Written by Jeb Burchick, Kara Hutchison, and Kendall Abruzzesse
Originally published in the 2024 Fall/Winter Edition of The Old Line Farmer
The USDA’s 2022 Census of Agriculture revealed nearly 300,000 young farmers across America, including 2,301 in Maryland, who collectively farm on over 200,000 acres. As the average age of farmers continues to rise, the future of agriculture increasingly depends on the contributions of these young producers. Maryland is fortunate to have a dynamic and talented group of young farmers, many of whom are active participants in the Maryland Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) program. Let’s take a look at four exceptional young farmers who are making significant impacts at the national, state, and local levels.
National: Greg Dell
Greg Dell, a fifth-generation farmer from Westminster, continues his family’s agricultural legacy on their farm, where they operate a popular grain elevator and grow corn, soybeans, and sorghum. Accompanying him on the long days at the farm is Luke, his loyal German Shorthaired Pointer, known for his friendly demeanor.
Greg’s commitment to agriculture extends beyond his fields. As a highly-involved member of the Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee (YF&R), he quickly earned the respect of his peers, leading to his appointment as the YF&R Chairperson on the Maryland Farm Bureau Board of Directors. Greg immediately made an impact representing young farmers, including a successful testimony about the state of agriculture during a House of Delegates Committee Hearing in Annapolis.
Encouraged by former Maryland Farm Bureau President Wayne Stafford, Greg applied for a coveted spot on the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) YF&R Committee, a prestigious position available to just 16 farmers nationwide. While Greg was surprised to be selected, those who know him were not. His appointment has given Maryland a coveted seat at the table when discussing the future of agriculture.
As many Maryland farmers can attest to, Maryland has been a national leader in new and sustainable agricultural practices. From nutrient management plans, no and minimal till, and cover crops, Greg has been taking this message of economically-viable sustainability to his peers at the national level.
“It’s crazy for me, being a Marylander, that the things that we’ve been doing for decades others are just beginning to dip their toes into,” says Greg Dell. “We may be a small fish on the map, but we’re a big player in agriculture.”
As an active participant in national agricultural discussions, Greg is at the forefront of addressing the challenges faced by young farmers nationwide. Earlier this year, the AFBF’s YF&R committee testified to the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture regarding access to capital and credit for young and beginning farmers.
Despite the national attention, it never gets lost on Greg and his fellow committee members who sent them there.
“Farm Bureau is grassroots, it comes from the bottom up,” says Greg. “Young farmers need to know that they are always a part of what we’re doing at the national level.”
When he’s not traveling for YF&R conferences, Greg is back home in Carroll County, tending to his crops. Balancing his new role on the committee with the demands of full-time farming leaves little free time, but it’s well worth it for Greg.
“I love to make a crop grow,” he says with a smile. “That’s what gets me out of bed everyday.”
State: Rachel & Alan Eck
The Maryland Farm Bureau’s YF&R Committee is instrumental in bringing the next generation of farmers into the organization and shaping the future of Maryland agriculture. At the forefront of this effort are Alan and Rachel Eck, a dynamic husband-and-wife team.
Alan and Rachel both have deep roots in agriculture, though their backgrounds differ. Alan was raised on his family’s poultry and field crop farm in Queen Anne’s County, while Rachel grew up across the Chesapeake Bay in Calvert County, where she raised a diverse group of livestock. Rachel’s early accomplishments include being named 2009 Miss Calvert County Farm Bureau, Maryland Guernsey Princess, and National Guernsey Queen.
After their active years in 4-H and FFA, Alan and Rachel continued to pursue their passion for agriculture. Alan stayed on his family’s farm and eventually branched out to start his own operation, exploring the expanding field of hydroponics. Rachel pursued advanced degrees in agriculture and had the opportunity to work with a mission group in South Korea, educating children about farming. Today, they run their own diversified livestock and field crop operation, with Rachel also serving as an Ag Relationship Manager for Horizon Farm Credit.
As adults, joining YF&R was a natural progression for both Alan and Rachel: “It was just the logical next step,” explained Alan. “I watched kids older than me transition straight from 4-H and FFA, directly into Farm Bureau.”
Rachel agreed: “Joining Young Farmers was the next step to expand our network and continue being Agvocates.”
Today, Alan and Rachel are the co-chairs for the Maryland Farm Bureau YF&R committee and they have big goals for its future.
“We want to continue to encourage the next generation of Maryland farmers to join from 4-H and FFA – and even first generation farmers,” said Rachel. “We want to give them the opportunities to expand their network and become the next generation of leaders for Maryland agriculture.”
Local: Katie Stevens
Katie Stevens is all Frederick, through and through. She grew up on her family’s dairy farm in Frederick County where she learned the importance of hard work. After earning a Dairy Science degree from Virginia Tech, she returned home to Frederick, where she and her husband now raise Milking Shorthorns for genetics and show. To diversify their operation, they launched Daysland Vista Blooms, offering fresh-cut bouquets and flowers for events.
Her involvement in agricultural organizations is extensive, including the YF&R Committee, LEAD MD, FFA, 4-H, MDFB’s Promotion & Education Committee, The Great Frederick Fair Board, and many others. Katie has established strong connections within the local agricultural community, but her influence extends beyond it.
“I think it is important for us in agriculture to be involved in our communities, but not just in agricultural organizations,” says Katie. “The connections I have made outside of agriculture have helped me grow personally and professionally while also sharing the story of agriculture.”
This approach led her to a role within the Frederick County Office of Economic Development as an Agriculture Business Development Specialist, where her dedication to the agricultural community quickly became evident. When Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater established a County Department of Agriculture, she didn’t have to look far for its new Director. In February of this year, Katie Stevens became the first-ever Director of the Frederick County Office of Agriculture.
“My personal mission is to not just preserve farms in my county, but preserve farmers.” declared Katie. “As Frederick County is the fastest growing county in Maryland, it is crucial that we work with other agencies to balance the needs of the county.”
Growing up on her family farm, Katie brings an understanding of the challenges facing farmers, including the limited opportunities for the next generation to take over. She has made it a goal to support farms in Frederick County, including the transition from one generation to the next.
Her hard work is already yielding results—she has successfully helped change zoning ordinances for roadside stands, value-added processing, and on-farm craft beverage businesses, easing the path for farmers looking to expand their operations.
Katie sums it up well: “Agriculture is Maryland’s leading industry and it’s important that we advocate for agriculture while promoting innovation and diversification.”
With young leaders like Greg, Alan, Rachel, and Katie, the future of Maryland agriculture is in great hands. What these young farmers all have in common is their involvement in the Maryland Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) Committee. Their success is a testament to the opportunities they’ve found through participation.
Are you between 18 and 35, support Maryland agriculture, and looking to connect with like-minded individuals? Join Maryland Farm Bureau’s YF&R program at members.mdfarmbureau.com!
