About Us
Mary’s Land Farm is located in beautiful Howard County, Maryland at 4979 Sheppard Lane, Ellicott City, Maryland.
In 2014, the farm was purchased by the Cunningham Family and has been a labor of love ever since. Daily, our team works to create and maintain a 160-acre balanced ecosystem of perennial plants and pasture that provides more food per acre than a standard monoculture farm. We apply standards that go beyond organic principles, and strive to minimize our use of fossil fuels.
The farm’s products include produce, pasture-raised chicken and pork, 100% grass-fed and finished beef, and chicken eggs. Customers also come in for other local specialty items, as well as Secolari Olive Oils, Balsamics, and Vinegars. As the farm’s perennial plants develop, we intend to provide nuts, berries, grapes, vegetables, and fruit in our Farm Store.
Regarding the land, you’ll likely notice swales and berms when you visit the property. These keep rainfall and other water on our property and out of Maryland’s overflowing and corroding waterways. These efforts help our plants and livestock, and helps to Save the Bay.
As for the livestock, you may notice animals out on pasture or pigs in the woodlands. None of our animals are contained during the spring, summer, and fall when they are much happier out grazing.
It’s also worth noting important methods used on the farm:
- Our staff uses organic chemicals only
- The non-ruminant animals eat certified organic grains along with what they graze
- The ruminant animals are 100% grass fed
Finally, if you’re like us, you probably learn best by seeing, plan a visit today!
Dear Mary’s Land Customers,
I was in the agricultural industry with my dad in the 1970s, but was away from farming until 2007 when I started raising layer chickens with my son as his first real job.
I became more and more aware and then more and more concerned about the impact of the environment on my children. This culminated with the birth and death of our seventh child who had Trisomy 18.
His hospice nurse made a very casual and life-changing comment. She said that, in thirty years as a hospice nurse, she never used to see a Trisomy 18 child. Today, even though many of these Trisomy 18 children are tragically aborted, her practice has many children with this disease. She concluded that it must be something in the environment.
John Paul, our seventh child, was a gift.
After his death, I began to pay more attention to the environment, but I didn’t really know where to start.
The next year, my eldest son Luis and I started the egg business at our new house in Florida. Some of our health-conscious customers would ask, “Are the eggs soy free? Are they organic?” These questions started waking me up to a larger gamut of health issues.
One bible verse hung with me and started to prick my conscience. Matthew 7:9 “Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone?” Was I feeding my children stones?
The truth is that I’d never put my children in an unsafe car, in a house with mold, or under a leaking roof. However, when I’d go to the supermarket, I’d find the cheapest chicken. From reading Omnivore’s Dilemma and other books, I knew how bad that chicken could be, but I choose to ignore it. I wouldn’t buy $10 organic chicken breast if I could find them for $1.50. This was wrong. I was handing my children what was worse than a stone when they asked for a loaf of bread.
Additionally, some of our children were running into minor health issues. We found many problems were fixable with diet and food. (It’s worth noting, however, that some product labeling can be downright dishonest).
There was only one way to guarantee good food for my family: we had to buy a farm! I read over 100 books and made 100 mistakes. I am sure I’ll make many more. Yet, every day we figure out a little bit more.
We are proud to share what we have built with you!
Sincerely,
Thomas Cunningham
Videos
Now Taking Pre-orders for Easter Hams and Lamb Roasts
Impress your guests with local & tasty Pasture-Raised Pork Hams or Lamb Roasts. Orders due March 22 for pickup March 23-30.