New Windsor farmers start state’s first sheep dairy
NEW WINDSOR — Tucked on the outskirts of New Windsor, Shepherds Manor Creamery is the first sheep dairy in Maryland, making artisan cheeses and delicate soaps from their sheep’s milk, which they sell at special events such as The Maryland Wine Festival in Westminster Sept. 15 and 16. Ten years ago, owners Colleen and Michael […]
Realities of Real Estate: The herding effect in home sales
As a well polished Realtor, you’d never suspect that Donna used to be a cowgirl. Along with her five sisters and one brother they worked a cattle ranch in southern Idaho. I don’t know how many acres the ranch is. A while back, I learned that asking a rancher how many acres he has is […]
Dairy farming a difficult business in Maryland
HAGERSTOWN — A dairy farmer’s life is one of routine and discipline, each day beginning with the rising sun. The economic side of dairy farming isn’t nearly as predictable. “When it comes to working with cows, that’s almost the easy part. You expect certain things with cows, but the economy is the challenge,” said Ralph […]
Milk prices in Maryland: Udder confusion
FREDERICK — With more than $51.5 million in annual milk sales, Frederick County is the undisputed leader in the state in dairy production. Although the number of Frederick County dairy farms has leveled off over the past couple of years and holds steady at about 110, the U.S. Department of Agriculture census ranks the county […]
Frederick Co. ranks 1st in milk sales in Maryland
With more than $51.5 million in annual milk sales, Frederick County is the undisputed leader in the state in dairy production. Although the number of Frederick County dairy farms has leveled off over the past couple of years and holds steady at about 110, the U.S. Department of Agriculture census ranks the county No. 1 […]
Mentors helping farmers switch to grazing
ANNAPOLIS — As a restoration scientist for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Rob Schnabel shuttles around Western Maryland in his hybrid car persuading farmers to switch to grazing — which he said is healthier, eco-friendly and more profitable than confinement farming, where cows are kept in stalls and injected with antibiotics. By switching to grazing, farmers […]