon, purchased the original farm. The first generations to farm primarily raised heifers and crops, but Jason’s grandfather, Jack Crum, a former Farm Credit Director, switched the operation’s focus to dairy farming.

Story by Susan Walker; Photos by Susan Walker and Mary Crum

Today, Jason and his parents, David and Barbara, continue to follow that path. His parents milk 110 cows and grow corn, soybeans, wheat, barley, and alfalfa on the 300-acre farm where Jason, his brother and sister grew up. And the operation is growing. Jason and his wife, Mary, recently purchased a 135-acre farm near his parents. The plan is for Jason and Mary’s farm to be a calf and heifer operation once Jason builds the new calf barn.

They will also farm corn, hay and wheat, since 110 acres of their new farm is tillable.

Though Jason has always worked on his parents’ farm in some capacity, he also runs his own construction business.

While he enjoys the work, he says he

prefers farming. “In my construction business, I’m working for the customer,” Jason explains. “When I’m farming, I’m working for myself. I prefer the independence that farming gives me.”

While the farm has always been a big part of Jason’s life, his wife Mary does not come from a farming background.

The two met when they were both in a wedding, but they didn’t hit it off at that time. “We actually got together a few years after that and now we’ve been married for 11 years,” adds Mary. “When we were first dating, I used to beg Jason to let me feed the cows. I loved it! Now I feed them in the afternoons when I get home from my job as a vocational

coordinator for developmentally disabled adults.”

Jason and Mary both feel strongly about raising their two children, 9-yearold Tristen and 4-year-old Liliana, on the farm. Both children help their parents with farm work, feeding calves and doing other tasks. “The farm is the best place to raise a child,” Jason says. “You learn that you need to work for what you have and not to be afraid of hard work.”

Tristen has an especially strong passion for farming. He even runs the skidloader, and according to his mother, she can’t tell if it’s Tristen or Jason at the wheel. “I was trying to get him to join a soccer team, but he was adamant that the

Jason and Mary’s (left) family has had a long relationship with Farm Credit and loan officer Mary Jane Roop (far right).

Every day after work as a vocational coordinator, Mary heads to the barn and feeds the cows and calves.

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farm was where he preferred to be,” says Mary. “He said, ‘Mom, if no one’s working on the farm, where will everyone get the milk for cheese and the grain for cereal?’

Even when he was very young, he would be watching Jason and his grandfather working in the field, then go get the exact toy version of the equipment they were using and ‘farm’ in the living room. He even wrapped his little plastic hay bales in toilet paper when they were baling hay.”

Working with their Farm Credit loan officer Mary Jane Roop, Jason and Mary got part of the money needed to purchase their new farm through the Frederick County Critical Farms Program.

Started in 1994, the program is part of a larger agricultural preservation effort.

The program lends full-time farmers up-front capital to purchase farmland. In return, the borrower grants the county an

need around the farm without straining their budget.

“Jason and Mary are both such hardworking young people,” adds Mary Jane Roop. “They work at their jobs off the farm, work on the farm and are putting a lot of sweat equity into their new farm. They’re also active with the Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers programs and the Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers’ Young Co-op Members program. I’ve worked with them for 10 years and it’s really exciting to see the Critical Farms Program help them get their new operation started.”

“When I came back to farming from working construction, I went back knowing you have to do hard work and not have things handed to you. That’s been true through every generation and it’s one of the main reasons I choose to farm,” says Jason.

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Liliana helps care for the calves, but one of her favorite activities is playing with the family’s border collie puppies.

In addition to bottle-feeding calves, Tristen also helps his grandfather bale and stack hay.

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Tristen took 4th place in the Holstein spring and winter calf category at the 2013 Great Frederick Fair.

easement on their property and the land is put into agricultural preservation. “The Critical Farms Program made buying our farm affordable,” notes Jason. “Without it, that land would have gone to a builder and been covered with houses.”

Jason and his family have had a long relationship with Farm Credit. In addition to his grandfather serving as director and lobbying in Annapolis on behalf of farmers in that role, Jason got his first loan from Farm Credit to buy a truck when he was just 15. “My grandfather told me about the program and even though I had the cash to buy the truck outright, he said it was smarter to get the loan and pay it back to build my credit,” says Jason.

