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RICHLAND -- If there was an 'Oscar Award' for farming, the Mid-Atlantic Master Farmer would be it.
Presented by American Agriculturist/Farm Progress, in cooperation with Penn State Cooperative Extension and Horizon Farm Credit, it is the lifetime achievement award of agriculture that recognizes exemplary role models of outstanding management, land stewardship and community leadership.
This year's Master Farmer Award winners include Chris Hoffman, owner of Lazy Hog Farm in Juniata County.
The 2024 Mid-Atlantic Master Farmers each have unique operations, and they encompass everything that's unique about agriculture in the Mid-Atlantic.
The 2024 class includes:
• Chris Hoffman, owner of Lazy Hog Farms, a 1,200-sow, 30,000 pig operation, and 45,000-head Kosher chicken operation in McAlisterville, Pa.
• Donald G. Maring, owner of Donald G. Maring Farm, a 1,300-acre grain crop operation in Woodbine, Md.
• Wade Butler, owner of Butler's Orchard, a diversified fruit, vegetable and agritainment operation in Germantown, Md.
The 'Oscars'
of farming
The Mid-Atlantic Master Farmers is America's longest running and most prestigious agricultural honors program.
It sprouted in 1927 as part of a Master Farmers of America program to foster stewardship and leadership. At that point, the program was initiated by Pennsylvania Farmer magazine and USDA.
Today, the award is co-sponsored by American Agriculturist magazine and by Cooperative Extension programs in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and West Virginia. Horizon Farm Credit and FS/Growmark are supportive partners.
It is the lifetime achievement award of agriculture that recognizes exemplary role models of outstanding management, land stewardship and community leadership.
Chester County celebration
This year's crop of Master Farmers will be honored Friday, July 12 at the Mid-Atlantic Master Farmers Association annual banquet at the Mendenhall Inn in Mendenhall, Pa. Tickets are $85, and proceeds benefit the association's mission of raising money for scholarships to deserving students majoring in ag-related fields.
The Master Farmer annual tour will be held the following day, July 13, and will visit several spots in Chester County. Get tickets to either event by contacting PennAg Industries Association at (717) 651-5920 or email pennag@pennag.com.