Only six family dairy farms remain in fast-developing Montgomery County, Maryland
Only six family dairy farms remain in fast-developing Montgomery County, Maryland. One is owned and operated by the David Weitzer family in the county's northern agricultural reserve near Poolesville. The Weitzer family will share their story at the King Barn Dairy MOOseum near Germantown on Sunday afternoon, June 28, between 12:00 Noon and 4:00 PM. Visitors can learn about how the family purchased 212 acres of land in 1946, built their dairy herd to more than 60 Holstein cows, and rented an additional 215 acres to extend their crop production. David Weitzer was a founding member of the Montgomery County Agricultural Advisory Committee in 1973, which gave rise to the county's unique agricultural reserve. The story of the Weitzer family is being featured at the MOOseum during the month of June, illustrating how farm families can still prosper in the vicinity of a major urban area.
David Weitzer was one of the first farmers in Montgomery County to experiment with no-till corn and soybeans back in 1968. He is a noted soil conservationist, and has been a director and vice-president of Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association. The Weitzer home farm is shown on the MOOseum's map of more than 400 family dairy farms that once existed in Montgomery County as Farm #45.
The Weitzer family story is part of the MOOseum's continuing Sunday series to showcase farms that contributed significantly in the county's 238-year history. The MOOseum houses one of the area¹s most complete and unusual dairy archives. It is located off Route 118 and Schaeffer Road, at 18028 Central Park Circle, surrounded by South Germantown Regional Park, housed in a 1930's dairy barn. Exhibits include a 1904 horse-drawn dairy wagon, a model railroad, replicas of major dairy cattle found in Montgomery County, and samples of dairy equipment used in the county during the past 100 years. Come meet David and Barbara Weitzer, along with daughter Kerie, her husband, and sons, Ty and Luck. on Sunday afternoon, June 28, and learn the story of their home county¹s dairy tradition, a key part of their remarkable family. Admission is free. Contributions are welcome.
6.10.2015