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Keller-Brown Insurance Services
9 S Main St, PO Box 215
Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania 17361
Phone:  (717) 235-6891(717) 235-6891
Toll Free: (800) 785-7461(800) 785-7461

Customer Spotlight: Family Tree Farm

2021-03-02

Family Tree Farm Customer Spotlight

While they may be part of your family's Christmas traditions, Family Tree Farm has many seasonal offerings for locals, including fresh vegetables in the summer at their roadside stand and "Family Fun Weekends" in October with wagon rides, apple picking and a pumpkin patch. The farm has been part of Karen Doyle's family for more than 200 years, and they plan to continue expanding the farm's growing attractions.

Erin Gladfelter, Commercial Lines Supervisor at Keller-Brown, met with Rick Doyle, Karen's husband and one of the owners of Family Tree Farm, to learn more about the origins of the farm and how they continue to make a lasting impact on our community each year.

Erin Gladfelter: Tell us a bit about when you got started and how things have changed over the years.

Rick Doyle: Family Tree Farm began selling Christmas trees in 1995, and many families have since made choosing their tree from our farm a family tradition. This past year was the 26th year we've opened the farm to the public to cut their own trees. Over time, we kept planting more and more until at one point we had 60,000 trees. Additionally, we started selling vegetables from the farm stand in 2000, pick-your-own pumpkins and wagon rides in 2010, and, most recently, apples in 2013. We didn't envision everything we're doing now, but when you see people having fun, you come up with more things to complement what you do.

Erin: How do you make that sustainable?

Rick: You can work hard to mitigate exposures but there are always risks out there. When you are in the ag industry, your farm is not only your business, it's your home. There's much more at stake with a unique set of circumstances surrounding your coverage that must be understood. You have to stay on top of it and need an insurance partner, like Keller-Brown, who is, too. Being so closely connected to our livelihood is why we need someone with experience in farming risks - you need a trusted partner who can help you mitigate risks. You can't just go to anyone for agritourism insurance, you need a farm expert with a focus on agritainment.

Erin: What is your primary offer? And to whom?

Rick: Our primary offer is selling Christmas trees year after year to the local community. We have many families who made choosing their tree from our farm a family tradition since we began in 1995. We are thrilled to see a second generation continuing the tradition by coming to our farm to start their Christmas season.

Erin: What have you learned about your business that you would share with a younger version of yourself?

Rick: If I could go back, I would pay close attention to NAFDMA, an international association of people sharing what they do on their farms and information/ideas. I'd say don't be afraid to try new things and always research what's happening in the industry as it evolves. Ask customers what they like, then give it to them.

Erin: What's next for your business?

Rick: We've had lots of fun at the farm over the years, and we hope to be involved for several more. Family Tree Farm is a bicentennial farm, having been in the family for more than 200 years, and we see a bright future ahead with an expansion this fall with a couple of new attractions for our visitors.

Erin: What are some other businesses in the community you like to support?

Rick: We work with Risser Grain/Wenger for fertilizer and supplies, Saubel's, Peoples Bank, Keller-Brown Insurance Services, Hake's Farm and Seed Service in Winterstown, Atlantic Tractor and Deere Company, and get lots of pumpkins from the neighboring farm owned by Michael Jordan.

Erin: When is your favorite season?

Fall. It's the perfect weather. We reconnect with people we haven't seen for years, the trees are changing and the pumpkins bountiful. We're glad we did our normal season, even during the pandemic. It really made an impact on the families that came. Everyone was really happy the farm was open and they could get out. No issues, great year.

Erin: What do you like about working with Keller-Brown?

Rick: Long ago when I first started in real estate, I went to an attorney's office and saw a sign. It read, "An attorney's time and advice are his stock and trade." The insurance business is the same - you're getting paid for your time and advice. I value your team's time, expertise and advice in our relationship.

Family Tree Farm has been a part of our community for more than 200 years, and we're grateful for the opportunity to provide advice and support for their insurance needs. When you're looking for a family-friendly activity at any time of year, remember that Family Tree Farm has something for everyone to enjoy.

Website: https://familytreefarm.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Family-Tree-Farm-LLC-156961197651543

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/familytreefarmexperience/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgOzqZeyL0Pyf9-CR08Ao2A?view_as=subscriber

Phone number: (717) 332-6365

Address: 4688 Dairy Rd, Red Lion, PA 17356

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