Mayne’s Tree Farm is a cherished part of Frederick County, a beloved destination for families all year round and an icon of the County’s agricultural landscape. 2026 marks 60 years since Mehrl Foye Mayne left the dairy business and transitioned the farm to Christmas trees. Today the farm is still best known for its beautiful Christmas trees, but it also has seasonal offerings year-round including strawberries, asparagus, sweet corn, and pumpkins—both for pick-your-own customers and wholesale buyers.
Mehrl’s father purchased Mayne’s Tree Farm in 1956 when his previous property was lost to the construction of I-270. A decade later, the family transitioned from dairy farming to Christmas trees, and in 2000, Mehrl’s son, Mehrl Franklin Mayne, officially took over, adding vegetables and expanding the farm’s offerings. “We invested everything back into the farm,” Mehrl recalls, highlighting the dedication that has kept the operation thriving and providing local food to Frederick County.
One of the most pivotal decisions in the farm’s history came in 1984 when Mehrl’s father placed the property into a Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) easement. After losing one farm to development, he was determined to protect this one. This foresight ensures the land will remain agricultural forever.
Today, that commitment to preservation continues. At the end of 2025, Mehrl and his wife Julie began transitioning the farm to his son Jason, who will officially take over this spring. Jason plans to maintain the farm’s successful operations while introducing fresh ideas to help the farm continue to thrive now and into the future.
The MALPF program was one of the first agricultural preservation programs created in the United States and has become one of the nation’s leaders by preserving more agricultural land than any other state in the country. In Frederick County, 28,384-acres are protected under MALPF easement, the 4th highest total in the state.
Visit our website to learn more about MALPF, including how to apply and protect your legacy – https://www.frederickcountymd.gov/8571/The-Maryland-Agricultural-Land-Preservat