ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball yesterday was joined by Maryland Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Steven Connell and Mickey Day’s family members to announce the County’s Office of Agriculture’s (OoA) New & Beginning Farm Complex, has been named “H. Mitchell ‘Mickey’ Day New and Beginning Farm Complex” after prominent and beloved Howard County agricultural community member and leader, Mickey Day. Photos of the event can be viewed on the Howard County Government’s Flickr website and video on the Howard County Executive’s Facebook page.
Leadership, mentorship, friendship, and someone who deeply cared for the people, the land, and the community, those are just some of the threads that Mickey Day wove together in the amazing tapestry of his life here in Howard County. Throughout his life, Mickey held many roles. From his early days as a 4-H member, to serving as a member of the West Friendship Volunteer Fire Department – where he rose through the ranks, and became president of the Howard County Volunteer Firefighters Association and Howard County Fair Board, Mickey was a pivotal figure in western Howard County. While he may no longer be with us, Mickey was a cherished member of the community, whose legacy will forever be felt by the generations to come.
“This new and beginning farmer complex dedicated to Mickey Day shows the commitment from the County to the farmers here in Howard County,” said Maryland Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Steven Connelly. “I really think it's going to bring some exceptional success for the new and beginning farmers that go through this program because it's right here at the same place as the AgCenter complex.”
Located on the grounds of West Friendship Park at 12985 Frederick Road, the H. Mitchell ‘Mickey’ Day New and Beginning Farm Complex will house OoA’s New & Beginning Farmer Program and an area where 4-H’ers can raise honeybees. This area will consist of space for storage, for hives, and for training and education on both honeybees and native bees.
I think Mickey would be very proud and very pleased to have his name associated with Howard County agriculture in this way. It's a beautiful sign. It's a beautiful facility. He would be very proud.
OoA launched the County’s first-ever New & Beginning Farmer Program in 2025, to support aspiring farmers as they build profitable and sustainable farm businesses in Howard County. Designed to address some of the biggest barriers facing new farmers, including access to affordable land, equipment, infrastructure, and technical knowledge, the program provides participants with:
- Access to farmland;
- Shared equipment and a shard greenhouse;
- Hands-on production experience; and
- Business development support.
“Mickey was deeply dedicated to the agricultural community. He cared about farmers, about young people, and about making sure agriculture had a strong future in Howard County. He gave so much of himself to this community because he truly loved it.,” said James Zoller, OoA Administrator. “The H. Mitchell ‘Mickey’ Day New and Beginning Farm Complex will help us continue that work and grow the agricultural community that Mickey cared so much about.”
At the H. Mitchell ‘Mickey’ Day New and Beginning Farm Complex, approximately 16 acres of deer-fenced growing space, including 30 quarter-acre plots with water access to each plot, has been set aside for program participants. Additionally, OoA has partnered with the University of Maryland Extension of Howard County and Howard County Economic Development Authority to provide program participants with technical education, field training, and one-on-one guidance to help build viable pathways into agriculture. In its first year, the program began with seven farmers and has since expanded to 10.
“The future of agriculture in Howard County depends on giving the next generation of farmers a real opportunity to build successful businesses here,” said Jennifer Jones, CEO, Howard County Economic Development Authority. “By providing access to land, equipment, training, and business support, this program helps lower some of the biggest barriers to getting started. Naming this complex for Mickey Day is a fitting tribute to his lifelong commitment to agriculture, service, and the Howard County community.”
“In a world where many people are far removed from family farms and may not know where their food comes from, Howard County has been innovative in supporting agriculture in many ways,” said Sheryl Bennett, County Executive Director, University of Maryland Extension of Howard County. “One example is this new and beginning farm complex in honor of the memory of Mickey Day.”
Moreover, in his Fiscal Year 2026 budget, Ball included $100,000 to install a wash/pack station at the Complex where program participants and Howard County farmers can wash and package their produce onsite to ready it for the retail market.
The designated New & Beginning Farmer Program and 4-Her’s honeybee areas are just the beginning of support programs to be offered at the Complex. As the Complex evolves, OoA plans to have a classroom/meeting room, expand shared equipment for farmers, and research other ways to support 4-H’ers with livestock projects.
About Mickey Day:
Howard Mitchell “Mickey” Day was born on April 21, 1961, in Frederick, Maryland to Howard Calvin Day and Eileen Mullinix Day. After graduating from Glenelg High School, Mickey earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland’s College of Agriculture.
As a youth, Mickey was a 4-H member and became a Howard County 4-H All Star. Throughout his lifelong 4-H career, he raised many livestock projects, was instrumental in starting the Howard County 4-H Beef Club, and was part of the 4-H livestock judging team attending national competitions and later serving as the team’s coach.
In 1977, Mickey joined the West Friendship Volunteer Fire Department (WFVFD), where he rose through the ranks over the years, from Firefighter to Emergency Medical Technician, First Lieutenant, Captain, Deputy Chief, and Chief, a position he held for 25 years until his passing. In his role as Chief, one of Mickey’s key accomplishments was the relocation of WFVFD’s Station 3 from Frederick Road to its new facility at the corner of MD 32 and 99. When not at WFVFD, Mickey also served as an instructor with the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute and as president of the Howard County Volunteer Firefighters Association.
In addition to his 4-H and WFVFD roles, Mickey was also a part of the Howard County Farm Bureau, the Howard County Farm Preservation Board, and the Howard County Fair Board. He sat on the Fair Board since 1983 and during his tenure, sat on several committees and served as Board President for multiple terms. He was also the Vice President and General Manager of his family's business, Farm and Home Service, with locations in Sykesville, Ellicott City, Brunswick, Taneytown, and Poolesville.
Ultimately, Mickey was a farmer at heart, helping on the family farm as needed from baling hay to running the stack wagon, fertilizing the fields, or any other job required to run a farm and help his family. Sadly, Mickey passed away on January 2, 2024 at the young age of 62.
Here’s What Others Had to Say:
- David Yungmann, Howard County Councilmember – “The loss of Mickey was deeply felt by me personally and by the entire Howard County community. As a friend, mentor, and dedicated advocate for the farm community, the fair, and our volunteer fire service, he helped shape the vision for this Agricultural Center. Dedicating this space in his memory is a fitting tribute to Mickey’s enduring legacy and commitment to the future of agriculture in Howard County.”
- Gordon Wallace, Jr., Deputy Chief, Department of Fire and Rescue Services – “Mickey was a great leader, a dedicated public servant, and, to me, an even better friend. It is a privilege to be here today to honor his legacy and to celebrate the lasting impact he had on the people and community he served.”
- Jim Moxley IV, President, Howard County Fair Board – “Mickey’s dedication to the Howard County Fair drove its success for many years. Simply put, he was always there when the fair needed him.”
- Leslie Bauer, President, Howard County Farm Bureau – “The Mickey Day New & Beginning Farm Complex will serve as a vital hub, connecting new producers with resources, guidance and community. It will help them start, sustain, and grow their operations. At a time when aspiring farmers face so many barriers, this complex will provide a pathway to help new farmers get off to a strong start.”
- Erica Jones, Farmer/Participant, New & Beginning Farmer Program – “For a farmer building a farm from the ground up, access to land is everything. The HoCo New and Beginning Farmer Program has given farmers like me more than a place to grow food ... it has given us a place to grow our businesses, our knowledge, and our connection to the community. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to build Local Harvest Fields here and to be part of the future of meaningful agriculture in Howard County.”