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During the 2004-2005 MAAFS Convention, Joseph C. Free of The Great Frederick Fair in Frederick, MD was named the Maryland Fair Person of the Year. Free has been a Board of Manager of The Great Frederick Fair since 1973, and has held all offices on the board, including president from 1984-1985. At The Great Frederick Fair, Free spends countless hours helping to organize the Farm Bureau Dairy Bar; running to Maryland State Fairgrounds to get a load of livestock stalls; serving as superintendent of the open class beef department; overseeing the Household Department; serving on the 4-H and Livestock Committees; diversifying the fair=s livestock program by including alpacas and Texas Longhorns; and helping to line up cows to give birth during fair week in the fair=s Birthing Center. He was instrumental and remains active in the organization of the fair’s popular tractor pull. One of his biggest commitments is the fair=s City Streets, Country Roads Ag Education Program started in 1996. He has been instrumental in getting that popular exhibit off the ground and now into its new and permanent facility. Free has supported the MAAFS being a loyal attendee and benefit auction financial supporter. Free has not only been a member of numerous community organizations, he=s been an /active/ member. Memberships and involvement include, but are not limited to: $ Frederick Jaycees where he has held numerous offices, including president; state director. He was instrumental in procuring a press box for a local high school for the 1970 International AAU Women=s Cross Country Track Meet and Pre-Olympic Trials. He also served as chairman of the Frederick Jaycees Outstanding Young Farmer Program. $ Frederick Evening Sertoma Club where he served as president. He was named Sertoman of the Year. $ Past member of the Maryland Agricultural Fair Board. $ Frederick County Farm Museum. Through this organization and the Frederick County 4-H Camp Center, Joe has organized many fundraising butcherings. With the camp center, Joe served on many committees and served as the organization=s president. $ Frederick County Planning and Zoning Commission for eight years. $ Frederick County Farm Bureau for more than 30 years. Today, he still serves as co-chair of the organization=s Service to Member Program. $ Maryland Farm Bureau member. $ Elected to the Farm Services Agency Board, serving as chairman. $ Farmers Cooperative Association Board of Directors. $ Frederick County Agricultural Society Inc. $ American and Maryland Hereford Associations. Member of the Maryland Cattlemens Association. $ Opening his farm to numerous youth livestock judging practices and school educational tours. $ Past PTA president of Yellow Springs Elementary School. $ Free is a member of Grace United Church of Christ in Frederick. He has served as Sunday School Treasurer, superintendent and deacon of the church. Career highlights for Free have included working and nuturing the farm he was born and raised on which is now in the city limits of the City of Frederick. Free dairy farmed with his father until 1980. In 1986, Sandy Hill Farm became a cow-calf operation using purebred Hereford and Angus breeds. Today, in addition to the beef cattle farm, Free and his wife, Eleanor and family farm 800 acres throughout Frederick County, raising hay, corn and soybeans. He considers it a career highlight that his wife, and daughter and two granddaughters are actively involved with the farm operation.