|
For
over half a century, there’s been a special
place that gives every event the room to breathe
fresh air, feast on legendary cuisine and
escape for a time from the fast lane of modern
life. This special place is Nixon’s Farm,
tucked quietly away in the gentle rolling
hills of Howard County, Maryland. Family owned
and operated for almost 50 years, it continues
its proud tradition of service to others in
a unique setting. From 10 people to 5,000,
Nixon’s makes every event a sensational occasion.
| The
property known as Nixon’s Farm was purchased
in 1956. But the story begins much earlier.
Roosevelt and Mildred Nixon both came
from North Carolina, in a hostile and
segregated south. The opportunities
for success were very limited for ambitious,
young blacks and so they headed north
immediate after World War II, met and
married in Baltimore, and began raising
a family. |
 |
Both were
highly entrepreneurial, and by 1953, they
had a successful grocery store, a gypsy
cab service, and several rental properties.
But they hungered for land. Nixon’s Farm
was originally a traditional farm, with
livestock, silage, and produce. Then, however,
destiny began to play its hand.
In the 1950’s, there was no place for blacks
and Jews to go. Every place was segregated
or restricted. So dad’s business associates
– most of whom were black or Jewish – urged
him to renovate for the recreational use
of their families. Roosevelt was the founder
of the Small Businessmen’s League in Baltimore,
a group of blacks and Jews who had been
denied membership in other business clubs.
As a result of this encouragement, Nixon’s
Farm turned its focus to recreational use.
Corporations, private groups, bridal couples,
and families now hold events on this famous
property.
| After
father’s death in 1972, the business
expanded to include hosting corporate
picnics, retreats, wedding receptions,
and family reunions. Fortunately, Mildred
Nixon is an excellent cook with a passion
for food. Soon, her signature dish,
southern fried chicken, was developing
an enviable reputation. |
|
 |
In 1987,
Randall Nixon, disillusioned with the practice
of law, joined the family firm, carving
out a role in the areas of marketing, sales,
and non-food operations. He also began the
process of systematizing the business with
the development of best practices, strategic
vision, and a coordinated schedule for work.
All
great businesses should have three characteristics:
vision, people, and systems.
Our vision is that we work at touching
people in extraordinary ways through
food and facility. Our approach is to
provide the Best Total Solution. We
envelop the customer with a comprehensive
range of services, either directly or
through leveraging alliances. Alll other
factors being equal, we provide the
best total solution to the customer's
problems. Our people are outstanding,
and we seek to learn, taking advantage
of the skills they possess while providing
a nurturing, family-oriented environment.
We also glean the skills that our employees
have into the process of continuous
improvement, producing a more consistent
product. Our systems are what set us
apart from our competitors and place
us in the front ranks of outstanding
businesses. |
 |
We have
a systemic, orchestrated management system
atNixon’s Farm. Our objective is, to systemically
improve the quality of the product.We understand
that every frustration is the result of
the absence of a system, and that orchestrated
patterns are natural and organic.
We train new employees so well and so systemically
that they are able to perform relatively
complex tasks within hours of their arrival.
This enables us to hire young people, and
give them the opportunity to develop employment
skills. Many of our former employees have
returned as customers, and have provided
a steady stream of prospective employees
and referrals.
Long known as The Place for company picnics,
we finished the renovations on our Historic
barn in 2001. The gleaming hardwood floors,
vaulted ceilings, chandeliers and expansive
French doors are now the perfect compliment
to your holiday party, corporate retreat,
team-building event, or retirement dinner.
To enhance your event, we have expanded
our menus to include theme parties, wine
tastings, murder mysteries, and cocktail
parties. This beautiful new facility makes
Nixon’s Farm a year ‘round destination for
all your corporate events. If an all day
sales meeting, followed by a murder mystery
intrigues you, we can do it. How about a
seminar on productivity followed by a wine
tasting with assorted cheeses around the
world, or a springtime unicorn hunt to celebrate
a big sales quarter? Whatever you need,
call us for your next event.
| Outdoor
recreation is one of the highlights
of any visit to Nixon’s Farm. The emphasis
is on group activities, including California-style
volleyball, basketball, softball, and
horseshoes. Also available are solitary
pursuits, such as fishing & hiking.
Untamed deer, possum and rabbit still
roam freely over the land. Beaver inhabit
the river banks of the Patuxent River,
which generously runs through several
portions of the farm. Roosevelt Pond
is stocked with catfish, bluegill, and
bass. And over 40 acres of woodlands
feature white pine, sycamore, beech,
and cherry trees, all with spectacular
views. |
 |
|
|