leaderLending support to rural America®Farm Credit

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CheCk out pAge 12 for InformAtIon on our 2016 SChoLArShIp progrAm!

Teaching Beyond the Classroom

In ThIs Issue

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12 Calendar Winners

12 Winter Photo Contest

12 Scholarship Program Announcement

12 2016 Annual Meeting Dates

13 Holiday Recipes

14 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

4 Developing Critical Thinking SkillsDarren grumbine, a high school ag teacher in Lebanon, pennsylvania, teaches his students, and his own children, the importance of critical thinking when it comes to a career in agriculture.

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6 A Fresh Connection with the LandLarriland farm educates the public about agriculture by running a pick- your-own operation in the heart of howard County, maryland.

8 Educating Adults and Children Alikefollowing in the footsteps of his father, Will Currey of harrington, Delaware assures his high school students get hands-on work experience.

10 A Sweet LessonBetsy and David herbst of Smithsburg, maryland own and operate misty meadow farm, offering tours to children and adults while serving up some delicious ice cream.

our ASSoCIAtIon

CommunItY

MidAtlantic Farm Credit, ACA

J. robert frazee, Ceo

MidAtlantic Farm Credit Board of Directors

m. Wayne Lambertson Chairman

paul BaumgardnerVice Chairman

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

facebook.com/MidAtlanticFarmCredit

@midatfarmcredit

mafc.com/blog

+MafcMidAtFarmCredit

MidAtFarmCredit

@midatfarmcredit

president’s message

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this issue’s theme—Teaching Beyond the Classroom—is near and dear to my heart. As you may know, my initial career goal was to follow that path; in fact, my undergraduate degree was in ag education.

Since I graduated from college, I’ve come to realize that when it comes to agriculture, everyone needs to be a teacher. many people have done a great job bridging the gap between the people who eat the food and the people who grow it. You’ll see that spirit and enthusiasm in all of the individuals and families that we’ve featured this issue: people like Betsy and David herbst of Smithsburg, maryland, who serve up ice cream along with farming facts, offering tours of their farm to children and adults. You’ll also read about Larriland farm in howard County, maryland, who takes advantage of the thousands of people who come to their pick-your-own farm market by offering them information along with their produce.

then there’s Will Currey, who teaches agriscience at a high school in felton, Delaware. Will is a second generation teacher—his dad tom taught for 41 years! his teaching extends outside the classroom as well, acting as ffA advisor for the school, and even providing paid work for some of his students on the hay farm that he and his dad operate. finally, you’ll read about Darren grumbine, a high school ag teacher in Lebanon, pennsylvania, who teaches his students (and his own children) how important it is to sort through information about agriculture that can sometimes be incorrect or misleading.

All of the borrowers featured in this issue have spent countless hours promoting agriculture to their communities. It’s something we all need to do if we want to continue to have a viable ag economy in our area.

While we’re talking about education, I hope you’ll look at the requirements for our annual scholarship program on page 12, and I hope you’ll pass the information on to any college-aged students you may know. I know how expensive college can be (did I mention that all three of my children have graduated and are all working in fields that they’re passionate about?), and our scholarship program is a great way to help ease that burden.

finally, I want to share some personal news with you: after 33 years of working with farm Credit, I will be retiring in the first quarter of 2016. It’s fitting that I’m announcing this in an issue devoted to learning and educating—because I have certainly learned a lot during my time here. I am grateful to both my co-workers, and our association’s customers—your fellowship, support, patience, enthusiasm and caring have combined to make these years memorable and educational.

I have not yet decided what I will do once I retire—to be honest, it is a little scary to picture myself waking up and not coming to a job that I love. But I’m excited to tackle new challenges, see new places, and learn new things. I really do believe that once you stop learning, you stop living—and I’m looking forward to continuing my education.

p.S.—our board is in the midst of a search for the next Ceo, and is interviewing candidates as I write this. they expect to announce new leadership in early 2016.

Teaching and learning

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DEC EvEnT PLACE

6-8 Maryland Farm Bureau Convention Ocean City, MD 24-25 Christmas Holiday Offices Closed

JAn 2016 EvEnT PLACE

1 New Year’s Day Offices Closed 6-8 Mid-Atlantic Nursery Tradeshow (MANTS) Baltimore, MD14-16 Future Harvest’s Cultivate the Chesapeake Foodshed Conference College Park, MD 18 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Offices Closed22-24 Maryland Horse Expo Timonium, MD

FEB EvEnT PLACE

18-19 Chesapeake Green Symposium Linthicum Heights, MD 15 president’s Day offices Closed

for a full list of events, please visit mafc.com

events | deadlines

Season’s Greetings!And best wishes for a healthy and joyful New Year!

StorY BY SALLY CoLBY, photoS BY SALLY CoLBY AnD the grumBIne fAmILY | toDAY’S Youth Are BomBArDeD WIth InformAtIon from mAnY DIreCtIonS, AnD It CAn Be ChALLengIng for them to DISCern WhAt’S ACCurAte from WhAt ISn’t. AS A hIgh SChooL teACher, DArren grumBIne’S goAL IS to enSure thAt hIS StuDentS DeveLop CrItICAL thInkIng SkILLS When It ComeS to AgrICuLture.

