Each year, the Frederick County Office of Economic Development (FCOED) partners 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.
Kate Sowers, 37, is a part owner of South Mountain Creamery and is named one of Frederick County’s Top Young Ag Professionals. Her experience in agriculture began at a young age in her local 4-H program. She was involved in a number of 4-H projects where her love for the industry began. In 2003, she married Ben Sowers, son of South Mountain Creamery founders, Randy and Karen Sowers. Since joining the family, Kate has continued to expand her involvement in the business. Now, as a part owner, Kate is responsible for managing the chicken house as well as bookkeeping for the enterprise. Aside from that, she is a mother of four and can often be found on the farm lending a hand to the staff wherever needed.
South Mountain Creamery is a diversified dairy farm operation that became the first on-farm dairy processing facility in the state of Maryland and today is one of the most recognized farms in the DMV, delivering products to approximately 10,000 customers. Kate owns the business with her husband, Ben, and Ben’s sister Abby Brusco and her husband Tony. They currently operate 3000 acres of cropland, milk approximately 500 Holstein and Jersey dairy cows, raise a herd of 150 head of beef cattle and a flock of 17,000 laying hens. South Mountain Creamery has two processing facilities, one on the home farm in Middletown, the other in Chambersburg, PA and a Downtown Frederick Ice Cream and newly added Pizza shop! Between all locations, South Mountain Creamery employs roughly 165 individuals.
Kate signifies South Mountain Creamery’s greatest business accomplishment as a successful purchase and transition from the previous generation to the next. She is also extremely proud of the expansions they have been able to accomplish under their ownership including the purchase of Trickling Springs Creamery, their processing facility in Chambersburg. Recently, during an awards ceremony at The Great Frederick Fair, Kate and her husband were recognized as Frederick County’s 2022 Young Farmers of the Year. The pair also received national recognition by being honored with the 2019 National Outstanding Young Farmer award given to those young farmers with outstanding achievements in agriculture and community involvement. Kate and her husband are active members of the community. Each year Kate donates to the Patty Pollatos Fund which raises money for local cancer victims. During Thanksgiving, she and her husband donate turkeys to the local elementary schools where they are then given to needy families.
The trait Kate most attributes to their success is, “Our willingness to push the envelope. If we don’t try, we’ll never know what we could do.” In her approach to work, she has been most influenced by her husband and mother. “They both work hard and do the job 110%,” she said.
We are proud to honor Kate as one of 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 her at the helm. Be sure to congratulate Kate on this well-deserved accolade!