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Farmer Portraits for the Cecil Land Trust

The Cecil Land Trust works with a diverse community of farmers who contribute unique roles in agriculture to Cecil County. From Horses to Satellites, these farmers are ensuring the health of the region through sustainable practices and products.

Aaron Haines on his tractor after feeding the cows

Aaron Haines on his tractor after feeding the cows
Early memories of the Quaker Haines was how they spoke to each other using the gender neutral thee and thou. Aaron, like his grandfather Alfred, and father Bill, is very active outside of the family’s farming operation. For many years he has played a leading role in Rising Sun’s Community Fire Company responding to as many calls as he can. Albeck Farms, the family’s farming operation, farms in Lots 25, 26, and 27.

Jay Tosh working on equipment
When you look back on the past 300 years of the agrarian society in the Nottingham Lots, the family-name Tosh stands out. The Tosh’s were active in public life, signing a petition for the freeing of the Parker sisters, serving as road commissioners, and jury heads. Jay Tosh is one of the most visible farmers in the Lots. Anyone driving on rt.276 or rt.273 at Harrisville Crossroad Circle can see Jay making hay in the summer, or selling it in the winter. This visibility is a great asset to farmers and the public in the Nottingham Lots; it reminds us that an agrarian way of life is still sustainable after 300 years. Jay farms in Lots 20 and 5.

Elizabeth Young Flayhard holding a picture of her great-grandmother’s family at West Nottingham Brick Meeting
Liz is a descendant of Tobias Long and Martha Robinson who farmed in West Nottingham in the early 1700’s. Tobias lived on the Presbyterian side in West Nottingham, Maryland, and Martha on the Quaker side in West Nottingham, Pennsylvania. This proved to be a problem. Liz and husband Ben’s dairy operation, farm on both sides of the old MD-PA border. Liz oversees Kilby Cream, is active in 4-H, and both breeds and shows goats. The Flaharts farm in Lots 20 and 21. 
Aaron Haines on his tractor after feeding the cows
Susan Sprout Knight with the family Bible
Susan’s forefathers, Jeremiah and Joseph Stephens were part of a large group of mostly Nottingham Lots Quakers, who in 1851 signed a petition for freeing of the Parker sisters who were abducted from a near by farm. The girls were freed and returned to the Nottingham, Pennsylvania, area. Susan is deeply involved in 4-H, having her own club and helping with camp and 4-H exchange projects. Susan’s family farm is in Lot 8. 
Tom Paduano in the greenhouse
Tom and his wife Sarah came to the Nottingham Lots in pursuit of their dream to won their own organic produce farm. Not only did they want to do their production organically, they wanted to use horse power as much as possible. Their on-farm store and CSA have a customer base in all surrounding counties, making their operation organic but also sustainable. Tom and Sarah farm in Lot 19. 
Ruthie Way Moretz at her great-grandfather’s tomb stone at Little Brick Meeting
By 1869, the Philadelphia and Baltimore Rail Line had reached Colora, Maryland. The Line entered the Nottingham Lots at Sylman (Lot 10) and exited at Colora (Lot 18), bisecting the Lots and providing access to city markets for cream, fruit, hay, and grain. Unfortunately, Ruthie’s great-grandfather became a victim of progress when, in December 1916, he was rundown by the evening Colora-bound train. Francis Way was 66 and deaf. He is buried at Little Brick Meeting on Harrisville Road. Ruthie’s farm is in Lot 18. 

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