Ellerton View Farm Recognized for 75-Year Membership with MDVA

Maynard Grossnickle can remember when his father bought Ellerton View Farm when he was six years old. Now, he’s a member of the second generation joining the third and fourth generations in celebrating the farm’s 75th year as a member at Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative.
“I’m pleased to see any farm stay in the family,” he says. “I feel good about that,” as he watches his son, Donald and his wife Dolly, manage many of the day-to-day operations of the farm.
The Grossnickle's have always had an eye toward sustainability. Maynard was an award-winning soil maintainer, and the family has been doing no-till and cover cropping for decades now. Today, they milk about 150 cows and farm on 500 acres in Myersville, Maryland.
The family recognizes the hard work required to run a farm for 75 years.
“The commitment and the pride that goes into running a beautiful farm, in a beautiful valley, is important,” said Dolly. “When you do it together as a family, there are so many rewards.”
Donald and Dolly have four children, including two who return to the farm regularly. Their youngest son Luke is poised to take over the full farming operation, while youngest daughter Ellie returns some weekends to care for the calves with Dolly.
“75 years is a long time to do anything,” Luke says. “It’s something to be proud of and I hope we can keep going for future years.”