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Farm Credit

Financing Rural America for More Than 95 Years

Traditions in Farming

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farm | land

4 Willie Stettinius’ Family Farm: Horses are in this Family’s Blood in Maryland

6 Jason and Jessica Sheubrooks: Beating the Averages

8 Zimmerman Farm: the Face of Farming in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania

10 West Oaks Farm: A Virginia Family Farm Built on Generations of Experience!

your association

12 Farm Credit EXPRESS: It’s Financing to Go!

13 Annual Meeting Dates

13 Scholarship Announcement

14 Cute Kids

15 Calendar Winners

community

16 Properties for sale

Leadervolume 17 | issue 4

MidAtlantic Farm Credit, ACAJ. Robert Frazee, CEO

MidAtlantic Farm Credit Board of Directors

Fred N. West Chairman

M. Wayne Lambertson Vice Chairman

Paul D. BaumgardnerDeborah A. BennerBrian L. BoydGary L. GrossnickleDale R. HersheyWalter C. HopkinsT. Jeffery JenningsChristopher KurtzmanFred R. Moore, Jr.Dale J. OckelsJennifer L. RhodesRalph L. Robertson, Jr.Paul J. RockLingan T. SpicerChristopher R. Stiles

Questions or Ideas If you have any questions or ideas for the editorial staff of the Leader, contact Donna Dawson at 800.333.7950, e-mail her at ddawson@mafc.com or write her at MidAtlantic Farm Credit, 680 Robert Fulton Highway, Quarryville, PA 17566. 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 and by putting “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 share-holders’ 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 29202-1499Address 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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Our theme this issue is a celebration of what many people think of as “traditional” farms. I was just getting ready to write a nice message on how we need all types of farms to feed the world, and how it’s easy to forget the “traditional” farms when there is such mainstream interest around supposedly “new” forms of farming, like sustainable, organic, and urban. I was going to say that here at Farm Credit, we think that all of the various ag operations are important—and there is lots of room in the marketplace for everyone.

That’s what I had planned to say. And then Hurricane Sandy walloped the region.

As I write this today, the winds are just starting to die down. While it seems our neighbors to the north experienced the worst of the storm, we seem to have been much luckier. There is wind damage, and some flooding, and it sounds as if the crops that were still in the fields were knocked down pretty hard…but I think we dodged a bullet this time.

Now that we can all focus on the clean-up, instead of the anxiety, I realize that having a weather disaster calls attention to one of the best traditions in farm-ing—the tradition of helping each other out and working together to overcome obstacles. I’m sure that in the next few weeks we will hear many examples of how neighbors have been able to help each other out, and how groups of people will begin the rebuilding process in the areas that were hardest hit. Many city residents may be shocked by that attitude; it’s something that is second nature here in the rural communities that we serve.

I hope you’ll get a few minutes to read about the farm families we’ve featured in this issue, because they embody the spirit of overcoming obstacles. Take Willie and Avis Stettinius: Their family has strong roots in Maryland—their ancestors were the farmers who brought Hereford cows to Hereford! Today, after living all over the world, the Stettinius family owns a beautiful horse farm, complete with a riding ring, trails, and barns. Read about how they’ve grown their operation over the years.

Enjoy the story of Jason and Jessica Sheubrooks, a young family that is well on their way to building a successful farm operation—which isn’t surprising after you learn that Jason rented his first farm when he was a junior in high school! There’s also the Zimmerman family in Lebanon County, who work the land that’s been in the family for 70 years. They’re the kind of operation that puts the “family” in family farm—they have seven children helping out!

Finally, you’ll read about Joe and Mary Snapp. Joe is the ninth generation of farmers in Winchester, Virginia—and some of his land goes back to 1755 and Lord Fairfax. Now that’s historic!

As we enter the holiday season, I hope you will have time to stop and count your blessings. In a year with a historic storm, it’s a good time to look back at our personal histories and realize the work of generations that has helped us to get where we are. It’s that can-do attitude that will help us all rebuild, repair, and renew ourselves as we prepare for a new year.

Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season—and a prosperous new year in 2013.

DEC event place

1 Taylor & Messick Annual Sale Harrington DE

2-4 MD Farm Bureau Convention Ocean City MD

3 DE Farm Bureau Annual Meeting Dover DE

4 DE Farm Bureau Annual Banquet Felton DE

12 The Image of Ag Symposium Linthicum Heights MD

24-25 Christmas Holiday MAFC offices closed

JAN event place

1 New Year’s Holiday MAFC offices closed

5-12 PA Farm Show Harrisburg PA

8-10 Keystone Farm Show York PA

10 WV University Extension Education Dinner Martinsburg WV

11-12 Farming at Metro’s Edge Rockville MD

14-18 DE Ag Week Harrington DE

17-19 VA Farm Show Fisherville VA

18-20 MD Horse World Expo Timonium MD

21 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day MAFC offices closed

22-24 VA State Horticultural Society Annual Tree Fruit Meeting Richmond VA

29-31 Mid-Atlantic Fruit & Vegetable Convention Hershey PA

31 Deadline: Sales closing for AGR policies

FEB event place

6-9 PASA’s Farming for the Future Conference State College PA

7 Taste of MD Annapolis MD

7 WV University Extension Education Dinner Martinsburg WV

15 Deadline: Sales closing for green peas

18 President’s Day MAFC offices closed

21-24 PA Horse World Expo Harrisburg PA

Traditions inFarming

message from the president

SiNCE THE 1600s, WiLLiE STETTiNiuS’ FAMiLy HAS BEEN FARMiNG iN MARyLAND. ExPLAiNS WiLLiE, “My MOTHER’S FAMiLy, THE MERRyMANS, ARE A vERy OLD MARyLAND FARMiNG FAMiLy. iN FACT, THEy’RE THE PEOPLE WHO BROuGHT HEREFORD COWS TO HEREFORD. My uNCLE BRED COWS AND RAiSED HORSES. AND My FATHER GREW uP ON A FARM AS WELL.”

Over the years, however, Willie’s family focused more on raising and training horses. Five of his uncle’s chil-dren are well-known breeders and trainers and many of their children also work in the field, one on a stud farm in Kentucky and another as a vet who specializes in caring for horses.

Willie and his wife Avis, however, took a different path as young adults. Willie was an officer in the Navy until he retired from the service in 1995. Avis, whose father was a career naval officer, joined the Navy in 1981 when she was commissioned as an ensign. The two met and married while in the service, living all over the world, including a number of years in North Africa. Avis left the Navy after the birth of the first of their five children.

