Liberty Mills Farm Closes After Threats and Harassment

ORANGE COUNTY, Va. — Liberty Mills Farm, a nationally recognized family-owned farm and pumpkin patch, has closed its doors this week following threats and harassment directed at its owners, Kent and Evie Woods.

In a Facebook post, the Woods, aged 70 and 63, detailed the events that led to the closure, stating, “This past weekend, we were accused of being incompetent owners, having a beautiful farm and maze but poor customer service, being unwelcoming and not being able to solve simple problems or train our staff adequately.”

The owners reported that staff members were threatened with violence, and one of the owners had a phone shoved in their face during the altercation. They further explained, “We were sworn at and accused of being racist,” summing up the hostility they faced.

The situation escalated to the point that multiple groups were removed from the event on Saturday, with the local sheriff’s office being contacted due to safety concerns. The Woods announced an immediate closure of the farm, corn maze, and pumpkin patch for the season, stating, “The anger directed towards our family and staff, the loss of sleep and continuous stress are not worth continuing operations.”

The couple plans to evaluate the possibility of reopening in 2026 and will refund tickets purchased for this season.

Supporters expressed shock and sadness on social media in response to the closure announcement. Angelica Jackman commented, “Liberty Mills has been a highlight of our falls for the past 4 or 5 years, and the owners and staff treat each guest like family.” Ronee Bishop echoed the sentiment, saying, “This is so sad to read! My family and I have came to the farm in many different occasions and never once felt that way.”

The Woods noted that over the years they have encountered negative reviews and defended their practices, saying, “We guess it is our fault that we catch them with dangerous behavior in our activity area, or not following our rules which are meant to protect them.” They expressed frustration that they are being blamed for issues such as inaccurate timing on the part of some visitors.

Liberty Mills Farm, located approximately 90 minutes northwest of Richmond, has consistently been ranked among the Top 5 corn mazes in the country by USA Today.