Queenstown, Maryland (July 28, 2023) – The 25th Annual Maryland Commodity Classic took place yesterday, July 27th at the Queen Anne’s County 4-H Park. The venue was packed full of farmers, check-off grantees, legislators, and sponsors reaching an all-time high of 420 people! As co-sponsors, Maryland Grain Producers and Maryland Soybean Board, are grateful for all those who participated and volunteered for a successful 25th anniversary event.
The day began with a presentation on transitioning the family farm in partnership with Maryland Farm Bureau and Nationwide. Then the Grain Producers had a follow-up on the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Deer Summit. Kevin Anderson, local farmer, related deer damage to Marylanders by saying “no one else would like 10 to 20% of their paycheck to be given away.” Participants discussed difficulties with filling crop damage permits, deer processors shutting down out of season, forage soybeans, deer ownership, and funding for deer avoidance measures and damage reimbursement. The Maryland Grain Producers Association is committed to finding feasible solutions for their grower members, “we aren’t going to let the conservation end here,” said Lindsay Thompson, Executive Director. “Maryland Grain Producers will continue working with farmers, legislators, and the departments to come up with solutions driven programs and policies to reduce deer damage to crops.”
Before the business meeting, attendees enjoyed lunch served by the Queen Anne’s County 4-H Goat Club and snow cones by the Queen Anne’s County FFA Chapter while mingling with farmers ad event sponsors!
During the business meeting Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board spotlighted check-off funded grants, presented the 2023 Maryland Grain Producers Scholarship Recipients, and the new CDL Grant awardees. Josh Appenzeller with the Maryland Soybean Board shared a few words before Dani DiPietro with Maryland Comptroller gave remarks on behalf of Comptroller Brooke Lierman. Next, Justin Brendel Maryland Grain Producers Association President provided a 2023 legislative up-date showcasing membership dollars at work. Lastly, Delegate Regina Boyce presented the 2023 Dr. Miller Award to Delegate Jay Jacobs. Delegate Jacobs was very surprised and honored. He told the audience “when I was elected, I asked to be on the Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review Committee (AELR). The speaker told me no one had ever asked to be on AELR before. But, I represent the farmers and the waterman, the highest regulated industries in the state of Maryland. These industries hold a special interest to me as my mother was a farmer and my father was a waterman. I wanted to be involved with the whole process. I care deeply about these issues and I work as hard as I can to do the best Job that I can.” Congratulations to Delegate Jay Jacobs, learn more about the award and Jay below.
The meeting ended with our Keynote Speaker, The Cow Guy, Scott Shellady. Scott’s dad worked for the board of trade and owned an 800-acre grain and dairy farm. Scott grew up on the farm but was heavily involved in the marketing and trading career his dad lived. The cow suit was worn in Chicago by his father to represent agriculture. After years of experience, today Scott works for RFDTV because he wants to represent the most under represented class in America.
Thank you to everyone on coming out and braving the hear for a good time! We look forward to seeing you next year on July 25th for the 26th Annual Maryland Commodity Classic.
CDL Grant Recipients
For the first year, the Maryland Grain Producers are funding two members with a $1,500 grant to obtain their Class A CDL. Congratulations to Jayden and Evan!
Jayden Wilson, full-time employee of Chesterville Bridge Farm
Evan Staley of Tower View Farms.
Scholarship Recipients
This year the Maryland Grain Producers offered three different scholarship programs totaling seven scholarships at $15,000. Watch an online video on our recipients here.
Maryland Grain Producers Honoree Scholarship for member families with students studying agriculture at $3,000 each.
Chad Patterson
Raised on a dairy and grain farm in Chestertown, Maryland, Chad Patterson is an incoming Senior at Purdue University. At Purdue, Chad is working towards a degree in Agriculture Systems Management to bring efficiency back to the family’s multi-generational farm. In Indiana Chad has been involved in the Dairy Club, Agriculture Systems Management Club, and the Agriculture Tech and Innovation Club. In 2020, Chad graduated from Queen Anne’s County High School where he was involved in Varsity sports, the FFA Chapter, and the National Honors Society.
Parker Miller
Parker Miller was a 2022 graduate from Kent County High School and completed his first year at the Institute of Applied Agriculture at the University of Maryland this year, majoring in Agribusiness. Parker became a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho, Alpha Theta Chapter, and was elected as Vice Noble Ruler, House Management and Operations as a freshman. Aside from college, he works at three different farming operations; his family’s grain farm, a dairy farm, and an organic row crop farm. Parker was raised on his family’s farm in Kennedyville, Maryland and intends to return to the farm after graduation.