“When Willie was stationed at the Pentagon in 1992, we moved to northern Virginia,” says Avis. “We put a compass on a map, looked 40 miles out in all

directions for our new home and found a 10-acre farm in Catlett, Virginia. One day, Willie went to an auction in town and arrived home a few hours later with our first pony, which was a bit of a surprise.”

After Willie retired from the Navy, the family moved back to Maryland and lived on his grandfather’s farm. Though Avis had ridden as a child while living in England, she says she had no intention of becoming involved in the equine industry. “What I wanted to do was to get my kids interested in riding. The best way to do that was to have other kids riding too, so we invited our children’s friends over to ride our ponies.”

Avis’ strategy worked. Isabel, Tallie, Suzanne, Edward, and Reilly Stettinius became avid horsemen and remain so to this day. Growing up, all five children were very active in Pony Club and competed regularly in tetrathlon (a Pony Club event which includes riding, running, shooting, and swimming). They were also

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Willie Stettinius’ Family Farm: horses are in the this family’s bloodstory and photos by SUSAN WALKER

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1 The horses that board at the

Stettinius’ farm have ample room to roam, but all it takes is a whistle from Suzanne or Avis to get them to come running for their favorite treat—peppermints.

2 Willie and Avis met while serving

in the Navy. Daughter Reilly plans to follow in their footsteps as a Navy nurse.

3 No matter what the weather, you’ll find

Suzanne, riding teacher Peri Fitzpatrick, and their young students working with their horses in the ring and on the trails.

4 After working with a South American

alpaca breeder, Avis developed a fondness for them and maintains a small herd at Mint Meadows.

5 The entire family gathered in

London last summer to support Suzanne as she competed in the Olympics.

6 The barn is home to the sheep and

goats Avis raises for their wool.

devoted foxhunters. Tallie, who now lives in Seattle, teaches riding and is active in her local Pony Club. Reilly, a college freshman who is studying nursing, enjoys show jumping. Suzanne is a steeplechase rider and competed in the pentathlon (fencing, shooting, riding, swimming, and running) in the 2012 Summer Olympics. She also teaches race riding to children between the ages of 11 and 14 at the family farm. In the last two years, her students have taken every division in every race they’ve entered.

a new home and the start of a growing businessIn 2002, the Stettinius’ bought their current farm, Mint Meadows, which is located in Parkton, Maryland, near the Pennsylvania border. The 65-acre farm included a riding ring, indoor ring, paddocks, trails through the woods, cross-country courses, and barns already set up for boarding horses. The farm is also home to a number of sheep, alpacas, and goats. Avis shears them and works with a local mill to make blended alpaca-goat wool.

Though it had not been Avis’ plan to operate a boarding operation when they purchased the farm, word spread through the local community. Today they board between 35 and 40 horses, nine of which are rescues that Suzanne has taken in. She trains the rescues, many of which are former racehorses, and hopes to sell them.

Most of the horses they board belong to the students and hunter-jumper riding teacher Peri Fitzpatrick. Says Avis, “We have a great relationship with Peri. She really watches out for us. If she sees that one of our horses needs care or is having a problem, she takes care of it. When Suzanne was injured a few years ago, she picked Reilly up from school, fed her dinner, and brought her to the hospital. Peri is just amazing.”

Avis is the chief barn manager at Mint Meadows while Reilly and Suzanne also help care for the horses. “I really love taking care of the horses—getting out there at 6:30 in the morning to muck the stalls, put out the hay, feed and water the horses, and drag the ring. I like taking care of them better than riding,” Avis adds with a smile.

“The need for the type of boarding facility we provide is growing,” explains Willie. “There are fewer and fewer farms with pleasure riders. What we strive to do is find a balance between making money as a boarding facility and offering the riding experience to people who grew up riding, but don’t have the time or money to have a farm of his or her own at this point in their life. You have to understand your client base and know what they can afford.”

a genuine relationshipThe Stettinius’ relationship with MidAtlantic Farm Credit goes back a long way. The lending cooperative worked with Willie’s grandfather and has provided financing to Willie and Avis for a number of projects, including expansions to the farmhouse, new equipment, and other building projects at Mint Meadows.

“Farm Credit truly understands our needs,” says Willie. “We have a genuine relationship with our loan officer Keith Wills that goes beyond business. Our families are friends and Farm Credit is always a big sponsor and supporter of Suzanne’s races.”

Adds Keith, “We have always had a positive relationship with Willie and Avis. They’re great people to work with and they really put their hearts into their work. They’re very proud of their operation and rightfully so.” n

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Jason and Jessica Sheubrooks: beating the averagesstory and photos by NANCY SMITH

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1 The Sheubrooks take a break

on the family’s farm. From left: Cara Sylvester; MAFC loan officer. Jason and Jessica Sheubrooks, holding six-week-old twins Summer and Willow; Wyatt, left, and Sawyer are on the table behind their parents.

2 Sawyer (left) and Wyatt, dressed for

farming success, play on miniature versions of the equipment they will be using on their family’s Queen Anne’s County farm when they get bigger.

3 The Sheubrooks recently built

a new home on the farm for their family. “They’re just good farmers,” says Cara Sylvester, their MAFC loan officer.

4 A dramatic driveway stretches

more than half a mile from the road to the home of Jason and Jessica. The family grows grain, soybeans and chickens.

uSDA’S NATiONAL AGRiCuLTuRAL STATiSTiCS SERviCE REPORTS THE AvERAGE AMERiCAN FARMER iS OvER 57 yEARS OLD. THE 2007 CENSuS OF AGRiCuLTuRE FOuND FEWER THAN HALF OF ALL FARMS HAvE POSiTivE NET CASH iNCOME FROM THE FARM OPERATiON; THE MAJORiTy RELy ON NON-FARM iNCOME TO COvER ExPENSES. ONLy 38 PERCENT OF FARMERS uNDER 45 yEARS OF AGE REPORTED TO THE AG CENSuS THAT FARMiNG WAS THEiR PRiNCiPAL OCCuPATiON.

By any of these measures, Jason and Jessica Sheubrooks of Church Hill, Maryland are far, far above average. Although reliable statistics are hard to come by, it is likely that Jason beat the average age of a new farmer, too. He got started on his own very early, renting a small farm when he was still a junior in high school.

“Farming was what my father did. I always wanted to do it,” says Jason, who grew up on his parent’s corn, wheat and soybean farm. “I was driving a tractor in the fourth grade,” he recalls.