With a degree in technical education and plenty of practical experience, Darren started his teaching career guiding students through courses such as engines, electricity and welding at Cedar Crest high School in Lebanon, pennsylvania. After adding an ag degree to his resume, he now teaches courses in agriculture. fully aware of the ever-changing dynamic of modern agriculture, Darren helped develop a course of study that meets the needs of students as well as the ag community.

“When the previous ag teacher started at Cedar Crest 38 years ago, most of the students came from production ag,” says Darren. “more of our society was involved in production agriculture, and a larger percentage of ag jobs were on the production side. We’ve switched to

a more general ag education and focus on issues such as food science, sorting through propaganda and raising crops and livestock. our goal is to tie in as much science as we can so when our kids go to chemistry or biology class, they’ll relate to what they’ve learned in ag class; or perhaps the other way around.”

In an area that’s been traditionally rich in agriculture but challenged by development, it’s up to ag teachers to promote the program. eighth grade students have an opportunity to tour the high school, including the ag department, and that’s an opportunity for Darren and his colleagues to promote the program.

“When kids in this area think of ag, they think of someone milking a cow and spreading manure,” says Darren. “they don’t think about all of the other

opportunities in food production. It’s a matter of helping them realize that ag is different than it was 20 or 30 years ago, and in many cases, probably different from what their parents are telling them.”

one of the most important aspects of the ag curriculum is helping students learn how to think and sort through information surrounding ag, some of which is incorrect or misleading. “We’re trying to create students who, when they see or read something, don’t believe it until they’ve checked it themselves,” Darren says.

During the school year, students participate in an industry tour that introduces a wide variety of real-life opportunities in ag. “We’ve included a production operation, a feed mill, an equipment dealer, and a greenhouse

equipping youth with skills in critical thinking

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s s skristin, Dakota, Darren, and Dalton grumbine enjoy a variety of agricultural enterprises as a family. this is one aspect that allows Darren to take real-life experiences to the classroom.

kristin is an integral part of the farm operation throughout the year. here, she lends a hand when it’s time to clean the planter.

twelve year old Dalton spends time each day caring for the laying hens in his egg enterprise. Dalton has 4-h projects in pigs, sheep and goats.

equipping youth with skills in critical thinking

grower,” says Darren. “We encourage the hosts to tell students about the variety of jobs that might be available in that field.”

gaining leadership skills through involvement in ffA is a major component of the ag program. Darren believes that it’s critical that students who come to an ffA meeting for the first time feel included and willing to come back. “getting those new kids to stay is about getting student leadership to create a desire for them to come back,” he says. “We’ve worked with our upperclassmen and made them real-ize that they will determine the destiny of the program.” Darren notes that the curriculum shift and making sure that the curriculum continues to evolve helps with retention in the ag program.

to add to students’ overall ag education experience, Darren would like to integrate topics such as curing meat and cheese-making into the curriculum. “We’d include the ingredients and chemical processes involved,” he

says. “this is so they understand that there are jobs in agriculture that don’t involve milking cows, tending hogs and planting and combining corn.”

An important aspect of the ag program is discussing career paths, which Darren starts by helping students determine what kind of lifestyle they desire. “I get them to lead the discussion and help them see that their career plan might not lead to the lifestyle they seek,” he says. “my goal is to help my students understand what will make them happy before they start down a career path.” Darren adds that he encourages students to look at why they want to do something and then determine how it fits with their goals.

As a farmer himself, Darren brings more than book learning to the classroom. he grew up on a farm and gained experience raising crops, pigs and sheep from a young age. Darren’s wife kristin grew up on a dairy farm, and is

an integral part of the family’s 600-acre crop operation, Burnin’ Bushels, Inc., that includes corn, soybeans, wheat, and grass hay. the grumbines also maintain a custom farming operation that involves working with farmers throughout the entire cropping process from seed selection to harvest.

the grumbines’ two sons, Dakota and Dalton, benefit from their parents’ experience and are active in 4-h. Dakota, age 13, has several livestock projects including pigs, sheep and steers. he has developed a sizeable pork operation and sells butcher and feeder pigs to new York City markets. Dalton, age 12, also has livestock projects including pigs, sheep and goats. he keeps a flock of chickens for an egg enterprise and enjoys working with projects that involve welding and construction. Both young men are responsible for financing and maintaining their enterprises. l

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s s sDarren has taught his sons how to operate farm machinery safely, which allows them to construct equipment for their own enterprises.

the grumbines all pitch in for a timely, safe and successful harvest.

thirteen year old Dakota raises sheep, pigs and steers for 4-h projects. here, he takes time to work with one of his ewes.

sparking a fresh connection with the land at Larriland Farm

StorY AnD photoS BY SuSAn WALker | In An erA Where You CAn get WAtermeLon AnD StrAWBerrIeS In JAnuArY, AnD the onLY vegetABLeS Some peopLe eAt Come In pLAStIC BAgS from theIr groCerY Store’S freezer SeCtIon, there’S A DISConneCt BetWeen WhAt We eAt AnD the LAnD AnD peopLe Who proDuCe It. thAt’S A gAp thAt the moore fAmILY hopeS to BrIDge At LArrILAnD fArm, theIr 335 ACre pICk-Your-oWn fruIt AnD vegetABLe operAtIon In hoWArD CountY, mArYLAnD.

