Local farms give us more than just produce; they are the backbone of southern Maryland. Forrest Hall Farm and Serenity Farm are two farms with strong roots and a big impact on the community. Their stories highlight the challenges and benefits of farming, as well as the importance of local agriculture in the area.
These farms have a long history in southern Maryland, spanning generations.
Forrest Hall Farm began as a tobacco farm. When tobacco farming stopped in 2000, they had to find a different approach to survive. They decided to welcome visitors to their farm by setting up a corn maze.
“At the time the question was, how to make one and if we build it, would they come,” said a representative of the farm. “We came up with a way to do a maze in a corn field and to everyone’s surprise they did and are still coming to the farm after almost a quarter century.”
Serenity Farm was established in 1965 by a family with farming roots that go back to the 1700s. They eventually built the Harvest House, a store that sells farm-raised meats, as well as other ways to connect with the community.
“My family has been farming in Southern Maryland since the mid-18th century,” said Franklin Robinson Jr., brother of Serenity Farm manager Theresa Robinson. “So we were born into it.”
Each day is unique on these farms.
At Forrest Hall Farm, work changes with the seasons. Winter is spent pruning trees and planning, while spring and summer are spent planting and caring for crops. Fall is the busiest season with grape picking, running the corn maze, and harvesting corn. However, one thing seems to stay consistent throughout the year.
“Seems like year round there is always something broken that needs fixing.”
At Serenity Farm, the entire family works together to ensure that everything gets done. A day always includes feeding and caring for the animals, followed by managing the on-site store The Harvest House, making hay, and giving school tours.
“A lot depends on weather too, good weather we’re outside, bad weather there are plenty projects to be done in the barn,” Robinson said.
Farming is hard work. Rising costs, fewer farm supply stores, and limited shops make it difficult to stay stable. Robinson highlights the other struggles that Serenity Farm has been facing as of late.
“The other challenge is advertising—getting folks to know we do sell farm-raised meat to the public, and the word out to schools and interested groups that we do tours on farm, and that we have a rental venue for parties, receptions, and meetings,” Robinson told me. “And, the cost of farming has risen while what we can sell our produce for has stayed stagnant or declined.”
Because local agriculture is what defines our community, both farms encourage people to support it.
“The public needs to support their local farmers by buying their produce, attending their fall activities and advocating for them to local governments. Some of the biggest pressures are development and the lack of markets to sell our goods,” said Robinson. “We live in the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area and farming is a huge part of that heritage!”
Forrest Hall Farm agrees with that sentiment.
“Agriculture is a very diverse and complex industry that sometimes is taken for granted. A large amount of land and resources is managed by less than 1% of the population to feed 100% of the population,” a representative said. “People would benefit from knowing more about the origin of and quality of the food they eat. Locally grown provides better quality food and benefits the local economy.”
Farms such as Forrest Hall and Serenity Farm offer more than just produce. They maintain southern Maryland’s heritage, culture, and economy. Supporting them means investing in the future of our community.
Visit the websites of Forrest Hall Farm and Serenity Farm to discover more about what they offer.