Edwin Remsberg Montgomery County farming icons Drew and Robert Stabler were recently inducted into the Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame. The brothers, sixth-generation farmers, have been farming since 1958.

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Gov. Martin O’Malley and Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance inducted Montgomery County farmers Drew and Bob Stabler into the Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame.

The Stabler brothers are sixth-generation farmers. They began farming with their father in 1958, building their grain and cattle farm into a 4,000-acre operation.

Drew operates Sunny Ridge Farm in Laytonsville and Bob runs Pleasant Valley farm in Brookeville. Both grow, corn, soybeans and raise beef cattle.

The induction was made on Feb. 2 before more than 700 agricultural leaders and legislators from across the state during the annual “Taste of Maryland” agriculture event in Glen Burnie.

“It is my honor to stand beside the Stabler brothers ... to recognize their outstanding accomplishments, commitment and contributions to agriculture, family, resource conservation and community,” Hance stated in a news release issued by the Maryland Department of Agriculture. “They represent, not just the best in agriculture and environmental stewardship, but also in business innovation. In honoring the Stabler brothers, we honor the dedication and hard work of every farmer in this state.”

Drew Stabler said he and his brother were happy and humbled by the award.

“This is not taken lightly within agriculture in the state, so we are very honored by it,” he said.

In a video prepared for the event, the brothers said they each have jobs they like to do, and work well together as a team.

“We enjoy farming, we enjoy farm work, enjoy livestock,” Bob Stabler said in the video. “That’s the reason we do it. We like it and it’s been good to us; we’ve made a nice living.”

As for the future of farming, they think it will be around for the next generation, although they admit it is getting tougher.

Drew Stabler said during their time they have gone from small tractors to large machinery, computerized equipment, and even Global Positioning Systems.

“We are going to have to change how we do business in many ways, but I think it will be viable for a long time,” said Robert Stabler in the video.

“There are a lot of people in Montgomery County, but there is still room for farming and agriculture,” Drew Stabler added.

Carolyn Lechlider, secretary of the Montgomery County Farm Bureau, said a group of people from the Farm Bureau attended the event.

“Everyone was very pleased that the Stablers were honored,” she said. “They are a most-deserving family, and we are all very proud of what they have been doing for many generations. They’ve had good training that has made them who they are.”

Lechlider said Drew and Bob Stabler have served on many committees, allowing them to push through many new ideas.

“The are at the top end of gathering knowledge and both keep themselves well-educated in agriculture,” she said.

According to the press release, the Stablers are recognized for consistently embracing new technology and best management practices. They were among the earliest adopters of no-tillage technology in the 1970s; they installed critical areas and waterways when needed; and they have constructed fertilizer and pesticide loading and containment structures, as well as animal waste systems on both farms.

Sponsored by the Maryland Department of Agriculture, the Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame was created in 1991 by then-Gov. William Donald Schaefer to honor agricultural leaders who exemplify high standards of achievement and commitment to the industry and their communities.

The Stablers are the 43rd recipients of the prestigious award and the first recognized from Montgomery County.

thogan@gazette.net