Sydney Garner
As a Senior at the University of Kentucky, Sydney Garner is studying Agriculture Ecosystem Sciences. Currently Sydney is involved with the University’s Sigma Alpha Agricultural Sorority where she aids the planning of professional development activities promoting agriculture education. Sydney was raised on her family’s grain farm in Newburg, Maryland and was actively involved in Charles County 4-H and Charles County Farm Bureau. After graduation Sydney plans to work with 4-H through Extension.
Maryland Grain Producers Membership Scholarship for member families with students attending college at $2,000 each.
Dylan Patterson
Dylan Patterson is a 2023 graduate from Queen Anne’s County High School and intends to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. Prior to graduation, Dylan was an active member of the QACHS baseball team and has been active 4-H member showing beef, dairy, and swine for many years. Aside from the academic and 4-H careers, Dylan helps on his family’s grain and dairy farm in Chestertown, Maryland and also works for another local farmer.
Tawney Nelson
Tawney Nelson will be attending East Carolina University this fall pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing. As a 2023 graduate from the Holly Grove Christian School in Westover, Maryland, Tawney was a member of the National Honors Society and an active member of her high school’s track and field, cheerleading, and field hockey teams. Outside of school, Tawney has volunteered with her local Young Farmers chapter by fundraising for local scholarships and community needs. After graduation, Tawney hopes to pursue her nursing career by working with infants.
Maryland Grain Producers Production Scholarship for non-members with students studying agriculture at $1,000 each.
Emily Crossley
Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in agriculture education, Emily Crossley of Sudlersville, Maryland will be attending West Virginia University this fall. During her time at Queen Anne’s County High School, Emily was an active member of their FFA chapter. National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, Interact Club, and Women’s Varsity Tennis Team. Emily credits the agriculture education program for her career choice, and hopes to become an agriculture teacher after graduation.
Kaitlyn Bradley
As a sophomore at the University of Delaware, Kaitlyn Bradley is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture and Natural Resources with a minor in Animal Science. While at college, Kaitlyn is a member of the NESA livestock judging team, animal science club, member of Sigma Alpha and Ag Ambassador. Aside from her academic career, Kaitlyn was the Dorchester County Farm Bureau Ambassador, Caroline/Dorchester County Fair Queen, and was the first runner up for the Maryland Dairy Princess contest. This summer, Kaitlyn is completing an internship with Smithfield Pork Industry in North Carolina. Kaitlyn plans to pursue a degree in agriculture education after graduation.
Dr. Miller Award
The Dr. James R. Miller Award recognizes an individual for their outstanding service to the Maryland Grain Industry. The award began in 1988 and was presented to Dr. James R. Miller. Since then, grower leaders, as well as elected officials, researchers, and agency representatives have been recognized. Dr. Miller directed the University of Maryland’s Agronomy department for 22 years and helped educate Maryland grain farmers immensely over that time.
As a small business owner, waterman and former Mayor of a rural town, Delegate Jay Jacobs can uniquely relate to what it takes to be successful as a grain farmer and have a viable grain industry in Maryland. Delegate Jacobs was first elected to the Maryland House of Delegates representing District 36 including Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Caroline counties in November of 2010. During his 3-term tenure as a Delegate, Jay has served on the Environmental Matters Committee, now called the Environment and Transportation Committee, and the Natural Resources and Agriculture Subcommittee which has jurisdiction over most of the issues that impact grain farmers in Maryland. Delegate Jacobs’ demonstrated leadership and ability to work across the aisle on important issues have elevated him to ranking minority member on the Environment and Transportation Committee. The members of his committee look to him on legislation that pertains to agriculture, natural resources and rural Maryland and he represents those constituents well.
Delegate Jacobs takes his job as an elected official very seriously. Maryland Grain Producers President Steve Ernst said, “he doesn’t just serve on committees, he actually shows up.” Delegate Jacobs served on the Critical Area Commission for the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays, 2009-11. Jay has been the Maryland House of Representatives members on the Nutrient Management Advisory Committee and the Maryland Dairy Industry Oversight and Advisory Council since 2011. During his tenure on the nutrient management Advisory Committee Jay has been integral in representing farmer’s best interest on a variety of issues including the Phosphorus Management Tool transition and nutrient management plan privacy. Jay also serves on the Mid-Shore Regional Council and the Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland. Delegate Jacobs has served on task forces addressing rural housing, workforce and health care delivery.
Jay Jacobs has lived a life of service. In addition to everything I’ve already mentioned, Jay has also been a firefighter and ambulance driver for the Rock Hall Volunteer Fire Department, received the Community Service Award Kent County Chamber of Commerce and Person of the Year from WCTR Chestertown.
Maryland Grain Producers Association is grateful to have Delegate Jacobs in their corner as a go-to on legislation impacting everything from nutrient management, land preservation, pesticides, forest conservation, water quality, and more. His service to Maryland agriculture as a legislator is exemplary and Maryland’s grain industry appreciates all he has done and continues to do.
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