MECHANICSVILLE, Md. — The Dixon Family Farm will host its third annual Lavender Days Festival on June 14-15, 2025, at its 55-acre property in St. Mary’s County, Southern Maryland. The event, a celebration of the farm’s blooming lavender fields, wildflowers, and regenerative farming practices, will feature live music, food trucks, local craft vendors, and educational talks. Tickets, which are non-refundable for the rain-or-shine event, include a welcome bag with a $10 farm store coupon, access to lavender field tours, and a distillation demonstration. Sunday, June 15, is designated as Kids Day, offering a petting zoo and face painting at no additional cost.
The festival highlights the farm’s transition from generations of tobacco farming to sustainable practices. Owned by Jeff and Claudinne Miller, the disabled veteran-owned Maryland Century Farm has deep roots in St. Mary’s County, dating back to the 1600s. “We’re a disabled veteran-owned Maryland Century Farm with deep roots in St. Mary’s County, now growing fields of lavender, wildflowers, and more on our 55 acres,” the farm’s website states. The Millers purchased the farm in December 2019 from Jeff’s aunt, Joan (Dixon) Bailey, and have since focused on environmental conservation and regenerative agriculture.
Visitors can expect a range of activities, including informational talks by the farm’s expert beekeeper and livestock experts. The farm’s 26 rescued animals, including Margy the donkey, Sugar the Highland cow, and a flock of Southdown Babydoll sheep, play a key role in soil regeneration. “Margy (Margarita) was the first to arrive on the farm in June 2023,” the farm notes. “She retired from a career in a mobile petting zoo and now spends her days grazing and keeping everyone else in line.” These animals, many of whom will be featured during the petting zoo on Kids Day, contribute to the farm’s mission of restoring soil depleted by historical tobacco cultivation.
The festival also offers floral workshops and a shaded lounge area for relaxation. Food trucks and local craft vendors will provide dining and shopping options, while live music enhances the atmosphere. The farm’s lavender lemonade slushie, a popular treat, will be available at the farm store alongside other products like cut flowers and botanicals. Tickets can be transferred to others if attendees are unable to participate, ensuring flexibility for visitors.
The Dixon Family Farm’s history is a point of pride, with the property remaining in the family since the 17th century. Jeff Miller, whose mother was a Dixon, and his wife Claudinne have worked to preserve this legacy while modernizing the farm. The Dixon brothers, Jimmy and Raymond, cousins of Jeff’s mother, have shared traditional farming knowledge, particularly from Raymond’s father, R. Johns Dixon, a locally renowned farmer. This expertise has informed the farm’s conservation-focused practices.
Before focusing solely on farming, the Millers briefly operated a bed and breakfast on the property, which closed in January 2025 due to doubled property taxes and high commercial insurance costs. “The good news is that the farm business has flourished, and farming is what we love the most,” the farm’s blog states. The couple, who previously lived in Europe, returned to Maryland in 2019 to restore the farm, which had fallen into disrepair with a leaking roof and overgrown fields.
The farm’s team includes family members like the Millers’ daughter Shelby, who assists during visits from Florida, and their son Jarod, who returned in June 2024 with his wife Mariia, a tattoo artist from Kyiv, Ukraine. The farm’s animals, each with distinct roles, add charm to the festival. For example, Henrietta the Corgi serves as the “In-House Dog Coordinator/Herder,” while Baby Donkey Daisy provides “Comedy Relief” with her playful antics.
Located on the banks of the Patuxent River, the Dixon Family Farm operates seasonally, offering U-Cut flowers and farm store shopping during the summer. The Lavender Days Festival is its flagship event, drawing visitors to experience the beauty of its fields and the warmth of its family-run operation. With its focus on sustainability and community, the festival promises a memorable weekend for attendees of all ages.