Jason currently owns 212 acres of which 120 acres are irrigated. He rents 1,450 more and helps with his father’s 900 acres. His 1,662 acre farm puts him far above the average farm size which, according to the 2007 Ag Census was 375 acres for farmers under 45.

opportunity knocks“I’ve had some good opportunities,” he says. “We were lucky when the land next to my parent’s farm came on the market. We were lucky that the seller wanted it to be farmed, not sold to developers. I was fortunate to have good landowners willing to take a chance with a young farmer.”

Jessica is an important part of the operation, too, doing the books, driving tractors and raising the

couple’s four children. A graduate of Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland, she taught special education for seven years. She now has a personal training business she says allows her to be self-employed and to set her own schedule.

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She is dedicated to her role as a partner in the farm. “There’s a lot to keeping the books. There are more regu-lations and nutrient management plans to deal with and a lot more paperwork.”

Increasingly stringent regulations concern the couple. “They make it tough with all the regulations they put on you,” Jason says. That thought was reinforced by Cara Sylvester, loan officer in MAFC’s Denton, Maryland office, who works with the Sheubrooks. “Storm water management requirements make farming more expensive,” she says.

Despite regulatory challenges, the Sheubrooks continue to beat the averages. Cara notes, “They are very young but have been successful in being able to save money to put toward proj-ects. They are very successful with their farming operation.”

lessons learned The entire family has learned valuable lessons in besting the averages and staying on top, Jessica says. “The most important lesson is we have to keep farming our first priority. You have to persevere when things get tough. You have to be careful about big purchases like equipment.”

“We have learned to take a few risks. Farming can be so difficult. We’ve had to learn patience, to deal with the good and the bad,” she says.

Jason adds his philosophy, “You’ve got to look at the big picture and decide what kind of life you want to have.”

That ability to assess circumstances and make thoughtful decisions was praised by Cara. “Compared to other young farm-ers, they plan. They have a goal and look at it long-term, really thinking things through,” she says.

Young as he is, Jason has been farming long enough to have a historic perspective, “Corn was $2 [per bushel] when we got married. I’ve sold beans for less than $4.”

In addition to raising grain and soybeans, Jason and Jessica raise broilers for Mountaire Farms. They built two chicken houses in 2005 with the help of an MAFC loan. The pair grow about 71,800 chickens at a time.

They beat the average with the chickens, too. Bill Satterfield, executive director of Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc., reports the average age of a chicken producer is in the late 50’s. He

reflected on the Sheubrooks’ successful operation, “It’s great that they’re doing it,” he says. “It’s great they were able to get financing in their late 20’s. It’s encouraging.”

Only in Lake Woebegone are all the children above average. In the real world, people line up all along the success

curve. Jessica can tell you why Jason continues to be success-ful. “He has a lot of good business sense. His parents were great teachers. He’s a big picture thinker. He always had a lot of dreams and he is very focused,” she says. “He also works extremely hard.”

planning for the futureThe future is very much on the minds of these young farmers. “I would want to be doing the same thing in 20 years,” says Jason, “But you always want to improve. I hope I would have improved by then.”

“We’re open to other things related to farming,” says Jessica. Jason hopes to own more ground, but is aware that develop-ment in Queen Anne’s County is competing with agriculture for land. Even renting land is getting more difficult. Cara notes, “There is high demand for rental property in this area.”

Jason’s future plans do not include building more chicken houses any time soon because of regulatory restrictions includ-ing those related to spreading chicken waste on crop ground.

a family affairJessica says running a successful farming operation “takes the whole family. We have to work together.” That means it is likely the future will have roles for the children, as well.

Wyatt helps his dad clean equipment and is interested in working in the chicken houses as well. Count on four-year-old Sawyer to be doing his share soon, too. But it may be a while before new-born twin daughters Summer and Willow can pitch in!

Jason credits his above-average success to a good start within his family. “Not everybody grows up with their dad being a successful farmer,” he explained. Looks like Wyatt and Sawyer and the twins will be able to make the same boast when they grow up. n

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Zimmerman Farm the face of farming in Lebanon Countystory and photos by SALLY CoLbY

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ASK TEN PEOPLE WHO DON’T HAvE A BACKGROuND iN FARMiNG HOW THEy’D DEFiNE A TyPiCAL FARM, AND THEy’LL COME uP WiTH TEN DiFFERENT ANSWERS. BuT iF THEy SAW CHARLES AND SuSAN ZiMMERMAN’S FARM, THEy’D LiKELy ALL AGREE THAT yES, THAT’S WHAT A TyPiCAL FARM LOOKS LiKE.

The Zimmermans realize that the public is curious about agriculture, and they’re aware that they are the face of farming for the many people who drive past their Lebanon County, Pennsylvania farm. The colorful flower beds, tidy farmyard and well-maintained build-ings represent the family’s dedication to the property that’s been in the family for 70 years. And although the Zimmermans say that it might be nice to have a long lane that hides their farm from inquisitive eyes, Charles hopes that people driving by the farm will think, ‘I want to grab a glass of milk.’

As the third generation to operate the dairy farm that Charles’ grandparents purchased in 1943, the Zimmermans are introducing the fourth generation—their seven children—to what it means to work for the good of the farm and family. Charles’ parents, Raymond and Susan, live next door, and Raymond is still involved in the day-to-day activities on the farm.

The Zimmermans work together as a family, with cow care and comfort as top priorities. Their 160 cows are housed in a free stall barn and milked twice daily in a double eight parallel parlor that was built in 2003. Two people work at each milking.

“With one person, we can’t maximize the milkers,” says Charles, who milks at least once a day. “My two oldest daughters helped a lot with milking. Yalonda teaches school, but she milks in the summer, and Lorinda milked a lot in the mornings last year. Right now, it’s the two oldest boys—Delvin and Darren - milking with me.”

Delvin, who is 14, and Darren, age 12, switch off between milking and feeding calves. And although

the youngsters are learning how to care for calves properly and know what a healthy calf looks like, Charles checks calves’ health at least once each day.

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1 Charles Zimmerman’s father Raymond is

still active on the family’s Lebanon County farm. He mixes feed every morning and does a lot of field work throughout the year. Here, he’s baling alfalfa hay against a backdrop of late-season corn.

2 Susan Zimmerman enjoys planting

flowers and landscaping the family’s yard, which provides an area for the family to relax and enjoy together. The younger Zimmermans like to help with the family’s Boxers. From left (back row) Lorinda, Susan, Charles, Yalonda, Delvin, and Darren; (front row) Jalena, Kelly and Jared.

