What Milburn Orchards does

Milburn Orchards is a fourth-generation, family-owned agritourism farm in Elkton, Maryland, founded in 1902 by Esma B. Milburn. The company operates as a single-location, direct-to-consumer destination spanning multiple buildings and fields along Appleton Road. Its core operations cover fruit cultivation using dwarf-tree orchards and an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system that computer-monitors insect populations, temperature, and humidity to reduce chemical application by over 60%, with cold storage powered by ammonia-based (non-Freon) systems and facilities supported by solar panels.

The business generates revenue through seven principal streams: the year-round Farm Market (June–December) selling Milburn-grown produce plus local goods and bakery items; the BIG BackYard outdoor entertainment area with gate admissions and tiered annual season passes ($18–$65); The Deck, an on-site lunch and ice cream restaurant; U-Pick Adventures across berries, peaches, apples, and cherries with per-person admission plus container pricing; seasonal festivals (Easter, Summer Harvest Parties, Fall Festival, May Play Days); adults-only After Hours events (21+); and group offerings including BarnYard private event rentals, school and group farm tours, and bonfire hayride parties, plus non-profit fundraiser programs. Ticketing and bookings run through TicketSpice and FareHarbor, with marketing via Constant Contact email, Facebook, and Instagram.

Customer segments are diversified across regional families and individuals (Mid-Atlantic visitors from PA, NJ, DE, MD and beyond), private event bookers, school groups, non-profit fundraiser organizers, and adults 21+. Pricing is low-ticket and unit-based, with the highest single transaction being a $440 large-wagon bonfire hayride party. The current operating generation is led by Jay Milburn (retail and mechanical operations), David Milburn (site and events), Melinda Milburn Palmeri (accounting, marketing, bakery), and Ilene Milburn (farm market and The Deck), with previous-generation co-owners Evan and John Milburn active in a retired capacity.

Name

Milburn Orchards

Legal name

Milburn Orchards

Website

https://milburnorchards.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1902

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Milburn Orchards is a fourth-generation, family-owned agritourism farm in Elkton, Maryland, offering U-Pick fruit, a Farm Market, the BIG BackYard entertainment area, The Deck restaurant, seasonal festivals, and private events to Mid-Atlantic families, schools, and adult visitors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agritourism & Farm Retail

NAICS

Fruit and Tree Nut Farming (1113), Apple Orchards (111331), Fruit and Tree Nut Combination Farming (111336), Nursery, Garden Center, and Farm Supply Retailers (444240)

SIC

Agricultural Production-Crops (100)

akta.pro primary industry

Stone Fruit Orchards (Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, Cherries, Apricots) (AFAGACAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cider & Orchard Fruit Production (Apples/pears for cider & processing) (AFAGACAJ), Farmers’ Markets & Farm Stands (Fresh Food) (CRAHAHAE)

Keywords

• U-Pick farms
• Agritourism experiences
• Farm market retail
• Fruit orchards
• Seasonal festivals

Headquarters

HQ city

Elkton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Farm Market Retail: Year-round (June-December) retail market selling Milburn's own produce, local produce, fruit butters, jams, jellies, local cheeses, meats, honey, sauces, bakery items, and gift items. Fresh Apple Cider available mid-September through December. Gift baskets and shipping-ready apple boxes during holidays.
2. BIG BackYard Admission: Admission-based outdoor entertainment area with attractions including hayrides, BarnYard Buddies, corn maze, playgrounds, and more. Seasonal pricing varies between summer/winter ($7 ages 2-59) and Fall Festival ($14+). Season passes available (Play Pass $35, Ultimate Pass $65).
3. The Deck Restaurant: Lunch restaurant serving variety of lunch favorites, snacks, and beverages. Hours vary seasonally. Menu items may vary throughout the season.
4. U-Pick Adventures: Customer-picked produce including berries ($3/person admission + container purchase), peaches, apples, and cherries. Containers range from pint ($7) to flat ($50) for berries. Apples priced at $11 online or $13 in person including admission and bag.
5. Private Events: BarnYard party rentals including pavilion ($150), tent ($130), or picnic ($110) spaces plus admission fees. Bonfire hayride parties ranging from $340-$440 per wagon depending on size. Fall festival weekend events at premium pricing ($21+/person).
6. Farm Tours: Educational tours for groups including summer tours ($9/person) with hayride, BarnYard visit, and ice cream; fall tours ($10/person) with cold storage, packing house, and produce. Group bookings with pizza lunch add-on available.
7. Special Events: Ticketed special events including Summer Harvest Parties ($8/person), Fall Festival weekends ($14+), Easter Festival ($10/person online), and adults-only After Hours events (Pick & Sip, Sunset Social). Breakfast with Easter Bunny at $26/person.
8. Fundraiser Programs: Fundraiser opportunities for non-profits including pre-selling apple cider donuts (10+ dozen at $10.15-$10.75/doz), pies (20+ at $14.36/ea), gift cards (30+ minimum for 25% discount), and BIG BackYard % gate admission flyer programs (15% of sales).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Milburn Orchards is a fourth-generation family-owned orchard and farm in Elkton, Maryland that grows and sells its own fruits and vegetables. The business operates a year-round Farm Market retail store, a BIG BackYard outdoor entertainment area, an on-site lunch restaurant called The Deck, and U-Pick fields where customers self-harvest berries, peaches, apples, and cherries. The farm also hosts seasonal festivals, private events, educational farm tours, and fundraiser programs for non-profits.

