A $20,000 gift will be used toward establishing a farm incubator training program on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland. Welburn Management, a family-owned McDonald’s franchise operating 45 restaurants across Maryland, Delaware, Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., donated the funds for helping beginning farmers in partnership with UMES Extension. The program provides access to start-up use of land and agricultural training.
Diane Welburn and her husband, Craig (founder and chairman), have designated nearly 10 acres of a 45-acre Wicomico County farm for the project and provided seed money for the purchase of small-scale farm equipment needed to manage the site. A portion of the farm is in use as a business office for Welburn Management’s Delmarva Peninsula operations. Their daughter, Ashely, is the business’ owner and operator.
“As successful entrepreneurs of 40 years and in the spirit of philanthropy, the Welburns are extending the charitable arm of their business to support aspiring small-scale farmers,” said Berran Rogers, coordinator of UMES Extension’s Small Farm Program. “In turn, we will ensure producers have the skill-sets needed to implement sound agricultural practices.”
The focus, Rogers said, is on regenerative, naturally grown or organically grown agriculture. UMES extension specialists and faculty researchers will provide training in crop production, food safety, soil health, integrated pest management, marketing and business management.
A group of 10 qualifying farm fellows will be chosen to participate in the program. Potential participants are considered beginning or limited resource small-scale agricultural producers. Farmers selected will individually be allocated a half-acre plot of land on the Welburn’s farm where they will learn how to grow vegetables and select specialty crops. Growers will also be assisted in connecting to direct-to-consumer markets or businesses and agencies, Rogers said.
“Small farmers are the backbone of our agricultural system. Their passion for the earth and what it provides is what sustains and nurtures us. The Welburn family has always sought to work within our trading areas to support our staff, community organizations and institutions. We are delighted to be a part of this UMES endeavor to promote small sustainable farming,” said Diane Welburn, vice chair and director of philanthropy for their business.
UMES’ participation is funded through the Small Farm Program’s IFARMS 2 initiative as part of a three-year, $687,176 award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Collaborators, including ECO City Farms, the Around the Bay Farmers’ Alliance, and others, will also offer their assistance and expertise to participating farmers. The first growing season is slated for spring 2026.
Gail Stephens, agricultural communications and media associate, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, UMES Extension, gcstephens@umes.edu., 410-621-3850.
Photo submitted
From left, UMES Extension representatives Berran Rogers, coordinator for the Small Farm Program, and Dr. Nadine Burton, alternative crops specialist, met Welburn Management representatives Lynda Dashiell, executive administrative and accounting assistant; Diane Welburn, vice chair and director of philanthropy; and Lynne Snader, training manager; at the farm site in Wicomico County, Maryland.
