Harford Legacy Farm Commemorative Book

Current Owners: Bill and Mary Amoss Original Purchaser: David and Rose Amoss Current Acreage: 30 Wilmar Farm est. 1923 - Fallston, MD

Current Agricultural Products or Services: contract wine grape grower for Boordy Vineyards, beef cattle, heifer raising, hay production and sales, and timber sales Preserved David and Rose Amoss purchased the farm in Fallston, from Frank Riely in 1923. The farm was across the road from David's parent's dairy farm where he worked. David and Rose's new farm came with a blacksmith shop, which helped with income, multiple barns/buildings for livestock,

David and Rose Amoss

grain, hay, and equipment storage. A wood house for the home heating source is still in use today. David also harvested and sold pulpwood that he hauled to PA and returned to Harford County with coal for deliveries in the area. Later in life, he was a Nationwide Insurance Agent through the Farm Bureau for Harford County and surrounding counties. Farm production included corn and wheat, chicken/egg production, cows, pigs, and one Belgian workhorse. "During WWII, the German prisoners held at APG were allowed to be used for local farmwork, we just had to feed them for lunch which was interesting at lunchtime with conversation because many of them spoke some English and my grandfather came from Germany in the 1850s" Rose Amoss. Rose taught school for 42 years, beginning in several one-room schoolhouses including Wilna, Fallston and eventually all were combined into Youth's Benefit School. David and Rose had one daughter, Alva Mary, who taught second grade at Youth's Benefit for 30 years. She married William H. Amoss, he was an auctioneer and state delegate/senator. They built their home on the corner of the farm in 1959 and had two children, Catherine, and William. Growing up on the farm their son, Bill, raised Simmental cattle for beef production, along with grain and crops. He participated in 4-H winning, County, State, and National awards with his cattle and livestock judging. Bill and his wife Mary raised four children who participated in various 4-H and FFA livestock events with products grown and raised on the farm. In 2005, several acres of Chambourcin grapes were added to the farming operation. The grapes are harvested in the fall and sold to Boordy vineyards for winemaking. As the family grows with eight grandchildren, Bill and Mary have continued the farming operation with beef cattle, corn/hay production, vegetable/flower crops, and the vineyard. Bill is currently the Director of Harford County's Agriculture Land Preservation Program. As you can see the Amoss family's appreciation for agriculture and the land continues to grow today on to the next generation.