Each year, the Frederick County Office of Economic Development (FCOED) collaborates with Frederick Magazine for Frederick’s Top 50 publication. The 2022 issue, released in January, features Frederick’s Top 50 Under 40. Homegrown Frederick wanted to take a similar approach and highlight the young entrepreneurs and leaders in the agriculture and craft beverage industries. The Homegrown Frederick magazine, released June 1, announces Frederick County’s Top Young Agricultural Professionals. Each week we will be highlighting these individuals so you can get to know them better.
Laura House, 35, and Brian House, 38, are part owners of Gaver Farm in New Market and are named to Frederick County’s Top Young Ag Professionals for 2022. Gaver Farm is a diversified agricultural operation that raises livestock and produces traditional row crops, hay, Christmas trees, apples and pumpkins. Gaver Farm is also one of Frederick County’s agritourism operations, hosting a Fall Fun Fest for the entire family each year. The 2022 dates are September 2 to October 31. Festivals incorporated into the Fall Fun Fest include a Sunflower Spectacular, Apple Harvest Festival and Pumpkin Harvest Festival, among others. You can find more information about these events on their website and Facebook page.
Laura and Brian met during their time pursuing Dairy Science degrees at Virginia Tech (VT), Go Hokies! Upon graduating with degrees in Dairy Science and Accounting and Information Systems, Laura made the decision to move home to help expand the family farm business. At that time, she focused on crop and animal care and marketing and retail sales. Brian received his B.S. in Dairy Science from VT and went on to obtain his M.S. in Dairy and Animal Science from Penn State University. He then worked in Virginia for three years as a dairy and beef nutritionist before moving to Maryland in 2011 to join Gaver Farm full-time.
The pair have been instrumental in the success and growth of Gaver Farm. While both are involved in all aspects of the operation, Laura manages the agritourism and marketing while Brian focuses on apple and livestock production. The couple signifies their largest business accomplishments by the successful growth of their business as well as the establishment of strong relationships with their consumers. Over the years, they have successfully diversified and expanded their on-farm product offerings with the addition of an apple orchard in 2010 and cut-your-own sunflowers in 2018. They are also extremely proud to be able to provide a place for the community to learn about and experience farming. In 2008, Gaver Farm received the Take Pride in America Award recognizing them for their outstanding conservation and environmental stewardship practices. “We work hard to take care of the environment and always strive to learn new ways to do that,” Laura said.
Both Laura and Brian have been active members in the community. Brian served on the Frederick County Agriculture Business Council from 2014-2021. They are both members of the Frederick County Farm Bureau and are active in their church community. Having both grown up on family dairy farms, they have a passion for teaching their children to love and respect agriculture. In five years, they see themselves still farming and continuing to grow Gaver Farm.
We are proud to honor both Laura and Brian House in Frederick County’s Top Young Ag Professionals. The full list can be found here. It is safe to say the local agricultural industry has a bright future ahead with young leaders like them at the helm. Be sure to congratulate the pair on this well-deserved accolade!