Our History
Right after graduating college, George and Shirley Butler purchased a 37-acre farm with a log house, where the Butler family grew up. Initially we grew 25 acres of peaches and sold them to a local grocery store and at our own small farm market. Now, we have more than 25 varieties of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and trees on over 300 acres! Three Butler children earned horticultural degrees from the University of Maryland and lived and worked on the family farm (while the other sister chose the corporate life!). Sadly, the family lost Todd Butler in 2010. He started growing pumpkins as a High School project and this led to our popular Pumpkin Harvest Days and Pumpkin Festival traditions. Susan Butler passed in early 2022. Her dedication to personal connection and supreme customer service became an integral component of the Butler Way.
The Farm Market
Our Farm Market started under an apple tree behind the log house selling peaches. Later, it moved to a former chicken house that still stands on the property as a garage. The red barn was built in 1964 and over the years we increased the variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables we grew and sold. In the 1970’s, we began selling additional products in our Farm Market, including preserves, local honey, gourmet condiments, seasonal decorative items, cider, and more! In 1993, we outgrew our original red barn and expanded the Farm Market to the current facility that you can visit today.
THE BUTLER’S ORCHARD TEAM
Wade Butler
Farm Owner
Wade is the Farm Owner and a second-generation Butler. Wade’s passion for agriculture is evidenced by his many years of successful farming and the growth of Butler’s Orchard, as well as through his local community work. Over the years, he has served on the boards of the Montgomery Soil Conservation District, Montgomery Agricultural Advisory Committee, and the Montgomery Agriculture Producers, to name a few, and in 2024 received the honor of being named as a Master Farmer by the MidAtlantic Master Farmers Association. Wade wants all who come to the farm to experience what he sees every day: the joy of the harmony between soil, plants, insects, air, and water that creates a product with health benefits that can only be provided by just-picked fresh fruits & vegetables. When not at home with wife Angela (with whom he just celebrated 45 years of marriage & who is credited as “making it all possible by backstopping everyone throughout the years”), Wade can be found out on the farm at all hours of day and night, observing the plants and soil so he can better attend to their needs.
Tyler Butler
General Manager
Tyler is a third generation Butler. He graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Horticulture and Crop Production and returned to the farm. He oversees all aspects of the Farm and Market and is eager to extend the success of the business. Tyler enjoys educating the local community about agriculture and the Orchard and has a passion for providing great customer service. You’ve probably seen him on our social media as “Farmer Tyler” giving crop updates, in the Market talking to customers, and even helping out with service in our Farmer’s Porch Kitchen!
Hallie Butler-Van Horn
Purchasing & Personnel Manager
Hallie is a third-generation Butler. She worked off the farm for several years, gaining experience in guest service, retail management, and human resources. Hallie oversees the hiring of our employees and is committed to helping train staff to provide strong guest service. She also manages the ordering of products for our Farm Market and enjoys finding new products to share with our customers. She is happiest out in a strawberry field sharing with her daughters, part of the 4th generation, about the farm and their legacy.
Ben Butler
Farm & Finance Manager
Ben is a member of the third generation of Butler’s. He returned to the family farm after graduating from the University of Maryland with a degree in Horticulture and Crop Production in 2010. Ben is responsible for day to day farm operations, crop production and long-term planning as well as overseeing the financial health of the company. He feels a personal commitment to be involved and give back to the community that has supported Butler’s for over seven decades. Ben has an endless desire for knowledge and is dedicated to growing the finest, most nutritious fruits and vegetables possible for his family and yours. He strives to advocate for the agricultural industry by staying active in the Montgomery County and Maryland agricultural communities. Ben is proud of our agricultural heritage and humbled by the legacy and reputation of the Butler name within the community. Ben lives with his wife, Amy, and three children in the original Butler Farmhouse where his Grandparents began the Family Business in 1950.
Erica Seib
Office and Events Manager
Erica joined the Butler’s Orchard team in 2016, returning to the workforce after being a stay-at-home mom. Erica’s various responsibilities keep her busy mainly in the office, but she most enjoys working with our corporate clients and other customers helping them plan and enjoy their events on the Farm. When not coordinating an employee event, an evening hayride, or other special occasions at the Farm, Erica enjoys cooking for her family, cheering on the Washington Capitals and spending time with her dogs & horses.
Julia Wieseckel
Marketing Coordinator
Julia joined the Butler’s team in 2021, after graduating from University of Maryland with a degree in Studio Art and a concentration in Graphic Design. Julia is the person behind our website & social media, plus she answers the phones, so you’ve probably talked to her! If she’s not in the office, you can also find Julia around the Farm behind the camera of the Farmer Tyler videos, or in the Market taking pictures of our fresh produce! Outside of work, Julia and her husband spend time in their garden, camping, playing D&D with friends, or in the company of their two cats, Basil & Zelda.
Angi White
Market Manager
Angi joined the Butler team in 2016 and boasts an extensive background in retail management, customer service, visual merchandising, and inventory control. Angi is passionate about insects, pollinators, animals, nature, and the surrounding communities. She uses her passions and hobbies to help educate and inspire the “Butler’s Best” in our employees. Angi is responsible for the day-to-day operations of our Farm Market, hiring, training, and planning, as well as supporting the Butler family farm with various management needs.
Gina Giantonio
Agritainment Manager
Gina is a “local homegrown girl” who has lived from one end of Montgomery County to the other! She attended Frostburg State University and graduated with a double major in Health and Physical Education and a double minor in Health Fitness and Coaching. Gina joined the Butler team in 2018 and manages all things fun on the farm including Birthdays, Festivals, & Special Events. You will see her greeting customers in her trademark hat and sunglasses followed by the enthusiastic motto, “Teamwork makes the dream work!”
Jonathan Frith
Pick Your Own Manager
Jonathan was born and raised in Laurel, MD and has been working at Butler’s Orchard on and off since 1986. After graduating from the University of Maryland, he lived from coast to coast, including Miami, LA, and the Rocky Mountains, before returning to the farm full time in 2008. As our Pick Your Own Manager, Jonathan coordinates all the daily picking activities at the farm. Whether it’s on a dirt bike, tractor, or on foot, you’ll find him out in the fields living his dream of never wearing a tie to work.