development rights that was fundamental to the success of the Agricultural Reserve , allowed for no future development , protecting the farmland and allowing Robert and Linda their only way forward to purchase the farm . “ I have Jeremy Criss , Director of the Office of Agriculture , and Billy Willard , Sr . to thank for everything , for being there for us . Jeremy made everything ready ( regarding the easement structure ) when we went to buy the farm .”
If the current reality with the pandemic has any silver linings it ’ s about the community coming together and supporting local agriculture . Lewis Orchards has long – time loyal customers , generations of them who just keep coming , and many new customers who arrive every season . Demand is up . People are canning and freezing more . There is an urge to be more selfreliant , Linda believes . Safe healthy produce and the importance of preserving precious farmland have to be on everyone ’ s mind .
“ There ’ s no handbook for COVID , everyone is flying by the seat of their pants . Sometimes in farming you need to go a different way , or back up and start again . You finally figure it out .” Linda muses . “ Between Mother Nature , and COVID , we ’ re not in charge and can only do what we can do . With COVID , between the Montgomery County Farm Bureau and Office of Agriculture , we had excellent guidelines . They were sending us weekly — sometimes twice weekly — important information . That allowed us to get things right .”
As to the Lewis legacy , their oldest son Christopher , 36 , an youngest son Daniel , 27 , want to continue and they ’ re already working the farm , learning on the job the farm wisdom and practical knowledge being passed down from father to sons . “ I ’ m encouraged by any young person who wants to follow in my footsteps ,” reflects Linda , when thinking about whether the younger generations will become farmers . It ’ s hard work and for those who have it in their blood their life ’ s work .
On September 12th of this year the orchard closed for a day , the first time during the season . It was for a happy occasion : the wedding of son Daniel . Next day they were back at it !
We will be closing on November 25 for the season .
Since 1888 , Lewis Orchards has been a treasured part of Montgomery County life . Fourth generation farmers Robert and Linda Lewis own and operate the farm market , known for its fair prices and beautiful high quality produce .
18901 Peach Tree Road at the intersection of Rte . 28 ( Darnestown Road ) and Peach Tree Road
23 plenty I autumn harvest 2020
Dickerson , MD 20842 • 301-349-4101 • lewisorchardfarmmarket . com
plenty I autumn harvest 2020 23 plenty I summer growing 2020 23