History

Belvedere Farm has been family owned and operated since the 1820’s. Through the years, its agricultural activity has evolved as the country’s need for locally raised farm products has changed. In the 1800’s, wool and grains were sold to local mills. In the early 1900’s, vegetables were grown for the canning industry and the Baltimore wholesale market. In the 1920’s, J. Maurice Harlan, father of the current owner, began a purebred Jersey dairy herd and continued that operation until the 1970’s.

In the 1980’s, Bill and Judy Harlan produced hay, field corn and summer vegetables that were sold at the farm. Their direct marketing of fresh vegetables was as a result of the demand of an expanding suburban population.

From the 1990s to 2007 the farm was a popular destination for preschool groups to learn about the basic concepts of agriculture and farm life. In the fall, families took their children to visit the farm and its animals, pick pumpkins, and to run in the corn maze.

The growing of field grown cut flowers began in late 90’s at the persistence of Judy Harlan and it became the farm’s signature product for the beginning of 21st century. Unfortunately, Judy passed away in early 2008, but her husband has continued her legacy of producing quality field grown cut flowers.