I saw well-respected people on the board who are reasonable, forward-thinkers with regional thoughts, which can be tough in this area. We started to look at the bigger picture and not many groups are able to do that. It’s hard to do.
Francis J. Hickman (Joe) was born and raised on the farm his family still owns in Kent County near Chestertown. He has actively supported Eastern Shore Land Conservancy since shortly after its founding, when he reached out to offer stewardship assistance in 1993. He has since served several terms as an ESLC board member, contributes to the ESLC Land Committee, and has co-chaired Party to Preserve along with his wife, Marianne. Hickman became involved with conservation work when he realized that his job as a farm management consultant depended upon being fluent in the conservation world in order to offer trusted advice to local landowners. Almost half of the 50 different properties Hickman manages and consults are currently preserved. Hickman has a B.S. in Biology from Hamilton College, has served as a board member for Forever Maryland, and has volunteered his time as a lector and member of the finance councel at Sacred Heart Church and as Chair of the Kent County Planning Commission. He and his wife live on Black Horse Flag Farm in Chestertown where Hickman enjoys the sunroom view looking over their restored wetlands and quail habitat.