Butler’s Orchard is a family-owned farm founded by George and Shirley Butler shortly after they graduated from college, when they purchased a 37-acre farm with a log house where they raised their family. The farm began with 25 acres of peaches sold to a local grocery store and from a small farm market under an apple tree behind the house. Today, Butler’s Orchard has grown into more than 300 acres producing over 25 varieties of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and trees.
The Butler family’s passion for agriculture runs deep. Three of the Butler children earned horticultural degrees from the University of Maryland and returned to live and work on the farm, helping expand the operation and shape its future. The farm’s story also reflects the legacy of family members who helped build its traditions. Todd Butler, who passed away in 2010, first began growing pumpkins as a high school project — an idea that blossomed into the beloved Pumpkin Harvest Days and Pumpkin Festival. Susan Butler, who passed away in early 2022, helped cultivate what became known as the “Butler Way,” a philosophy centered on personal connection and exceptional customer service.
The farm market has evolved alongside the farm’s growth. What began as a simple stand beneath an apple tree later moved into a former chicken house before the iconic red barn was built in 1964. Over the decades, the Butler family expanded the market’s offerings to include preserves, local honey, gourmet condiments, seasonal décor, cider, and more. By 1993, the original red barn was no longer large enough to serve the growing number of visitors, leading to the expansion of the farm market into the facility guests enjoy today.
Set among the rolling farmland of Maryland, Butler’s Orchard offers visitors the opportunity to experience the beauty of agriculture through pick-your-own crops, seasonal events, and a vibrant farm market filled with local flavors and farm-grown products. The farm continues to honor its roots while welcoming new generations of families to experience the traditions, harvests, and community spirit that have defined Butler’s Orchard for decades.