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fenby, guy and Lynn moore (left to right) head Larriland farm, where several other family members, including Lynn’s husband, also work.

With the turn of each season, there’s different fresh produce in the popular farm market, as well as locally produced specialty foods.

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explains Lynn moore, Larriland’s president, “people have a natural instinct to participate in the production of their food and the harvest is the best part. It engages all our senses—the colors of the fruits and vegetables in the fields, the smell of ripe produce, the feel of it in your hand and the dirt under your feet, the flavor of a really fresh strawberry or tomato. You don’t get that feeling of connection to the land in a grocery store, but the people who come here to pick our fruits and vegetables do get that experi-ence. they also learn a little more about where their food comes from, what it takes to produce it, and why they should eat the more flavorful and nutritious fresh fruits and vegetables.”

Lynn, her brothers, fenby and guy, and sister, nancy, all grew up on their parents’ farms. their father started with a dairy operation in guilford, maryland, but sold that farm to the rouse Company in 1963. the family then moved to the current farm in Woodbine, maryland, where, over the years, their father grew soybeans, alfalfa, wheat, and turf. In the early 1970s, the family switched focus and began growing fruits and vegetables. today, Lynn, fenby and guy run the farm. fenby handles the operation’s finances, bookkeeping and irrigation. guy is responsible for the field work, and Lynn is the horticulturalist.

Lynn, fenby and guy have worked on the farm all their lives, only spending

time away to go to college. When she was in middle school, Lynn, a self-described “plant person”, asked her mother if she finished with the housecleaning quickly, could she please help with the farming. “I was always more interested in driving a tractor than driving a vacuum,” she says. Adds fenby, “farming is the only thing I’ve done. I love being able to work outside and working for myself rather than some-body else.”

Larriland farm has between 180 and 190 cultivated acres, where the moores grow a wide range of crops, including multiple varieties of strawberries, rasp-berries, blackberries, peaches, plums, and apples, as well as tart cherries and blueberries. their vegetable crops include

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spinach, beets, chard, squash, tomatoes, broccoli, and pumpkins. they also have a field of cut-your-own flowers.

visitors to the farm can enjoy picking their own produce or purchase the moore’s harvest in the farm market, where, seasonally, they also sell cider, locally produced cheeses, honey, and other food items. In the fall, there are hayrides, straw mazes and halloween activities for families. each season is different, and visitors to Larriland learn what crops grow during which months, and how to determine which food is ready to be picked.

notes farm Credit loan officer Bill Schrodel, who has worked with the moores for more than 15 years, “Larriland farm is the place everybody in the county thinks of when they think of pick-your- own. It’s a place where they can go and have a relationship with the land and build memories that last a lifetime.”

Adds Lynn, “We had a 17-year-old girl from the area who told her parents she wanted to have her birthday here.

this was a place she loved and felt a real connection with, so it was where she wanted to celebrate.”

the family recently purchased a new farm a mile north of Larriland farm so that they have enough land to do a four-year crop rotation with their pump-kins. In addition to rotating their crops, the moores follow many other farming practices designed to preserve the health of the soil and leave it in better condition than it was before they farmed it.

Says fenby, “It takes 1,000 years to build good soil, but just a few years of mismanagement to deplete it. You have to take care of the soil, and when you do, it won’t get used up and will always be there for you.”

the moores practice integrated pest management with the goal of producing high quality, safe produce for their customers. they constantly monitor their crops for diseases and pests, plant disease resistant varieties, introduce beneficial insects as needed, carefully manage water and fertilizer, and use

pesticides as sparingly as possible, choos-ing products that have low toxicity and a short residue, and using the minimum amount needed to protect the crops. they also choose their cover crops with care, planting buckwheat, rye, hairy vetch, and sunflowers because of the nutrients they provide for the soil, their ability to be cut down and left in place as straw, and their attractiveness to pollinators.

not only do the moores act as good stewards of the soil for the benefit of their customers and the environment, they’re also preserving the land for their own children. “All our kids grew up working on the farm, working in the fields and the farm market,” says Lynn. “We tried not to overly burden them with work and to encourage them to enjoy the experience of farming. hopefully, some of them will come back and take over the farm when they’re older, but guy, fenby, and I are not going anywhere anytime soon.” l

the moores decorate the farm for halloween and offer hayrides, a straw maze and a halloween-themed barn for younger kids.

