Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame

March 2, 2003

2003: Marion Lee Holland Family

Credit: Executive Office of the Governor

Family Name: Holland Family

Marion Lee Holland was a logger and farmer in his early years and later founded Glad-Mar Dairy Farm in Pocomoke City. The dairy is one of only two remaining in Worcester County. “They’ve always been friends of extension, 4-H and the Worcester County Fair. They also hold an open house each spring for all of the elementary schools in the county,” said Eddie Johnson of the University of Maryland’s Wicomico County Cooperative Extension. The Holland’s Glad-Mar Grain Farm and the Glad-Mar Dairy Farm are leaders in conservation practices, manure recycling and the use of winter cover crops. Marion has shown his dedication to the community by being an active member of many organizations including Maryland Farm Bureau where he has served as a past president, Worcester County 4-H Club, Board of Commissioners for the Maryland Game and Inland Fish Commission. His memberships included being a lifetime member of Pitts Creek Presbyterian Church where he served as past elder and trustee, past president of the Pocomoke Ruritan Club and founder and charter member of the Pocomoke YMCA. Marion has received awards for his achievements in agriculture including Jaycees’ “Outstanding Young Farmer” of Worcester County and he won the 1957 Maryland Efficient Dairy Production Contest.

Ceremony Date: 2/5/04

March 2, 2002

2002: William & Jean Knill

Credit: Executive Office of the Governor

Family Name: The Knill Family

Bill and Jean Knill own and operate Knill’s Farm Market, a 700-acre livestock, grain and fresh produce farm in Carroll County. Their farm incorporates crop rotation, no-till cultivation, grassed waterways, strip cropping and integrated pest management. The Knills extended the season for fresh fruits and vegetables by utilizing rain gutters to hold the media in which the plants grow in their greenhouse. Bill has served as president and vice-president of both the Carroll County and Maryland Farm Bureaus, president of the Carroll County Agricultural Commission, and as a member of the Carroll County Economic Development Commission and numerous other committees. Jean chaired the Carroll County Agriculture in the Classroom committee for 15 years and serves on the board of directors of the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation and on both the Maryland and Carroll County Farm Bureau women’s committees.

Ceremony Date: 2/6/03

February 2, 2002

2002: Russell & Shirley Watson

Credit: Executive Office of the Governor

Family Name: The Watson Family

The family farm was purchased in 1955 by Russell and Shirley Watson. The young newlyweds bought the farm a few months before their wedding, and once the vows were said they happily settled in. Coming from a long line of farmers, Russell decided to grow tobacco on his farm like his father before him. They had four children: Russell Jr., Connie, Robert and Susan. As the farm and the children grew, the family decided they needed an additional source of income. Since Russell always had a fondness for pigs, the Watson’s became hog farmers as well, adding 400 head of hog to the operation in 1960. Since Russell was the entrepreneurial sort of fellow, and attuned to the changing agricultural markets, the farm underwent several changes over the next few decades. In 1969, the Watson’s decided to grow trees and shrubs and Robin Hill Farm became Robin Hill Farm Nursery. The nursery included approximately 100 acres of shade and ornamental trees and 20 acres of container stock. In 1970, the family added a fall festival and pumpkin patch to the farm, and thousands of visitors came each year to take a hayride, see the animals, and pick a pumpkin. Eventually the nursery business became the main source of income for the family. The family consolidated the farm by getting out of the tobacco industry and transitioned from raising hogs commercially to just raising a few for the family. As the years progressed, the children grew up and got married and grandchildren and great grandchildren were added to the family.

Ceremony Date: 2/6/03

March 2, 2001

2001: Grove & Jack Miller

Credit: Executive Office of the Governor

Family Name: The Miller Family

Brothers Grove and Jack Miller of Pleasant View Farm have farmed for 50 years while providing leadership to the agricultural community statewide. Together they operate a 300-acre dairy farm in Cecil County. Grove Miller started the Cecil County Fair in 1954 and served on its board until 1976, when he became president of the Maryland State Fair, a position he still holds. Grove was Master of the Maryland State Grange for four years, and president of the Maryland Farm Bureau. He is currently a member of the Cecil Community College Foundation Board. Grove served on the University of Maryland’s Board of Regents from 1967-1975, and also helped organize the Maryland Agricultural Commission. Jack Miller was appointed by Governor Marvin Mandel to a vacancy in the Maryland State Senate in 1970, serving for two years. After his term, he was selected by his brother, Grove, to be the Maryland Farm Bureau’s legislative lobbyist in Annapolis, which he did successfully for the next 22 years.