“He was right and I’m glad I followed his advice.” As members of Farm Credit, the family also says that their patronage payments help them pay for things they

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FARM AND LAND

Fawnwood Farms: Where Dairying is a Family Matter | How many generations can find happiness on one farm? At Tom and Alice Mason’s Fawnwood Farm in Chestertown, Maryland, the answer is at least five. Purchased by Alice’s grandmother and farmed by her father, the 150-acre farm is also home to Tom and Alice’s son, Andy, and his wife, Valerie. A spring baby will bring the fifth generation to the farm.

story and photos by nancy l. smith

Each generation has added ideas and improvements to create a successful enterprise. Tom, a former Extension agent, began milking cows in 1977. The family now milks 360 cows twice a day. Although Alice’s father was a dairyman, he quit farming before Tom and Alice began, so they had to build their operation from scratch.

“We traded bull semen for our first heifers,” Tom remembers. He credits Farm Credit with taking a chance on young farmers. “When we started, we had jobs but no money, no equipment. I wanted to buy a Massey Ferguson 1100 tractor for $5,000, but no one would loan us the money. Farm Credit took a chance on us.”

Tom wanted to expand the enterprise, but Alice’s father had doubts.

“We were building a 20-by-80 foot silo and my father-in-law said ‘You don’t need it that big.’ He thought we would never grow enough corn to fill it,” Tom recalls.

“Now we fill five bunkers many times what that silo held.”

Those bunkers save money, Tom explains. “We don’t sell extra corn, just save it. In the last dry year, we still had 20,000 bushels [saved from the previous harvest] and didn’t have to buy $8 corn.

When I was an Extension agent, we always told farmers to buy feed. I think that’s wrong. You should buy land any way you can and grow your own feed.”

Andy is bringing more new ideas to the farm. “We do a lot of genomic testing,” he says. “Our first bull in AI will be released

in May.” Careful breeding is paying off.

One of the farm’s cows recently ranked 20th in the national Jersey Performance Index.

Tom acknowledges it can be tough to share decision making on the farm.

“It’s not easy to let go,” he says, “You know you will have to. You know the younger generation has knowledge, but that doesn’t make it any easier. The question is —at what point do you give up control?”

The family built a new barn and milking parlor for 320 cows with Farm Credit loans in 2011 and 2012. The barn features a manure flush system that recycles water and reclaims sand for bedding.

Valerie says the new fans and sprinkler system increase cow comfort.

Tom notes that “before, when it got hot,

Alice, Tom, Andy, and Valerie with a 10-day-old Jersey heifer calf.

Farm and Land Tom credits Farm Credit with the farm’s success. “Without them I would not have been able to do any of it.”

The latest technology shines in the new milking parlor.

Four full-time employees help the Mason family milk 360 cows twice a day.

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evescheese.com

the cows all jammed together for some reason. Now the cows act like it’s any other day when it’s 90 degrees.”

Andy says the new facility makes the herd easier to manage and allows more cows to be milked. “There has been a vast improvement in the somatic cell count and improvement in milk production,” he says, crediting better stalls, more room and improved cow comfort.

Tom says the farm is earning a consistent quality premium for its milk because of the low somatic cell count and low preincubation count. “We have gotten the premium for the last 18 months. We had gotten it before, but not consistently,” he says.

The quality premiums generally do not go to luxuries. “I give them to Sharon [Redding, the Mason’s loan officer] to pay off the loan earlier. You don’t miss it because it’s money you never had.” Tom

does the same with patronage checks he receives from Farm Credit. “It is certainly welcome when the check comes and a lot of times, I put it on the principal of the loan.”

He adds that patronage payments are “certainly the deciding factor in whether to deal with a bank or Farm Credit. If you are a farmer, I don’t know why you wouldn’t use Farm Credit; they give patronage and have been consistent in giving patronage.”

Loan Officer Sharon praises the Mason’s business. “They definitely run a very profitable, efficient operation.

Their information is accurate. They are very aware of their operation and what it can do and can yield. It makes my job a lot easier.”

In 2001, the Masons and another couple started Eve’s Cheese, “an udderly delicious Kent County family farm product” named after an award-winning

4-H project Jersey cow. “When we started, raw milk cheeses could not be made in Maryland, so we took milk to an Amish man in Kirkwood, Pennsylvania who handcrafted the cheese for us,” Alice explains. The same cheesemaker still produces the cheese.

The first cheese shipment was 700 pounds and Alice worried they could not sell it all, but the cheese sold out at farmers’ markets. “Last year, we sold 12,000 pounds of cheese, mostly at farmers markets, farm stands and some stores,” Alice explains. “Farm stands on the way to the beach call and want to carry the cheese.”

