GOVERNOR O’MALLEY INDUCTS TWO FARM FAMILIES INTO MARYLAND’S AGRICULTURE HALL OF FAME

Presents First-ever Smart, Green and Growing Awards

GLEN BURNIE, MD (February 4, 2010) – Governor Martin O’Malley today joined more than 800 agricultural leaders and legislators from across the State to induct two farming families into the Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame.  John A. Prouty & Family of Calvert County and Mehrle H. & Thelma Ramsburg Jr. of Frederick County became the 38th and 39th recipients of the prestigious recognition during the annual Maryland Agriculture Dinner at Michael’s Eighth Avenue in Glen Burnie.  The first-ever Smart, Green and Growing Awards were also presented during the event. Department of Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance joined Governor O’Malley during the presentations.
“It is my honor to stand beside the Proutys and the Ramsburgs tonight to recognize their outstanding accomplishments, commitment and contributions to agriculture, family, resource conservation and community,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “In honoring these two families, who represent more than a century of farming in Maryland, we also honor the dedication and hard work of every farmer in this state. We count on their continued partnership as together we shape a more sustainable agriculture to keep Maryland smart, green and growing.”
“All of Maryland agriculture has benefited from the contributions of the Prouty and Ramsburg families, and we are honored to welcome them into the Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame,” said Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Buddy Hance.  “Through their efforts, both families have made significant accomplishments to advance agriculture, support their communities, preserve farmland, protect the environment and encourage young people to get involved in farming.”
During his remarks this evening, Governor O’Malley focused on the outstanding leadership, stewardship and accomplishments of the agricultural community. He highlighted his strident efforts with the federal government to support the agriculture industry in times of economic need and to ensure fairness with federal regulations. The Governor also reiterated his support for the agricultural community through personal involvement and policy initiatives as well as his belief in the vital necessity of a thriving agricultural industry to the health of the State, its citizens, the economy and the environment.
Sponsored by the Maryland Department of Agriculture, the Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame was created in 1991 by then Governor William Donald Schaefer to honor agricultural leaders who exemplify high standards of achievement and commitment to the industry and their communities.
A complete list of the Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame members is available online at: www.mda.state.md.us/pdf/aghall.pdf
In presenting the Smart, Green and Growing Awards, Governor O’Malley commended each recipient for their commitment to the future of agriculture through outstanding environmental stewardship and through buying locally-grown farm products:
• Tony Geraci, head of the Baltimore City public school food and nutrition services received the first Smart, Green and Growing Buy Local Agricultural Challenge Award for bringing national recognition and leadership to the farm to school effort by showing that getting fresh local foods into the cafeteria can be done.
• Bill and Ann Collier, Caroline County farmers, were selected as the Smart, Green and Growing Excellence in Agricultural Stewardship Award recipients. The award honors their long-term, sustained agricultural stewardship of soil, water, air, and other natural resources in a production farm setting and their contributions to the advancement of Maryland’s agricultural industry through conservation research.
• St. Mary’s Soil Conservation District was honored as the Smart Green and Growing Outstanding Soil Conservation District of the Year for their superior level of service to the community it supports and the agricultural industry through education, outreach and technical assistance.
• Jeff and Terri King, Dorchester County farmers, received the Smart Green and Growing Soil Conservation Districts Outstanding Cooperator of the Year Award for their dedication and participation in soil and water conservation activities on their farm, as well their strong conservation leadership in the agricultural community.
Because of the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s preservation, promotion, regulation, education and service activities, the citizens of Maryland can expect a safe and healthy environment and food supply, fairness in the marketplace, and that agriculture remains a strong economic force in the State.  Established in 1973, MDA is celebrating over 35 years of service to the citizens of Maryland.
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Biographies of about the Hall of Fame families can be found below.
