Our Story

In 1939, Jim Dickey purchased a plot of land out in the "middle of nowhere", or at least that is how it was described by Jim's law partners. This plot of land would later become Dickey Farm, 300 acres in Western Howard County, central to Washington D.C., Baltimore, and Frederick.

Jean R. Dickey

James W. Dickey

In 1946, Jim Dickey married Jean Round. Over the next 21 years, their family grew and the farm remained a dream. Then, in 1967, they moved there with their five children and began a vibrant race horse operation with 235 thoroughbreds. The Dickeys had a vision for more than horses, they desired to develop a family farm that would educate and benefit their community. The Washington Episcopal School, St. Timothy's of Washington DC, Glenelg Country School, Peter Pan Daycare Center, and the Howard County Pony Club were among the groups who regularly came out to learn many different facets of agriculture including livestock, equine, horticulture, forestry, sustainability, and more.

At the passing of James Dickey in 1982, the horse operation was slowly sold off, crop fields were rented to local farmers, and the family maintained a small livestock operation including a small herd of cattle, pigs, which were shown through the Howard County 4H program, and we harvest 14 acres of organic mixed grass hay each year. Many of the children moved away, but James and Jean's middle daughter Jennifer remained on the farm and began raising her own growing family along with her husband Rusty.

The next generation is now starting to renew the vision of James and Jean Dickey. Dickey farms has been renamed, Wise Owl Acres in honor of Jean Dickey, the wise owl herself. It is owned by Jim and Jean's daughter Jennifer along with her husband Rusty and they live there with their second son TJ, his wife Brigid, and their seven children. Four generations of farmers continuing on the dream Jim and Jean birthed over 80 years ago.

Jennifer (Dickey) and Rusty Johnson

T.J., Brigid, Annabelle, Rowan, Hannah,
Aiden, Micah, Killian, and Donovan

The Whole Johnson Family

That Wise Old Owl

A wise old owl Lived in an oak.
The more he saw, The less he spoke.

The less he spoke, The more he heard.
Why can’t we be Like that wise old bird?

Our Location

Wise Owl Acres is located in western Howard County, providing easy access to Washington D.C., Baltimore, and Frederick.

Address

13850 Forsythe Rd.
Sykesville, MD 21784