With expansion plans in the works, Tom reflects on the new building, consistently high milk quality and cheese business, thinking back to how it was all started. “I wonder what my fatherin-law would think of all this. He would probably be fine with it all.” l

Andy and Valerie in front of the new Farm Credit-financed milking facility and barn. The pair met at Cornell University while studying animal science. Andy’s twin sister, Katie, is a loan officer for AgChoice Farm Credit in York, Pennsylvania.

A Jersey cow with ear tag and an RFID button enjoys the Mason’s new barn, which was designed to be expanded in the future. “I want to keep growing the business,” says Andy.

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FARM AND LAND

Cave Ridge Vineyard expands to keep up with demand and provide for generations to come!

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Sustainable farming practices are a must at Cave Ridge Vineyard. The Phillips’ love for the land, love for their customers, and love for what they do shows through in each and every bottle of wine they seal the top on.

story and photos by Jennifer

The wine making process is not a quick one. Randy is careful not to rush any of his wine because reaching that optimum taste is what it is all about for him and keeps his customers coming back for more.

Showalter | Growing up working in the orange groves of Florida, Randy Phillips never dreamed he

would one day be running a vineyard, let alone be a master winemaker. After attending Emory University where he met his wife, Karen, Randy served in the army. He then went on to the University of Montana and earned a degree in forestry.

Randy became a forest fire fighter and later managed a large cattle ranch in California. He and his family then moved back east to North Carolina, where he managed all of the state’s natural forests.

Never afraid to push forward, Randy and his family packed up again and moved to the Washington, D.C. area, where he oversaw legislative policies for the U.S. Forest Service. Desperately missing the outdoor lifestyle, Randy took early retirement and searched for three years for a farm where he could possibly start a vineyard.

In 2000, Randy, Karen, and their two daughters, Megan, who is now 30, and Erin, who is now 26, settled on their new 31-acre farm in Mount Jackson, Virginia.

With the Shenandoah Valley having some of the best soils and climate east of the Mississippi for grape production, 10

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Randy felt the farm was ideal for the next adventure he wanted to tread into.

Randy and Karen had no idea what was coming their way. In just 14 years, Cave Ridge Vineyard has developed step by step into a successful business that has the potential to provide for generations to come. Today, Cave Ridge Vineyard consists of about 43 acres. Of this area, the vineyard covers 14 acres with around 14,000 red and white grape vines.

Randy, who still runs a consulting company and serves as chairman of the Virginia Wine Distribution Company, relies on family members and employees to help him manage the vineyard, winery, and tasting room. Karen is a fulltime teacher, but helps out every chance she gets. Megan handles the finances and serves as the general manager of Cave Ridge Vineyard. Megan’s oldest

daughter is nine and is already right in the mist of things helping out in the vineyard. Erin and her fiancé have interests in the business, but are pursuing their own career paths at this point in their lives. In addition to family, Randy relies on a tasting room manager, two vineyard workers, and part-time help.

Randy is putting all that he can into making a strong business his kids and grandkids can take off and run with, if they choose to. Being a customer of Farm Credit, Randy appreciates the confidence Farm Credit has shown him through his growth process. Set to make this adventure all it can be, he even reinvests all of his patronage funds back into the business. “Everything we make off this business right now is being reinvested back into the business. It is the kids’ decision to do what they want with it. All I can do is

caveridge.com facebook.com/caveridgevineyards

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Randy and his daughter, Megan, enjoy the time they spend working to better Cave Ridge. Tackling the adventure as a family makes the business more meaningful.

Wine Club members get discounts on all bottles purchased, pre-release offerings of new wines, free tastings, and access to members-only events such as barrel tastings and new release parties.

With many customers having an interest in the story behind what all happens from the vine to the bottle, the events at Cave Ridge Vineyard are intended to be educational yet still relaxing.

build the business and it’s their decision to carry it on. Farming is 24/7, but there is still a lot of fun in this, too. A lot of people look at a winery and have a vision of the lifestyle, but don’t have any idea how much work is involved,” says Randy.

Cave Ridge Vineyard is intensively managed. Randy figures his vines are touched at least eight times a year. He and his employees promote sustainability, too.

Everything that is harvested or cut in the vineyard is composted and put back on the vineyard to restore the nitrogen levels with minimal use of artificial nitrogen sources. Fungicides are sprayed 10 to 12 times during the growing season, and the vines are hedged three times a year.

This process was mechanized last year to save on time and labor. This year, another machine was purchased to pull leaves around grape clusters to allow sufficient sunlight to reach the grapes.