3 All of the Zimmermans lend a hand at milking

time. Here, Jalena, Kelly and Jared help prepare milking units so that the parlor is ready when Charles and one of the older boys come in to milk.

4 The Zimmerman children learn about

proper animal care from the start, and help with chores such as feeding calves. Kelly, on left, holds a heifer calf that’s her namesake, standing here with twins Jalena and Jared.

5 The Zimmermans realize that their

farm’s proximity to the road draws attention from those who drive by the farm. They take special care to maintain all of the grounds and buildings, including this restored bank barn, to put forth the best possible public image of dairy farming.

6 Charles pays close attention to herd

health, and uses good milking practices to make sure the herd is producing the highest quality milk.

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always looking for improvement

Like other dairy farmers, Charles is always working toward improving the herd. He works with an American Breeding Service (ABS) representative who comes to evaluate the herd for sire selections from the company’s young sire program. Charles’ goal is to use bulls that will improve milk production and longevity.

“Once a year, usually in winter when we both have time, we look at all the cows,” says Charles, explaining how cows are matched with appropriate sires. “They identify the cow, enter information about the cow and select a bull based on that information.”

Calves are born in the old barn that once housed the milking parlor. Young heifers are raised in calf kennels, bottle fed for five days, and then trained to drink from a bucket. After weaning, some of the heifers are raised on nearby farms and return at breeding age. Some of the bull calves are raised for veal, others are raised as feeders, and the rest are finished at another nearby farm.

crops are importantCrops include corn, alfalfa and soybeans grown on 180 acres, and provide the ingredients for a ration formulated by a nutri-

tionist. Silage is stored in upright silos and used as a ration component. Alfalfa is tested at each cutting and corn silage is tested several times a year.

“We double crop wheat and barley; and sometimes rye for forage,” says Charles. “We also use a cover crop—this year we tried a mix of peas, oats and triticale seeded with alfalfa, and we really liked that.” Charles says that the cover crop mix, which was recommended by the mill he uses, helped minimize weeds.

This year’s early spring meant early planting for many farm-ers. Charles took a chance and planted some of his corn on April 16, although he wasn’t the first in his area to plant corn.

“Between April 16 and 21 we planted about half the corn, then we had a period of rain,” he says. “But our late-planted corn did a lot better. When it was time for that early corn to pollinate, it was hot and dry, and it just didn’t do as well.”

Manure is stored in a pit for future application to fields according to crop needs. As part of manure management, Charles keeps intricate records regarding the date, field number, rate of application, and notes about weather conditions every time he applies manure.

“When we did the manure pit, we went with Act 6 requirements,” says Charles, adding that Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) designed and planned the pit that was constructed in 2003. “We did that because we’d have an agronomist and a conservationist here to make sure everything was done right.”

beyond the “farm”In addition to raising the family’s children, Susan cares for the farmstead area, maintains a vegetable garden and keeps the colorful gardens that surround the farmstead.

“It’s a stress relief for me,” says Susan. “I enjoy it—it’s one of my hobbies. The two oldest girls help when they’re around.”

Larry Bachman, the Zimmermans’ MAFC loan officer, pointed out the strong generational influence present in the Zimmerman family. Raymond Zimmerman helps on the farm every day doing all of the skid loader work, including feeding heifers. He also works in the field, planting corn or making hay. Charles realizes that his father holds a wealth of knowledge

about the farm and values his help and input. In addition to the older children who help with milking, eight-year-old Kelly helps feed calves, and five-year-old twins Jared and Jalena help with the Boxer puppies the family raises.

Two years ago, Charles and Susan hosted a Farm Safety Day for the community. “It’s to get young people out on farms and teach them about safety,” says Larry. “Kids are intuitive and inquisitive, and they learn a lot from being on the farm. In this county, there are a number of activities to educate the public because people are uninformed and misinformed about where food comes from,” he adds.

As he looks back at the challenging weather conditions that farmers dealt with throughout the 2012 growing season, Charles says that they’re blessed to have full silos. “Crops were very good this year, especially the hay.” n

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West Oaks Farm: a family farm built on generations of experience!story and photos by JENNIFER SHoWALTER

FARMiNG MOST CERTAiNLy iS NOT AN OCCuPATiON LEARNED OvER NiGHT. iNSTEAD, iT TAKES yEARS OF ExPERiENCE. THiS iS NOT A PROBLEM FOR THE SNAPP FAMiLy, OWNERS OF WEST OAKS FARM, LLC iN WiNCHESTER, viRGiNiA. FARMiNG RuNS DEEP iN THEiR BLOOD AND iS MORE OF A WAy OF LiFE THAN A JOB.

Joe Snapp, a ninth generation farmer, along with his wife, Mary, and their three children, Ben, Levi, and Tesla, operate a little over 2,000 acres of both owned and leased land. Twenty-six of the acres they are operating actually date back to 1755 when Lord Fairfax granted the land to the Snapp family. Knowing much of the land they are running has been in the family for so long, Joe and Mary take pride in continuing the tradition.

diversity is the name of the gameJoe found out early in life, just like all his ancestors, he had a love for tending the land and working with animals. Following high school, Joe returned to the farm, where he has not only continued an impressive operation but has expanded it into so much more.

Joe and Mary are currently running a little over 400 brood cows and 86 replacement heifers. “There are people who say you can buy replacements cheaper. That might be true, but I find more value in working to build up the genetics in our herd,” says Joe. Most of the cows at West Oaks Farm are Simmental-Angus crosses that are bred back to Angus or black Simmental bulls. The Snapps calve out two-thirds of their herd in the fall and the remaining third in the spring. The calves

are typically sold as feeders either privately or through Virginia state graded feeder calf sales. Joe and Mary opt to raise all-natural beef that meets the standards of the Global Animal Partnership.

In addition to the feeders the Snapps market, they finish out a few steers and have them processed in a federally inspected facility. The beef is then sold as wholes, halves, quarters, and by individual cuts at West Oaks Farm Market. The Snapps also feed out several market lambs and hogs each year for the same reason. Tesla has 50 hens she collects eggs from and sells at the market as well.

This year the Snapps grew around 250 acres of corn, 190 acres of soybeans, and 170 acres of wheat. Of the 250 acres of corn, they chopped around 80 acres to supplement their cattle and marketed the rest. In addition to the crops, Joe and his crew bale 260 acres of hay each year for their own use and to sell to horse hay customers.

