The Broken Window That Built a Farmer

A Teenage Mistake Blossomed into a Lifelong Partnership and Thriving Maryland Farm

Photos and story by Andrea Haines

When Richard Addis of Bishopville, Maryland, was in tenth grade, a moment of frustration changed the course of his life. Tired of being provoked by a classmate on the school bus, he shoved the student and shattered a bus window. This incident brought him a bit of trouble, as well as a glimpse into what he later discovered to be his lifelong calling.

Richard’s mother suggested he work on the farm that the bus driver, Eugene, owned to make amends, and Eugene agreed. What began as punishment turned into mentorship, friendship, and eventually, a farming partnership.

“I was put to work knocking down sawdust in the chicken house corners, cleaning nests, and doing many chores,” Richard recalls. “I enjoyed the work. It reminded me of when I was younger and our neighbor would take me on tractor rides, which piqued my interest in farming, and it just grew from there.”

Eugene became more than a boss to Richard — he became a father figure. Richard credits him with teaching the fundamentals of farming, from planting to harvest planning. Even when Richard left in 2004 to serve in the U.S. Air Force, Eugene’s influence stayed with him. Stationed in South Carolina and working in Electronic Warfare Advanced Programs Division, Richard honed his skills in complex computer systems, leading him to work with NASA.

Those years of technical training proved invaluable when he returned to agriculture. “Tractors and machinery are just computers on wheels,” Richard says. His ability to diagnose equipment problems and even fix firmware bugs, like a faulty corn planter monitor, has saved time and money on the farm. The ability to transition from the service to civilian wasn’t hard for Richard as he always felt that he could continue his work, but in the fields.

Today, Richard and Eugene work side by side, farming about 380 acres of corn and soybeans. Eugene admires Richard’s fresh perspective, saying “He’s younger, more savvy, and brings skills I could never have imagined when I started out.”

Richard’s journey has taken him around the world, from various Air Force bases to South Korea, where he met his wife, Katie. Together, Richard and Katie are now raising three children — Annabelle, Emmitt, and Reese — on their farm.

Katie noticed the special bond between Eugene and Richard early on, and she doesn’t mind sharing her husband with his mentor. “Eugene and Richard are always up to something,” Katie shares. “They work long hours in the fields and can often be found having a bit of fun in the shop. Eugene has become an honorary grandfather to our kids, too.”

For Richard, farming isn’t just about crops. It’s about community, resilience, and carrying forward lessons from mentors like Eugene. Still, challenges remain. As a first-generation farmer, he cites the cost of entry and the scarcity of land as major hurdles.

“You’ve got to be creative,” Richard says. “Sometimes we’re what I call ‘highway farmers’, renting whatever land we can.”

Support from Farm Credit has been key in keeping the farm moving forward. “The customer service outweighs any discount you could get elsewhere,” Richard notes.

Doug Bennett, Farm Credit Ag Relationship Manager, has been one of many representatives that has helped guide the farm’s financial needs. Growing up on a vegetable farm himself, Doug understands the ups and downs of agriculture.

“That’s what makes Farm Credit different,” Doug shares. “It’s stable support in an unstable industry. We are able to assist where we can in a changing world.”

Richard often reflects on the unconventional start to his farming career. His advice to those hoping to follow a similar path? Find a mentor.

“You need someone in agriculture who’s willing to work with you or set a foundation for your plans,” says Richard. “That’s how you get started.”

For Richard, what began with broken glass has led to strong roots. With a mentor’s wisdom, a veteran’s technical skill, and the support of Farm Credit, his fields today stand as proof that unexpected beginnings can grow into lasting legacies.