Harvest typically begins around September 20 and continues through the first week in October. A different variety

is harvested each week depending on maturity. The grapes are processed the same day they are harvested. Last year, 80,000 pounds of grapes were harvested at Cave Ridge Vineyard. Once the first killing frost arrives, the two vineyard workers spend the rest of the winter pruning and tying up vines. As soon as spring rolls back around, the growth process starts all over again.

In 2004, Randy’s self-taught wine making skills came to light as he bottled around 500 cases of Cave Ridge Vineyard’s wine. “My minor in chemistry has helped.

There is more art to wine making than science, but there most certainly is a blending of the two. I have had batches that didn’t work, but I turned them into something else that did work,” says Randy.

With demand climbing, Randy hopes to bottle 6,000 cases of wine in 2014 and can see himself reaching 10,000 cases in the near future. Of the white, red, and blended wines sold at Cave Ridge Vineyard, ninety percent are

estate wines. Randy purchases some grapes from local vineyards and is working on leasing another vineyard to help fill orders. Randy also contracts grapes out to five different custom crush clients.

Randy’s winemaking skills have earned Cave Ridge Vineyard numerous medals over the years, but more importantly, a loyal customer base. Summer concerts every Friday night, two to three wine dinners catered by Cave Ridge Vineyard’s own personal chef, and a number of other events throughout the year draw crowds to the vineyard. Many of these guests are Cave Ridge Vineyard Wine Club members. In the future, guests will have the opportunity to lodge at the vineyard in a bed and breakfast type setting.

Randy may have never dreamed he would have done half the stuff he has done in his lifetime, but he has always had a vision. “You have to have a vision, but be willing to change it. I have always felt it is best to cram as much into life as possible,” says Randy. l volume 19 | ISSUE 2 | mafc.com | 11

OUR ASSOCIATION

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2014 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS s

Morgan Alexander In high school, Morgan found a passion and a love for children in her school’s mentoring program, where she assisted a kindergarten class. She knew right then that she wanted to go into elementary education. Once in college, she followed the suggestion of the Dean of Education and is majoring in human development, which will give her a broad base of knowledge to get her master’s degree in elementary education. At that point, she says, she will be able to follow her passion and work with children.

Morgan is a freshman at Virginia Tech, and is the daughter of Chuck and Linda Alexander of Berryville, Virginia.

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Nicholas DeGrange The son of Richard and Teresa DeGrange of Hagerstown, Maryland, Nicholas is a high school senior who plans to study mechanical engineering. His interest started when he was a very young boy, helping his father repair tractors and combines. As he grew up, he realized that applied mechanics and more effective engineering would result in improved technology and practical application in the field—which is how he settled on mechanical engineering. Nicholas’ strong math and physics skills are supplemented by a strong creative streak—he is a skilled musician who has written and produced music, as well as a talented dancer who teaches hip hop to underprivileged children.

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Allyson Balmer Allyson is the daughter of a dairy farmer, and it was in the barn where she found her passion—working with cows. She plans on pursuing this passion at Delaware Valley College next year, with a major in dairy science and a minor in agriculture education. Her ultimate goal, she says, is either to own her own dairy farm, or teach ag at her current high school. “My ag teachers have taught me so much about agriculture that I would really like to help other students in the future, just like me, find their niche in agriculture.”

Allyson is the daughter of R. Bryan and Tammy Balmer, of Manheim, Pennsylvania.

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Amber Donoway One of Amber’s teachers described her as determined, compassionate, and dependable. Her scholarship application proved to us that she was all of those things. She is a high school senior with a perfect 5.0 average—a sure sign of determination. She plans to further her studies in nursing, and would eventually like to work in an emergency room—an excellent outlet for her great compassion.

To prepare for that role, Amber is currently volunteering at Atlantic General Hospital and the Newark Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. Amber is the daughter of Michael and Nancy Donoway of Newark, Maryland.

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Joshua Brubaker The son of Michael and Lisa Brubaker of Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, Joshua hopes to come back to his family farm after graduating from college with a degree in agricultural business from Penn State. Joshua said he loves the values and life experiences of being a farmer: “I enjoy watching the growth of calves from the time they are born until the time they are first milked…Seeing crops grow from just a seed to a mature plant ready for harvest brings me a complete feeling.” Joshua is a high school senior.

s Daniel Gordy Daniel grew up on a farm where hunting, fishing, and respect for nature and wildlife were very important. Daniel will make those values central as he prepares for a career with the Department of Natural Resources as a Game Warden. He is currently a sophomore at Lynchburg College, majoring in criminology, with a minor in environmental science. He is the son of Chuck and Lisa Gordy of Snow Hill, Maryland.

