As we close out the 2025 Agricultural Award highlights from The Great Frederick Fair and step into 2026—the International Year of the Woman Farmer—it’s the perfect time to recognize the next generation of agricultural leadership and the vital role women play in shaping the future of agriculture. Our final award spotlight honors a family whose story embodies resilience, innovation, and partnership: Bradley and Jamie Lambert, Frederick County’s 2025 Young Farmers of the Year.
Bradley and Jamie are fourth-generation farmers who grew up immersed in farm life. From childhood chores to earning their first paychecks at 13, agriculture wasn’t just a job—it was a calling. Bradley rented his first field at age 20, planting soybeans on 16 acres. By the time they married at 25, the couple was farming 100 acres of rented ground. Today, their operation spans nearly 700 acres, producing corn, soybeans, barley, and hay, alongside a wean-to-finish hog operation and a herd of registered Hereford cattle.
For the Lamberts, farming is truly a family affair. Their children, Blake (14) and Aubrey (13), are active participants in daily farm work, learning firsthand the values of hard work and responsibility. Both are committed members of the Johnsville 4-H—Blake shows beef and swine, while Aubrey focuses on beef and lambs. With no outside employees, the family’s teamwork is the backbone of their success.
In this International Year of the Woman Farmer, it’s important to shine a spotlight on the women who help drive the operation forward. Alongside Bradley, Jamie plays a key role in every aspect of the farm—from planning and livestock care to navigating family life and business decisions. Her and Aubrey’s passion centers on caring for livestock, especially their registered Hereford cattle and show stock. Jamie also oversees direct sales of freezer beef to local customers, reflecting the strength and versatility women bring to agriculture. Aubrey represents the next generation of women farmers—a meaningful tribute to this year’s global celebration. She takes pride in caring for and showing her bred-and-owned beef heifers, continuing the family’s proud tradition.
The Lamberts’ commitment to farmland preservation and responsible land management runs deep. Through programs such as Frederick County’s Critical Farms initiative and MALPF, they have placed more than 340 acres into preservation easements, ensuring the land remains in agriculture for generations to come. Their conservation efforts include participating in the cover crop program, installing grassed waterways to reduce runoff, and constructing a manure storage facility—each step reinforcing their long-term dedication to stewardship.
Like many farmers, Bradley and Jamie have faced challenges such as droughts and market fluctuations. Yet their perseverance and passion never wavered. As active members of the Maryland Farm Bureau, they advocate for agriculture and inspire others through their story of grit and growth.
Bradley and Jamie’s journey is one of hard work, perseverance, and deep-rooted love for the land and their family. Their story reminds us that farming is not just about crops and livestock—it’s about connection, heritage, and the vital role women play in shaping the future of agriculture.
Congratulations to Bradley and Jamie Lambert, the 2025 Frederick County Young Farmers of the Year.