Cuddle Lambs, Sip Tea, Shop Winter Market For Valentine's Day At Howard Co. Farm

ELLICOTT CITY, MD — One of Marylanders' favorite places to pick pumpkins and trek through corn mazes in the fall also happens to be a hub of activity in the off-season, especially this month.

To diversify their operation, Mary's Land Farm offers a wide variety of activities and events year-round. Each month, there's an abundance of special activities for all ages at the farm. The 2026 season of lamb cuddling kicks off on Valentine’s Day weekend to fill everyone's hearts with love and snuggles.

"We have events happening every Saturday this month," Maria Listman with Mary's Land Farm told Patch.

There will be a Valentine's Day luncheon tea Feb. 14, Little Artists on the Farm - painting sheep will be Feb. 21, Comfort Winter Southern Italian Dishes class at the Inn on Feb. 28 and a family bingo fundraiser on Feb. 28, Listman told Patch. A winter indoor farmers market will take place on Saturdays throughout February, too, she said.

Other animal encounters include calf cuddling and goat cuddling, plus there's sunset walks around the farm twice a month in June through September complete with local wine and cheese options, an informative walk and discussions about ecosystem restoration on the farm.

In addition to hosting birthday parties and other special events on-site, Mary's Land Farm also is home to the Sunflower Festival where visitors can enjoy three acres of sunflower varieties, as well as the annual Fall Festival. They also host school field trips and camps that include farm camp, sewing and needlework camp, theater camp and a leadership program.

There's also three options for on-site cooking classes. The innkeeper and cook, Julie Webb, uses Mary’s Land Farm fresh ingredients and ancient grains to develop dishes easy enough to recreate at home. Jaime Brooke, a certified nutritional therapy practitioner for foundational nutritional cooking classes. Chef Alba offers a farm fresh and farm-to-fork culinary experience emphasizing the use of seasonal ingredients in her cooking classes.

Mary's Land Farm in Ellicott City now is run by the Cunningham family. Thomas Cunningham worked in the ag industry with his dad in the 1970s, then left farming until 2007 when he started raising layer chickens with his son as his first real job. After the death of his seventh child and the start of an egg business with his oldest son, the Cunninghams decided the only way they could ensure the children were eating healthy and affordably was to buy a farm.

So in 2014, the Cunninghams bought the 160-acre Howard County farm where they raise produce, pasture-raised chicken and pork, 100% grass-fed and finished beef, and chicken eggs. Customers also stop by for other local specialty items, including Secolari olive oils, balsamics and vinegars. They also grow nuts, berries, grapes, vegetables and fruit that can be found in their Farm Store, which is open seven days a week.

Those who want to stay on the farm can unwind at the Inn at Maryland Farm, which is an 1835 farmhouse with five guest rooms and suites, farm fresh breakfasts and the option to participate in a three-day farm immersion program during the summer.

Mary's Land Farm is located at 4979 Sheppard Lane O in Ellicott City.