s Jared Harshman The son of Pam and Jeff Harshman of Frederick, Maryland, Jared is a young man with a plan. Still a high school senior, Jared is already working on a business plan for his post-collegiate life. His plan, he says, is to merge two of his loves—welding (he is already a certified welder) and running a hog seed stock operation. He is preparing for that goal by having a small herd of pigs today that he sells to local 4-H youth. He plans to attend college with a major in animal science and a minor in agricultural business.

s Megan Miller Megan is a junior at Eastern University, studying athletic training and physical therapy. When she began college, she knew that she was interested in the field of medicine, but a meeting with the school’s biokinetics department convinced her that physical therapy— helping to alleviate physical pain for a wide variety of people—was where her true calling was. After graduating from Eastern University, Megan plans on attending school for physical therapy.

Megan is the daughter of Gregory and Tamara Miller of Strasburg, Pennsylvania.

s Claire Linton From a young age, Claire has seen the impact that strong nursing care can have on an individual. Not only has her mother been a registered nurse for more than 25 years, Claire herself was diagnosed with a medical condition at age five which has shown her what a difference compassionate nursing can make. Claire plans to be a nurse anesthetist, managing a patient’s heart rate, blood pressure, and airway. Claire is the daughter of Richard and Kimberly Linton of Martinsburg, West Virginia, and the twin sister of Lauren (featured right).

s Mariah Purtee Mariah has big goals for her education: she plans to use it to “bring excellence to those around me, to provide a positive and supportive environment, as well as create an atmosphere of achievement.” She plans to achieve those goals as a physical therapist, working with athletes to overcome physical injuries. Mariah found her passion in this field after she injured her shoulder while on the track and field team at her school. Mariah is the daughter of Ken and Shirley Purtee, of Union Bridge, Maryland.

s Lauren Linton Lauren is the daughter of Richard and Kimberly Linton of Martinsburg, West Virginia, and the twin sister of Claire. Lauren plans to join her love of children with her passion for nursing, and become a pediatric nurse practitioner. After college, she plans to obtain a master’s degree in nursing, or a doctorate of nursing practice (DNP). “I cannot wait to get up and go to work every day and enjoy the profession I have chosen. It will make it worthwhile every day to go to work and help a child in need,” she says in her application.

Lauren is a high school senior.

s Jonah Vincent At age 10, when many of his peers were playing video games, Jonah was making tomato boxes on his family’s produce farm. Over the years, he graduated to packaging watermelons, driving the forklift, and serving customers.

During this time, he found his passion: agriculture. Jonah hopes to attend Clemson University in the fall, majoring in ag business. After graduation, his goal is to return to the family farm, and increase production through technology such as hydroponics. His parents are Raymond and Theresa Vincent of Laurel, Delaware.

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OUR ASSOCIATION

2014 Annual meetings Salisbury, Maryland

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Dover, Delaware

New Holland, Pennsylvania

Ga

er

W tor inn

Congratulations to Jonas S. King of Quarryville, Pennsylvania for winning our 2014 John Deere Gator Giveaway!

Walkersville, Maryland

Winchester, Virginia Salisbury 1 Wayne Lambertson presents director Lingan Spicer with his board retiree gift.

2 Marketing intern, Meaghan Malinowski, and loan officer, Zach Evans, greet members outside of the Civic Center.

3 Evening speaker Greg Risberg talks to director Paul Rock before the meeting begins.

4 Scholarship winner Amber Donoway was also the lucky winner of the door prize flowers!

Dover 1 Director Walt Hopkins presents Jonah Vincent with his scholarship check.

2 Loan officer Paul Shipper talks with members prior to the beginning of the dinner.

3 From left, Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Ed Kee, Board Chairman Fred West and CEO Bob Frazee are proud of the $36.5 million in patronage distributed to stockholders in 2013.

4 Christy Gustafson Brown won the beautiful flower arrangement, one of four door prizes at our meetings.

New Holland 1 The tables are set up and ready for the 500+ guests to arrive at the meeting.

2 Emcee of the evening and director Dale Hershey poses with our scholarship winners. From left to right, the winners are Allyson Balmer, Joshua Brubaker and Megan Miller.

3 CEO Bob Frazee discusses the changing world population during his remarks at the meeting.

4 A rack full of straw hats can be found outside of the banquet hall during the meeting.

Walkersville 1 The buffet lines are set and awaiting guests.

