Meet Renee Wilson

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Renee Wilson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Renee, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

I was blessed to grow up on my family’s fourth-generation dairy farm in northern Maryland. As “farm kids” my sister and I learned a lot of life lessons early on – the meaning of hard work, integrity, the circle of life, winners never quit, and life isn’t fair are some of them. One of my favorite parts of my childhood was owning a black and white pony, which we joke “blended in with the cows.” I fell off of that pony more times than I can count and I was expected to get back on and try again. I try to apply this attitude to everything I do. My small business has survived numerous hardships including COVID (2020/2021), a relocation (2021), a rebuild (2022), a barn that blew down in a storm (2023), and an attempted re-zoning request (2024). We’re currently on the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project’s proposed line. On days that running a business or life in general seems to be “that hard,” I rely on my faith and the people in my life.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I own a 40-acre farm at the Maryland-Pennsylvania line in Baltimore County, where I operate The Farmyard, my agritourism business. We are best known for making a positive impact on our community and giving families hands-on agricultural experiences. We hope our guests develop a genuine appreciation for farming, which is why admission is free during our general hours of operation. Since 2016, we’ve offered a variety of activities, including riding lessons, pop-up shops, doing chores, pick-your-own flowers, photoshoots, birthday parties, tractor rides, growing gardens, and on-farm classes.

The Farmyard LLC partners with Farmyard Friends Learning Center, a non-profit that focuses on rare breed conservation and additional agriculture education. Between the non-profit and The Farmyard’s staff, I oversee a team of about 50 people and welcomed over 7,000 guests to the farm in 2024. I love it when people make memories on the farm and call it their “happy place.”

I was inspired to create The Farmyard after a combination of experiences. I graduated from the University of Florida with a specialization in News. While I was reporting, I recognized misconceptions and misinterpretations regarding the agriculture industry and farmers and knew I could make a difference. When I was a teen, we took cows to a local studio for a Turkey Hill “Swirly Cow” commercial. I also attended a Ravens Football game as the Maryland Dairy Princess, where I promoted the benefits of drinking chocolate milk after physical activity. These encounters allowed me to think outside of the box when it came to making agriculture fun.

I’m an agritourism cheerleader and am constantly looking for new ideas. My aunt and uncle live in the United Kingdom. I enjoy traveling there to see what other farmers are doing. They’ve inspired me to continue to pursue on-farm food and walking paths to promote healthy living.

I’m excited to see where the next chapter takes us!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Leadership, critical thinking, and passion are the three qualities that have helped me grow this business.

As a child, I found myself leading groups and taking charge. I aim to lead by example and believe no job is beneath me. I like to say “people are my power,” but recently realized “people power me.” I naturally connect with others and thoroughly enjoy hearing their stories. I pride myself in knowing we have numerous team members, that have been a part of the “Farmyard Family” since 2016. I know The Farmyard might be only a stepping stone on their journey and I want to make sure it’s a great one.

I’m constantly looking for ways to improve myself, my team and our system. We do not stay stagnant. We play to our skill sets and see every weakness as an opportunity for growth. When working with animals and children, there are always unexpected happenings. We have to be quick on our feet, anticipate as many outcomes as possible, and adjust the situation accordingly.

I didn’t always want to be known as the “farm kid.” I refused to wear plaid and camouflage to school. My boots stayed on the farm and I wore shoes with heals to school as much as I could, but it became very clear I was finding myself naturally in agriculture courses. When I went to college, I studied news but chose stories that connected me with the outdoors and animals. I couldn’t stay away from it, so now I’ve embraced it. I do, however intentionally find ways to make agriculture interesting to those who may not see it as “cool.” I listen to my heart and intuition and let them guide me. We say farmers work in acres instead of hours, there is no such thing as clocking in in my position. I do it because I love it.

Owning a farm and running a business have challenged me to the core. Creating a clear mission and updating my business plan annually helped me channel my passion and create healthy boundaries. I would advise others to find a mentor and accountability partners. These people should be able to help you see the big picture when you’re caught “in the weeds.” They should be able to give you a boost on days when you’re down and identify your shortcomings without hesitation because they want to see you succeed. I surround myself with people who are better than me. I donate my time and sit on boards that contribute to local organizations.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

I have two incredible parents who continue to help during every creative endeavor. My father was a full-time dairy farmer until he sold the herd in 2015. He has kept a career and his love for farming. We work side-by-side at The Farmyard most days. We anticipate that he will give more than 100 educational hayrides this year. My mother is a teacher at a private school. She spends a lot of her summer break working in the gardens and flower fields. She is the queen of beautification projects at the farm.

Rather than giving me “things” growing up, they taught me lessons. They were honest, transparent and led by example. This prepared me for the long haul and I am a better person because of it. They also empowered me to take on real-life experiences from the beginning. I was leading cows in the show ring at age four, which created a sense of confidence like no other. Every adult should aim to empower their child. Children believe what they’re told, so plant positive seeds!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thefarmyardllc.farm
• Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/thefarmyardmaryland
• Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/thefarmyardmd/

Image Credits

Jeb Burchick, Blessings of Beauty Photography, Dee Prigel Photo