Friday, September 13, 2024, signifies the beginning of the 162nd Great Frederick Fair. It is also a night to celebrate the excellence within Frederick County’s agricultural community and announce the 2024 Frederick County Agriculture Awards. On behalf of the Agriculture Business Council in conjunction with The Great Frederick Fair and Ag Education PR Committee, we are honored to recognize the 44th Farm Family of the Year, 18th Ag Advocate and Ag Business and 9th Young Farmer of the Year!
Farm Family of the Year- Potomac View Farm (pictured above)
John and Janie Shafer, their son Wes, his wife Coleen, and their children Solana, Jennifer and Frances make up Potomac View Farm, a generational dairy farm that has been in the Shafer family since the Civil War. Over the years, Potomac View Farm in Knoxville has expanded from milking 80 registered Holsteins to 150, and from farming 200 acres to 500 owned acres with an additional 400 acres leased. They grow corn, soybeans, and a variety of small grains and hay, working closely with the Frederick County Soil Conservation District (FCSCD) to implement practices that enhance soil quality and protect the health of the Chesapeake Bay. In 2023, Wes purchased the farm from his parents, using Frederick County’s Critical Farms program and permanently settled in the Maryland Agriculture Land Preservation Foundation this past May. This farm adjoins Frederick County’s largest contiguous block of permanently preserved agricultural land of over 10,000 acres.
Ag Advocate of the Year- Patricia Sanville
Patty’s dedication and advocacy for agriculture education and youth development has made a profound impact locally. She is involved with the Great Frederick Fair serving as the Ag Education Chair and holding various superintendent roles related to fiber, fleece, and spinning. She is also a former President of the Frederick County Sheep Breeders Association. Beyond local leadership, Patty is the Executive Director from Maryland for the American Sheep Industry and was appointed by the USDA to the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center Board.
Ag Business of the Year- C. Basil Grossnickle, A Division of Blue Ridge Risk Partners
For 55 years, Blue Ridge Risk Partners, formerly known as C. Basil Grossnickle, has been a trusted insurance provider in Frederick County. With 375 local clients, they have become a cornerstone of support for local farmers, offering expert guidance and tailored solutions that address the unique challenges of the agricultural industry.
Young Farmer of the Year- Emma Jagoz
Emma, a first-generation farmer, is the owner of Moon Valley Farm, an organic produce operation in Woodsboro. She began her farming journey in 2012 on borrowed land in Baltimore County. After purchasing her 25-acre farm in Frederick County in 2019, she quickly expanded, now farming 70 acres, employing 25 staff members, and serving nearly 1,000 CSA members. In addition to her farming success, Emma is actively involved in the community and serves on several agricultural organizations including the Frederick County Ag Business Council.