Ceremony Date: 2/7/02

2001: William & Patsy Guy

Credit: Executive Office of the Governor

Family Name: The Guy Family

William and Patsy Guy have operated a 1,400-acre vegetable and grain farm in Wicomico County for 50 years, growing fruits and vegetables to sell at their farmers market (Guy Farms Produce) in addition to raising some 1,100 acres of corn and soybeans. A graduate of Wicomico High School, Bill has served both the farming community and Wicomico County through a variety of activities including the Farm Bureau, the Wicomico County Agricultural Land Preservation Board, Wicomico County Housing Board, and the Wicomico County Planning and Zoning Advisory Committee. Patsy has been active in Wicomico County Farm Bureau, Four Seasons Garden Club of Maryland, the Child Safety and Crime Prevention program, and Agriculture in the Classroom. Mrs. Guy also served as past president of the Wicomico Farm & Home show and led the Greater Books program at James M. Bennett Junior and Senior High in Wicomico County. Their son, Bobby, now serves as president of Guy Farms, Inc.

Ceremony Date: 2/7/02

2001: Charles & Lorraine Mason

Credit: Executive Office of the Governor

Family Name:  The Mason Family

The Mason family of CH-LO-MA Farms has operated their 225-acre dairy farm for 43 years, featuring registered Holstein dairy cattle. Charles’ great-grandfather purchased the property in the early 1900s. Charles went to live with his grandfather in 1952 where he learned how to milk the cows by hand. After graduating high school, Charles enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He returned to the farm with his newlywed wife Lorraine and they purchased the farm from his grandfather. In keeping with the family tradition, Charles passed the farm to his son Andrew. The farm was the first in Garrett County to be put into the ag preservation program which helps to preserve productive local farmland and woodland. The program is voluntary on the part of landowners and starts with a District Agreement, which is in effect by statute for a minimum of three years. Charles earned the Jaycees Young Farmers Award for Maryland in 1966. When Charles was not tending to the family farm, he was actively involved with multiple committees and organizations. He served as charter president of the Oakland Junior Chamber of Commerce, director of the Garrett County Agricultural Fair Board for more than a decade, chairman of Mountain County Milk Cooperative, Dairy Farmers of America, Farm Credit Board of Directors, superintendent of the Swine and Tractor Pull at the Garrett County Fair and Garrett County Agricultural Land Preservation Committee for nine years. Lorraine is also a devoted member of the agricultural and civic community. She serves on the Garrett County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee, served as secretary of the County Hospice Association and has held numerous positions within the Faith Evangelical Free Church. Mrs. Mason was the first woman to serve on the Farmers Home Administration.

Ceremony Date: 2/7/02

March 2, 2000

2000: Lewis & Ginny Riley

Credit: Executive Office of the Governor

Family Name: The Riley Family

 Lewis and Ginny Riley, owners of Beaver Run Farms, have been farming for 40 years. Lewis is the fifth generation farmer of the family operation that involves five farms within a two-mile area east of Salisbury. Lewis started raising chickens commercially in 1959, and in 1962 built his first two new poultry houses. He and his son, Quint, sixth generation farmer, today raises 90,000 Perdue Cornish hens along with a herd of 60 crossbred beef cows, 35 sheep and 200 hogs. In addition to farming, Lewis served as Maryland Secretary of Agriculture from 1984 to 1998 and has had a long and interesting political career. He was elected to the Wicomico County Council in 1966, became president in 1970 and remained in county government for 12 years. He served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates from 1979 until 1987 and the Maryland State Senate from 1987 until 1992. Served as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture from 1992 until 1994 and became Secretary of Agriculture from 1994 until 1997. Between 1997 and 2003 he took a break from public service career to care and spend time with his wife, then returned to public service as Secretary of Agriculture from 2003 until 2007. During his administration as Secretary of Agriculture, Maryland farmers enrolled more than 1.2 million acres in the state’s nutrient management program.

