The tallest structure on our farm is the windmill, constructed in 1874, and it quickly became the logo for our farm because a windmill is something that harnesses power for a specific purpose. For many generations, the windmill harnessed the power of the wind to grind grain or pump water, but now in the 21st century, Willet Family Farm hopes to harness the power of agritourism to benefit every member of our community.
The Willet Farm survived many hardships including The Great Depression, the 1999 tornado that destroyed the barn, and cancer that claimed the life of family members too early. In 2006, The farm had to be sold outside of the family, but in an effort to honor past generations and preserve the heritage of what the farm stood for (faith, family and hard work), the farm was purchased in 2017 by Jeremy Willet (Grandson of Robert Willet who grew up on the farm) & his wife, Kathleen Willet, placing it back into the Willet Family. The 200 acres is a collective of farmland owned and farmed by the family.
On October 30th, 2017, the newly restored farmhouse burned down due to the improper installation of the fire-insert by a local company earlier that summer. What appeared as a major set-back to the vision of the farm, the family persevered believing the words found in Isaiah 43:19, “For I am about to do something NEW”, and began to rebuild in 2018.
In 2019, the new farmhouse was complete, along with a renewed commitment to create an inclusive environment where neighbors are invited to gather on a peaceful homestead with Pay-What-You-Can fruits, vegetables and free-range eggs, pond and stream, pasture for small livestock, walking trails, campsites, and event space for experiences that inspire change through partnerships with local and global organizations. Each interaction with the farm is tied to empowering global humanitarian efforts through global nutrition, clean water, and sustainable agriculture initiatives led by our partner, ChildFund International.
In 2020, Willet Family Farm took home the Grand Prize Carroll Biz Challenge Award and was named The Best Hipcamp Site in Maryland by Outside Magazine.