Joe and Mary also have an orchard that consists of about 250 acres of apples grown for both fresh and processing markets. With some 15 varieties of apples 10

1 Joe and Mary Snapp have a true

love for what they do. By making everyone involved with their operation at West Oaks Farm and West Oaks Farm Market feel like family, the Snapps find they have very little employee turnover and everyone involved feels included in the success of the business.

2 The Snapps are banking more and

more on the local food movement and have found their local meat sales have taken off.

3 No matter what Joe is producing

off the land, he takes more pride in nurturing the land for the next generation to come rather than on actually owning or leasing it.

4 In addition to all the edible produce

and goods, seasonal gifts add to the welcoming atmosphere at West Oaks Farm Market.

5 With the large capital investments

Joe and Mary have tied up in their land, they feel blessed to lease from great people and family who trust them.

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For more information on West Oaks Farm Market, visit westoaksfarmmarket.com or find them on Facebook.

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grown at West Oaks Farm, York, Golden, and Rome are the top three choices. In addition to apples, the Snapps grow peaches, plums, pears, cherries, and apricots.

Over the years, their family garden has grown into more of a business than just a backyard plot and has allowed West Oaks Farm to be even more diversified. With 20 acres of vegetables and fruits, the Snapps grow a wide range of things. Sweet corn and tomatoes are their two biggest sellers, but the variety of produce they offer compliments the diversity of the entire opera-tion. From asparagus to pumpkins to strawberries, the list of things grown goes on and on. The Snapps work hard to stag-ger the plantings of their vegetables to insure a more consistent supply throughout the season. Having their entire 20 acres of sweet corn and vegetables and part of their orchard irrigated reduces the impact the Snapps feel from occasional droughts.

a market that has grown one step at a timeAbout ten years ago, Joe and Mary started selling sweet corn out of the back of their pickup about seven miles from the main farm on some land owned by relatives. Little did they know their sweet corn sales would lead them to building a farmers market that is open around the calendar seven days a week. From the truck, to a carport canopy with a refrigerated truck, to a barn building, to an impressive farmers market, the Snapps have taken things one step at a time.

West Oaks Farm Market offers a wide range of fruits and vegetables and freshly frozen all-natural beef, pork, and lamb that the Snapps grow and finish. Joe and Mary also purchase country hams out of Kentucky that they cook, debone, and slice.

In addition to all the produce, meat, and eggs that come from West Oaks Farm, Mary offers many other locally grown and produced goods at the market. From milk, cheese, butter, honey, coffee, to jams and jellies, customers interested in buying locally can get what they need at West Oaks Farm Market. Apple butter, deli sandwiches, and freshly baked breads, pies, and cookies are also favorites for many. There are numerous gift items scattered throughout the market as well. A pick-your-own raspberry and blackberry patch is a hit for many customers who have kids. The Snapps love seeing people come in and buy locally each week before heading to the grocery store to fill the remainder of their shopping needs. “The majority of our customers are local, but we do have some travelers. We have lots of repeat loyal customers who come to the market before they go to the grocery store,” says Mary.

a family affairWith all that is going on at West Oaks Farm and West Oaks Farmers Market, Joe and Mary rely on a strong workforce of employees. The Snapps have ten full-time employees, eight of whom live on the farm with their families. They also depend on seasonal migrant workers to help during harvest time. Mary keeps six part-time employees on the payroll year-round at the market and hires more throughout different seasons of the year.

Andres Godinez serves as the farm manager and has been with the Snapps for 11 years now. Andres’s ability to speak both English and Spanish has been a big help in expanding sales and communicating with employees. Joe and Andres spend most of their time taking care of the farm, while Mary runs the market and manages all the book work.

West Oaks Farm is truly a family operation. The Snapps go the extra mile to make their employees feel like they are part of the family. “We have an incredible workforce of employees. Our success lies within the employees and folks who help us on the farm,” says Joe. Mary agrees, “Without them, we couldn’t do it. They are like family to us.”

Ben, eighteen; Levi, sixteen; and Tesla, eight, all enjoy help-ing out with the operation at this point, but Joe and Mary are leaving it up to them to decide if they come back to the farm after completing their education. With there being room for all three to make a living on the farm, Joe and Mary hope one or all three decide to carry on the family tradition. n

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Farm Credit EXPRESS: It’s Financing to Go!by SANDY WIEbER

DO yOu HAvE AN EquiPMENT PuRCHASE PLANNED By THE END OF THE yEAR? iF yOu DO, BE SuRE TO ASK yOuR DEALER iF yOu CAN uSE THE FARM CREDiT EXPRESS PROGRAM.

What’s that? You’re not aware of that program, you say? Well, it’s not necessarily something that you would have heard about from your regular loan officer because it’s a little bit different than our other financing programs—in fact, you can only get it through your local equipment dealer.

Here’s the scoop on how it works: once you’ve chosen your equip-ment, you simply tell your salesperson that you’re interested in the Farm Credit EXPRESS program. Then the two of you complete a short application, and it gets sent to our local underwriting team. If your purchase is under $250,000, we get you an answer within 20 minutes.

You complete the paperwork right there at the dealership. It couldn’t be easier, right?

Mary Henry, Farm Credit EXPRESS sales manager, has been work-ing on this program since 2002. Today, the program is in 63 dealer-ships and 100 locations in our territory (which includes Delaware and parts of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia), and an additional 72 locations outside of our territory. Mary says that the dealer response has been great because it’s such an easy product to use—both for the dealer’s salespeople and the equip-ment customer.

“We’ve worked very hard to streamline the process,” says Mary. “Our dealers like the program because it’s quick and it’s easy, and our customers like it because it’s everything that they’ve come to expect from Farm Credit.”

That includes all of the benefits of working with a cooperative—including patronage. “We’re very committed to the cooperative principle of sharing our success with our members,” says Mary. “That’s why it was important to us to make Farm Credit EXPRESS loans eligible for our patronage program.”

Farm Credit EXPRESS members own stock, are able to vote in association elections, and are eligible for patronage distributions*.

One of the nicest surprises about the program is the number of new people that it has introduced to Farm Credit. “Almost half of the new members who come to us through Farm Credit EXPRESS —and these are people who didn’t have any loans with us before—have gotten additional loans from us. Once they get a taste of the Farm Credit experience, they want to work with us more! Introducing new borrowers to Farm Credit has been a very rewarding part of the program for me,” says Mary.