All of Larriland’s acreage, which includes a large reservoir pond, the first project the moores partnered on with farm Credit, is in agricultural preservation.

most of Larriland’s seasonal employees are high schoolers and college students from the surrounding community.

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facebook.com/pages/Larriland-Farm/134859086556613

pickyourown.com

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Will and his father tom are the go-to hay guys. they take such requests in stride, together producing about 8,000 square bales and 175 to 200 round bales a year—enough to feed a hungry giraffe with plenty left over for other needs throughout the region.

Will, who teaches agriscience at Lake forest high School in felton, Delaware is one of those people that love their work, dedicate their lives to it and strive to improve every day. he says, “If you don’t live this job, you’re not doing it right.” he is talking about teaching, but his intensity and commitment are evident in both teaching and farming.

Will has been at Lake forest for four years after 12 years at Sussex Central high School in georgetown, Delaware. he is following in the footsteps of tom, who taught for 41 years, including 10

years as a substitute teacher follow-ing his first retirement. the men farm together, producing hay on 115 mostly leased acres spread over a 12 mile radius.

At Lake forest, Will teaches agricul-tural mechanics and plant, environmental, and animal sciences in buildings near the main school; the largest contains a class-room and shop area where ffA plaques going back to the 1930s are displayed.

A nearby barn houses student projects. recently, it sheltered a rabbit, two sheep, a goat named nelson and a sow which the students will breed and farrow. Will uses his rescue pony, named penny by the students, in equine educa-tion. the students hatched chickens but, “got bored soon after they hatched,” so Will brought the chickens home and now has about 40, including some Delaware Blue hens.

Will has been around animals most of his life. At age nine, he started showing sheep “all over the [Delmarva] peninsula” and in regional shows. Although the family did not keep cows, Will showed dairy cows as part of his ffA activities with the support and encouragement of his agriculture teacher richard green. At the national ffA Convention in kansas City, missouri, Will was named the top dairy showman in the u.S. It was just his second year showing cows.

Will might have had a career focused on animals; he milked cows to help pay his college tuition and majored in animal science in a pre-veterinary program, but decided, “I wanted to be in the produc-tion end of agriculture rather than on the medical end.”

Will is now an ffA advisor and is taking student teams to the eastern

Ag science Teacher Will Currey:promoting ag through education

StorY AnD photoS BY nAnCY L. SmIth | WhAt Do You feeD A hungrY gIrAffe? hAY, of CourSe. When the CIrCuS ComeS to DeLAWAre, the gIrAffe’S tenDerS CALL WILL CurreY of hArrIngton, DeLAWAre. the SAme goeS for Some rACe horSe oWnerS At Dover DoWnS, the hArneSS rACIng trACk In Dover, DeLAWAre.

tom, on tractor, and Will in the high school’s shop area. Will is working toward dual masters degrees in school leadership and career and technical education.

A partial wagon-load of hay represents a tiny part of the Curreys’ production. Will is planning to buy more land and expand his hay production.

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Ag science Teacher Will Currey:promoting ag through education

StorY AnD photoS BY nAnCY L. SmIth | WhAt Do You feeD A hungrY gIrAffe? hAY, of CourSe. When the CIrCuS ComeS to DeLAWAre, the gIrAffe’S tenDerS CALL WILL CurreY of hArrIngton, DeLAWAre. the SAme goeS for Some rACe horSe oWnerS At Dover DoWnS, the hArneSS rACIng trACk In Dover, DeLAWAre.

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regional exposition in Springfield, massachusetts to compete in agricul-tural mechanics, landscaping and food science competitions, as well as one student who will compete in the safe tractor operation competition.

he took a poultry team to the national ffA Convention in Louisville, kentucky this past october, where the school’s ffA chapter was recognized as a two-star silver chapter. the award puts the chapter in the top 20 percent in the nation based on achievement in student development, chapter development and community development.

Will explains that he is not solely responsible for group projects. “Some [projects] are traditional—some the kids come up with and some I develop.”

Will assures his students get work experience. “that’s one of the unique aspects of our program,” he says. he hires some juniors and seniors to help rake and bale hay, though tom and Will do about 90 percent of the haying

themselves. one student began working with horses for a local veterinarian and then began doing custom haying for the doctor. tom, who may be retired but is still an ag educator at heart, says, “We try to encourage work ethics with the kids. It’s one of the toughest things to find.”

Both tom and Will graduated from Delaware valley College (now university) in Doylestown, pennsylvania. tom farmed corn, beans, wheat, and barley in addition to teaching. Both men are continuing the family’s farm-ing tradition. Will’s grandfather and great-grandfather had an eight acre vegetable farm near harrington.

After tom retired, he moved to kansas and bought a ranch where he produced 20,000 to 25,000 bales of hay per year. “I had a five-year plan. I stayed for six,” he says.

he loves traveling in his huge rv, too. “I don’t like to stay in one place. there is too much of this

country I haven’t seen,” he says. he recently returned from a five week trek through kansas, Wyoming and South Dakota, visiting sites including Yellowstone national park with his 14-year-old granddaughter.

