9-30-2025 4:46am

Last Chance To

Deadline for Applications for Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame Approaching

Nominate Exceptional Farm Families by October 3

The Maryland Department of Agriculture is reminding interested applicants that nominations are still being accepted for the Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame, which pays tribute to farmers and farm families who have dedicated their lives to the state’s leading industry. Any family that derives its income principally from farming is eligible for the award.

The Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame was established in 1991 to recognize and celebrate the remarkable contributions of farm families to Maryland’s agricultural heritage. The induction of Roland and Mildred Darcey of Prince George’s County; Y.D. and Lonnie Hance of Calvert County; and C. Rodman and Jean Myers of Frederick County marked the beginning of this legacy. Currently, the Hall of Fame proudly commemorates 57 farm families from all 23 counties of the state.

Applicants must work with their county University of Maryland Extension office in preparing the application, which should include as much information about the family as possible. The application must also address agricultural leadership, community activities, and technological and management advancements – for example, soil and water conservation, marketing initiatives, machinery innovations, and safety strategies. Nominations must include signatures from their county Extension agent, county Farm Bureau president, and Soil Conservation District manager.

The selection committee includes the Dean of the University of Maryland’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the President of the Maryland Farm Bureau, and an unbiased panel from the Maryland agricultural community. Only one farm family per county may be considered. Those selected for induction will be honored during the “Taste of Maryland Agriculture” event on Feb. 5, 2026.

Interested parties can download this year’s application from mda.maryland.gov. Again, the submission deadline is October 3.

For more information, please contact Maryland Department of Agriculture Executive Secretary for Boards and Commissions Harrison Palmer at (410) 841-5882 or harrisonb.palmer@maryland.gov.

The Governor's Agriculture Hall of Fame is the state's most prestigious agriculture award, recognizing farm families with high standards of achievement and commitment to the industry and their communities.

To nominate a family for the Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame please click here.

Former Winners

2024-The Deford Family The Deford family, 12th-generation Marylanders, has been a prominent force in Maryland's agricultural and wine industries, particularly through their ownership of Boordy Vineyards and Long Green Farm in northern Baltimore County. The family's agricultural history dates back to the 18th century when Long Green Farm was first established by the Gittings family. The Defords acquired the farm in 1938, and Robert Deford, Jr. began managing it full-time after World War II, focusing initially on livestock and crops. In 1965, following advice from Philip Wagner, the founder of Boordy Vineyards, Robert planted a vineyard on the farm.

The vineyard became the focus of Robert's son, Rob Deford III, who took over the farm's management in the late 1970s. Amid the growing pressures on small family farms due to modern agriculture's consolidation, Rob proposed purchasing Boordy Vineyards from Wagner and relocating the winery to their farm, which marked the start of a new direction for the family. After extensive challenges, Boordy became financially stable by the 1990s, and in 2000, the Defords preserved the farm by placing a conservation easement with the Maryland Environmental Trust. Rob’s son, Phineas Deford, joined the winery in 2008 after completing viticulture and business education.

This generational shift, combined with a series of strategic investments in vineyard replanting and a new winery facility in 2012, elevated Boordy Vineyards’ wine quality. In 2023, the family restored their historic barn, ensuring its preservation for future generations. Today, Boordy Vineyards operates 50 acres of vineyards in Maryland, producing a wide variety of wines and collaborating with local growers.
The Defords are also dedicated to environmental sustainability, implementing practices such as wastewater management and habitat restoration. Additionally, they are active in the community, with Rob and Phineas serving on various boards related to land preservation and agriculture. Boordy Vineyards has earned numerous accolades, including multiple Best in Show awards at the Maryland Governor's Cup and recognition for its leadership in the wine industry. The Deford family's commitment to agriculture, quality winemaking, and community service continues to shape Maryland's agricultural landscape, as they celebrate their 80th anniversary in 2025.

Quotes from the Nominators:
“Since the purchase of the Long Green Valley Farm in 1938, the Deford Family have been leaders in Maryland agriculture, land preservation, and setting high standards for environmental sustainability” said Erika Crowl, Senior Extension Agent for University of Maryland Extension in Baltimore County. “ They have devoted countless hours to perfecting their wines by working closely with Extension, Soil Conservation District, Farm Bureau, Maryland Wineries Association, and many other agricultural organizations. We are honored to have the Deford Family represent Baltimore County and to be a part of their induction to the Governor's Agriculture Hall of Fame

2023-The Willard Family In 1871, Dewalt J. Willard and Charles F. M. Willard purchased 675.5 acres near the Potomac River in Poolesville, marking the beginning of a family legacy that spans more than 150 years. Through diversification and proximity to the C&O Canal, the Willard family's original farm, purchased for $10,581, remains intact today.