Testimonials about each family are available at: www.mda.state.md.us/pdf/hofquotes09.pdf
The John A. Prouty and Family A brief slideshow featuring the new Agriculture Hall of Fame family is available: www.remsberg.com/soundbooks/prouty_web/
John A. Prouty, his wife Margaret and their son John C. Prouty own and operate the 288-acre Willow Oak Farm in Huntingtown (Calvert County).  As fourth and fifth generation farmers, their family is committed to protecting water quality and preserving farmland. For much of the 100 plus years of Willow Oak Farm, the family produced tobacco, corn, wheat, barley and soybeans.  John C. replaced tobacco production with successful cut flower and vegetable enterprises in 1998.
The Prouty Family has a firm commitment to agricultural and environmental stewardship and employs extensive conservation practices on their farm, which is along the Patuxent River. These practices include 100 foot-buffers between the river and all cultivated fields, grass filter strips, cover crops, crop rotation, no-till cropping, integrated pest management, and a three-acre sediment control pond. Additionally, they have participated in the nutrient management program from its start as a voluntary program and have always used soil testing as a standard practice.
Willow Oak Farm is the first farm preserved for agricultural use in Calvert County.  John C. Prouty maintains a law office at Willow Oak Farm, where much of his practice is related to agricultural land preservation. John C. was also instrumental in establishing a program for the use of “transfer of development rights” in Calvert County, which serves as a national model.
The Proutys remain steadfast leaders in the agricultural community.  The family has held leadership roles with the Calvert County Farm Bureau, County Planning Commission, Agricultural Land Preservation Committee, County Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board, Calvert Farmland Trust, Calvert Country Market, County Board of Zoning Appeals, Southern Maryland Small Farmer Cooperative, Board of Review, County Historical Society, County Human Relations Commission, County Board of Education, Parks and Recreation Board, Advisory Board for School Construction, Charter Government Advisory Committee and the Calvert Garden Club.
Mehrle H. and Thelma Ramsburg, Jr. A brief slideshow featuring the new Agriculture Hall of Fame family is available: www.remsberg.com/soundbooks/ramsburg_web/
Mehrle and his wife Thelma Ramsburg, Jr. own the 275-acre Brookfield Farms, a designated Century Farm, in Thurmont (Frederick County).  Formerly dairy farmers, the family now produces corn, soybeans, wheat, alfalfa, hay and manages crop herd replacement and agri-tourism operations, which includes a 13-acre pick-your-own pumpkin patch and corn maze. Three generations are actively involved with the operation with the sixth generation being raised there now. The Ramsburgs, their daughter Mary Jane and her husband Sam Roop along with their children Julie, Lauren and Jake assist with the operation.
The family believes it is always better to give the land back better than they received it and are good stewards of the land.  They have always supported conservation practices by using sod waterways, spring troughs, cover crops and crop rotation. They also participate in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) utilizing systemic insecticide seed treatment and site specific spray technology with a GPS system and the latest technology to reduce drift.  They also use new monitors to record planting and yield data for corn and soybeans.  All machinery has been retrofitted with steps for those who are handicapped, as Mr. Ramsburg lost an arm in a farming accident many years ago.
The Ramsburgs have held leadership roles with Frederick County Farm Bureau, Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative, Central and Mid-Atlantic Farm Credit, Dairy Herd Improvement Association, Thurmont Cooperative, the Maryland Agricultural Commission, American Farm Bureau Dairy Advisory Committee, Frederick County Agricultural Land Preservation Board, Maryland Farm Bureau Young Farmers, 4-H, FFA, and Utica Cemetery.  Additionally, they offer a distinguished record of support for their church and community. They helped to start the Frederick County Farm Bureau Farm Safety Camp for Kids, and the family has done extensive local and international missionary work.  Mr. Ramsburg has also been active in his church, participated in Lewistown Ruritan, Lewistown Fire Department and is a Life Member of The Great Frederick Fair.
They have been honored as Farm Family of the Year in Frederick County (1986), Outstanding Young Farmer from the Jaycees (1967), Mid-Atlantic Master Farmer (1997), and 4-H All Stars of 1953.
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