In case teaching, haying and travel-ing don’t keep them occupied enough, tom and Will sell priefort livestock equipment. With a territory that includes Delaware, new Jersey, maryland, and pennsylvania, the pair supplies squeeze chutes, round bale feeders, gates, and other equipment to the region’s farmers. Sales are principally by word-of-mouth, although they have had a booth at the Delaware State fair in past years and now have a website created by Will.

Will’s loan officer, Steve morris, says, “Will is a hard worker. he is heavily involved in promoting agriculture. We need people like him to keep agriculture moving forward. he’s really into it—he lives, teaches and promotes agriculture.” l

top: tom collects antique farm equipment which is displayed at Will’s home. this horse-drawn plow was found in kansas.Bottom: Will’s classroom and shop at the Lake forest high School are housed in multiple buildings on the school’s campus.

nelson the goat plays hide-and-seek behind fencing in the barn at Lake forest high School. the barn was specifically designed for student projects.

Will rescued penny the pony who now lives at his house, but visits the high school to demonstrate the finer points of equine science.

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curreyfarmsde.com

StorY BY StAr trAYLor, photoS BY StAr trAYLor AnD the herBSt fAmILY | BetSY herBSt CorreCtS vISItorS Who refer to her fArm’S “pettIng zoo.” In fACt, WhAt BetSY AnD DAvID herBSt hAve At mIStY meADoW fArm In SmIthSBurg, mArYLAnD IS CALLeD A pettIng fArm, BeCAuSe moSt of the AnImALS there hAve A purpoSe AnD funCtIon BeYonD BeIng petteD. theY proDuCe mILk, eggS AnD meAt.

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“We try to explain that they’re not pets, they’re production animals,” Betsy says, referring to the goats, sheep, lambs, piglets, calves, chickens, turkeys, and rabbits at the farm. the miniature horse and miniature donkey are the only actual pets.

misty meadow farm has been in David herbst’s family since 1918, when his grandparents started the operation on a nearby plot of land. “We’re still farming a piece of the original farm,” David says. he and Betsy have been married for 34 years. Since his grandparents started the farm, the family has expanded it into a 387 acre operation that involves three of Betsy and David’s four grown children. the farm hosts regular tours, and they

recently opened a creamery market that sells ice cream, sandwiches, coffee, milk, eggs, and meat.

“We usually have a lot of kids running around here,” Betsy says, referring to her own grandchildren, as well as customers who buy ice cream at the creamery. the most popular flavor is granny’s Crumb, which gets its unique taste from a european cookie. many of the children who visit the farm come on tours, which the herbst family has been offering for 30 years. their mission is to educate not just tourists, but also children from area schools, about the different animals and processes of a working farm.

“It’s amazing how many kids don’t know the difference between different livestock animals,” Betsy says.

“one little boy thought a 1,300-pound cow was a pig.”

most of the school groups range from preschool-aged children up to fifth grade. Children who visit the farm typically go on a wagon ride, see the wide variety of animals and learn different farm terms. they are then able to play with toy farm equipment. the animals at the petting farm are a very popular attraction. “Anytime kids can touch something first-hand, they’re going to remember it, versus reading it in a book,” Betsy says.

the herbsts aren’t opposed to books, though. for national Bullying prevention month, which takes place each october, children who visit the farm learn about Spookley, a “square pumpkin in a

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Maryland family gives children and tourists an ag education

Betsy and David herbst sit outside the creamery at their farm in Smithsburg, maryland, with farm Credit loan officer Dean Boggs.

misty meadow farm Creamery produces about 1,000 gallons of milk a day, 45 to 90 gallons of which is used to make ice cream in more than 60 flavors including carrot cake batter and chocolate chip.

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StorY BY StAr trAYLor, photoS BY StAr trAYLor AnD the herBSt fAmILY | BetSY herBSt CorreCtS vISItorS Who refer to her fArm’S “pettIng zoo.” In fACt, WhAt BetSY AnD DAvID herBSt hAve At mIStY meADoW fArm In SmIthSBurg, mArYLAnD IS CALLeD A pettIng fArm, BeCAuSe moSt of the AnImALS there hAve A purpoSe AnD funCtIon BeYonD BeIng petteD. theY proDuCe mILk, eggS AnD meAt.

Maryland family gives children and tourists an ag education

round world.” there’s a book and stuffed toy to go along with the story, which is aimed at teaching children that it’s perfectly fine to be different.

Adults, including senior citizen groups and tours from as far away as Asia, also visit the farm. A corn maze there has information posted within it to educate the general public about agriculture. “It’s amazing how many people finish the tour and say, ‘Wow, I had no idea what all was involved in farming,’” Betsy says.

the herbsts and their children run the farm separately from the creamery. they raise corn, soybeans, wheat, alfalfa, and cover crops, and have 130 cows and two pigs. the farm produces about 1,000 gallons of milk a day. At the creamery, they use 45 to 90 gallons daily to make ice cream. Some of the milk that isn’t used at the creamery is sold at area farmer’s markets, but the majority, about 900

gallons a day, goes to the maryland and virginia milk producers Cooperative.

