The Schmidts Return to Their Roots

Written by Jeb Burchick
Originally published in the 2024 Fall/Winter Edition of The Old Line Farmer
In the summer of 1964, Farm News, the then Maryland Farm Bureau magazine, featured an interview with the popular Schmidt family farm in Pasadena. The owner of the farm, Henry Schmidt, was a former president of the Anne Arundel County Farm Bureau. After some struggles in the late ’70s, the Schmidts counted their losses and moved out of large-scale production agriculture. Now, some 60 years after the article’s publication, granddaughter Heather and her husband Nick have revitalized and reopened the family farm into a thriving small produce operation. Glenn, Henry’s son and Heather’s father, who was featured in the 1964 article as a young boy, couldn’t be more thrilled.


The Background
Amidst the suburban sprawl of Anne Arundel County sits a small rural enclave that was once home to a popular roadside produce stand. The Schmidt family has owned this 138-acre property in Pasadena for over a hundred years, since 1920. Like many farms in southern Maryland, they grew tobacco and various fresh produce items. Glenn Schmidt fondly remembers those days growing up on the farm.
“My dad had us on a tobacco planter at nine years old,” said Glenn. “Me, my sister, and two other guys on the back of a tractor.”
As noted in the 1964 Farm News article, quality and customer service were always of the utmost importance: “Before an ear [of corn] goes up on the stand for sale, it is checked for maturity by using a sharp knife to cut and peel the husk back slightly. Any defective ears are discarded.”
After some struggles in the late ’70s, the family slowly moved their farm out of production. Henry then moved to the Eastern Shore, but extended family has always lived on the property through the years.


The Reopening
Heather Schmidt, Henry’s granddaughter, and her husband, Nick Hovaker, returned to live on the original Schmidt property after spending time in Delaware. Heather and Nick have always enjoyed gardening, but when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, they found themselves with much more time on their hands. Thus began the expansion and reopening of the Schmidt family farm business.
Still a small operation with goals to grow and expand, the Schmidts make their sales directly to consumers, with most business happening at their primary jobs or advertised on social media. The family prides themselves on making use of everything on the farm, saving unsold produce for jams, pickling, or even themselves!
“If it’s about to expire, either we’ll eat it or it gets recomposted,” declares Nick.
The Challenges and Benefits
Reopening a renowned family farm isn’t the easiest task. The expected growing pains of a new operation have slow-rolled goals to expand.
“It’s a slow going process because everything is done by hand,” says Heather. “We do minimal till, no spray, and no insecticides with a goal to build up our soil quality since it hasn’t been grown on in a long time.”
Like many farms in suburban areas, wildlife damage has been a significant concern for the Schmidts. Deer, pushed from suburban development into their wooded property, have resulted in profits being eaten up by hungry animals.
“Last year, our green beans were a huge seller,” remarked Heather. “This year we’ve barely had enough green beans for even just our own family.”
However, advancements in agricultural techniques and science since the first iteration of the farm have proven beneficial for the new operation. Looking at changes from the farm’s early days to today show positive development in productivity.
“They’re growing a lot of stuff in a smaller area,” says Glenn. “They’re growing as many tomatoes as we used to on just a couple of small plots.”
Another benefit to the Schmidts is a community of farmers with membership in the Maryland Farm Bureau. As relatively new members to our organization, the Schimdts are again following in family tradition, with their grandfather being a former Anne Arundel County Farm Bureau President.

The Joy
Despite the inherent challenges of growing a small farm, it’s still a labor of love for Heather and Nick. And for Glenn, it’s a sentimental reminder of the large operation that once was. “I love to see the farm keep going.”
When asked what brings joy about being on the farm, Nick remarks that seeing his plants grow throughout the season from small seeds to budding fruits is quite a remarkable sight. Furthermore, when customers report back that they love their produce and can’t wait for more, it’s hard not to smile.
The farm also has the added benefit of supplying delicious produce for the family. Glenn, a self-described “tomato-eating machine,” is especially happy.
“Store-bought tomatoes just plain suck,” Glenn says with a laugh. “They just don’t have the same flavor.”

Heather and Nick’s dedication, combined with their family’s experience and support, has revitalized and breathed new life into this cherished plot of land in Pasadena. As they continue to navigate the challenges and joys of farming, the Schmidts are living proof that it’s never too late to come back to your roots.
To read the original Farm News article about the Schmidts, visit mdfarmbureau.com/1964MDFBFarmNews