1995: John & Ruth Schillinger

Credit: Executive Office of the Governor

Family Name: The Schillinger Family

John and Ruth Schillinger own Papa John’s, a vegetable and bedding plant farm situated on 340 acres in Anne Arundel County. In 1889, Ruth Schillinger’s grandfather purchased the original 54 acres of land for $900. In 1936, John Schillinger moved to the farm owned by Ruth’s father. The farm has been in the family for 109 years. Alongside the vegetables, the Schillingers began to plant tobacco in 1939 and phased it out around 1977. They now produce numerous varieties of vegetables and bedding plants and have been selling to supermarkets since 1992. The Schillinger family has developed new tools for irrigation and planting that have significantly improved their production.  In addition, they continually operate their farm for school children as well as agricultural leaders visiting from abroad. The Schillinger family is active in the agricultural community as well as civic and political activities.

Ceremony Date: 2/1/1996