C. Rodman and M. Jean Ogle Myers with Community Foundation Founder Don Linton and Community Foundation Trustee Dennis Black.

Thurmont Residents Open New Agriculture Fund

April 29, 2008: Long-time Thurmont residents C. Rodman and M. Jean Ogle Myers have farmed the land they love since even before their marriage in 1955. Farming is in their blood. In fact, Mr. and Mrs. Myers met at the Creagerstown 4-H Club more than 50 years ago.

The couple has been very active in agricultural-related organizations and community groups. Members of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Mrs. Myers is also the director of St. John’s Christian preschool. Both were awarded outstanding Young Farmers by the Maryland Jaycees in 1968, and Master Farmers by Pennsylvania Farmers Magazine in 1978. They have been active members for over 50 years of Thurmont, Frederick County, Maryland State, and National Grange. And, Mr. and Mrs. Myers were instrumental in organizing the Thurmont and Emmitsburg Community Show, Catoctin FFA and Catoctin FFA Alumni in 1957 to develop an outstanding farm show for youth and adults in the Catoctin area schools.

Along with their children, Patty, Cheryl, Robert, and Andrea, the Myers family was the first of three farm families inducted into the Maryland Agriculture Hall of Fame in 1991. And, Mr. Myers served 42 years as director of Thurmont Cooperative and has been a lifetime member of Catoctin FFA Alumni and Maryland 4-H All Star. He is also a member of Frederick County Tax Appeals Board.

“Family farming is essential to everything we do,” said Mr. Myers, reflecting on his more than half-century of service to improving lives through farming. “I cannot imagine a better way of helping others than through farming and service to our community.”

The Myers’ commitment to farming and to being of assistance to others led them to create The C. Rodman Myers and M. Jean Ogle Myers Fund at The Community Foundation of Frederick County to provide grants to educational, therapeutic, and/or agricultural-based organizations such as The Frederick County 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program and The Maryland FFA Foundation.

“We are happy to be able to continue giving back to the community,” said Mr. and Mrs. Myers, “and are glad that agricultural organizations will be helped.”

Generous citizens like Mr. and Mrs. Myers who seek to create positive and lasting change through philanthropy turn to the expertise and credibility of the Community Foundation to create funds that are the catalyst for change in Frederick County. Since 1986, the Community Foundation has awarded more than $17 million in grants and scholarships.

Secure, online donations may be made to The C. Rodman and M. Jean Ogle Myers Fund.  To do so, click here. Checks made payable to The Community Foundation of Frederick County with the Fund’s name in the check’s memo line may be mailed to 312 East Church Street, Frederick, Maryland 21701. All donations are tax-exempt to the fullest extent of the law.