The National Land Podcast

Broken Truck, New Life: The Faith‑Led Start of Maryland’s Redemption Farms

October 31, 2025

Wayne Collie turned a neglected high‑density apple orchard into Redemption Farms—a thriving U‑pick and farm‑stand business—by grafting apple varieties, adding strawberries, peaches, pumpkins, and using social media to mobilize customers.

With Sue Hudson (NLR), we dig into financing, location strategy, strawberries, and what it actually takes to make a small farm cash‑flow.

Recorded in Maryland’s Eastern Shore farm country, this episode is a practical blueprint for building a direct‑to‑consumer U‑pick farm—from acquisition and financing to crop selection, infrastructure, and marketing.

Guest: Wayne Collie, owner of Redemption Farms (Denton, MD)—a 38‑acre, two‑parcel farm split by a major highway—revived an abandoned high‑density apple orchard and layered in strawberries (annual plasticulture), peaches, cherries, plums, blackberries, and a pumpkin patch to give customers something to pick from late April through early November.

Guest: Sue Hudson, National Land Realty agent (Maryland), represented Wayne as buyer and breaks down the site selection + permitting pitfalls that make or break roadside agribusinesses.

Redemption Farms (Facebook)

https://www.facebook.com/redemptionfarmsmd/

Redemption Farms (Website)

https://www.redemptionfarms.com/

National Land Realty

https://www.nationalland.com

About Sue Hudson
Sue Hudson joined National Land Realty in November 2024, bringing five years of experience in land sales. Previously a Land Advisor with The Land Group, Sue has experience working with recreational properties, agricultural land, boutique farms, horse farms, residential lots, and waterfront properties. Licensed in Maryland and Delaware, she primarily operates on Maryland's Eastern Shore and in Kent and Sussex Counties, Delaware. Sue is dedicated to providing full-time service to her clients and emphasizes responsiveness to all forms of communication. She is well-versed in conservation practices and state and local regulations, making her a knowledgeable partner in navigating the complexities of land transactions. A lifelong resident of the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Delaware, Sue has personal ties to the region she serves. She lives in Hebron, Maryland, with her husband, Doug Williams, in a location conveniently situated between Ocean City and the Chesapeake Bay. Her son serves in the Navy as a submariner. In addition to her professional work, Sue volunteers with the Hebron Volunteer Fire Department, participating in community events and functions throughout the year. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, outdoor activities, and finding new places to explore.