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