CLARK'S ELIOAK FARM LLC

What CLARK'S ELIOAK FARM LLC does

Clark's Elioak Farm LLC is a privately held, seventh-generation family farm and agritourism operator based at 10500 Clarksville Pike in Ellicott City, Maryland. The Clark family has farmed continuously in Howard County since 1797 across 540 acres enrolled in county and state farmland preservation programs. The petting farm operation opened in September 2002 and runs seasonally from late March through early November, offering interactive animal encounters with goats, sheep, cows, horses, ponies, and poultry, alongside more than 100 restored attractions from the original Enchanted Forest storybook park (1955-1990s) including the Castle, Three Bears House, Old Woman's Shoe, and Willie the Whale. Revenue is generated through per-person admission ($8), à la carte rides and activities ($1-$15), birthday party packages ($11-$13 per person), and educational field trips ($9.50-$15 per child), supplemented by an on-site Castle Store retail outlet and an online store selling merchandise, season passes, gift certificates, and chemical-free seasonal produce.

The business serves families with young children as the primary segment, with schools, daycares, homeschool groups, and community/family organizations as secondary segments. Distribution is entirely direct-to-consumer through on-site sales (no online ticketing), a seasonal roadside produce stand, a Community Supported Agriculture program (paused for 2025), and online merchandise ordering. Grassfed beef and pastured pork product lines, previously a revenue stream, are currently on extended production pause. The farm is led by Martha Clark (sixth generation) and Nora Crist (seventh generation), with Nora's husband JR Vese joining operations in 2025 alongside the introduction of the eighth-generation family member.

Strategic positioning rests on heritage and regulatory moats: the unique physical collection of restored Enchanted Forest attractions, the 228-year family farming legacy, and the protected farmland status create durable differentiation within the Baltimore-Washington metro agritourism market. Recent product extensions (Fairy Forest 2020, 'Working on the Farm' play area 2026) and recurring revenue mechanisms (season passes, gift certificates) indicate measured capacity expansion, while the suspension of beef/pork lines and CSA pause for 2025 reflect deliberate focus on the highest-margin agritourism activities. The operation relies on standard marketing channels including Facebook, Instagram, email newsletters, and the Howard County Tourism partnership, with no disclosed technology, automation, or data-driven systems beyond a basic e-commerce storefront.

Name

CLARK'S ELIOAK FARM LLC

Legal name

Clark's Elioak Farm LLC

Website

https://clarklandfarm.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Clark's Elioak Farm is a seventh-generation family farm in Ellicott City, Maryland operating a seasonal petting farm and agritourism destination with restored Enchanted Forest storybook attractions, rides, birthday parties, educational tours, and chemical-free produce serving families, schools, and community groups in the Baltimore-Washington metro area.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agritourism and Family Farm Attractions

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130), Nursery, Garden Center, and Farm Supply Retailers (444240), Hog and Pig Farming (11221)

SIC

Agricultural Production-Crops (100), Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Agritourism Eco-Lodges & Farm Nature Stays (THAAAHAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Farm-to-Consumer Produce Boxes / CSA Delivery (AFAIANAC), Organic Produce & Farm Market Retail (CRAHAEAD), Farmstead & Local Artisan Food Markets (Retail Shops) (CRAHAGAO)

Keywords

• Agritourism farm attractions
• Petting farm experiences
• Educational field trips
• Birthday party hosting
• Farm produce retail