To learn more about Farm Credit EXPRESS, you can visit our website at mafc.com/farmcreditexpress.php.

Have you used our Farm Credit EXPRESS program? Send us a picture with yourself and your equipment, and we could feature you in an upcoming issue of the Leader!

* Patronage returns are not guaranteed but are subject to annual resolution by the cooperative board.

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

Investing in the FutureMidAtlantic Farm Credit is once again offering over $18,000 in scholarships! To apply for one of the several scholarships you need to be either a member of MidAtlantic Farm Credit or be a child of a current member. A complete set of rules and the application can be found online at mafc.com. Applications are also available at any of MidAtlantic’s offices—feel free to stop by and pick one up! Scholarship applications and all supporting materials must be received by MidAtlantic Farm Credit on or before January 18, 2013.

Save the date 2013 annual meetingsHere we are again—about to turn the last page on our 2012 calendar and embark on a new year! Our plans are well under-way for our 2013 annual stockholder meetings. The dates have been noted on our MAFC calendar (be sure to stop by one of our offices and pick one up)—however, we wanted to announce the dates here too! More information on the meetings will be provided in the next issue of the Leader.

April 2 Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Salisbury, MD

April 3 Modern Maturity Center Dover, DE

April 4 Yoder’s Restaurant New Holland, PA

April 9 Walkersville Fire Hall Walkersville, MD

April 10 Millwood Station Winchester, VA

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Tour guide: Heather Diehl’s grandson enjoys showing the puppy around the farm. Heather is from Port Republic, VA.

Cowgirl cutie: Karley Williamson, daugh-ter of Lisa Williamson of Seaford, DE makes the cutest cowgirl in her pink Stetson!

Lovin’ Sunshine: Austin Hill, son of Elizabeth M.S. Hill of Kennedyville, MD is shown lovin’ his Brown Swiss dairy steer calf, Sunshine!

Little helper: Allison, granddaughter of Sharon Shovelski of Camden, DE enjoys helping with the farm chores.

This little pig: Whitney, granddaughter of Jamie & Lee Tolson of Centreville, MD enjoys visiting their farm and holding the little pigs!

Helping Pappy: Taylor, granddaughter of Don & Vickie Twigg of Bloomery, WV enjoys riding the tractor with her Pappy!

Wagon ho’: Pat Moser of Bally, PA captured her grandchildren (Ian, Avery, Luke, Kassie and Jack) for their annual wagon photo while they were visiting the dairy farm.

Proud 4-Her: Showing off her first 4-H dairy project (Bambi) is Katie Jones, daugh-ter of Tammy Jones of Massey, Maryland.

Flower princess: Marlene Stutzman’s granddaughter, Phoebe, enjoys helping her Grandma plant flowers. Marlene is from Kutztown, PA.

top to bottom, left to right

WE RECEivED A TON OF AWESOME PHOTO-GRAPHS OF KiDS iN OuR ANNuAL PHOTO CONTEST. CHECK OuT THESE CuTiES!

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The 2013 calendar photo winners are…Cover: Donna Dawson, Lancaster, PA

January: Kelly Jenkins, Strasburg, VA

February: Cassie Holloway, Darlington, MD

Dawn Craumer, Manchester, MD

March: Jenny Hendershot, Clear Spring, MD

Casey Houtz, Spring Mills, PA

April: Bobbi Jo Webber, Clayton, DE

Victoria Jenkins, Point Pleasant, PA

May: Melissa Miller, Strasburg, PA

Nicole Mast, Morgantown, PA

June: Callista Miller, Fleetwood, PA

Bruce Snyder, Lancaster, PA

July: Sandy Stahl, Fleetwood, PA

Kelly Miller, Airville, PA

August: Callista Miller, Fleetwood, PA

Sydney Wright, Milford, DE

September: Ann Bell, Berkeley Springs, WV

Melissa Miller, Strasburg, PA

October: Pixie Ruhlmann, Bethesda, MD

Sarah Knox, Myersville, MD

November: Bruce Snyder, Lancaster, PA

Christine Miller, Hamburg, PA

December: Cassie Holloway, Darlington, MD

Dawn Craumer, Manchester, MD

If you have not received one of our custom photo calendars, you can pick one up at any of our office locations.

Atop the hay: Jonah Grossnickle, son of Joshua Grossnickle of Walkersville, MD enjoys climbing on the hay bales (and posing for this cute photo)!

Rollin’ around: Tessa Jones “goofing off” in her mother’s words while picking pumpkins at Baugher’s Orchard. Tessa is the daughter of Lorraine Baugher Jones of Westminster, MD.

Mimicking each other: Jayden Hess of Conestoga, PA is shown with her 4-H market goat. She is the daughter of Beth Hess.

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Properties for sale

Nicely maintained farmhouse on 23.68 acres south of Westminster. Some updates. Replacement windows. Pasture with stream, small barn & detached garage. $350,000.

Contact Garry Haines, Haines Realty, 410.876.1616 or 401.984.6556.

Westminster, Maryland

7 lots. Gorgeous Catoctin Mountain & sunset views. Privacy on 9 to 26 acres. Perked and high-yield wells. Priced from $144,000 to $330,000. Close to Rt. 15, 20 minutes to Frederick, and close to PA.

Contact Lettie Golden, Bach & Associates, Inc., 301.695.9600.

Emmitsburg, Maryland

16.46 acres, stable 36x146, 12’ center aisle with 16 matted stalls 12x12, insulated indoor riding ring 72x208 mirrors, engineered mixed footing, 45’ round pen, 4 large 3 board pastures & five 3 board paddocks, 100x200 outdoor ring, 50x30 equipment shop, trails to

C&O Canal. $1,385,000.

Contact Connie Johnson, RE/MAX Realty Services, 301.651.1570.

Spacious rancher situated on 39 acres. Located near commuter routes & shop-ping. Well maintained home with large finished lower level with superior wall construction. Features 3 choices of heat/fuel. $574,900.

Contact Nate Mangum, RE/MAX Results, 301.788.0063.

Taneytown, Maryland

Poolesville, Maryland

Great home for a growing family in Middletown Blue Ribbon School District. Large wooded corner lot with expansive flagstone hardscaping & large covered front porch. 4 bedroom, 2.5 baths, large family room with wood burning brick fireplace, eat-in kitchen, separate living room, dining room & man cave in full unfinished basement. $299,900.

Contact Deb Bargeski, Keller Williams Realty Centre, 301.748.6719.

