Clark's Elioak Farm, located along Maryland Route 108 in Howard County, Maryland, is a historic farm covering 540 acres. All of the acreage is part of county or state farmland protection programs, barring use of the property for non-farm development. The Clarks, a family with a tradition of farming in Maryland spanning seven generations, have owned the Elioak farm since 1927. The name, Elioak, refers to a type of silty clay loam common to the slopes and summits of hills in the northern portion of the Piedmont Plateau. Elioak soil is deep, well-drained, and moderately permeable, making it suitable for apple orchards. Elioak was also listed as a former turn of the century Howard County postal village. In recent years, the Elioak Farm has become a petting zoo and the venue for restoration of the former Enchanted Forest. Farming tradition The Clark family's farming tradition in Maryland began with the lease by James, John and David Clark of two lots from Charles Carroll on November 1, 1797. In 1850, the family began purchasing its own acreage in the western portion of Howard County, starting with Wheatfield Farm. James Clark Sr. was born at Fairfield Farm, where he married Alda Clark from White Hall, moving to Keewaydin Farm on Columbia Road. They purchased Elioak Farm in 1927. The 312 acre farm was half-wooded, the main house burned down in 1900 leaving a two story tenant house and a stone slave quarters. James Clark Sr. raised Angus cattle, with yearly cattle drives down Route 29 to Wheatfield Farm. James Clark, Jr., who later became president of the Maryland State Senate, returned to Elioak Farm to resume the family tradition of farming after serving in World War II. He was given a half share of his father's farm in 1946 and eventually fully owned and operated Elioak, until his death in 2006 at the age of 87. Clark moved into the 18th century stone slave quarters with his new bride in 1946, initially adding a kitchen and bathroom, then two more bedrooms and hot water in 1950. In 1947, he got caught in a horse drawn drill that ran over his head. In 1951, he established the Clarkland Farms dairy and beef operations at Elioak and expanded operations to the adjacent 160 acre Dallas Brown Farm. His concern about the rapid development of land in Howard County in the 1960s influenced both his