EST. 2013 Aschenbach Farm
The beginning
Bill and Joanne Aschenbach purchased a 130-acre farm in Frederick County at the base of Sugarloaf Mountain in 2013. Their plan was to start raising black angus cattle and serve the community. Bill, having spent his early years on a farm in Montgomery County, always had a dream of having his own one day. To turn their dream into a reality, they traveled out to South Dakota to see some old friends at Jorgenson Land and Cattle. They returned with ten cows and one bull.
In 2017, Farm Manager Eric Skiles moved from Nebraska to Maryland to help manage the farm. He studied agricultural science and livestock management while attending school in Nebraska. Since then, he has married and continues to introduce his wife to farm life.
Where we are now
Since the beginning we have doubled in size growing from 100 acres to over 200, and now have up to 120 animals on the farm at one time. Previously selling cattle to other grass finished beef retailers, we have decided to bring natural beef to our local community starting in 2023.
Protecting the land and future
Our goal is to end the stigma that cattle are bad for the land. By fencing off waterways we are able to reduce run off that will flow into the bay, protecting other wildlife. We also perform a rotational grazing system that increases healing of the land, by giving fields adequate rest. This allows insects and birds to reenter the ecosystem and work like nature intended them to.
Regenerative Agriculture
Protecting our environment is a priority for us, we have adopted a rehabilitation approach to farming. We focus on healing the soil, improving biodiversity, and protecting water ways that flow to the bay. Our goals include enhancing our ecosystem, increasing resilience to climate change, and strengthening the health and vitality of farm soil.