Harford Legacy Farm Commemorative Book

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Current Owners: Tracy Brooks and Todd Webb Original Purchaser: Milford Badders Current Acreage: 87 Current Agricultural Products or Services: beef cattle, swine, corn, and Little Deer Creek Farm est. 1921 - Street, MD

soybeans Preserved

The property was purchased in 1921 by Milford and Willie Dean Badders and it became Hardscrabble Farm. Dairy cattle and chickens were the central part of the operation. The property is known for its stone silo (see

picture on the right), built in 1931 by Milford. After 1944 the farm was then owned by Helen Badders Webb, Tom Webb, and Tom's parents, DeRan and Nellie Webb. Together, they milked cattle and raised layer chickens. Tom also worked for Reedy's Inc. and installed DeLaval milking equipment.

In 1966 the decision was made to sell the cows but DeRan continued to raise beef cattle far into the 80s. In the late 80's the name changed to Little Deer Creek Farm and Steven began to raise dairy replacement heifers and farm the land along with help from the rest of the family. It was placed in land preservation in 2004. Today Little Deer Creek Farm is owned by Steven's daughter, Tracy, and Charles's son, Todd. However, we don't think of ourselves as the owners as much as the stewards of the family farm. We currently raise Red Angus cattle and swine.

Some of the youngest generations are even about to try their hand at lambs. The majority of the farmland is being leased to Clear Meadow Farm. Nowadays you can often find 4-Hers running around the place after finishing a meeting or Skillathon practice. Over the years it's become home to many who didn't have a place to call home. Sometimes they didn't have a safe place to land or felt alone in this world, it didn't matter. This place became their home, too. We hope that it will always be referred to as "The Farm." A place where agriculture can still have roots. A place where our children can learn how food gets to their tables and the sacrifices made to get it there. A place where stubborn calves are halter broke, sledding parties happen and fish are still caught out of Little Deer Creek. We hope that the stone silo will always be a welcome sight and sign that you're finally back home, no matter how far your travels may have taken you. So, there can't be any one memory or story shared about Little Deer Creek Farm. It's a legacy to each of us and it will always be a part of who we are.