Rob and Lucy Wood established Spoutwood Farm 45 minutes north of Baltimore in 1983. Coming to the rolling hills of southern York County, PA., they were inspired by the harmony and beauty of the landscape, and they wanted to share it. Abundant life was there and an abiding sense of peace, amidst the fertile variety of bottomland, steep-wooded hillsides, wetlands, meadows, and pastures.
Spoutwood Farm began as a dried flower and herb farm in 1988, holding some 60 classes a year teaching growing and using herbs, as well as demonstrating the fashioning of dried floral arrangements and wreaths. In 1991 Rob and Lucy published their book The Art of Dried Flowers, and for several years in the sizeable old chicken barn, they housed their popular herb and flower shop along with the workshop and classroom.
At the suggestion of a notable friend from the International Herb Growers and Marketers Association (IHGMA), Rob and Lucy initiated the May Day Fairie Festival in 1991. This celebration of the spirit, unity, and magic of all life lasted at Spoutwood until 2019. It became the largest faerie/fairy festival in the world (with a peak of 16,000 visitors and an average of 12,000 on the first full weekend in May). The Festival continues to spread the re-enchantment of life on earth as the May Day Faerie Festival in the Baltimore area in partnership with the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks.
In addition to the Fairy Festival and a 10-year Fall Harvest Festival, Spoutwood worked several acres of land in the front field into the first CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) in Baltimore and York County, PA areas (1996-2019). Membership in the CSA at its peak supplied local farm- fresh vegetables and a more intimate connection to their food supply and to those who grow it, and to the land, it’s grown on to 125 members. In recognition of the CSA in 2009 the York County AgriBusiness Council gave to Spoutwood Farm its Outstanding Ag Industry Award.
Spoutwood Farm Center is still a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit growing organic food for Rob and Lucy and an intrepid garden crew. The Farm is contemplating next steps in promoting and advocating for our carefully balanced and sacredly interconnected partnership with the natural world and with each other and all life.
Responses from those who would like to contribute to and benefit from the journey are welcome at spoutwood@comcast.net.