“But where our hearts truly lie is in peace, and quiet, and good tilled earth, for all Hobbits share a love of things that grow.”
Shire Farm
at Hawk Hill on the Hundred Acre Wood
We are a family-run farm in Baltimore County, Maryland, specializing in farm fresh eggs and seasonal vegetables. We also offer speciality bouquets from flowers grown here on the farm or you can shop our large inventory of unique tropical house plants.
Future plans include an apple orchard, hives for fresh honey, a pumpkin patch, sunflower field, a flock of sheep for wool and cheese, a seasonal CSA, and harvested high quality horse and livestock hay.
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Your Questions, Answered
What makes your products special?
All of our vegetables are grown without the use of pesticides and toxic chemicals. Likewise our chickens are fed a healthy natural diet and live with access to a very large run, as free range as possible while staying protected from their many fox neighbors.
We are exploring the possibility of starting the organic certification process within the year, but plan on keep our neighboring “Hawk Hill” hay and future orchard operations separate from the organic label as we do use (as minimally as possible) pesticides and anti-fungals to keep our hay weed free and our orchard safe from pests and disease.
All animals and vegetables grown on our farm are sustainable, ethically handled, and produced in a way meant to mirror the natural cycles of nature. We are very conscious of our impact on the land and the health of our food systems.
How did all this start?
Chris and Katie Marquette are the husband-wife team behind Shire Farm. Katie grew up in Baltimore County on a horse farm. She enjoyed Pony Club, Eventing through the Preliminary level, and fox hunting with Elkridge Harford Hounds throughout her childhood and early adulthood. She has worked as a public radio producer and audio consultant but always felt called back to country life. She continues to take on audio contracts on a case-by-case basis as she stays busy with their two small children and helping to run the farm.
Chris grew up in the suburbs of Ellicott City, but was quickly thrown into the equestrian world when he and Katie met in college. He took over a forty-year old interior tropical plant design and maintenance business, Foliage Interiors Inc., in 2020 and has over a decade of experience working with plants and creating beautiful interiors in professional spaces.
When Katie’s father moved to the large acreage across from their small farmette in 2024, there was a real possibility to expand the farm beyond personal enjoyment. Both Katie and Chris have a real love for the land and are passionate about conservation and ethical farming practices. They decided to merge Foliage Interiors, Inc. with the farm business, continuing and expanding their love of ‘growing things’ and helping to bring fresh, quality food and beautiful plants to the local community.
Get in Touch
Other questions? Wondering where you can find us (upcoming farmer’s markets, etc.?) Get in touch!