Harry Willard's forward-thinking in 1905 birthed a custom farming operation that thrived through various ventures, from a John Deere Dealership to a feed mill. Despite the Great Depression, the Willard farm endured, and subsequent generations actively participated. Embracing transformative technologies in the mid-1960s, the Willard family adopted the "no-till planter" and paraquat early on, positioning themselves at the forefront of innovation. Grass waterways, field edge filter strips, and cover crops reflect their commitment to environmental stewardship.

In 2021, Willard Farms achieved the National First Place Award in the dryland soft red winter wheat category, with a remarkable yield of 141.41 dry bushels per acre. Established in 1970, Willard Agri-Service pioneered fluid fertilizer, offering efficient solutions to plant fertility needs.
Today, the company stands as a beacon of precision agriculture, offering farmers access to the HighQ decision support system. Individual members of the Willard family and Willard Agri-Service have garnered numerous accolades, including Mid-Atlantic Master Farmer, Maryland Grain Producers Man of the Year, and the Agricultural Retailers Association Lifetime Achievement Award. The Willard farming operation, initiated in 1871, remains vibrant today under the leadership of Scot Poffenberger, Billy Willard Jr., and Joe Sayer, with approximately 900 acres of corn, 600 acres of full-season beans, 400 acres of sorghum, and 600 acres of wheat.

The Willard Family expresses gratitude to its customers and dedicated employees for their integral role in the enduring success of the family legacy.

Quotes from the Nominators:“The Willard Family have a long and storied history of conservation excellence and serve as exemplary stewards of the lands that they both own and operate across the region. They are both initiators and innovators when it comes to adopting new technologies and practices that help to promote the conservation of soil and water resources while balancing the environmental benefits with the economic viability of their farming enterprises”, said District Manager for the Montgomery Soil Conservation District John Zawitoski. “The District congratulates the Willard Family for being recognized for this prestigious honor as this year’s Governor’s Agricultural Hall of Fame inductee.”

2022-The Fritz Family

In 1912, Charles and Carrie Fritz purchased 90 acres of farmland and a large farmhouse in the beautiful Wakefield Valley, just outside of New Windsor in Carroll County. It was a dream for the couple, who had been tenant farmers for years. Six generations and 110 years later, the same farmhouse remains a homebase for their descendants. The current owners of the farm operation, which is now 480 acres in size, is the Fritz Family, LLC. The LLC members are Daniel Fritz and his two grown children, Jeffrey and Jessica. Jeffrey and his wife Diana have three daughters - Emily, Ella and Addison. Jessica and her husband Jeff have two sons - Sawyer and Cooper.

Over the years, the family has seen good times and bad, scarcity and abundance. Through it all, the family's passion for farming has never waned. The farm was a dairy farm for 104 years and it was still profitable in 2016 when the decision was made to stop the milking operation. The workload of milking cows and the drop in milk prices contributed to the decision. Today, the farm has a small beef operation, but is mainly a crop farm that grows wheat, barley, soybeans, corn, hay and straw. Currently, the farm is 100 percent no till and has been for over 15 years. The family manages the fields using a software application and uses Global Positioning System (GPS) for accurate applications of chemicals and fertilizers.

The Fritz family has always been involved in community and agricultural organizations. Daniel's brother George was a member of the Carroll County Agriculture Center and the Carroll County Soil Conservation Board, as well as the Southern States Board of Directors. Daniel was a leader for the following organizations: the Carroll County Holstein Club, the Carroll County Farm Bureau, and the Dairy Herd Improvement Association. Daniel and Jeffrey are involved with the New Windsor Volunteer Fire Department, as well. And the youngest generation are in Carroll County 4 -H, where they exhibit cows, swine, and lambs.

Quote from the Nominator:
“For more than 110 years, six generations of the Fritz Family have been cornerstones in Carroll County agriculture. They've devoted countless hours to agriculture advocacy, donating their time to Extension, Farm Bureau, 4-H, various dairy organizations, and other agriculture related organizations all while maintaining an innovative, fiscally responsible, sustainable, and environmentally sound family farm. Formerly a dairy farm and currently primarily a crop farm, they work closely with Extension, the Soil Conservation District and NRCS. They participate in the Conservation Stewardship Program and Cover Crop Programs and have been 100 percent no till for over 15 years, beginning with true horse drawn power to today managing crops with GPS and drone technology. We are very honored that the Fritz Family represents Carroll County and to have them inducted into the Governor's Agriculture Hall of Fame" – Bryan Butler, Principal Agent Agriculture and Food Systems Carroll County Extension.March 7, 2022

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