TRIADELPHIA LAKE VIEW FARM: A Six-Generation Family Farm Serving Howard County for Well over 100 Years - Howard County Farmers' Markets Profiles, No. 3

"At TLV [Triadelphia Lake View Farm], we believe in treating our patrons like family," says Linda Brown. "Our farm has been in our family for over 100 years." Triadelphia Lake View Farm started out as a dairy farm in 1896 by the Brown family who milked 100 dairy cows daily.

When Linda and Jimmy Brown got married in 1969 and bought the farm from Jimmy's parents, they never thought they would get away from milking cows, because it was the only thing that Jimmy's family did!  However, 19 years into their marriage, Jimmy, a fourth-generation dairy farmer and Linda, sold their dairy cows and took the leap of faith to save the family farm by starting a Christmas tree farm.  In addition, they started focusing on growing quality vegetables and pumpkins.

In 1988, the Brown family planted their first batch of Christmas trees and as Mother Nature does, she bestowed a drought upon those trees and killed every tree that the Browns planted.  Jimmy, the tenacious farmer that he was, didn't let Mother Nature kill his spirit and replanted Christmas trees the following year in 1989. This was the start of TLV Tree Farm. Since then, year after year, the Browns have planted Christmas trees and the farm now has over 50,000 trees ranging from seedlings to ready-to-cut. To learn how to plant and care for Christmas trees, the Browns joined the Maryland and National Christmas Tree associations.

In 1993, the Browns' son, Jamie, came back into the business full-time to grow vegetables and Christmas trees. In addition, he continued in the hay business with the Browns life-long neighbors, Pete and Buck Clark of Edgewood Farms.  

After years in the Christmas tree business, Jamie knew that the best place to grow Fraser firs was in North Carolina where the soil and climate conditions are just right.  So, in 2007, in order present the best Fraser firs for TLV Tree Farm’s patrons, Jamie expanded the Christmas tree operation and started growing Frasier firs in North Carolina.

In 2010, the Browns expanded to sell their farm-raised pork, beef, lamb, chicken and eggs to the public. The family had already been selling vegetables, fruits, pick-your-own pumpkins and cut-your-own Christmas trees. Today, Linda, Jamie and Jen run the family farm from which they have decided to offer CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) shares to the community again. (At one time, the Browns offered CSA shares and will offer them again to provide their customers with a variety of seasonal, fresh-from-the-farm products.)   Linda, Jamie and Jen have unique skill-sets that are necessary to operate the family farm and with in their integrated approach, it all works very well.

The Browns employ two full-time employees who help on the farm with the markets. “Christine and Robert have worked for us for years,” says Jen, “and they understand our family values and the values the Brown family wants our customers to see.”

“Christine is the face oat the market,” continues Jamie. “She’s been doing the [farmers’] markets for three years now and really enjoys it.” Christine is majoring in fitness/health and nutrition.  She enjoys talking with customers about the difference in farm-raised vegetables and meats versus store bought products. Robert has an undecided major, but has been at the markets for the past year. A bit shyer than Christine, Robert has been around animals and vegetables his whole life.  A couple interesting facts about both of these fine people – Christine is fluent in sign language and Robert is fluent in Arabic!

In October and at Christmas-time, the Browns enjoy help from Gayle and Ernie - two friends of the Brown family who have been helping for 15 years at the farm. Ernie serves as the Brown family’s Santa at Christmas and has been featured in Howard Magazine as one of the best Santas around. Ernie really enjoys seeing the children. One year, an adult came up to Jen and asked, “Do you know who is driving the tractor to the pumpkin patch?” Jen replied, “Yes, why is there a problem?” The customer said, “No, I just realized after eight years of coming here that Santa drives a tractor in October!”  Then, Jen and the customer both shared a laugh which ended with the customer saying, “Wow! This is really a family farm!” The Browns love to share laughs with customers.

“Everyone on our staff is committed to ensuring that your visit with us is a success,” says Linda. “That is why we provide high quality products at reasonable prices.” At Triadelphia Lake View Farm, the customer always comes first. TLV quality produce includes winter and spring squash, tomatoes, sweet corn, potatoes, okra, Indian corn, asparagus, cabbage, kale, collards, eggplant, peppers, green beans, yellow beans, salad mix, lettuce heads, spring onions, sweet onions, arugula, fresh herbs, flowers of many varieties, fruits, watermelon, cantaloupes, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and pumpkins (carvers, specialty, mini and many traditional varieties). Year-round, beef, lamb, chicken and eggs are also offered.

During the holiday season, TLV offers its customers fresh-cut and cut your own Christmas trees: Douglas Fir, Canaan Fir, Concolor Fir, Balsam Fir, White Pine, Blue Spruce and White Spruce in addition to the Fraser Firs that they grow in North Carolina.  TLV provides high quality products at reasonable prices.

“All is not without challenges,” says Jamie. Deer has been a constant challenge for the Browns. “We work so hard to grow the crops then when we are sleeping, the deer come and eat our crops including the Christmas trees.” To lessen this frustration, the Browns are deer fencing the farm. They started this year and hope to finish next year so that the deer have no way to sneak into the crops. “This will give us more opportunity to grow different crops because we won’t have to worry about the deer having a feast,” continues Jamie. “Many other farms have done the same and see many benefits in completing deer fencing."

“We know the next generation is interested in farming, but not if Jamie and Jen will be farming,” reflects Linda. “We hope it gets a little easier to farm in Howard County for the future generations.” The Browns are involved with the Howard County Farm Bureau and other organizations so they can hear and provide opinions on what the future for farming could be in Howard County and for future generations. “The boys,” the sixth generation, says Linda, “are enrolled in 4-H and are learning more about agriculture, what it takes to care for animals, and what it takes to be involved in the community.”

“The boys are already taking on roles to help our family out with the day-to-day activities and the care of babies as they are born here on the farm,” says Jen. “The most memorable moment was when one of our two boys came inside while I was pregnant with our third and said, ‘Come quick! I think the ewe is having triplets and needs help!’ So, Linda and I ran outside to see and sure enough, she was having triplets and was in need of help. The two of them helped get towels and other supplies so that Linda and I could pull the babies [lambs]; they all survived with the help of the boys.”

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Triadelphia Lake View Farm was one of the pioneers at the Howard County Farmers' Markets when the markets first started. Today, TLV Tree Farm is at the Howard County Farmers' Markets on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays selling everything from fresh vegetables and fruit to pork, beef, lamb, chickens and eggs.

At TLV (Triadelphia Lake View Farm) we believe in treating our patrons like one of the family. Our farm has been in our family for over 100 years. That is why we provide high quality products at reasonable prices. Everyone on our staff is committed to ensuring that your visit with us is a success! At Triadelphia Lake View Farm the customer always comes first.

TLV Tree Farm can be found on the web at www.tlvtreefarm.com. In addition, patrons may follow TLV on facebook.