2 Emcee of the evening and director Gary Grossnickle presents a scholarship check to Mariah Purtee.

3 Nona Schwartzbeck and her granddaughter, Aubrey, were the winners of the beautiful handmade Amish quilt.

4 Speaker for the evening, Rob Culberson entertains the crowd with stories full of laughter!

Winchester 1 T. Jeff Jennings, one of our directors, served as the emcee of the Winchester meeting.

2 From left, scholarship winners Lauren Linton, Claire Linton and Nicholas DeGrange receive checks from director T. Jeff Jennings.

3 Paula Myer was the winner of the beautiful quilt.

4 Staff members (from left) Betsy Brumback, Cheryl Keesecker and Karen Swecker hand out oven mitts to guests leaving the annual meeting.

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OUR ASSOCIATION

It pays to be a member of Farm Credit!

One of the most important financial benefits of being a member-borrower of Farm Credit is having the opportunity to share in the association’s profits. This year alone, we’ve given our members over $36 million through our patronage program! Not sure how it works? Here’s how we do it: At the end of each fiscal year, Farm Credit determines its total income and expenses. Income remaining after all expenses are deducted (the net income) can then be distributed in accordance with the association’s bylaws.

The board of directors can elect to retain all of the net income to strengthen the association’s capital position, or distribute some, or all, of the net income to members by declaring a dividend on stock or declaring a patronage refund.

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Still confused?

Visit mafc.com/patronageprogram.php to view a fun video illustrating just how patronage works.

So tell us!

How do YOU use your patronage?

Send your stories to Jenny Kreisher (jkreisher@mafc.com) and you could be featured in an upcoming issue of the Leader!

PHOTO CONTEST:

Be a part of the 2015 Farm Credit Calendar!

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| volume 19 | ISSUE 2 | mafc.com

Are you surrounded by beautiful landscapes? Is there an agricultural event coming up in your area? Snap a picture and submit it to MAFC for a chance to be featured in our 2015 calendar!

If you don’t make it into the calendar, don’t worry! We may feature your picture in an upcoming Leader issue, our annual report, or on Facebook.

Contest rules and the submission form can be found at mafc.com/photo-contest.php. The deadline to send in your photos is August 16th. Good luck!

Centreville, Maryland

18.5 acres of privacy! Have your own hunting compound right down the road from stores & restaurants. All 18.5 acres are wooded including a stream that runs straight through the property. Perfect for wildlife enthusiasts! $250,000.

Contact Tom Boeshore, Rosendale Realty, 410.758.0333.

Earleville, Maryland

Located in a rural upscale location, this 10-acre turn-key equestrian property offers a “barn home”, Amish built barn, riding ring, run-in sheds, multiple pastures, and so much more. Ideal for boarding or breeding. Built and developed by a true horse person, this property offers an outstanding value. $489,000.

Contact Kristie Midash, L C Parker Real Estate, 410.275.8101.

Galena, Maryland

339 acre farm with six bedrooms. Federal period, brick manor home. Substantial barns, pastures, guest house, tenant house, pool, and pool house. Working farm with 250+ tillable acres, 70+ acres in woodland, streams, and buildings. $3,600.000.

Contact Skipper Marquess, Exit Latham Realty, 410.924.3212.

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Church Hill, Maryland

35 acres, minutes from 3 Route 301! Includes 13-stall barn, three pastures with run-ins, 1/2 mile race track, and six acres of wooded trails. Property known locally to be GREAT hunting, equipped with a fully stocked 1/2 acre pond! House fully renovated in 2003 including HVAC, roof, kitchen, drywall, and much more! $549,000.

Contact Megan Rosendale, Rosendale Realty, 410.758.0333.

Easton, Maryland

37 acre waterfront farm on the Wye River and Quarter Cove. 2,000 ft. of shoreline, SDA in place. Awaiting your dream home. $1,350,000.

Contact Jim Latham, Exit Latham Realty, 410.822.2152

Goldsboro, Maryland

Clarksville, Maryland

Equestrian gem on 20+ acres with indoor arena offering 7 stalls, meeting room with kitchen area and bath, not and cold wash rack, plus covered equipment storage area. Outdoor ring, too. Custom 6000+ sq. ft. home with 6 bedrooms and 5.5 baths. Pool, screened in-porch and 4 car garage with built-in dog house. $1,925,000.

Contact Laura-Lee Jones, Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc., 410.480.3338.

Properties for sale

COMMUNITY

Elkton, Maryland

Gorgeous home with property that is an equestrian’s dream! Over 10 acres of serenity, six-stall barn with tack room, hay loft & 1/2 bath, four-stall barn, machine shed & milk shed. Beautifully remodeled home includes two masters, kitchen with granite counters, stainless appliances & whole house generator! Stunning! $585,000.

