The 100th Maryland farm certified for achieving the highest level of environmental stewardship was recognized May 6, 2015 at a ceremony outside Smithsburg, Md. Gardenhour Orchards, operated by Bill Gardenhour and his family, received the Farm Stewardship Certification and Assessment Program (FSCAP) certificate and sign from the Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts, which established FSCAP in cooperation with core agricultural and environmental partners, to recognize farmers who are good stewards of their natural resources and to encourage farmers to put additional best management practices (BMPs) on their land.
Bill Gardenhour’s family got started in the fruit business in the late 1890’s when Boaz Gardenhour established an orchard in Smithsburg in Washington County. Bill is the fourth generation operating the orchard his grandfather, G. William Gardenhour, established in 1940.
The orchard is meticulously cared for on 105 acres in the rolling countryside typical of Washington County within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. In their market and pick-your-own orchards and fields, they offer apples, peaches, corn, strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries.
Gardenhour Orchards- http://www.gardenhourorchards.com For more information please visit their website or call 301-824-7466
