The holiday season is all about cozy moments, family fun and making memories. And for a lot of families, that special memory is picking out a Christmas tree together. In West River, there’s a place that brings that holiday magic to life — Holiday Memories Farm. For 10 years, this family farm has been offering folks a chance to create their own piece of Christmas joy.
The land itself has a rich history. Gary Palmer, the owner, bought the farm in December 2014. Before that, it belonged to the Crandell family, who owned it for an impressive 75 years. They were true homesteaders, growing everything from tobacco to vegetables and raising animals right on the land. “The Crandells both lived well into their 90s,” Gary says, “and by the time they passed away, their children were in their 70s.” The farm was a place of family tradition and hard work, and that’s exactly what Gary wanted to honor.
From a young age, Gary dreamed of owning a farm, especially a Christmas tree farm. Growing up, he spent time visiting family in Southern Maryland, where he loved helping out in the garden. “It was the responsibility of the children to help out with the garden,” he says, “but I loved being outside, planting seeds, weeding and harvesting when the crops were ready.” Those childhood memories stuck with him, and one day, he was determined to have a farm of his own.
But farming wasn’t Gary’s first career. He’s actually a retired firefighter from the DC Fire & EMS department, where he carried on a family heritage of public service. And even though he loved his job, he never forgot that dream of owning a family farm. “When I retired at age 50, I made a decision that I would find a farm that our family could create a Christmas tree farm,” Gary says.
When he finally found a place on Muddy Creek Road, it felt perfect… even if it was a bit of a stretch financially. But Gary had a vision. “I wanted the Crandell family to know our goal was to have a family farm just like their family,” he adds. And it worked — they accepted his offer. “Oh, I guess I forgot to mention I didn’t even tell my wife until after I made the offer,” Gary laughs. “Thank goodness we have been married a long time, and she knows me well.”
Owning a farm was a whole new world for Gary, and he didn’t take it lightly. He dove into learning everything he could, taking classes and attending workshops with groups like Future Harvest and the University of Maryland Agriculture Outreach. He even found ways to bring more to the farm beyond just Christmas trees. Today, Holiday Memories Farm offers fresh eggs and seasonal pick-your-own blueberries and blackberries, peaches, figs, herbs and vegetables.
And when it comes to Christmas trees, Gary is all about sustainability. “We plant Christmas Trees every year to have a sustainable supply for each season,” he says. Every year, new trees are planted, making sure there’s a healthy, eco-friendly stock ready for families during the holiday season. According to the Maryland Forest Service, popular species in the state include balsam fir, Scotch pine, white pine, Noble fir, White spruce, Douglas fir and Frazer fir. It takes an average of seven years for a Christmas tree to grow before harvesting.
Holiday Memories Farm has grown into an experience beyond just tree shopping. Now in its third year of hosting a holiday extravaganza, the farm goes all-out for the season. Families can cut their own trees or pick from a selection of pre-cut ones. And there’s more: handcrafted goods from local artists, food trucks, a petting zoo and even a life-sized gingerbread house where Santa himself waits to hear everyone’s Christmas wish lists.
The holiday events at Holiday Memories Farm draw visitors from across the region, and beyond. Gary loves welcoming both regulars and new visitors, and he says, “Our family will be there to greet and assist our guests and provide a truly holiday memory experience.”
Hungry for more? Read about a Christmas tree farm in Middletown. Find a Christmas tree farm near you.
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