About Butler’s Orchard

Our History

Right after graduating, 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. (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. After earning a degree at the University of Maryland in Pomology (the science and practice of growing fruit), he returned to the farm. 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 Maryland Christmas Tree Association, to name a few. Wade wants all who come to the farm to experience what he sees every day. The joy of seeing the harmony between soil, plants, insects, air, and water that creates a product with health benefits that only just picked food can provide. 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 Manager, Hiring Supervisor

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 supervises the hiring of our employees and is committed to helping train staff to provide strong guest service.  She 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, the 4th generation, about the farm and their legacy.

Ben Butler

Farm and 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 children Beau and Libby in Damascus, and looks forward to living back on the Farm soon.

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. Her passions for art & photography mixed with her love of nature & being outside make Butler’s Orchard the perfect place to work! Julia is the person behind our website and social media, so if you’ve sent us a DM you’ve probably talked to her! You can also find Julia running around the Farm with her camera taking pictures of our crops and events, or down in our Market promoting new sales and products.

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.