My name is Carolyn Krome. I bought Persimmon Tree Farm in 1985 and have 132 acres. Sixty acres of that is in some kind of conservation program — trees, streambank, warm season grasses, pollinator habitat. I run high-end horses and have 40 acres of pasture.
Owning and operating a farm means being responsible for what happens on my 132 acres. It means I have the ability to be a caretaker of the natural world. I have a lot of wildlife here — just about everything I do here is high-value for pollinators and wildlife.
I was so involved in everything wildlife. I was involved in tree planting and birds When first got my farm I had folks from Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited — all those places — come out and help me. They tested my streams for how healthy they were. So I had quite a bit of input. This was all recognized by my Soil & Water Conservation District. Because I had done so much conservation, I was eligible and they recommended me.
One of the benefits is getting people to see what you can do. I have had garden clubs and 4-H clubs come out to see what I’ve done. The other benefit is just living in my own little part of heaven. I like sharing it, so it’s not only for me.
It’s a feather in your cap about being able to take care of your land in a healthy way.
Maryland has a ton of responsibility because of Chesapeake Bay. I don’t think people realize how important what they do on their land is to the Bay. It’s the largest estuary in the country. Years ago I remember seeing toilet paper in bay water; it was disgusting and filthy. Now Maryland is way ahead on nutrient management and getting that done.
Maryland Bay-Friendly Farming is a program of the Maryland Association of Conservation Districts.
Thank You to Sponsors & Funders of the Bay-Friendly Farming Program!