It was when the herbsts’ children decided they wanted to help run the farm that David and Betsy started thinking about expanding the operation by adding a creamery. An initial feasibility study indicated they wouldn’t get enough business, but David and Betsy thought that with the large number of commuters passing through the area, as well as the public’s growing interest in locally produced food, a creamery market would be successful.

they took a chance and opened it in 2012. Business is steady, even swift, during the summertime, after school and during rush hour. they make about 22 batches of ice cream a day in seven-quart containers, and offer more than 60 flavors of ice cream. they also carry sugar-free gelato and sorbet options for diabetics. the creamery also sells cakes, truffles,

frozen treats, and espresso coffee drinks such as cappuccinos, lattes and mochas.

the herbsts have been farm Credit customers for many years, working with loan officer Dean Boggs since 1996. he said farmers like the herbsts often use their credit for machinery upgrades, seed, fertilizer, and other expenses of running or expanding a farm.

Washington County, maryland, where misty meadow farm is located, is home to many dairy farms, Dean says, but misty meadow is the only one where ice cream is made on site. “When we got this (creamery) open we were swamped,” says David, who has no plans of expanding into a larger franchise business like some other successful ice cream chains. “I’m comfortable staying pretty much the size we are,” David says. “I’d like to keep it in the family as much as possible.” l

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misty meadow farm is surrounded by the beautiful mountains of Washington County, maryland, attracting visitors from all over the area.

visitors on the farm’s educational tours learn about the needs and habits of different kinds of animals at the farm.

top: David inspects a vat used to make ice cream at misty meadow farm Creamery.Bottom: David and Betsy’s 2-year-old granddaughter evelyn eats an ice cream cone at the creamery.

s s s

facebook.com/mistymeadowfarmcreamery

twitter.com/MMCreamery

mistymeadowsfarmcreamery.com

s

Photo Contest: Show Us Your Winter Wonderland

It’s getting cold outside, but nothing warms us up more than a photo of a barn covered in a blanket of snow! We want you to show us what winter looks like where you live. Send in your photos to jkreisher@mafc.com or post them using #winteronthefarm (be sure to tag @Midatfarmcredit) and you could be featured in our next Leader or our social media channels!

12 | voLume 20 | ISSue 4 | mafc.com

our ASSoCIAtIon

helping students Reach Their GoalsmidAtlantic farm Credit will be awarding $18,000 in scholarships this year to students

who plan to or are currently continuing their education at the college level! to apply for one of the several scholarships we offer, you need to either be a member of midAtlantic farm Credit or a child of a current member. the complete list of guidelines and the application can be found online at mafc.com/scholarships.php. Applications are also available in all of midAtlantic farm Credit’s offices. feel free to stop by and pick one up!

the due date for all applications and required materials to be turned into midAtlantic farm Credit is on or before January 15, 2016.

good luck to all of our applicants!

2016Calendar Winners

thank you to everyone who submitted a photo into our calendar contest! It was a tough choice, but the winners are listed below. If you don’t see your name, don’t worry—we may still feature your photo on social media or in a future issue of the Leader. Stop by one of our offices to pick up your calendar today!

Other featured photographers:

Barb Sullivan Woodbine, mD

Callista miller fleetwood, pA

Denise ziegler new Windsor, mD

Doug puffenbarger Blue grass, vA

Laura Ackerson preston, mD

Lorraine Baugher Jones Westminster, mD

melissa miller Strasburg, pA

terri puffenbarger Blue grass, vA

taylor ziegler myerstown, pA

COvER PHOTO Jenny hendershot Clear Spring, mD

OOO

save the Dates! Our annual meeting dates

are as follows:

new holland, pA  April 5

Dover, De  April 6

hagerstown, mD*  April 7

Stay tuned for more information, coming soon!

* New location for 2016.

‘Tis the seasonfor family, friends and foodYou all sent in some

delicious holiday recipes

for our contest—thank

you! here are some of

our favorites. keep

sending in your recipes

to jkreisher@mafc.com

and you could be featured

in an upcoming Leader or

on social media!

IngreDIenTs:

1/2 cup butter 1 cup packed brown sugar 2 tbsp corn syrup 1 tsp vanilla 1 tsp brandy-based liquor

or orange juice6 slices of thick french

bread or texas toast5 eggs

1-1/2 cups half & half

Crème Brulè French Toast SuBmItteD BY: John & WenDY venSkoSke, WInCheSter, vA

• Meltbutterinasmallsaucepanovermediumheat.mix in brown sugar and corn syrup, stirring until sugar is dissolved. pour into a 9” x 13” inch baking dish. • Removecrustsfromthebreadandarrangeinthebaking dish in a single layer. • Inasmallbowl,whisktogethereggs,halfandhalf,vanilla extract, orange brandy, and salt. pour over the bread. • Coverandchillforatleasteighthoursorovernight.• Preheatovento350degrees.Removethedishfromthe refrigerator and bring to room temperature.• Bakeuncoveredfor35to40minutes,untildone.

