Patricia Scott wins 2008 Athena AwaRD (cont.)
by Jack McLaughlin, HBL Editor

A little over a year ago, brothers Scott and Greg Krause bought Tharpe and Green Mill. Instead of setting out to put their own stamp on things, they chose to accept mentoring offered by "Mr. Dewitt" and to keep on long-time employees Clyde Brown, Jim Burkintine and Doug Davis, as well as Tharpe's sister, Louis Shirley, and Dewitt's son, Billy.

They also kept the mill's original name. "It has integrity and loyalty built over 50 years," noted Scott.

The mill's store remains chock-full of implements, parts and concoctions unique to growing crops and raising livestock. And just like when the mill opened in the late 1950s, the store remains a gathering place for farmers whose operations are shut down by inclement weather.

But don't think the duo won't make a few changes. Already, they've added fuel lines-propane, coal rice, coal nuggets and wood pellets-and expanded poultry sales with a chick-buying program.

The brothers brought with them experience operating a landscaping company that was situated just three doors down from the mill. They hope to increase the mill's appeal to gardening hobbyists by adding mulch and gardening supplies to their inventory and plan to install a second cold frame to support hanging plant and perennial flat sales.

Greg and Scott also recognize that drive-by shoppers are attracted to shinier, brighter, newer-looking businesses. As such, old-timers might notice (and, hopefully, forgive) a few new signs around the place.

"Farmers don't care how it looks. This has always been a no-thrills mill," said Greg.

Tharpe and Green Mill, LLC, operates the county's only remaining public scale, which is instrumental to its gristmill operation. Greg Krause explained the process.

"Grist is corn. Farmers bring in their corn and we weigh it," Greg said, pulling out a customer list that notes the empty weight of each of their trucks. "Grist is the main ingredient for feed in beef cattle. Based on the weight, we grind the corn and add other ingredients, like molasses and minerals, to make feed," he said.

While Greg waited on a customer who requested a special blend of pigeon feed made without corn, Scott offered a tour of the mill. He demonstrated filling and hand-tying feed bags and showed off a worn sliding-weight floor scale still used for weighing feed, seed and grist.

"Mr. Dewitt still owns this scale. When we can afford to buy a new one, Mr. Dewitt will donate it to the Maryland Department of Agriculture. They asked for him to donate it," Scott said.

Tharpe himself has been recognized by the state. In June 2007, the late State Senator J. Robert Hooper and County Council President Billy Boniface presented Tharpe a proclamation in recognition of his contribution to local agriculture. The Krause brothers invited long-time customers to join in the celebration.

The Krause brothers acknowledge the Harford County farming trade is reducing, rather than growing. Rather than see this as a problem, they recognize significant opportunity.

"There is still a niche that not many businesses are trying to serve," said Scott, adding, "We're one of the few left and that drives the market up."
He pointed out that the personal service Tharpe and Green Mill, LLC has always provided, and continues to provide, creates a niche.

"Our customers know they will deal someone they know, buy something backed by a warranty or a good handshake and that we will work with them if they call and have a sick cow or something and can't get here before closing," Scott said.

The one change long-time customers don't seem to recognize is that the mill is now open seven days a week and for longer hours on Saturday. "For 40 years, the mill was open six days a week and just 7 a.m. to noon on Saturdays," Scott said. "We are now open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. through the week, Saturdays 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m."