The Lawrence E. Meeks Farmer Lifetime of Service Award seeks to recognize farmers who not only dedicated their life to caring for their land, growing crops to feed the world and protecting the legacy of their family farm but also dedicated a significant amount of their lives to giving back to the agricultural community through service to organizations such as the Maryland Grain Producers. Lawrence E. Meeks owned and operated Arters Mill Farms in Westminster, Maryland growing corn, soybeans, wheat, hay, and green beans. Owning his 160-acre home farm, rented and farmed over 4,000 acres at one time. Lawrence was a dedicated member of the Maryland Grain Producers Board since its inception and served in nearly all leadership roles in the organization until he retired from the board in 2016, still serving as an alternate and giving his invaluable advice to the Board until his passing in 2023.
Lawrence was also a dedicated volunteer for the Carroll County Agricultural Center serving as President for over 25 years, a non-profit dedicated to furthering the appreciation and understanding of agriculture in the area. Lawrence helped to secure grants and financing to build the new agricultural center. Lawrenc served on a variety of other agricultural committees and organizations including Maryland Farm Bureau and volunteering his time and support to the 4-H and FFA programs.
Lawrence was a 40-year member of the Medford Grange supporting agricultural programs in Carroll County and on the Executive Committee for the State Grange. He had a passion for agriculture and a heart for service and he is dearly missed.
The 2024 Lawrence E. Meeks Farmer Lifetime of Service Award was presented to Drew Stabler. Drew was one of the founding members of the Maryland Grain Producers Association; it was his motion at a meeting of grain producers in 1977 that initiated the association. Drew has not only worked extensively at the state level but was also one of the early members and driving forces behind the success of the National Corn Growers Association. Drew served as a speaker at some of the early NCGA meetings discussing the benefits of no-till corn, which he was experiencing as one of the pioneers of the technique. Drew served on the NCGA board for 9 years serving as national Treasurer from 1981 to 1984. In 1982, the NCGA budget was so low that Drew joined other committed board members and signed a personal loan for $60,000 to get the NCGA out of debt and growing into the strong organization that it is today.
Drew has expanded membership in the state association and was one of the key players in organizing the referendum to authorize the state checkoff. Drew put in many hours working with grain buyers and producers to ensure passage of the referendum in 1991. Drew has assisted with the initiation of the National Corn Contest in Maryland and encouraged participation throughout the years.
Drew has worked with local and state legislators to educate them about agriculture and being so close to Washington DC, has had a presence in congress to work on national issues. He has frequently been called upon by NCGA to speak to congress on behalf of corn growers. Many legislative tours have been conducted at Pleasant Valley Farm.
Drew was a Farm Bureau member for 34 years serving both as a Montgomery County Director and Vice-President of the National Feed Grains Committee. He has also served on the Maryland Agriculture Commission, Montgomery County Agricultural Land Preservation Committee, Maryland Cattleman’s Association, a national FIFRA Committee for pesticide regulations, among others.
