#PeoplesGivesBack
Congratulations to Julie Dougherty, owner of Oxbow Farm LLC in Parkton, Maryland, on being one of our Redeem Your Dreams winners! She won $1,000 to put toward her dream of establishing a small pick-your-own blueberry orchard on a portion of the farm.
Oxbow Farm’s Story
After relocating from Ohio to Maryland, Julie and John Dougherty put down roots in Parkton by purchasing a charming farm in 2020. While John is an economics professor at a local university, Julie has extensive experience in managing farms and has a background in agroecology – a sustainable way of farming that works with nature.
In the spring of 2021, Julie officially formed Oxbow Farm LLC, which is named after an oxbow curve in the stream located on the property. The mission of the farm is to develop a financially sustainable farm model for offering healthy produce, hospitality, and educational opportunities to anyone in need. They currently operate a farm stand that sells their local produce, as well as farm fresh eggs.
In the next few years, Julie plans to double their chicken flock and start a CSA or “community supported agriculture” program for the community. She also plans to make Oxbow Farm a gathering place for community groups and neighbors. Eventually, her dream is to be able to produce enough to be able to donate to other organizations who help fight hunger in their community.
Julie plans to use the $1,000 to start a pick-your-own blueberry orchard on some acidic soil, which is a great environment to promote blueberry growth. Adding a high value berry crop to their current fruit and vegetable production would help bring in more income to sustain their mission and provide a hands-on experience for people of all ages. The funds will enable them to plant blueberries on approximately a quarter acre of land, which will take 2-3 years to bear fruit.
Congratulations, Julie! We can’t wait to see how Oxbow Farm grows.