Middletown, Maryland

60 acres tillable farmland. Approximately 4 acres wood-land, remainder curtilage & pasture. Property has potential for 7 lots. Not subject to farmland preservation easements. Bank barn & outbuildings. $1,100,000.

Contact Larry Haines, Haines Realty, 410.876.1616 or 410.848.1214.

Brick Cape Cod with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths on 60.20 acres. 5 acres fenced, large building, updated kitchen, all wood floors, fireplace in living room, screened porch. $460,000.

Contact Diane Wenk, Wright Real Estate, Inc., 410.310.7399.

Goldsboro, Maryland

Beautiful waterfront farm in desirable eastern shore location. 10+ acres offers pasture, woodland & waterfront/marsh area on Wetipquin Creek. Short walk to the Nanticoke River. Two story barn, carport and additional out buildings offer abundant shop & storage space. Close to public boat ramp. $159,900.

Contact Roger Sansom, ERA/Martin & Assoc., 410.251.8574.

Tyaskin-Quantico, Maryland

Dutch colonial on 16.99 acres, 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, central air, hot water radiator heat, large garage with electric & built on shed. Property also has 24.457 acres that goes with listing. $404,500.

Contact Robert Wenk, Wright Real Estate, Inc., 410.310.1032.

Goldsboro, Maryland

Hampstead/Upperco, Maryland

2 parcels of 3.69 acres each (7+ total), gentle sloping build-ing sites with mountain views. Perc approved. Catoctin Mountain State Park entrance across street. Convenient to PA & Ft. Ritchie & Thurmont areas. $121,500 & $118,000.

Contact Frank Getz, Coldwell Banker Innovations, 301.992.9652.

Sabillasville, Maryland

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Need financing for any of these properties? Call your local Farm Credit office.All of the properties listed on these pages are offered for sale by local, licensed Realtors. MidAtlantic Farm Credit is not affiliated with these properties, nor are we responsible for content or typographical errors. Please call the Realtor listed for more information.

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Five bedroom brick Cape on 19 +/- roll-ing acres with a pond, paved drive, in-ground pool, 30x40 shop with sepa-rate electric & well. Less than 2 miles off Rt. 50 in Northern Talbot County. Easy commute to the Bay Bridge. $589,000.

Contact Traci Jordan, Benson & Mangold, 410.310.8606.

Cordova, Maryland

90 acre horse training & boarding farm. Fencing, barn, 36 stalls, several buildings & run-in sheds. Country location near Rt. 301. 57 acres tillable/fenced with paddocks. Backs to woods. $739,000.

Contact David Leager, Sassafras River Realty, Ltd., 410.778.0238 or 410.708.0891.

Galena, Maryland

185 acres, 100 acres tilled and 25 acres in CREP. Some trees ready for harvest and approxi-mately 14 acres in young pines. Approximately 9 acres board fence & 9 acres high tensile fencing. In ag preservation. $799,000.

Contact Mickey Hayward, Sunset Properties, 401.924.2277.

6+ acres, 6 bedroom perc, partially wooded lot with electric to the site. Ready to build your dream home! Other lots available. $160,000.

Contact Scott Gove, Frederick Land Co., 301.662.9222.

Frederick, Maryland

Private country living, 5+ acres with housing suitable for 3 families. Nice 25x40 metal building/workshop with 200 amp electric service and a chim-ney for woodstove. Loafing/run-in shed for animals plus a 12x24 building. $240,000.

Contact Rose Greenawalt, 301.745.1510 or 800.455.5115.

Sharpsburg, Maryland

103 acre waterfront farm, Dorchester County on Choptank River. Century Farm, 3,500’ protected shoreline at Todd’s Point. Excellent farmland, mature woods. No easements or restrictions. Perc approved for waterfront lot. Agent related to seller. REDUCED! $1,000,000.

Contact Carlton Nabb, Nabb Real Estate, Inc., 410.228.2014 or 410.463.0563.

Cambridge, Maryland

Historic stone house built in 1850s. Farm in ag preservation. 92 tillable acres, 43 acres of pasture & some wooded. $995,000.

Contact Pat Brunner, Mackintosh, Inc., Realtors, 240.529.0104.

Mt. Airy, Maryland

23 acre gentlemen’s farm in Cecil County. Located at the head of the Chesapeake Bay & includes 3 bedroom house, barn, garage, springhouse & pond. $399,900.

Contact Charlie Roosa, Key Realty, Inc., 410.398.1247.

Conowingo, Maryland

95 +/- acres of wood land with a 4 bedroom, 3 bath two story Cape Cod sited on a one open acre parcel. Large country kitchen with island, office with handmade cabi-netry, front wrap around porch, two car garage & full walk-out basement. $725,000.

Contact Debbie Meikle, Champion Realty, Inc., 410.778.3357 or 410.708.7789.

Millington, Maryland

Federalsburg, Maryland

Long private drive leading to a beautiful 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath Colonial sitting on 18 acres. Property has it all—open fields, wooded areas and walk-in stalls. $463,000.

Contact Darrel Reel, Rosendale Realty, 410.758.0333.

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On MD/PA line, beautiful 4 bedroom, 3 bath Cape Cod home. Open floor plan, big kitchen, breakfast room, 1st floor master bedroom & wood burning fire-place. 2nd floor consists of open family room, master suite & 4th bedroom. In-ground pool, fenced backyard, outdoor shower, sauna. Pole barn on 4 level acres. $297,000.

Contact Paul Gilley, Mason Dixon Realty, Inc., 443.206.0746.

Updated 5 bedroom, 3.5 bath rancher on private 17+ acres. Large gourmet kitchen, new carpet, fresh paint, wood floors, in-law suite with kitchen, wood stove, walkout basement, rec room, 2 car garage & large barn. Covered back deck, pool & hot tub. $499,900.

Contact Darren Ahern, Real Estate Teams, 240.344.1713.

Middletown, Maryland

Rising Sun, Maryland

24 acres, house built in 2011 and features 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, cook’s kitchen, granite counters and hard-wood floors. $375,000.

Contact Tammy Rosendale, Rosendale Realty, 401.758.0333.

Chestertown, Maryland

Marble Head Plantation, circa 1803. Rare opportunity to own this meticu-lously restored & renovated 17+ acre estate ideal for grape growing, organic farming & equestrian living with 5-stall barn. Comfortably situated close to the Bay Bridge, Centreville & an hour to the beach. $899,000.

Contact Dana Eggert, Benson & Mangold, 410.725.4398.