Headquarters

HQ city

Ellicott City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Agritourism Admission: Visitors pay admission to access petting farm animals, Enchanted Forest attractions, Fairy Forest, play areas, slides and picnic areas. The farm is open seasonally March through November.
2. Ride and Activity Fees: Additional revenue from Enchanted Express Train ($5), Hay Wagon Ride ($3), Cow Train ($3), Pony Rides ($3), Gem Mining ($8-$15), and other activities.
3. Castle Store Retail: On-site gift shop selling Enchanted Forest books, souvenirs, toys, and farm merchandise both in-store and online.
4. Roadside Produce Stand: Seasonal roadside stand selling homegrown vegetables and herbs, open July through Labor Day, 11am-6pm daily. Also offers Cut Your Own Flower Garden.
5. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): CSA shares offering weekly produce distribution during growing season. Currently on pause for 2025.
6. Birthday Party Packages: All-inclusive party packages with reserved picnic areas, hay wagon rides, animal tours, and optional add-ons like pony rides and gem mining. Seasonal pricing: $11/person (Spring/Summer), $13/person (Fall).
7. Educational Field Trips: School and group tours with various packages including garden tours, petting farm tours, nursery rhyme tours, and gem mining experiences. Pricing from $9.50-$15 per child.
8. Grassfed Beef and Pastured Pork: 100% grassfed beef and pastured pork sold year-round at Castle Store. Currently on extended break from production but continuing to sell remaining inventory.
9. Season Passes: Annual season passes for unlimited admission: Family of 2 $75, Family of 3 $105, Family of 4+ $140.
10. Gift Certificates: Gift certificates available for free admissions, rides, or dollar amounts for use at the farm.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Clark's Elioak Farm operates a seasonal agritourism destination (open March through November) combining an interactive petting farm with over 100 restored Enchanted Forest storybook park attractions, offering admission-based visits, birthday party packages, educational school field trips, gem mining, pony rides, hay wagon rides, and seasonal events. The farm also sells chemical-free produce through a roadside stand, seasonal CSA shares, and operates the Castle Store retail shop with merchandise and children's books on site and online.

Product overview

Clark's Elioak Farm is a seventh-generation family agritourism and farming operation offering a diversified portfolio of products and services. The core experience combines a traditional petting farm with interactive animal encounters and the restored Enchanted Forest storybook attractions (originally from the 1955 park). Visitors can purchase day admissions, season passes, or gift certificates, and participate in fee-based activities including gem mining, pony rides, hay wagon rides, cow train, and Enchanted Express Train. The farm operates a seasonal produce stand and CSA program selling chemical-free vegetables and herbs, while also historically offering 100% grassfed beef and pastured pork (currently on pause). The Castle Store provides retail merchandise including Enchanted Forest memorabilia, Trusty the Tractor children's books, and farm products. Birthday party packages and educational field trip tours are key service offerings. The farm's seasonal calendar includes spring events, the Fairy Forest experience, sunflower showcase, and fall pumpkin patch with Halloween activities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Petting Farm Admission Seasonal interactive petting farm featuring goats, sheep, cows, chickens, ducks, rabbits, turkeys, emus, horses, ponies, and donkeys, accessible to visitors with $8 per-person admission (age 1+). Open March through November.
• Enchanted Forest Storybook Attractions Collection of over 100 restored fairy tale attractions from the original 1955 Maryland Enchanted Forest storybook park, including the Castle, Three Bears House, Old Woman's Shoe, Crooked House, and Willie the Whale, included with general admission.
• Fairy Forest Interactive nature trail featuring fairy houses, storybook circle, butterfly decorations, and hidden forest elements, included with general admission.
• Birthday Party Packages All-inclusive birthday party packages including reserved picnic areas, hay wagon rides, animal tours, and optional add-ons such as pony rides and gem mining. Seasonal pricing $11/person (Spring/Summer) and $13/person (Fall), with minimum guest counts and non-refundable deposits.
• Educational Field Trips and Tours School, daycare, and homeschool group tours with multiple package options: Garden Tour ($11/child), Petting Farm Tour ($9.50/child), Nursery Rhyme Tour ($13/child), and Gem Mining Tour ($15/child). Minimum 10 children for group rates.
• Gem Mining Experience Flume-based gem mining activity where visitors purchase bags of Mine Rough to wash away sand and discover gems and minerals, with an identification guide. Priced $8-$15.
• Farm Produce Stand and Cut-Your-Own Flower Garden Seasonal roadside stand selling chemical-free homegrown vegetables and herbs, plus a Cut Your Own Flower Garden. Open July through Labor Day, 11am-6pm daily, across from Iron Bridge Wine Company on Clarksville Pike.
• Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program Subscription-based CSA program offering weekly produce shares during the growing season. The 2025 CSA is currently on pause.
• Castle Store and Online Shop On-site and online retail store selling Enchanted Forest merchandise, Trusty the Tractor children's books, season passes, gift certificates, and farm products.
• Annual Season Passes Annual passes for unlimited farm admission during the operating season, priced by family size: Family of 2 $75, Family of 3 $105, Family of 4+ $140.
• Gift Certificates Gift certificates available for specific packages (free admissions, rides) or dollar amounts, redeemable at the farm.
• Trusty the Tractor Children's Book Series Children's books written by Martha Clark about Trusty the Tractor adventures at the farm, illustrated by Tara J. Hannon. Includes 'Trusty the Tractor' and 'Trusty the Tractor's Day Off'.

