Frederick County Agriculture Business Council names 2026 award winners, highlights Farmers Bridge uptake and rising livestock prices

The Frederick County Agriculture Business Council convened Feb. 24 in Mount Airy and approved its 2026 award slate while members reported a quick local response to the new Farmers Bridge program and notable shifts in livestock markets.

Council Chair Tom Barse called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. and the council approved the Jan. 7, 2026 minutes on a 6-0 vote. During member industry updates, council members reported that the federal Farmers Bridge program opened Feb. 23 with $11 billion allocated for 2025 acreage reports; local members said Frederick County had received 33 applications and distributed roughly $76,000 within two days. Members noted Farmers Bridge signup runs through April 17 and that separate assistance and certification deadlines for specialty crops extend through March.

Members also discussed agritourism holding steady through winter, developments in the craft beverage sector (including a new hopyard at Monocacy Hop and a site visit to Milkhouse Brewery by Roger Martin of SDAT), and crop management training such as pesticide applicator sessions and Soil Conservation District soil-health programming. On livestock markets, members reported Winchester price data showing a roughly $1-per-pound increase for 500-lb animals year over year (from about $4.50 to $5.50–$6.00 per pound) and said poultry producers remain cautious because avian influenza has affected three poultry houses on the Eastern Shore. Dairy producers reported continued agritourism demand and cited example prices for beef-by-dairy animals and culls.

The council took several formal actions on staff nominations and awards. Brittany Sanders moved to name the Kenneth Burrier Family the 2026 Farm Family of the Year; Kate Sowers seconded and the motion passed 5-0-1 with Belinda Burrier recused. Brian Sweeney moved to name Tom Mullineaux the 2026 Ag Advocate of the Year; Brittany Sanders seconded and that motion passed 6-0. Brittany Sanders moved to award Reifsniders Farm Supply the Ag Business of the Year; Belinda Burrier seconded and the vote passed 6-0. Belinda Burrier moved to award Emily Snyder Young Farmer of the Year; Brian Sweeney seconded and the vote passed 6-0. The minutes record that Brian Sweeney moved to adjourn at 7:45 p.m.; the meeting closed and the council set its next meeting for April 28, 2026.

Office of Agriculture Director Katie Stevens reported a staffing update: Mia McGuffin will serve as an intern through June to assist with marketing while staff member Becca Tucker is on leave, and Stevens encouraged businesses to contact the office for assistance. Stevens also announced program and application dates: an Ag Innovation Grant open March 1–31, MALPF applications open through April 1 with office hours, and an IW2 public hearing scheduled for March 18 at 9:30 a.m.; a video of a prior meeting is available on the county website.

The meeting minutes record no public comments. The council adjourned at 7:45 p.m.