Travel down Broad Street and you’re sure to find an iconic building located next to the train tracks that are still in use today. What was home to the Southern States for many years is now home to Berlin Farm Supply. Owned and operated by local farm families, the Hudsons and Taylors, Berlin Farm Supply is now your one-stop-shop for all things farm plus local food!
The building itself dates back to the 1900’s when it was flanked on both sides with active train tracks. It is thought that the building was designed to work as a packing house for produce that was transported into town from the farms on Delmarva. The exact historical timeline for the building from the mid 1900’s and on is a little foggy, but we can certainly bring you up to speed to March 2016 when the Hudsons and Taylors purchased the store in an effort to bring new life to the building. Owner Alan Hudson, who is a 4th generation farmer, had been shopping at the Southern States for years for all of their farm’s needs so it made perfect sense for the families to jump at the opportunity to continue the tradition for local farmers.
Hudson gave us the grand tour through Berlin Farm Supply and an introduction to new products featured in the store. “Shoppers will able to find many familiar items that can be used for home, farm, and garden. We carry horse feeds in addition to dog and cat food. One of my favorite new products is the Beaverdam Dog Food, which is produced right up the road in Greenwood, DE. We’ve had a really good response from our customers for their product,” commented Hudson.
With a strong new focus on offering local products, shoppers will also find a great selection of produce that is harvested directly from Hudson’s cousin’s farm. The jams, preserves and pickled selection is produced by Hudson’s sister in Stockton, MD with produce that is grown right on their farm, Twin Oaks Farm. You can’t get more local than that.
Berlin Farm Supply also features local beef, which is produced on Hudson’s own farm – Romarlan Farm located in Berlin, MD. Hudson’s local beef selection includes sirloin steaks, rib steaks and porterhouse, just to name a few. The grain that is used to feed the cows is actually spent grain courtesy of Burley Oak Brewery. Across from the freezer that houses the beef from Romarlan Farm, you will find another freezer full of local pork products produced at Langenfelder Farms in Kennedyville, MD (just a few miles north of Chesterown). This selection includes pork chops, sausage and on the very special occasion – bacon! Make sure to like the Berlin Farm Supply Facebook page to be alerted as to when the fresh, local crabmeat is available for purchase. The local crabmeat is usually available in small batches and goes quickly. This one Facebook like may be your most important, yet!
Be sure to mark your spring calendars for a visit to Berlin Farm Supply to stock up on starter plants and seeds, which are appropriately stored and labeled in mason jars. You can rest easy knowing that your gardens will be supplied with plants that were germinated in our very own Eastern Shore soils.
Before we left Berlin Farm Supply, we asked Alan if there was anything that he would like to share with our ShoreBread readers; anything that we may have left out. Alan simply stated, “We just want to thank everyone for the support that we’ve received. I can guarantee you that if we don’t have what you’re looking for in the store, we will find it for you.” Well, thank you Alan, and to the Hudson and Taylor families for keeping the lights on in this very important landmark. We look forward to becoming regular customers of Berlin Farm Supply.
115 Broad Street | Berlin, MD 21811 | (410) 641-3600 | Facebook
