The Next Generation

Three generations of Rhodericks on the farm (left to right): Matthew, Cannon, Amanda, Paula, Paul, Kinsley, Natalie, Remington, Colton. 

State and local programs help young farmers preserve agriculture in Washington County

By Rebecca Chaney

Farming is probably the most challenging occupation due to increased input costs like fuel, feed, labor, and market fluctuation, not to mention being at the mercy of the weather. Many young people today who dream of farming or continuing a family operation are faced with ridiculous start-up costs, making it difficult for them to own a farm like previous generations. 

In the past 50 years Maryland has lost almost half its farmland, dropping from 4 million acres to 2.2 million acres. State and local governments recognized this nationwide trend and continue to develop programs to stop farmland loss. 

According to Chris Boggs, Rural Preservation Administrator, for the Washington County Department of Planning and Zoning, preserving farmland is very important on the local, state, and national level. 

“Agriculture is where we get our food and fiber, and it has been eaten up at an alarming rate over the past several decades,” Boggs says. “Our programs work to preserve our open space, which is vital both for the basic sustenance of our citizenry, as well as for the intrinsic enjoyment of the public and the conservation of our valuable natural resources.” 

To reverse this trend, the Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) established the Next Generation Farmland Acquisition Program (Next Gen). This program provides a down payment to assist first-time farm buyers. 

“The MARBIDCO Next Generation Farm program made it financially possible for us, the next generation, to purchase the farm and continue preserving the land for agricultural use,” says Paul Rhoderick. “We received the MARBIDCO grant in March 2018.” 

Paul’s parents, Arthur and Nancy Rhoderick, initially purchased the farm in 1968. Today, Paul, his wife, Paula, and two sons, Matthew, 37, and Colton, 31, all have important roles on their 148-acre farm. 

“Our sons, Matthew and Colton, are essential to our daily operations,” Paula Rhoderick says. “Both of our sons are instrumental in our planting and harvest seasons as well. Our operation includes dairy cattle, beef cattle, boarding animals for other farmers, and crop production.” 

Paul Rhoderick, who started doing chores for his father back in the early 1970s, represents the second generation, and is grateful that the Next Generation Farm program allowed him to continue his agricultural pursuits. He’s also hopeful his two sons and grandchildren will continue the family tradition. 

“Paul enjoys always trying to improve genetics and watching the herd grow,” Paula says. “He is a natural educator and likes to pass his knowledge on to his sons and grandchildren. We also call him Mr. Safety because safety is always a priority for him. I think for me being on the farm allows me to enjoy nature, animals, and provides a much-needed break from a demanding career. We all have full-time careers off the farm as well.” 

In addition to working off the farm, Paula started managing the farm books in 2001. It’s truly a family operation, with everyone pitching in and handling different aspects of the operation. The Rhodericks admit that farming is not easy and there are many challenges. 

Paul says the most challenging things they face as farmers are the things they cannot control. “The uncontrollable things, like weather, costs of fertilizer and fuel, and market fluctuations. These things that are beyond our control have made it necessary to diversify our operation.” 

The Rhodericks also take advantage of the county’s soil conservation and nutrient management programs that are recommended for their farm. The family is also trying to enroll their operation into the Washington County Agricultural Land Preservation Program.  

Boggs says landowners who enroll in this program commit to keeping the land in agriculture for 10 years and, in return, the county provides credits on their property taxes. After 10 years, they have the option to renew their agriculture district in increments of five years, or they can terminate the agreement. 

Boggs believes the Next Generation Farm and Agricultural Land Preservation programs are essential for the future of agriculture in the county and state. 

“While I believe the continuation of farms and farming is important on the whole, I think it’s especially important in Washington County, for a few reasons,” he says. “First and foremost, without farming, we won’t eat—plain and simple. Second, with the majority of the county lying in a fertile valley between two mountain ranges, the soils here are exceptionally suited for agriculture, and we should take advantage of it. And third, Washington County has a long history of agrarian activity—it is part of our heritage—and would be a shame to lose that way of life.” 

These programs will help control urban expansion and slow the conversion of farmland. Currently, there are more than 41,500 acres permanently preserved in the county, according to Boggs. He is excited about the future of agriculture in Washington County. 

“To me, a ‘Next Generation Farmer’ is someone who is determined to develop and grow a profitable agricultural operation with a primary focus on crop and livestock production,” Boggs added. “This person may come from a farming family, or they may be a first-time owner.” 

These county programs are working in every county in Maryland to preserve the state’s number one industry, agriculture. It is hopeful to reverse the nationwide farmland loss trend and begin seeing more and more people engaged in agricultural pursuits. 

The Rhoderick’s will continue to grow their operation and work toward preserving a future for the next generation. 

Three generations of Rhodericks on the farm (left to right): Matthew, Cannon, Amanda, Kinsley, Natalie, Remington, Colton, Paula, Paul.