May 21, 2018 / Uncategorized / Jamie Tiralla

The Anne Arundel Soil Conservation District was proud to partner again with the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation, Maryland Department of Agriculture, and USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service for the Leadership Anne Arundel Agriculture tour.

Leadership Anne Arundel is an intense curriculum of civic information and leadership skills development. Each class includes 25 to 40 individuals who are selected for a multi-disciplinary study of Anne Arundel County. During the agriculture tour, fellows visit farms in Anne Arundel County to learn about their business and agricultural management practices.

This year’s tour included five stops in Southern Anne Arundel County:

Leadership Anne Arundel Tour 2018

Zehner Farm – Patuxent River Road, Davidsonville
Owner – Martin Zehner. Grain and Vegetable Farm
This 57-acre farm was bought in 1936 by Martin Zehner’s father, a German immigrant. Formally a tobacco farm, the Zehners now grow corn, soybeans, and vegetables. Mr. Zehner was very instrumental in establishing the Riva Road Farmers market and continues to sell vegetables there with his wife, Hilda.

Leadership Anne Arundel Tour 2018 Leadership Anne Arundel Tour 2018

Holiday Memories Farm – Muddy Creek Road, Churchton
Owner – Gary Palmer Jr. Christmas trees, sunflowers and blueberries
This 22.6-acre farm was purchased in 2014. It is established as a sustainable Christmas tree operation with over 3,600 trees of differing varieties. In 2015, Gary’s field of sunflowers was featured in a national photography magazine. The farm plans to add blueberries to their production. Holiday memories is a FSCAP Certified Steward.

Obligation Farm – Solomon’s Island Road, Harwood
Owner – Chris Wilson. Compost
En-Tice-Ment Farm Raised Meats and En-Tice- Ment Stables Owner – Joe, Jay, and Deana Tice
Horses, cattle, and poultry. The Tice family is 4th generation farmers. Involvement in 4-H encouraged the Tice’s to start in the livestock business. En-Tice-Ment Farm Raised Meats continues to grow. Their animals are given plenty of space to roam and are fed quality feed, from local feed mills or farmers.

Leadership Anne Arundel Tour 2018

Greenstreet Growers – Bay Front Road, Lothian
Owners – Ray and Stacy Greenstreet. Nursery Operation
This 55-acre farm started out as a small “root station” to grow plants for wholesale. As the years passed, the business flourished. In 2000, Greenstreet expanded their operation into a full service, retail and wholesale nursery with the latest technology to grow and ship their plants.

Leadership Anne Arundel Tour 2018

Thanksgiving Farm – Harwood Road, Harwood
Owners – Doug and Maureen Heimbuch. Vineyard and Winery
Thanksgiving farm is approximately 58 acres in size and was once part of a 332 acre farm called Richland. In 1954, 58 acres were sold and renamed to Thanksgiving Farm. In 1996, the Heimbuchs purchased the property and in 1998 the vineyards were planted. Thanksgiving Farm is under the Agriculture Land Preservation Program.