Ridgely, Maryland

5 wooded acres. Home with unique floor plan, open & spacious. French doors open from living room into

porch, newly enclosed with Quadra Trak windows. Enlarged master suite with sitting area & new private bath. Large kitchen. New heat pump, fridge & dishwasher. 24x30 garage & separate shed. $350,000.

Contact Dawn Kyle, Champion Realty, Inc., 410.310.5899.

Greensboro, Maryland

Beautiful 4 bedroom 2.5 bath home on 3 acres in northern Harford County. Offers updates: furnace, siding, roof, appliances, recent carpet & painted. Also, 2 car garage, large wood stove on brick hearth, pool, gazebo. $350,000.

Contact Mary Beth Archer, Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. 410.459.3379.

Street, Maryland

Spacious farmette offers 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths. 20x40 in-ground swimming pool & maintenance free deck. 5.25 acres, 30x60 barn with 10 ft. overhang, fenced pastures, run-in shed, manure building & gorgeous views! $559,900.

Contact Cindy Grimes, J & B Real Estate, Inc. 301.271.3487.

Rocky Ridge, Maryland

Private lane lined with 40 magnolia trees welcomes you to St. Giles Farm. 92 acre equestrian estate. The Federal period farmhouse combines elegant historic details with updated systems & is complimented by a full array of stables with 17 stalls, paddocks as well as a guest house & pool area. $995,000.

Contact Roger Sansom, ERA/Martin & Associates, 410.251.8574.

Hebron, Maryland

33.6 acres of mostly tillable farmland east of Rt. 113 off of Johnson Road. Good farming ground formerly known as Lincoln Village subdivision. Potential for subdivision but approvals have expired. Good soils for on-site well & septic. $285,000.

Contact Wes Cromer, Masten Realty, LLC, 302.448.1032.

Lincoln, Delaware93.71 acres. Timber recently cut & land has been refor-ested with pines. New road & food plots recently added. Surrounded by nearly 1,000 acres of adjacent woods. Land has been entered in farmland preservation. $199,500.

Contact Jamie Masten, Masten Realty, LLC, 302.442.1850.

Harrington, Delaware

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

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Bucks County, 45 acre parcel with metal pole barn and a circa 1800s farmhouse with 2 apartment units. On site well & septic. RR zoning, land development rights have been sold. Permitted use includes agriculture, nursery, riding academy, etc. $565,000.

Contact Jeanne Justice, Brode & Brooks, Inc. Realtors, 267.347.3385.

Modern 80 acre farm with over 70 till-able acres. 110 tie stalls, 6 silos, 2 heifer barns, manure storage, large bank barn & 1,608 sq. ft. brick farmhouse with summer kitchen. Ag preserved & great producing soil. $1,795,000.

Contact Christ Taylor, Beiler-Campbell Realtors, 717.371.1915.

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

99.5 acre farm in the Lehigh Valley with spectacular views of the Blue Mountains. 4 bedroom spacious home, pole barn & fenced pasture. Perfect for large horse farm. Subdivision possibili-ties. $995,000.

Contact Cindy Stys, Cindy Stys Equestrian & Country Properties, Ltd., 610.849.1790.

Orchard, retail & pick your own fruit operation. 193 +/- acres of fruit trees. Retail store has deli, bakery & sells outside produce. 3 bedroom stone home with irrigation pond & bank barn. $1,650,000.

Contact Donald Frederick, The Frederick Group, 610.841.4235.

Coplay, Pennsylvania

Beautiful 15.8 acre horse farm in the Shenandoah Valley. Features 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath Colonial house. Large 6 stall barn with tack room & hay loft, riding arena, cross fenced pastures with automatic waterers & more. $389,900.

Contact Allison Wetzel, ERA Beasley Realty, 540.335.8201.

Edinburg, Virginia

140 +/- acre farm on the southern end of Accomack County. 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,456 sq. ft. double-wide on the property which conveys with the farm. Detached metal garage on concrete slab. Approximately 40 acres of open farmland with the remainder wooded. $465,000.

Contact Ralph Dodd, Ralph W. Dodd & Associates, LLC, 757.442.1123.

Beautiful 137 acre working farm. Also included is an 1800s farmhouse awaiting your renovations. 2 barns, one three-sided shed, assorted outbuildings & more. Passage Creek runs through the prop-erty. Borders the National Forest. $1,100,000.

Contact Victoria Stallings, ERA Beasley Realty, 540.335.1004.

Fort Valley, Virginia

107 total acres fronts on 2 state maintained roads. 1,596 sq. ft. farmhouse on property plus machine shed & storage build-ing. Beautiful mountain views! No well or septic on property (perc on file). Acreage for grazing livestock & woods for timber & hunting. $450,000.

Contact Cynthia Dellinger, United Country Shenandoah Valley Realty, 540.477.9791.

Mount Jackson, Virginia

Perkasie, Pennsylvania

Walnutport, Pennsylvania Belle Haven, Virginia

56 acre equestrian farm with a stunning 3,500 sq. ft. home. 83x38 horse barn with eleven 11x10.8 stalls, heated wash bay, heated tack room, interlocking rubber tile flooring, intercom & security systems. Plenty of privacy, minutes from Penn National Race Course. $1,200,000.

Contact Michael Yingling, RE/MAX Delta Group, 717.648.8303.

Grantville, Pennsylvania

Farm, business or pleasure? 100.37 acres fronting county road with 4,500 sq. ft. home. Level to rolling land with mountain & pastoral views plus large pond. Per survey there is an additional well & 3-site camping facility located on the property. $600,000.

Contact Teresa Seville, Coldwell Banker Premier Homes, 304.671.3515.

Berkeley Springs, West Virginia

MidAtlantic Farm Credit45 Aileron CourtWestminster MD 21157

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDBALTIMORE MD

PERMIT NO. 7175

Even Santa Shops for the Best Deals.

With companies offering special interest rates and cash back incentives, it’s often hard to see the best deal. We want to help!

Not only do we have local staff that can help you maximize your savings on purchases, we also offer one stop shopping at dealerships through our Farm Credit EXPRESS program. This allows you to apply for Farm Credit financing directly from dealerships!

Now that’s a real deal.

So, if you are ready to talk about equipment, and let us help you get your best deal, give us a call today or visit one of our participating* Farm Credit EXPRESS dealers today. You’ll be dealing —and wheeling—in no time!

*Visit mafc.com/farmcreditexpress.php to see a list of participating dealerships.

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