By Staff Writer
For generations, dairy farming formed the backbone of Carroll County’s agricultural economy. In the early 20th century, the county was among Maryland’s leaders in milk production, with more than 850 dairy farms recorded by 1930, according to the Maryland Historical Trust. Rolling pastures, red barns, and morning milk routes once defined the region’s rural identity.
Today, that landscape has changed dramatically. As of 2022, only 21 dairy farms remain active in Carroll County, according to data from the Maryland Department of Agriculture. The decline reflects a broader statewide trend: Maryland had just over 300 dairy farms that year, down from 505 a decade earlier.
Shrinking Margins and Operational Pressures
Dairy producers across Maryland have faced growing financial pressures in recent years. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that in 2022, farmers earned an average of just $4.18 in profit per hundredweight of milk—a slim margin that left little room for rising input costs. Feed, fertilizer, fuel, and veterinary services have all become more expensive, further eroding profitability.
Economic volatility and global market disruptions—exacerbated by inflation and the war in Ukraine—have added uncertainty to an already strained industry. While 2023 projections showed some improvement in price margins, many operations continue to operate near breakeven levels.
Legacy Farms Transitioning Away from Dairy
Even long-standing farms have scaled back or exited the industry altogether. Fritz Family Farm in New Windsor, which had operated as a dairy since 1912, sold off its herd in 2015 due to labor challenges and financial sustainability concerns. The farm now focuses on grain production and maintains a small number of dairy cows for educational programs, according to a 2023 report by the University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Many smaller and mid-sized farms have found it difficult to compete with larger operations that benefit from economies of scale. The loss of family labor, generational turnover, and increasing regulation have further complicated efforts to maintain traditional dairy models.
Adapting Through Conservation and Innovation
Some Carroll County farms have responded to these pressures by adopting environmentally focused practices and participating in government-sponsored sustainability programs. Coldsprings Farm, for example, has implemented a suite of conservation efforts—including nutrient management plans, leachate containment systems, and cover cropping—supported by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency.
State programs have also offered financial assistance. In 2022, Maryland contributed more than $630,000 toward cost-sharing for Dairy Margin Coverage premiums, helping nearly 200 farms offset risks tied to volatile milk prices.
Regulatory and Health Developments
In April 2024, the Maryland Department of Agriculture issued a statewide order restricting the import of dairy cattle from states affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1). Although no cases were confirmed in Maryland, the directive aimed to prevent transmission and protect the local dairy herd. The department emphasized that pasteurized milk remains safe for consumers.
Such public health measures add additional layers of oversight to an already highly regulated sector, requiring farms to adapt quickly to changing guidelines.
Development Pressure and Future Outlook
Beyond market and operational challenges, dairy farms in Carroll County are also contending with increasing development pressure. As suburban growth extends into rural areas, farmland is often sold or subdivided for residential use, reducing the available acreage for agricultural operations.
According to the American Farmland Trust, Carroll County’s farmland has gradually decreased in total acreage, and many of the remaining farms are smaller than in previous decades. This shift limits options for expansion and makes it harder to achieve profitability in traditional production models.
The average age of Maryland farmers now exceeds 57, and fewer young people are entering the profession. Without succession plans or new investment, the long-term viability of dairy in the region remains in question.
A Legacy at Risk
Carroll County’s dairy history is visible in its historic barns, silos, and community traditions. But the number of working dairy farms continues to dwindle, raising concerns about the future of the industry in the region.
While some operations are pursuing niche markets such as organic milk, on-farm processing, or direct-to-consumer sales, these approaches require capital, technical knowledge, and access to new markets.
As Carroll County looks ahead, its once-dominant dairy industry stands at a crossroads—between the weight of its history and the uncertainty of a changing agricultural economy.
