Woodbourne Creamery : For the Love of Cows by melane kinney hoffmann
On one of the highest points of land in Montgomery County , Woodbourne Creamery sits atop Rock Hill Orchard . This pinnacle offers beautiful views toward Sugarloaf Mountain in one direction , and down over the orchard ’ s rolling acres of apple , peach , and nectarine trees in the other . As dairy farms are closing nationwide , Woodbourne Creamery is the only new dairy farm created in Montgomery County in 60 years . Its continued success is a testament to its owners ’ vision .
For John and Mary Fendrick , who purchased the 300-acre Rock Hill Orchard in 2010 and took a few years to build a dairy there , it began with their sons ’ involvement in 4-H dairy cows . Patrick and Raymond began 4-H at a young age , and within a few years Patrick ’ s favorite , prize winning cow “ Crabcake ” had won the family ’ s heart , and they developed a fondness for these kind and gentle animals .
Mary , raised on Staten Island , was not a “ farm girl ,” and John grew up down county in Chevy Chase . But both were quickly all in on building an enterprise where they could raise dairy cows as they thought it should be done . They wanted to provide an alternative to factoryfarmed dairy products , raising cows in a clean , healthy , and humane way , grassfed in wide open fields .
Prize cow Crabcake inspired Woodbourne Creamery ’ s herd , shown with Raymond ( left ) and Patrick Fendrick in their early 4-H days .
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