IngreDIenTs:

12 oz of Christmas oreo

cookies, crushed

3 tbsp melted butter

4 pkgs of cream cheese

(room temperature)

3/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup sour cream

4 eggs 2 tbsp flour

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp peppermint extract

1/2 tsp salt1/3 cup crushed candy canes

• put cookies into a plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin.

• Pressintoabuttered9”springform

pan.

• Pourmeltedbutterovercookiesandbakea

t300degrees

for about 10 minutes.

• Inalargemixingbowl,beatcreamcheese,sugar,sou

r

cream, and eggs (one at a time) until smooth and creamy.

Add peppermint extract, vanilla, flour, and salt. pour over

cooled cookie crust.

• Bakeforaboutonehour(crustsho

uldbeslightlybrowned).

• Placeonawireracktocool.Whencooled,refrige

rateforat

least four hours.

• Sprinklecandycanepiecesontop

ofthecheesecakeand

press gently so they stick. Cut and eat with a hot cup of

cocoa!

Candy Cane Cheesecake SuBmItteD BY: grACe gILLen, BIrDSBoro, pA

IngreDIenTs:8-10 medium potatoes 3 large eggs 2 medium onions, chopped 3 cups bread crumbs 1 stalk of celery, chopped

1/4 lb. butter Salt and pepper,

to taste

• Peel,cookandmashpotatoesuntilsmooth.• Addthethreeeggsandstirgently.• Frythechoppedonion,celeryandbreadcrumbs in the butter in a large skillet until the onion and celery are soft. Add to the potato and egg mixture.• Addthesaltandpepper(asmuchasyoudesire). • Placethemixtureinabutteredcasseroledishand dot the top with additional butter.• Bakeat325degreesforonehour.

Potato Filling SuBmItteD BY: terrY hoBBInS, mIffLInBurg, pA

voLume 20 | ISSue 4 | mafc.com | 13

14 | voLume 20 | ISSue 4 | mafc.com

COMMUNITY

five acre turn-key equestrian lot. Bank barn with three stalls, automatic waters, lighting, and hot and cold water. professionally-built riding ring. Large dry lot with two run in sheds. two large rotating pastures that lead up to a large beautiful home site perked for a four bedroom home. All utilities installed. $210,000.

Contact peggie Carroll, keller Williams, 301.524.3860.

A 1770s stone home with over 27 acres of fenced pasture and farm land. ten outbuildings, including a huge bank barn, shop, machine shed, stone spring house, two-story brick wash house, pond, and creek. remodeled kitchen with custom cabinets and granite counters. first time available for sale since the 1880s. $599,000.

Contact gwyn Webb, re/max plus, 240.793.7160.

property with 79+/-acres in Dorchester County. productive farm land. hunting and farming rights available for 2016. high density residen-tial zoning. Invest/farm now and develop in the future! $799,000.

Contact valerie Brown, Charles C. powell, Inc. realtors, 410.228.9333.

property with 221 total acres. Six 500’ poultry houses, totally updated. All machinery to oper-ate houses, sheds and outbuildings. A 2011 diesel generator sufficient for all six houses. two very nice dwellings. Year-to-year farm lease produces more income. mostly all tillable cleared ground! $2,950,000.

Contact Wes Cromer, masten realty, LLC., 302.448.1032.

property with 177 total acres, with center pivot irrigation; 98 acres tillable! milford School District. Development rights still intact. two lot rents total $400/month. farm lease is year-to-year. poultry operation, farm or hunt. Beautiful property! $1,650,000.

Contact Jamie masten, masten realty, LLC, 304.422.1850.

pristine cottage with huge views of 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. two bedrooms, two baths. $450,000.

Contact tim miller, Benson & mangold, 410.310.3553.

rebuilt stone house with the elegant feel of the original historic house. top-of-the-line stainless appliances, walk-in closets, roof deck, tile show-ers, plus original staircase and so much more. Beautifully landscaped lot with fenced yard. endless possibilities with commercial zoning. $449,000.

Contact David Leager, Sassafrass river realty, Ltd., 410.778.0238 or 410.708.0891.

property with 131 acres, indoor arena (100’ x 150’), outdoor ring (100’ x 200’), cross-country course, 20-stall barn, 106’ equipment/hay storage building, rolling hills, and hay fields. five bedrooms, five baths. home built in 2000. near Antietam national Battlefield, C&o Canal towpath and potomac river. only 73 miles to the heart of Washington, DC. $1,375,000.

Contact Carlyn Lowery, keller Williams flagship of maryland, 410.729.700 or 410.268.0160.

