Meet the Laytons

Update- the Layton family was honored to be named Farm Family of the Year and inducted into Maryland's Agriculture Hall of Fame on February 3, 2011. The dedication to farming demonstrated by Joe Layton and his family was recognized by Governor O'Malley and many other legislators and agricultural leaders at the Taste of Maryland event.

Click here to view a video with beautiful footage of Lazy Day Farms and Layton's Chance as Joe discusses a history of farming.

 

The Laytons have been farming in the Salem area of Dorchester County for several generations. The 1800 acres currently under their management is known affectionately as Lazy Day Farms. Joseph H. Layton, Sr. bought the original farm in 1948, and farmed until 1981. In the mid-70s, Joseph H. Layton, Jr. and Laura Layton purchased Lazy Day Farms, which they still farm today with their son William. Over the years they have raised cattle and tomatoes; today they grow corn, soybeans, wheat and grapes. William and his wife Jennifer Layton, and their children Stephen and Alison, live on the Home Farm which is also the location of the new winery.

In an effort to diversify their farming operation the family reevaluated their business, and a few years ago joined Maryland’s growing wine trade. They planted their first grapes in 2007, choosing to grow grapes hardy and well-suited to the Eastern Shore. The name Layton’s Chance comes from a family property nearby, an indication of the strong family history in the area.

While the vines were climbing trellises, the Laytons took on different aspects of the project. Joe, Laura, William and Jennifer each own a quarter of the winery and make decisions by consensus, however each family member plays a distinct role.

 

As the vineyards and winery grow however, so does the staff. Below we have introductions of some of the faces you'll see when you visit Layton's Chance.

Layton's Chance Winery & Tasting Room

Originally from Pittsburgh, Jennifer met William while both were studying at the University of Maryland. They married immediately after graduation, and she was eventually convinced to settle on the Eastern Shore.

For the first year of the winery's operations, Jen maintained a career as a Project Manager in Salisbury, volunteering her evenings and weekends for the winery. However, in February 2011 Jennifer became the General Manager for the winery, overseeing all winery operations. Her expertise in marketing and her practical thinking is essential to the success of the winery.

 

 

 

Laura Hill Layton, from Snow Hill, MD, is known throughout Dorchester County after having taught English here for 33.3 years. Although she retired from teaching in 2008, her life stayed busy as she took on full time office management duties for the winery. She maintains our accounts, payroll, and handles purchases and ordering.

Laura is devoted to reading and her grandchildren. We love having her calm demeanor in the office to patiently deal with whatever crisis comes up.

 

William Layton graduated from the University of Maryland with a business degree which he immediately put to use. Growing up, William spent most of his time working on the farm so he was happy to take a job with Toyota after college. He spent 8 years living in different U.S. cities and exploring life off the farm.

However, when the question of succession arose, William answered the call to return to farming. He is the Winemaker, as well as general manager of vineyard and farm operations. This photo shows William with his very first finished bottle of wine..

 

Jennifer Hoffman joined the winery in June 2011 as our Tasting Room Manager. She graduated from North Dorchester High School and shortly after married her high school sweetheart. Now, she and Jamie raise their two children just down the road from her childhood home.

Jennifer has a background in healthcare, both administrative and clinical. Her primary responsibility is the management of our tasting room, but she also works in the areas of distribution and promotions.

 

 

Richard Murphy, originally from Salisbury, began working with the Laytons in October 2009. After serving 9 years in the Marines, he now lives in Easton with his wife and 3 children.

Richard has experience in construction and property management, and now, in vineyard management. His primary role is construction and maintenance of the 12 acres of vineyard. Richard and the boys (Garland and Jon, see below) also work in the winery, making wine, cleaning tanks, and doing all the essential things needed to keep the winery running smoothly. In his free time he likes to go hunting and metal detecting.

 

Garland Smith is a resident of Cambridge, who graduated in 2010. He works in the vineyard and winery, and occasionally on the farm. His favorite jobs involve driving tractors but he also spends quite a bit of time in the winery, racking wine and cleaning tanks. In his free time he likes to work on cars and go hunting. Garland is also attending Chesapeake College, training to be a certified welder.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jon Brittingham came to Layton's Chance during the summer of 2011 as a temporary employee, but worked so hard, that we knew we had a full time position for him. Jon graduated North Dorchester High School in 2009. He works primarily in the vineyard and the winery but is always willing to pitch in wherever needed. When he isn't at work, he can be found on his skateboard or working on cars (a hobby he shares with Garland).

 

Lazy Day Farms

Joseph Layton graduated from the University of Maryland College of Agriculture with a degree in Agronomy, and he has been farming ever since. His careful attention has kept Lazy Day Farms productive for almost 40 years, a feat which he and his wife Laura were honored for in 2011 with their induction into the MD Agriculture Hall of Fame.

Joe continues to handle farm operations, while sharing ownership of the winery and participating in the decision-making process for winery operations. You might catch Joe running the back roads of Vienna early in the morning, a habit he maintains well enough to have run three full marathons!

 

Chuck Rohner has been working at Lazy Day Farms since November 2009. Although originally from Ohio, he has been settled in Dorchester for many years. He mainly works with Joe on the farm but can also be found driving tractors in the vineyard or helping in the winery. Feel free to ask him for a story- he's got a great collection!