Ceremony Date: 2/1/01

March 2, 1999

1999: Joe Schwartzbeck Family

Credit: Executive Office of the Governor

Family Name: The Schwartzbeck Family

Joe and Nona Schwartzbeck bought their 500 acre farm in 1968. They named their new farm after the original land grant for the property Joe’s family owned, Peace and Plenty Farms. When they purchased their farm in Carroll County, they had cows in the barn before the county would grant them an occupancy permit for the house they were building, so the young couple commuted from Montgomery County to milk their cows every 12 hours. Their farm has been the setting for documentaries, books, newspapers and magazines. The family has been featured in several booklets and Nona was featured in a documentary for television “Women in Agriculture” that aired nationwide. She received an award from WTTR-TV for her role in that story. In addition, they have won many honors in the show ring with home bred cattle, locally and nationally. Joe is a strong advocate for young farmers, lending them equipment, helping them move their cattle, as well as counseling them. The Schwartbecks have also been extremely involved in the Carroll County Fair and State Fair, donating many hours for repairs and in helping with events. The 4-H has benefited from workshops listed by the Schwartzbecks. They also have hosted representatives from Russia and Guyana. The Schwartzbecks continue to be supportive of agriculture with their active involvement in countless agricultural organizations.

Ceremony Date: 2/3/2000

1999: John & Mary Briscoe

Credit: Executive Office of the Governor

Family Name: The Briscoe Family

John Dawkins Briscoe who was known as “Jack,” was born and raised on his family’s farm “Stonesby,” which has been owned by his family since the 1700s. The then 800 acre tract was located at Island Creek on the Patuxent River. After serving in World War II in the 10^th Armored Division, Jack returned to the farm and, with his father and brother, grew tobacco, corn, wheat, soybeans, and hay. They also raised cattle, dairy cows, hogs, sheep and chickens. Jack was a member of the Maryland Farm Bureau and the Soil Conservation Service. He was a lifelong active communicant of Christ Episcopal Church, having served on the vestry several times. Mary taught Home Economics for over 30 years. She served as President of Delta Kappa Gamma, an international society recognizing key women educators. Mary was also a Master Gardener and President of the Calvert Garden Club. She served on the Judges Council of the Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland and started the Young Gardener’s Club at the Calverton School. Additionally, Mary was a member of the Christ Church Altar Guild, the Vestry, the new Rector Search Committee, and also served on the Architectural Review Board for Calvert County. Jack and Mary also participated in the founding of The Calverton School. Their son, Tommy, now continues the family’s farming tradition, additionally renting other farms in the county.

Ceremony Date: 2/3/2000

1999: James & Cassandra Briscoe

Credit: Executive Office of the Governor

Family Name: The Briscoe Family

James Thompson Briscoe and his two older brothers grew up on their family farm, Stonesby, in St. Leonard. He raised tobacco, corn, wheat, soybeans, hay, straw, and cattle for market, as well as chickens and hogs for family consumption. James earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Animal Husbandry from the University of Maryland, and served as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps in Japan during the Korean War. Cassandra Parran Briscoe and her younger brother grew up on The Cage, a large tobacco and cattle farm in St. Leonard. Sandra married James Briscoe and together they worked on his family farm. An avid flower and vegetable gardener, Sandra served as president of the Calvert Garden Club and was known for her exquisite freeform flower arrangements. When James injured his back and was unable to drive the tractor for extended periods of time, Sandra, a young mother of three at the time, assisted with the tilling of the land. Although she was used to farm life, that spring marked the beginning of her love of farming and working the land herself. When her children left for college, Sandra became the manager of The Cage farm. She oversaw the cattle operation, and raised tobacco, small grains, soybeans, hay, and straw. Sandra was very active in the farming community; she served on the Calvert Farmland Trust and was a committee member of the Calvert County Farm Service Agency for numerous years. Both James and Sandra were devoted, lifelong members of Christ Episcopal Church in Port Republic. James served as the registrar and as a vestry member of their church. Sandra served on the altar guild and ran the Gifts and Crafts Booth at the annual Jousting Tournament and Bazaar. They were founding members of The Calverton School, an independent college preparatory school in Huntingtown. For many years, James was vice president of the Board of Directors and Sandra served as president of the Mothers’ Club. Their son Parran Broome Briscoe (pictured with his wife, Holly Rogers Briscoe) continues to actively farm both Stonesby and The Cage.

Ceremony Date: 2/3/2000

March 2, 1998

1998: John & Betty Herbst

Credit: Executive Office of the Governor

Family Name: Herbst Family

John and Betty Herbst own and operate Misty Meadows Farms which consists of approximately 325 acres. Misty Meadows is a diversified operation of dairy, dairy beef, grain and hay. All feed, except some supplement, is grown and processed on the farm and the surplus is sold for cash. The major crops produced on the farm are corn, hay, wheat and barley. In addition to operating the farms, the Herbst family is active in community affairs. John served as vice president of the Maryland Farm Bureau, was appointed by Governor Glendening to the Board of Review of the Maryland Department of Agriculture. He also served on the Washington County Planning Commission, Washington Rural Development Committee, and Blue Ridge Fruit Exchange and is an elder treasurer of Ringgold Church of Christ and a trustee and corporate director of Eastern Christian College. Betty is a member of the Washington County Advisory Council of the American Lung Association and is active in church affairs and the Ringgold Ruritan Club.