Contact Tabitha Bathgate, Integrity Real Estate, 443.553.9109.

Henderson, Maryland

Great price for a total of 76.31 acres. House is very well built. 3,000+sqft with Corian counters, built-in China cabinets, sunroom, huge basement, in-ground pool & two-car garage. Includes a 4,500 sqft banquet room with office & bathroom. Mix of woods, fields, lots of deer and turkey, ponds, privacy. $499,500.

Very spacious rancher with a lot of privacy in a country setting. Placed on 7.65 acres of open ground set-up for horses. Includes 24’ x 30’ stall barn, 24’ x 24’ storage barn with separate well and electric, and three pastures. Also a huge workshop with two big bay doors, cement floor, HVAC, well, office, and very nice lift. $249,500.

Contact Chris Rosendale, Rosendale Realty, 410.758.0333.

Contact Gretchen Wichlinski, Rosendale Realty, 410.758.0333.

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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 REALTOR ®

not affiliated with these properties, nor are we responsible for content or typographical errors. Please call the Realtor or Auctioneer listed for more information.

EQUAL HOUSING

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EQUAL HOUSING

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COMMUNITY Hurlock, Maryland

Keedysville, Maryland Substantial barn on 26+ rolling acres with streams, woods and a building site for future home.

Many possibilities with no restrictions. $199,900.

Contact Traci Jordan, Exit Latham Realty, 410.310.8606

Preston, Maryland

Preston, Maryland

Eight chicken houses! Two chicken farms, about 5 minutes driving time apart. One farm has four chicken houses and a home on 22 acres. The other has four chicken houses, an old home and a mobile on 38 acres.

Upgrades include 6” recirculation pads, controllers, generators. Currently growing for Perdue. $2,150,000.

Nearly 12 acres for your enjoyment as a hobby farm, livestock, grain or hunting farm. Fine practical home with super-sized living room for your entertainment.

Two lots of record! No HOA, no restrictions and an easy commute east to the ocean or west to the bay. $230,000.

Contact Mickey Hayward, Sunset Properties, 410.479.9729.

Contact Deborah J. “Deb” Dawkins, Coldwell Banker Chesapeake Real Estate Co., LLC., 410.822.9000.

Queenstown, Maryland

Substantial home on 9+ country acres with fenced pastures, 40’ x 20’ barn, orchards, and gardens.

Stunning Victorian-style home with five bedrooms. $656,000.

Contact Walt Trice, Exit Latham Realty, 410.463.0500.

Rising Sun, Maryland

It is all about location! And, this is location with benefits! This traditional two-story sets on 19.79 acres of beautiful farm land with a small grove of trees and spring fed stream. Close to I-95, shopping and recreation. Act fast!

Contact Ann Jackson, Harlan C. Williams Co. REALTORS, 443.309.7318.

Upperco, Maryland

First time offered! 20 acres of privacy. Beautiful all brick rancher, 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, family room, fireplace, formal dining room, hardwood floors, attached garage, 30’ x 40’ detached building, potential for one additional home site. Long road frontage near Arcadia. $675,000.

Contact Larry E. Haines, Haines Realty, 410.876.1616.

22.9 acres (meadow/woods/field), two perc-approved sites. Borders county road with panoramic views. MARC train and municipal localities nearby. Antietam National Battlefield and Chestnut Grove Park nearby. Livestock permitted. Make this your private retreat! $227,900 Contact Frank Getz, Coldwell Banker Innovations, 301.992.9652.

Queen Anne, Maryland

Quaint 13-acre poultry farm! Raise chickens in your own backyard in the completely updated & functional poultry house! Original farm house completely updated.

Property beautifully maintained. Minutes away from 213/301. Great for investment $$! $380,000.

Contact Tammy Rosendale, Rosendale Realty, 410.758.0333.

Taneytown, Maryland

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, a large country kitchen, patio, front porch, and upper balcony.

Has workshop, stable and gazebo. Must see! $420,000.

Contact Karen Carroll, Haines Realty, 410.375.8898.

Vienna, Maryland Ten+ acre waterfront estate with broad views across Fishing Bay. Stunning three ensuite home with great attention to detail, stone hearth fireplace, front porch, and rear screened porch. $695,000.

Contact Becky Trice, Exit Latham Realty, 410.463.0077.

Need financing for any of these properties? Call your local Farm Credit office.

