Harford County cattle farmer Lawrason Sayre has been recognized as the county?s Farmer of the Year, just months after he was named Conservationist of the Year by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
Sayre, the 78-year-old owner of Waffle Hill Farm near Darlington and Churchville, was recognized at a banquet Saturday for his service to the county?s farming community, said John Sullivan, agricultural coordinator for the Office of Economic Development. Years of service to the local agriculture community and his work representing Harford County on a state- and nationwide level earned Sayre the recognition of his peers, proclamations from state and county government and plaques for his home and the Farm Bureau?s office, Sullivan said.
“We look at it almost like it?s a lifetime achievement award,” said Candace Lohr, president of the County Farm Bureau. “He?s been an active member of the Farm Bureau. … He?s well-known for the quality of his beef and the methods he?s used.”
Sayre could not be reached for comment.
Sayre became the first Maryland farmer named Conservationist of the Year by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in April, Sullivan said. Waffle Hill?s 300 beef cattle are rotated among pastures, grazing on grass rather than getting the traditional corn-feed. Sayre?s methods allow him to farm more cattle more cheaply, while the grass pastures provide better water filtration for runoff to the Bay, eight miles away, said Foundation spokesperson Beth Lefebvre.
“It lets them double cattle production with less labor and expense, while using better environmental practices,” Lefebvre said.
In addition to being an active member of the Farm Bureau, Sayre has served as president and vice president of the Board of Directors for the American Angus Association, and his entire family has helped support and advocate county 4-H activities, Lohr said.
“He?s always been there to promote and willing to share his time,” she said.