Product overview

Milburn Orchards is a fourth-generation family-owned agri-tourism farm established in 1902 offering a diversified portfolio of interconnected experiences. The core offerings include the Farm Market (retail shopping for produce, baked goods, and local products), the BIG BackYard (outdoor family entertainment area), and The Deck (on-site restaurant). U-Pick Adventures allow visitors to harvest their own berries, peaches, apples, and cherries directly from the orchard. The business generates revenue through seasonal event series including Summer Harvest Parties, the Fall Festival, Easter Festival, and May Play Days, plus adults-only After Hours events. Private group offerings encompass BarnYard Parties, Farm Tours, and Bonfire Hayride Parties available for booking through third-party platforms. Season Passes (U-Pick Pass, Play Pass, Ultimate Pass) provide recurring customer engagement with tiered benefits. Additional revenue streams include fundraiser programs for non-profits, gift cards, and holiday gift baskets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Farm Market Year-round retail market (June-December) offering Milburn's own produce, local goods, bakery items, fruit butters, jams, jellies, local cheeses, meats, honey, sauces, dressings, gift cards, and seasonal specialties including fresh apple cider and holiday gift baskets. Targeted at families and visitors seeking farm-fresh goods.
• BIG BackYard Outdoor family entertainment area featuring farm-themed attractions, playgrounds, BarnYard Buddies animal area, and access to various seasonal activities and events. Ticketed admission with season pass options available.
• The Deck (Orchard View Lunch & Ice Cream Deck) On-site restaurant and snack bar serving lunch favorites, ice cream, snacks, and beverages with orchard views. Operates seasonally during farm hours.
• U-Pick Berry Adventures Self-service berry picking experience for blueberries and blackberries with container pricing from pint to flat sizes. Available Wed, Sat, Sun seasonally.
• U-Pick Peach Adventures Self-service peach picking experience with container options from quart to half bushel. Seasonal availability varies based on crop conditions.
• U-Pick Apple Adventures Self-service apple picking experience available late August through October with online and in-person admission options, including scenic tractor rides and bag pricing tiers.
• U-Pick Cherry Adventures Self-service cherry picking experience with pint and half-peck container options. Seasonal availability varies based on crop conditions.
• Milburn's After Hours Adults-only (21+) evening event series featuring U-Pick experiences, live music, sunset wagon rides, and the Cider Bar.
• Summer Harvest Parties Themed summer events (Very Cherry, Berry Bliss, Peach Paradise) featuring live music, hayrides, pie eating contests, and farm activities.
• Fall Festival Autumn celebration featuring hayrides through orchards, corn maze, Boo Barn, Bale Trail straw maze, photo ops, and seasonal extras including paintball shooting gallery, pony rides, and Super Sling.
• Easter Festival Spring festival with egg hunts, Breakfast with the Easter Bunny buffet, hayrides, and prize tickets for children ages 2-15.
• May Play Days Springtime weekend activities in the BIG BackYard featuring BarnYard Buddies, Rat Race Track, GroundHog Hill, and playground access.
• BarnYard Parties (Private Events) Private event hosting in the BIG BackYard including pavilion, tent, and picnic rentals for corporate events, birthday parties, family reunions, and large gatherings with optional hayrides and food packages.
• Farm Tours

Quantifiable outcome

• IPM system reduces chemical application by over 60%
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hellerick's Family Farm: Doylestown, Pennsylvania family farm operating pick-your-own, adventure farm attractions, and fall festival events — closely comparable agritourism positioning.
• Wightman's Farm: Morristown, New Jersey family farm with pick-your-own fruit, farm market, and school/group tours — directly comparable U-pick-plus-retail agritourism offering.
• Fishkill Farms: Hopewell Junction, New York family-owned farm with pick-your-own fruit, farm store, cider, and seasonal events sharing the orchard-plus-experience business model.
• Alstede Farms: Chester, New Jersey family farm offering pick-your-own produce, farm store, ice cream, events, and educational programs — directly comparable full-service agritourism destination.
• Linvilla Orchards: Fourth-generation Media, Pennsylvania orchard offering farm market, pick-your-own fruit, hayrides, festivals, and on-site entertainment — the closest direct comparable business model and Mid-Atlantic market.
• Battleview Orchards: Freehold, New Jersey family orchard with pick-your-own fruit, farm market, bakery, and school tours — closely matches the Mid-Atlantic multi-revenue-stream orchard model.
• Carter Mountain Orchard: Charlottesville, Virginia orchard with farm market, pick-your-own apples, hayrides, and seasonal events run by a multi-generational family — same diversified agritourism operating model.
• Terhune Orchards: Princeton, New Jersey family-owned pick-your-own orchard with farm store, seasonal events, school tours, and special-event hosting covering nearly the same addressable market.
• Butler's Orchard: Germantown, Maryland multi-generational family farm with pick-your-own fruit, farm market, and seasonal festivals — directly comparable agritourism model in the same Maryland county region.
• Brecknock Orchard: Lancaster County, Pennsylvania pick-your-own orchard and farm market with seasonal events — directly comparable agritourism business in the same Pennsylvania region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/MilburnOrchards
• Instagraminstagram.com/milburnorchards
• Xx.com/milburnorchards
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/milburn-orchards

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Milburn Orchards