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Equestrian farm on 14 acres with four-bedroom, 2,200 sq. ft. ranch style home. 67’ x 41’ concrete center-isle barn with 11 stalls. Power, water & vented. Machinery & bedding storage area. Three fenced pastures with horse-safe high tension wire. Two run-ins, loafing area & three dry lots. 10’ x 20’ wash area. Lighted 120’ x 200’ arena. $489,000.

Contact Gary Duckworth, RE/MAX Results, 240.285.5787.

Edinburg, Virginia

27.5 acres, mostly tillable farm land with large farm house. Creek and spring on property. Great location, easy access and road frontage. $339,000.

Contact Shirley French, Funkhouser Real Estate Group, 540.459.4002 or 540.325.4444.

Hamburg, Pennsylvania

28 Acres Certified Organic farm with remodeled farmhouse, barn, four-car garage, two-car pavilion, and two-bay workshop. Excellent for produce farming. Close to major highways. $585,000.

Contact Wasyl Onulack, Jr., Century 21 Keim Realtors, 610.823.7850.

Middletown, Virginia

Four-levels of living space, 6 bedrooms, 3 1/2 bath, 6,375 sq. ft., situated on 9+ acres in Frederick County. Two master suites: one on main & one upstairs with fireplace and walk-out to balcony. Lots of storage in house and in detached garage. In-laws suite/apartment above garage (currently leased), basement. $699,000.

Contact Leah Clowser, Re/Max Roots, 540.955.4033.

Onancock, Virginia Vaux Hall Manor circa 1710. Located 10 minutes from the town of Onancock. The property consists of 372+ acres, with 2+/- miles of water frontage that leads to the Chesapeake Bay. The property has three waterfront homes. The main home was built in 1710, being renovated over the years for comfort. $4,200,000.

Contact John Kluis, Coldwell Banker Harbour Realty, 757.710.5249.

Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania

Sixty-five acre farm with extensive frontage on two roads. Beautiful mix of fields and woods, with panoramic views of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. Completely remodeled 1905 foursquare farmhouse. Build the estate of your dreams and use the farmhouse as a caretaker’s or in-laws house. Fantastic location and Blue Mountain Schools. $739,000.

Contact Gary or Jonathan Coles, New Pennsylvania Realty, Inc., 570.386.5000.

Middletown, Virginia

Properties for sale

Westminster/Taylorsville, Maryland

Rolling 35.96 acres with long frontage on state-maintained road near where I-81 meets I-66 in the gorgeous Shenandoah Valley. Mostly wooded with small creek meandering through the property. Quiet country setting, yet convenient to interstates. Currently in landuse program for tax relief. $339,900.

Contact Robin Gochenour, Skyline Team Real Estate, 540.325.6837.

Winchester, Virginia Room to stretch out! 99.8 acres of wooded land just north of Winchester.

Nice custom-built ranch home and a cozy cabin. Enjoy the wildlife and only minutes to shopping. Call today for your private showing! $599,900.

Contact Bonnie Sue Edwards, Re/Max Team Realty, 540.323.2290

What puts the life in your lifestyle?

EQUAL HOUSING

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EQUAL HOUSING

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REALTOR

®

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 farm that would give everyone a little more room—call your local Farm Credit office. We want to be your lender for life.

EQUAL HOUSING

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888.339.3334

volume 19 | issue 2 | mafc.com | 19

mafc.com

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PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

BALTIMORE MD PERMIT NO. 7175

45 Aileron Court Westminster MD 21157

MidAtlantic Farm Credit 2014 Election Results board of directors (4 year terms of office)

2015 nominating committee (1 year terms of office)

Central Maryland Election Region

Ralph L. Robertson, Jr.

Central Maryland Election Region

David M. Crum and Michael R. Harrison, Sr.

Chesapeake Election Region

Douglas D. Scott

Chesapeake Election Region

Henry Covington, Jr. and Jennifer A. Debnam

Delaware Election Region

Fred N. West

Delaware Election Region

Scott R. Webb and Fred N. West III

Keystone Election Region

Brian L. Boyd

Keystone Election Region

Martin Moyer and Allen D. Balmer

Marva Election Region

No director positions open

Marva Election Region

Susan B. Arnold and Brian T. Johnson

Valley Election Region

No director positions open

Valley Election Region

Barry A. Foltz and Ward L. Zigler

Cooperative lending at its best.

While most businesses return their profits to outside investors, MidAtlantic believes in the importance of cooperative ownership. In other words, our members are our investors, and they can share in our profits.

Call Farm Credit today to learn more about the benefits of cooperative lending.

Farm Credit. Made for you. Owned by you. Here for you.

Lending support to rural America速

888.339.3334 | mafc.com |