Ceremony Date: 2/4/1999

1998: Walton Mason Family

Credit: Executive Office of the Governor

Family Name: The Mason Family

Walton and Mildred Mason own and operate their Woodbine Farm, a 105-acre dairy operation that has been in Mildred’s family for over seven generations with more than 260 years of farming history. They raise corn, wheat and barley. As an active member of Maryland’s agricultural and civic communities, Walton has served as a member and leader in numerous organizations. He served as part of the grounds and entertainment committee for the first fair and later became a member of the fair board of directors and served on the board for 11 years. In the 1970s he served two terms as county commissioner and for each of the fair’s 50 years he has served the fair in some capacity, whether it be as head of the Calvert Grange, as a 4-H leader, as a judge, or as part of a fair committee. Walton is one of the few who can say that he has served the Cecil County Fair for 50 years. Perhaps his most important contribution was his involvement in the founding of the fair itself. Mildred was an elementary school teacher at Calvert Elementary School and a substitute teacher. Walton and Mildred along with their children were active members of the Cecil County 4-H.

Ceremony Date: 2/4/1999

March 8, 1997

1997: Wilbert & Louise Paul

Credit: Executive Office of the Governor

Family Name: The Paul Family

Wilbert and wife Francis Paul lives on the farm that Wilbert purchased with his deceased wife, Elizabeth Paul in 1940. He and his children own and operate Learning Pine Farm, a 177 acre dairy operation. Leaning Pine farm focuses on a small operation of Holstein dairy cattle, grain and hay. The cattle are grass fed on pasture daily in the spring, summer and fall growing seasons. The farm also supports the animals by growing oats, corn, silage, and hay. Some supplement during grain grinding is added. LPF sells their milk to Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association, milking on average 50 cows, twice a day. In addition to operating the farm, the Paul family is active in the Maryland Farm Bureau. Wilbert also is a board member on the Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association. He was one of the founding members of the Allegany County’s Soil Conservation District and continues to serve as a Supervising Board Member. The family is also a long time member of the Mount Savage United Methodist Church. Wilbert was one of the founding members of Allegany County’s Soil Conservation District and continues to serve as a Supervising Board Member. He and his family have been practicing conservation and stewardship practices since the day Hugh Hammond Bennett, founder of the Soil Conservation Service, visited the Mount Savage area in 1942. Being conservation focused led Wilbert to place the farm into a preservation easement with the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation in 1980. Leaning Pine Farm is operated by Wilbert part time, his son James, full time, and James’ wife, Bonnie, part time. Gene is a Biology high school teacher, who continues to work on the farm on weekends and summers. Wilbert’s daughter, Nancy Hobbs, supports the operation with advice and secretarial duties.

Ceremony Date: 2/5/1998

March 2, 1997

1997: Henry & Barbara Holloway

Credit: Executive Office of the Governor

Family Name: Holloway Family

Henry and Richard Holloway, along with their wives Barbara and Harriett, formed Holloway Brothers partnership in the late 1960’s when they purchased the 410-acre property and farm business previously owned by Henry and Richard’s parents Clifford & Agnes Holloway in Darlington, Harford County. Holloway Brothers farm 600 acres of owned and rented cropland, producing corn, soybeans, wheat, barley, hay and straw. They run an 80-cow commercial beef herd, feeding and finishing their own calves, some of which are sold direct to customers for freezer beef. A 50+ sow farrow-to-finish operation was part of their farm business up until the early 1980s when they sold the sow herd. Much like their father and prior generations, Henry and Richard have been conservation-minded, continuing practices such as contour cropping and no-till. They have passed on their message of stewardship and promoted agriculture education by hosting Harford County Farm Visitation Day and school and other non-ag groups at the farm on numerous occasions over the years. The Holloway family has been involved and active in many local, state and national organizations and boards, including multiple leadership positions, with Harford County and Maryland Farm Bureau, Maryland Agricultural Commission, 4-H, Maryland Cattleman’s Association, Maryland State Fair, Maryland 4-H Foundation, and insurance and bank board positions. Henry, Richard, Barbara and Harriett have volunteered their time to many church and community activities, continually giving to their local community and agriculture.

Ceremony Date: 2/5/1998