Photo by Bill Green Douglas Hawker introduces other members of his family that were selected recently as the 2007 Frederick County Farm Family of the Year at The Great Frederick Fair. Their farm, Walnut Ridge, is located in Middletown.

"They want their bread and milk but don't realize what it takes to get it on the table," said Hawker.

The Hawker family of Middletown was selected recently as the 2007 Frederick County Farm Family of the Year at The Great Frederick Fair.

"Walnut Ridge is a true family farm," said David Miller, the member of the Frederick County Agriculture Council who presented the award. "The family has participated in The Great Frederick Fair since 1947."

Walnut Ridge farm started in 1936. Douglas and Evelyn Hawker, along with their daughter, Pam Moser, own and operate the farm today.

Primary farm employees are Brandon and Amber Myers, Katie Moser, Wes Smith, Travis Beachley and Dan Moer. Other family members fill in when needed, especially during shows and the crop season. Farm workers milk 115 cows twice a day; the farm grows corn, wheat, barley and soybeans.

Farm life contributes to healthy, promising families, 67-year-old Hawker said, and it's a lifestyle the couple's four daughters enjoy.

"Agriculture is very important to us," she said. "It helps children in the farming business and we found that with children being on the farm, you don't have a lot of misbehaving. It just seems that those who stay on the farm -- farm families who work together -- tend to turn out well."

One daughter, Pam, works on the farm. Three others, and grandchildren, help whenever necessary, Hawker said.

"I can say we're very proud of our kids," she said. "And I'm very proud of my husband."

Douglas Hawker, 69, grew up on the farm.

The Hawker family began dairy farming with Guernseys and Jerseys. Maynard and Helen Hawker started the farm and had two sons, Robert and Douglas. Douglas married Evelyn Blank, and they had four daughters.

Their daughters, Debbie, Kitty, Pam, Dawn and their spouses Wayne, Mark, Danny and Jeff all have roles within the agricultural industry today. The Hawker family's 13 grandchildren and spouses play a key role in the farming operation, Douglas Hawker said.

They are: Dora and Dave, Paul, Brandon, Marisa, Sara, Amber and Travis, Ashley and James, Wesley, Katie, Hunter, Hannah, Josh and Lacy. Three great-grandchildren are the family's fourth generation: Dylan and Levi Moser and Riley Reese.

Walnut Ridge Farm has 200 dairy cattle ranging in age from birth to milking age. They are currently milking 115 cows twice a day. The cowherd consists of 85 percent Guernseys and the remaining 15 percent are Guernsey-Holstein cross, Brown Swiss and Jerseys. The Guernseys are registered and comprise the majority of the show cattle.

Walnut Ridge Farm owns and rents more than 400 acres and grows alfalfa, oats, timothy wheat, barley and corn. The primary use of the crops is to feed the dairy cattle.

In 2006, the Hawker family chose to keep the farm as a working operation for years to come by participating in the county's Agriculture Land Preservation Program.

4-H has been an important part of life at Walnut Ridge.

Helen and Maynard were 4-H members and passed on the importance of the program to their kids. All four of Douglas and Evelyn's children were active in 4-H; several grandchildren are 4-H'ers. Helen and Debbie have been honored as 4-H all-stars.

Membership of 4-H began the farm's showing career. Walnut Ridge has exhibited cattle at numerous local, state and national shows.

Hawkers are members of the Dairy Herd Improvements Association, Maryland-Virginia milk Producers Co-op, Frederick County Farm Bureau, Maryland Co-op Guernsey Breeders, American Guernsey Breeders, Frederick County 4-H, Middletown Valley Dairy 4-H Club, Evangelical Lutheran Church Zion in Middletown , and the Pleasant View Church of the Brethren in Burkittsville .