MARBIDCO 2018 Annual Report Features
2018 Next Gen Program Recipient: Hidden Acres Farm
Brittanie and Andy Collier always knew they wanted to own a piece of land to operate and to raise kids on. For over five years they searched for an affordable property when they heard of MARBIDCO and the new Next Generation Farmland Acquisition Program, or the Next Gen Program. Using this program, the Colliers purchased Hidden Acres Farm in December 2017 in Talbot County.
“It is definitely a wonderful program, and it wouldn’t have been possible for us to purchase this farm without it,” said Brittanie. The program is geared towards young or beginning farmers who have trouble entering or staying in the agricultural profession because of relatively high farmland costs and a lack of access to adequate financial capital to purchase farmland. It also helps to preserves agricultural land from future development. “It’s nice to see a program out there for young farmers trying to start,” said Andy.
For the past 10 years, the farm had been leased to grow grain. The Colliers plan to form a partnership with the leasing farmer in 2019 to learn more about farming without becoming overwhelmed. In the future, the Colliers plan to work full time on the property and into retirement. “I have a business – Mason Jars by Britt, that makes centerpieces for weddings,” said Brittanie. “My vision is to grow the flower part of the business as well, to make bouquets, boutonnieres and the flowers that go into centerpieces, as well as enable DIY couples to purchase cut flowers to make their own creations.”
Andy also wants to plant and sell switchgrass from the property. This grass is used for ground cover and as camouflage for duck and goose hunters. The grass would be cut and sold once a year. The rest of the acreage will continue to be in grain production.
Both Colliers grew up in Queen Anne’s County and have seen their hometowns become suburbanized in recent years. “We’ve always been a big supporter of land preservation for future generations,” said Brittanie. “We enjoy seeing open farmland, not all housing developments. We want to make sure not everything is built up, and preserve the Eastern Shore lifestyle.”
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