Each year, the Frederick County Office of Economic Development (FCOED) collaborates with Frederick Magazine for Frederick’s Top 50 publication. The 2022 issue, released in January, features Frederick’s Top 50 Under 40. Homegrown Frederick wanted to take a similar approach and highlight the young entrepreneurs and leaders in the agriculture and craft beverage industries. The Homegrown Frederick magazine, released June 1, announces Frederick County’s Top Young Agricultural Professionals. Each week we will be highlighting these individuals so you can get to know them better.
Becky Burall, 37, and Jarrod Burall, 38, are owners/operators of Burall Farms located in Mount Airy and are named to the list of Frederick County’s Top Young Ag Professionals. A passion for agriculture began at a young age for the pair. Both Becky and Jarrod grew up working on their family farms. From the time they met, the couple “shared a dream of working in production agriculture,” they said. Upon obtaining a Maryland Commercial Applicators License, Jarrod worked for a local agricultural services company. For eight years, he provided custom fertilizer application to farmers, developing his knowledge and expertise in that field. He then spent five years working for a local dairy farm as the crop manager, furthering his experience in all aspects of crop production. In 2011 while working full-time jobs, the pair began their lifelong dream of farming together on 60 acres of rented ground. They jumped at the opportunity presented by retiring farmers, and in 2017 moved to a farm operation they now call their own. Last year, Jarrod and Becky’s dream came true upon the purchase of the farm, signifying their greatest accomplishment. “We had to transition out of our full-time jobs in order to work on the farm, yet our farming business was in its infancy,” the young couple revealed.
They currently produce corn, soybeans, wheat, straw, and hay on approximately 900 acres, raise 200 steers for beef production and operate a custom application business. Becky manages animal care, bookkeeping and hay and straw marketing. She also spends time serving the community by working part-time as a registered nurse. Jarrod is the crop and custom applicator manager while overseeing daily farm operations as well as grain and beef marketing. Becky and Jarrod say they started farming because they wanted to build a legacy for their family. “Hopefully we will have something that our children can continue if they so choose. We are teaching them priceless values that they will hold onto regardless of what they choose to do in their futures.”
In 2015, the couple received the Maryland Young Farmer Excellence in Agriculture Award and represented both Maryland and Frederick County Farm Bureau at the American Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Rancher Convention. They have both been very active in the Young Farmers program and Jarrod currently serves as a board member for the Frederick County Farm Bureau. Becky also volunteers as the camp nurse for the Frederick County Farm Bureau Safety Camp and is a chairperson for the Health and Safety Committee for the Linganore Grange.
We are proud to honor both Becky and Jarrod Burall in Frederick County’s Top Young Ag Professionals. The full list can be found here. It is safe to say the local agricultural industry has a bright future ahead with young leaders like them at the helm. Be sure to congratulate the pair from Burall Farms on this well-deserved accolade!