Frederick County Soil Conservation District

Cooperator of the Year

2024 FCSCD Cooperator of the Year

2024 Cooperator of the Year

Deer Run Farm- The Stewart Family

The Stewart Family of Deer Run Farm is recognized for their enduring commitment to soil conservation and natural resource stewardship. Over the past decade, in partnership with NRCS, MDA, and the Frederick County Soil Conservation District, the Stewarts have worked tirelessly to protect the farm’s soil, water, and other critical resources. They have embraced soil health principles and implemented best management practices, including planting cover crops, rotating diverse crops, maintaining a strict no-tillage approach for row crops, optimizing fertilizer use, and utilizing adaptive grazing strategies on their perennial pastures. The Stewarts are commended for their outstanding conservation efforts and their ongoing dedication to protecting natural resources for the benefit of the local community.

2023 Catoctin SCD Cooperator of the Year

Richvale Farm- The Ahalt Family

Richvale Farm is a 6th generation family farm in Middletown. They raise beef in addition to growing hay, corn, soybeans, wheat utilizing no-till practices and planting cover crop each fall. The Ahalt family has installed conservation practices such as grass waterways, stream fencing and crossings and implemented prescribed grazing. Manure storage allows for optimal timing of nutrient applications and roofed heavy use areas protect pastures during inclement weather.

2023 Frederick SCD Cooperator of the Year

Thomas Albaugh and Family

Located in Union Bridge, Thomas Albaugh farms around 300 acres where he raises beef cattle utilizing prescribed grazing management. He also grows hay, corn and soybeans and plants fall cover crops. Mr. Albaugh has installed a waste storage structure to facilitate optimal timing of nutrient applications and covered heavy use areas to protect pastures during inclement weather.