Frederick, Maryland

new Windsor, Maryland

east new Market, Maryland

Clayton, Delaware Houston, Delaware east new Market, Maryland

galena, Maryland

sharpsburg, Maryland

nice farm lot with 25 acres featuring panoramic views. private setting in an area of custom homes with similar sized lots. property is rectangular in shape and includes a pond. Approximately 738 feet of road frontage and does not have a shared driveway. Well installed, 15 gallons per minute. $299,900.

Contact James Bass, real estate team, 301.644.2617.

Thurmont, Maryland

voLume 20 | ISSue 4 | mafc.com | 15EQUAL HOUSINGOPPORTUNITY

EQUAL HOUSINGOPPORTUNITY

EQUAL HOUSINGOPPORTUNITY

EQUAL HOUSINGOPPORTUNITY

EQUAL HOUSINGOPPORTUNITY

EQUAL HOUSINGOPPORTUNITY

REALTOR®

REALTOR®

REALTOR®

Pro

pert

ies

for s

ale

perfect for a small business—roofers, builders, cabinet makers, etc.! Barn has several finished areas with electric, air lines, garages, and acre-age. Live at home and walk to work. $339,000.

Contact Carol A. Cortright, Century 21 krall real estate, 800.537.1575.

Spectacular equestrian estate privately situated, yet close to major routes. Incredible views, gorgeous landscaping, and groomed bridle and footpaths enhance the outdoor space of this property. A six-stall barn and stunning custom home round out this one-of-a-kind estate. $750,000.

Contact Cindy Stys, Cindy Stys equestrian & Country properties, Ltd., 610.849.1790.

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 Quakertown exit on the pA turnpike for a short commute to philadelphia. $850,000.

Contact gary L. Coles, new pennsylvania realty, 610.398.2559.

A turn-key 43 acre horse farm. four bedroom Colonial with sun porch overlooking an in-ground pool and horse paddocks. Indoor and outdoor arenas. electric and water to all paddocks. Seven stall barn with aisle and tack room. Convenient to hunt valley, greystone golf Course and local horse events. $849,000.

Contact frank Durkee, III, o’Conor & mooney, 410.409.5067.

premier hunting farm totaling 154 acres and nearly one mile of shoreline on the Chicamacomico river. forty tillable acres, 47 acres of woodland/wildlife ponds, 65 marsh-land acres, and a two acre waterfront home site with a 1,000 square foot home and 500 square foot hunting trailer. good for deer, turkey or waterfowl hunting. $995,000.

Contact Bed Adler, Sperry van ness – miller Commercial real estate, 410.543.2440.

this 54+/- acre parcel is a part of a 117 acre farm in Chester County near Cochranville. this parcel includes one pond, one house right and ag building rights. $675,000.

Contact glenn horst, Beiler-Campbell realtors, 717.786.8000.

horse property of your dreams! four bedroom, three bath home, five stall barn with tack room, 150’ x 70’ riding arena, and two large garages with workshops. updated kitchen, hardwood floors and fireplace. three plus acres makes this farm manageable yet usable for up to three horses, fifteen goats or sheep, or other livestock. $439,900.

Contact Barbara Winn, keller Williams realty group, 484.547.3098.

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 in excellent condition. Blue mountain School District, zoned agricultural preservation, enrolled in Act 319. $695,000.

Contact Jonathan D. Coles, new pennsylvania realty, 570.386.5000.

Fredericksburg, Pennsylvania

nazareth, Pennsylvania

east greenville, Pennsylvania

White Hall, Maryland Vienna, Maryland Cochranville, Pennsylvania

green Lane, Pennsylvania

Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania

A chance to own a piece of history. fifty-eight acres split in two parcels, approved for three houses. Attached to the preserve at Barleywood. property has historical home once owned by Samuel Washington, brother of george Washington. Land is great for building farming, hunting. home qualifies for renovation grant. $1,100,000.

Contact Brad runkles, Weichert realty, 304.283.3070.

Charles Town, West Virginia

You know the kind of life you want—and at Farm Credit, we know how to help you get it.

For nearly 100 years, our passion for all things agriculture has led us to be the leader in lending to those who love farming. We’ve now gone one step further to create a new credit program for the young, beginning, small, and minority farmers in our area.

Put your plans into motion and give us a call. We’ll help guide you along the way and get you the credit you need to accomplish everything you have your heart set on.

We understand passion.

Lending support to rural America®

888.339.3334 | mafc.com |

45 Aileron CourtWestminster MD 21157

prSrt StDu.S. poStAge

BALtImore mDpermIt no. 7175

A Tree Fit for the White HouseBustard’s Christmas trees, located in Lansdale, pennsylvania, won the national grand Champion tree at the 2015 national tree Contest held in Spring grove, Illinois this past July. As the winner, they were selected to provide the Christmas tree that will be placed in the Blue room of the White house this holiday season. Congratulations!

here, virginia Bustard, owner of Bustard’s Christmas trees, stands with her sons glenn and Jay, displaying the various awards the company has won over the years, including the wreath that won third place in the 2015 national Decorated Wreath Competition.

bustardschristmastrees.com