Queen Anne’s County Family Receives State’s Most Prestigious Agriculture Award
ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan and Secretary Joseph Bartenfelder of the Maryland Department of Agriculture inducted the Eck family of Queen Anne’s County into the Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame last night during the Maryland Agriculture Council’s “Taste of Maryland Agriculture” event at Maryland Live! Casino & Hotel. The Eck family is the 54th inductee in the Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame and accepted the award in front of hundreds of agricultural leaders from across the state.
“Far too often our farmers and our Ag community don’t get the respect or the appreciation that they deserve, but I want the entire Ag community to know that your commitment to our state does not go unappreciated,” said Governor Hogan. “We have accomplished so much together, and our administration is going to continue standing up and fighting hard for you each and every day. Congratulations to all of tonight’s recipients and honorees.”
Sponsored by the Maryland Department of Agriculture, the Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame was created in 1991 by Governor William Donald Schaefer to honor agricultural leaders who exemplify high standards of achievement and commitment to the industry and their communities. As the leading industry in Maryland, agriculture contributes $16 billion to the state’s economy and supports more than 65,000 jobs. There are 12,429 farms occupying nearly 2 million acres of land statewide. Nominations are accepted at local University of Maryland Extension offices.
“Each year we gather to celebrate the outstanding families whose dedication helps make agriculture our state’s top industry,” said Secretary Bartenfeder. “The Eck family is a great example of the kind of multi-generational commitment, both on the farm and in their community, that gives me great hope for the future of Maryland agriculture. I am happy to join the governor in presenting this well-deserved award.”
About the Eck Family
The Eck family emigrated to Baltimore from Germany in the mid-1800s. Elmer T. Eck and Sons was established in 1952 when the family purchased 750 acres of land in Queen Anne’s County. Carl Eck and his wife, Doris, worked with his sister, Dorothy Eck Higgs, and her husband, William Jennings Higgs, to milk holsteins and grow row crops. By 1977, Carl and Doris’ son, Mark, began contributing to the farm operation. As a sophomore in high school, Mark built his first chicken house and share-cropped 20 acres. Since then, Mark has gone on to purchase eight farms in Ingleside, expanding his family’s operation and maintaining a strong commitment to the community.
Mark and Vicky Eck own and operate MAE-VUE Farms where they farm 1,500 acres of crops and raise large broiler chickens in seven barns. Their oldest son, Alan, and grandson, Easton, have expanded the family operation to include another 430 acres of crops; production of 715,000 large broiler chickens; 1,800 all-natural, heritage market hogs; a commercial cow-finish beef operation; and a straw and hay business. The Eck’s daughter, Jenell Eck McHenry, lives on a grain and beef farm in Kennedyville with her husband, Joey, and their son, Lee. Beyond the farm, Jenell works for Thompson Ag Consulting, where she is a staunch advocate for the state’s farm community. Mark and Vicky’s son Kenny lives in Austin, Texas, where he owns and manages a healthcare data management company.
Throughout the years, the Eck family has been an outstanding example of the dedication and commitment that farmers have to the environment and their communities. The family works closely with Queen Anne’s Soil Conservation District to install various on-farm best management practices that are designed to protect and preserve natural resources. Additionally, the Eck family is heavily involved with various agricultural organizations in Maryland including 4-H, FFA, and the Farm Bureau.
A brief slideshow is available online.
More information on each Hall of Fame family is available on the department’s website. A complete list of Hall of Fame honorees is available online.
ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan and Secretary Joseph Bartenfelder of the Maryland Department of Agriculture inducted the Eck family of Queen Anne’s County into the Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame last night during the Maryland Agriculture Council’s “Taste of Maryland Agriculture” event at Maryland Live! Casino & Hotel. The Eck family is the 54th inductee in the Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame and accepted the award in front of hundreds of agricultural leaders from across the state.
“Far too often our farmers and our Ag community don’t get the respect or the appreciation that they deserve, but I want the entire Ag community to know that your commitment to our state does not go unappreciated,” said Governor Hogan. “We have accomplished so much together, and our administration is going to continue standing up and fighting hard for you each and every day. Congratulations to all of tonight’s recipients and honorees.”
Sponsored by the Maryland Department of Agriculture, the Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame was created in 1991 by Governor William Donald Schaefer to honor agricultural leaders who exemplify high standards of achievement and commitment to the industry and their communities. As the leading industry in Maryland, agriculture contributes $16 billion to the state’s economy and supports more than 65,000 jobs. There are 12,429 farms occupying nearly 2 million acres of land statewide. Nominations are accepted at local University of Maryland Extension offices.
“Each year we gather to celebrate the outstanding families whose dedication helps make agriculture our state’s top industry,” said Secretary Bartenfeder. “The Eck family is a great example of the kind of multi-generational commitment, both on the farm and in their community, that gives me great hope for the future of Maryland agriculture. I am happy to join the governor in presenting this well-deserved award.”
About the Eck Family
The Eck family emigrated to Baltimore from Germany in the mid-1800s. Elmer T. Eck and Sons was established in 1952 when the family purchased 750 acres of land in Queen Anne’s County. Carl Eck and his wife, Doris, worked with his sister, Dorothy Eck Higgs, and her husband, William Jennings Higgs, to milk holsteins and grow row crops. By 1977, Carl and Doris’ son, Mark, began contributing to the farm operation. As a sophomore in high school, Mark built his first chicken house and share-cropped 20 acres. Since then, Mark has gone on to purchase eight farms in Ingleside, expanding his family’s operation and maintaining a strong commitment to the community.
Mark and Vicky Eck own and operate MAE-VUE Farms where they farm 1,500 acres of crops and raise large broiler chickens in seven barns. Their oldest son, Alan, and grandson, Easton, have expanded the family operation to include another 430 acres of crops; production of 715,000 large broiler chickens; 1,800 all-natural, heritage market hogs; a commercial cow-finish beef operation; and a straw and hay business. The Eck’s daughter, Jenell Eck McHenry, lives on a grain and beef farm in Kennedyville with her husband, Joey, and their son, Lee. Beyond the farm, Jenell works for Thompson Ag Consulting, where she is a staunch advocate for the state’s farm community. Mark and Vicky’s son Kenny lives in Austin, Texas, where he owns and manages a healthcare data management company.
Throughout the years, the Eck family has been an outstanding example of the dedication and commitment that farmers have to the environment and their communities. The family works closely with Queen Anne’s Soil Conservation District to install various on-farm best management practices that are designed to protect and preserve natural resources. Additionally, the Eck family is heavily involved with various agricultural organizations in Maryland including 4-H, FFA, and the Farm Bureau.
A brief slideshow is available online.
More information on each Hall of Fame family is available on the department’s website. A complete list of Hall of Fame honorees is available online.
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