Quantifiable outcome

• Voted #4 best thing to do for kids in DC Metro area 2025
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Howard County Tourism and PromotioncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial tourism partner providing promotional support and visibility for the farm as a Howard County destination. The partnership supports marketing efforts and visitor referrals for the agritourism operation.
• Horse Discovery CentersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaryland-based horse education organization. Partnership supports equestrian programming and horse-related activities at the farm.
• Kids Out and About DC MetrominorGTM or Marketing PartnerMarketing partner providing visibility to DC metro area families as a top destination for children's activities and family entertainment.
• Kimco Realty CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDonated all Enchanted Forest attractions to the farm, enabling the restoration and preservation of Maryland's beloved storybook park legacy. This was the critical partnership that made the Enchanted Forest restoration possible.
• George W. Miller, Jr. CocoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction company that rebuilt and restored multiple Enchanted Forest structures including the Three Bears House, Old Woman's Shoe, and the white entrance Castle. Major contributor to restoration efforts since 2006.
• Mark Cline of Enchanted Castle StudioscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFiberglass restoration specialist who rebuilt and restored numerous Enchanted Forest characters including Willie the Whale, Little Toot, and all storybook figures. Donated Ole King Cole character to the new Castle.
• Clark's ACE HardwareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal hardware store that has donated paint supplies for many years to maintain and keep all Enchanted Forest attractions colorful and vibrant.
• Preservation Howard CountymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistorical preservation organization that identified the Enchanted Forest as an important county landmark and has provided financial and organizational support for restoration efforts.
• Howard County Economic Development AuthorityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEconomic development organization that has worked with the farm over the years to promote agritourism operations and diversified farm activities.
• Howard County Historical SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistorical society that provided vintage photos from early Enchanted Forest days and continues to support the mission to preserve the storybook park attractions.
• ExCel Tree ExpertsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTree and landscape company that donated equipment and labor to move multiple Enchanted Forest structures including the Sombrero, Beanstalk, and Willie the Whale to the farm.
• Signarama ColumbiaminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSign company that designed and donated banners, farm map, and signs for the Enchanted Forest preservation efforts and 60th Birthday Celebration.
• The Harrison FamilycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal creators and owners of the Enchanted Forest storybook park. Family members, especially Linda Harrison Gardner, have actively worked on restoration efforts since 2004 and served on planning committees.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Maryland Sunrise Farm: Carroll County, Maryland CSA and farm market operation with agritourism events — comparable agritourism and chemical-free produce model in adjacent Maryland geography.

Direct peers

• Sharp's at Waterford Farm: Brookeville, Maryland agritourism farm offering school field trips, farm market, and seasonal family events in the close-in Maryland suburban market.
• Summers Farm: Boonsboro, Maryland agritourism farm featuring fall festivals, corn maze, pumpkin patch, and family attractions in the broader Maryland region.
• Great Country Farms: Bluemont, Virginia agritourism farm offering pick-your-own produce, CSA, fall festivals, and family attractions — a near-exact operating model to Clark's Elioak Farm across the DC metro catchment.
• Butler's Orchard: Germantown, Maryland pick-your-own farm and agritourism destination with seasonal festivals, farm market, and educational programs serving the same suburban Maryland/DC demographic.
• Homestead Gardens: Davidsonville, Maryland garden center and farm market retailer with seasonal events and family programming — overlapping produce-retail and agritourism positioning.
• Larriland Farm: Woodbine, Maryland pick-your-own farm with seasonal agritourism activities, school tours, and fall harvest events operating in Howard County's adjacent market.
• Cox Farms: Centreville, Virginia agritourism destination with seasonal festivals (Fall Festival, Fields of Fear), farm animals, and rides — a similar scale outdoor family attraction model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ClarksElioakFarm
• Instagraminstagram.com/clarkselioakfarm

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 CLARK'S ELIOAK FARM LLC