Runaway Bull Farm Focuses on Regenerative Agriculture
An aerial shot of last year’s corn maze at Runaways Bull Farm near Hagerstown.
By Rebecca Chaney
Nestled in the rolling hills of Washington County, Runaway Bull Farm, operated by first-time farmers Chris and Jaime Teague, have been successful with regenerative agriculture. The Teagues purchased their 100-acre farm in 2020 to have more room for livestock and crops.
“We had a small backyard hobby farm but needed more space to grow our livestock,” Jamie said. “As first-time farmers we are learning through trial and error while also developing relationships with experienced farmers.”
Also called “beginning farmers,” the Teagues goal was to focus on regenerative farming practices and agritourism. “Our regenerative agritourism approach highlights the paradigm shifts of connecting consumers with farms,” Chris says. “Rather than competing with nature, we’re partnering with it. Rather than disturbing the soil, we’re protecting it. We’re embracing crop diversity.”
The Teagues have implemented regenerative farming techniques in their pumpkin patch to minimize erosion. “We are utilizing cover crops, practicing crop rotation, applying fertilizers that enhance soil health, employing hand tillage, and reducing our reliance on pesticides,” the couple says. “We enrich the soil with compost made from organic matter grown on our farm. This approach is important because it helps restore the health of the soil and the environment, ultimately leading to more productive and profitable crops.”
A young guest at Runaway Bull Farm enjoys an up-close and personal experience with an Irish Dexter calf.
In the fall of 2022, the Teagues opened their farm to the public. Concentrating on the importance of agriculture education, they continue to think outside of the box, offering different events and opportunities. They grow 10 acres of pumpkins, have an eight-acre cornfield maze, and raise Irish Dexter cattle, a miniature dual-purpose breed, good for meat and milk.
“We offer a wide range of activities for visitors of all ages, including a corn pit, play garden, and fairy forest,” Jamie says. “Our wagon ride is designed to be enjoyable for both adults and children. Each weekend in the fall we feature a theme along with hands-on activities and events. One of our most popular events is Dog Trick-or-Treating, where dogs collect treats and toys throughout the farm.”
Another successful event is their Glow Maze. All attendees are provided with a free glow item before entering the corn maze at night. “We launched the agritourism segment of our farm to give visitors a real and engaging farm experience that reflects our values and commitment to sustainability,” Chris says. “Our goal is to create a friendly environment where guests can connect with the land and learn about farming. We want to avoid feeling like a commercial profit-driven business.”
The Teagues believe that agritourism is important because it helps consumers understand the origins of their food. “Spending a few hours on a farm teaches valuable life skills such as hard work and patience,” they say. “It fosters an appreciation for the long hours and challenging weather conditions that farmers endure daily.”
Visitors receive a fairy garden kit to create a fairy garden. This is just one hands-on activity at Runaway Bull Farm. Owned by Chris and Jaime Teague, the farm is open every fall for special events, field trips, and birthday parties.
The Teagues say first-time visitors to a working farm creates a life-changing experience for many people. “We’ve had the pleasure of witnessing many children and adults experience the joy of feeding a goat or petting a cow for the first time,” Jamie says. “These interactions often lead to discussions about farm life. The most frequently asked questions on the farm are, ‘Will all eggs turn into chickens?’ and ‘Do only bulls have horns?’”
The agritourism hosts like to use the term “homemade” to show the personal care and attention they put into everything they do. “From the crops we grow to the activities we offer,” the Teagues say. “We are proud of our environmental efforts, which include recycling and reusing materials for our activities.”
Opening their farm to the public has been heartening, according to Jamie. “We have witnessed children and families interact with nature, eager to participate in hands-on activities such as gardening, pumpkin harvesting, and animal interaction,” she says. “I enjoy building a relationship with farm animals, meeting their needs, and learning about their personalities. Every farm animal is raised with great affection. This allows me to appreciate the food we have grown on our property.”
The Teagues think there is a bright future for regenerative agriculture and agritourism. “I believe regenerative agriculture is becoming more widely adopted as this generation learns about its benefits,” Chris says. “However, it can be cost-prohibitive initially. We’ve observed that the first few years may not yield as much production from the fields, but once the nutrients are established, the crops thrive.”
According to the 2020 U.S. Census, about 30 percent of all producers in the U.S. were considered beginning farmers. The Teagues are proud of their regenerative practices and excited to watch their agritourism activities grow year after year.
While farm life is busy, the Teagues are quick to point out that their four children have helped make their farm a success. “They all help with livestock care, cleaning barns, planting, and harvesting,” Jamie says. “They all learned to drive and operate equipment at an early age.”