2004: Wheatley Neal Family

Credit: Executive Office of the Governor

Family Name: The Wheatley Neal Family

The Neals have been farming since the 1950s when Wheatley started with less than 100 acres supplementing the farm with custom farming and welding. Neal Farms Inc. now consists of 3,500 acres, owning 900 acres. They are included in the Century Farm designation and have acreage enrolled in the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Program. The family irrigates approximately 20 percent of the land they farm. Their operation includes soybeans, barley, corn, (field and sweet), wheat, chickens, custom farming and custom welding. They have been following a nutrient management plan for approximately 11 years. The poultry portion has a waste management plan including a poultry waste storage structure and composter. Their farm operation also utilizes conservation practices including no-till, crop rotation, irrigation management, tree planting, cover crop, grade stabilization structure, roof run-off management, waste control structures and tile drainage. In his early years of farming, Wheatley built one of the first no-till soybean planters in the area. In the busy beginning years of the farming operation, Wheatley and Ann always took time for their daughters Cindy and Charlotte. They were 4-H leaders for Charlotte and Cindy’s 4-H Club. Both daughters married farmers who have joined the operation to form Neal Farms, Inc. The four grandchildren also assist in farming operations during planting and harvesting season. In addition to the long hours demanded by the farming operation, the family still finds time to volunteer in the community in numerous organizations including the Soil Conservation District, Southern States Grain Board, Caroline County Farm Bureau, Concord United Methodist Church, Caroline County Fair Board, FFA and Tuckahoe Equestrian Center.

Ceremony Date: 2/3/05