ABOUT MORRIS ORCHARD NATURAL BURIAL
A Place to Remember, A Place to Renew
An orchard of solitude, where life is celebrated, the earth is honored, and the future is nurtured. This is a place where you can find peace, reflect on life, and feel connected to the natural world. Morris Orchard is not just a burial site; it’s a living, breathing part of the earth. Join us in preserving this beautiful space, making your last act one that gives back to the earth and supports the future of this land we all cherish.
about morris orchard
meet the stewards
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meet the morris orchard stewards
michael judd
co-founder
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A cornerstone of Morris Orchard is guiding our members through the natural burial journey. Stewards in natural burial grounds do more than sell and dig grave spaces. They provide continuity of care for those families whose relatives and friends are interred in the orchard. They ensure that the mission and vision of the burial ground matches the operating philosophy and protocols of the environmental commitment that was pledged to when establishing the orchard.
Our caring and knowledgeable stewards will accompany family and friends through the burial process experience whether you have an immediate need or are planning for the future.
Jane dennison
co-founder
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KAREN VAlentine
Steward
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Andrew Harley
MANAGER
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jane dennison
meet our stewards
co-founder
Jane is a Ph.D. Chemist, a lawyer, and a Certified Industrial Hygienist. Originally from New Jersey, where she owned and operated an environmental testing laboratory, she moved to the area to work at the U.S. Department of State on international environmental issues in 2007. In 2016, she purchased a 21 acre farm in Myersville, MD and engaged Michael to help her convert the property to an orchard. Many discussions later, she and Michael founded a 501(c)3 non-profit organization called SilvoCulture, dedicated to helping plant nut trees throughout the Mid-Atlantic States. She always wanted a natural burial for herself – not really understanding what it was. Through Michael, she learned about the beauty of the natural burial process and began seeing how this concept could be combined with their shared vision of preserving the 60 year old Morris Orchard.
michael judd
meet our stewards
co-founder
Michael Judd has worked with agro-ecological and whole-system designs throughout the Americas for over two decades, focusing on applying permaculture and ecological design. His projects increase local food security and community health in both tropical and temperate growing regions. He is the founder of Ecologia Edible & Ecological Landscape Design, Project Bona Fide, an international nonprofit supporting agro-ecology research, and co-founder of SilvoCulture, a Maryland based nonprofit which is helping plant 1 million nut trees in the Mid-Atlantic region. He is also the author of ‘Edible Landscaping with a Permaculture Twist’, and ‘For the Love of PawPaws’.
Michael’s work has been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, The New Yorker, and BBC. He has also been a Presenter for notable institutions such as the US Botanical Garden, Smithsonian, and Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello.
Michael’s involvement in natural burial began with a deeply personal experience. When his father passed away, Michael and his family decided to establish a home cemetery to honor his father’s wishes and their connection to the land. This process proved to be extraordinarily meaningful and led Michael to explore and advocate for natural burial practices and help to bring the option to the extended community.
Andrew Harley
meet our stewards
manager
A lifelong resident of Frederick County, Andy found himself in the funeral business by chance, taking a position as evening visitation staff at a local funeral home. Studying for a career in Teaching at the time, his love for funeral services was incredibly strong, and he decided to make a change. In addition to earning a Bachelor of Arts from Hood College and a Master of Arts from Mount St. Mary’s University, he completed his education in Funeral Service and Mortuary Science at the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science; while there, also becoming a Certified Crematory Operator (CCO).
Known for his fun-loving, personable nature and always community-minded, Andy is a familiar face around Frederick and he has spoken locally on grief and bereavement. Similarly, he has a deep-seated passion for helping families navigate the landscape during their time of mourning, and an enduring love for adding a personalized touch to services—especially through music—to truly capture the life and essence of the departed. His guiding motto is “a person's most useful asset is not a head full of knowledge, but a heart full of love, an ear ready to listen and a hand willing to help others.”
Karen Valentine
meet our stewards
Steward
Growing up on a produce farm in Howard County, Maryland, Karen developed an early appreciation for the land, community, and the importance of caring for the natural world. She holds a degree in American Sign Language (ASL) and has worked closely with the Deaf community as an ASL interpreter. She also has experience serving as a caregiver supporting individuals and families through the death and dying process. Karen's background also includes sustainable development for mission-driven organizations and organic farming, where she helped grow and supply produce to businesses throughout the Maryland and Washington, D.C. region. Today, she is part of the outreach team at Morris Orchard, helping individuals and families discover a more environmentally conscious and personal approach to end-of-life planning.
Karen has lived along the Potomac River in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia for nearly three decades. This is where she raised three daughters, and developed empathy and a deep commitment to serving others in and around her community. Driven by a lifelong curiosity about death, dying, and the ways we honor those we love, she is currently training to become a Certified End-of-Life Doula. Karen is dedicated to helping families of all faiths and backgrounds understand the natural burial journey and believes that guidance and education can transform a difficult experience into one that fosters healing while honoring both loved ones and the environment.
the history of morris orchard
The trees that lend the majestic feel to The Morris Natural Burial site have a rich history. Starting 60 years ago, a father-and-son duo planted 10 acres of hybrid chestnuts at a 40-foot spacing. They have now become beautiful trees that cover the ground with chestnuts every fall.
The property was then purchased by Nancy and Morris Monesson. Morris was a USDA agricultural agent with a love for nut and fruit trees. On an adjacent 10 acres to the chestnuts, Morris planted another orchard of black walnuts and northern pecans. The story is that he would come home after work and spend his evenings using a 25-foot chain to measure and plant the beautiful rows that stand today.
In 2019 Michael Judd was driving by when it dawned on him this was an amazing mature nut orchard just down the street from where he lived. Of course, he had to knock on the door. This began a wonderful relationship with the Monessens and built trust to allow Michael’s help to revitalize the orchard and harvest its rich abundance. A number of years later, when Morris passed away and Nancy decided to sell their beloved property, Michael and Jane were gratefully able to purchase it with the intention of preserving it.
our vision for the future
Designed to be a tranquil sanctuary, the Orchard features walking paths, quiet seating areas, and spaces for contemplation. The natural beauty of the Orchard, combined with the respectful and ecologically sustainable burial practices, provides a peaceful environment for families to remember and honor their loved ones.
The Morris Orchard Natural Burial site is a space for community engagement and education where the Stewards will host workshops on sustainable living, permaculture, and the benefits of natural burials. As a registered cemetery, the site is protected from future development, ensuring that the natural landscape remains a haven for wildlife and a green space for the community. And a resting place for our loved ones.
the history of morris orchard
The trees that lend the majestic feel to The Morris Natural Burial site have a rich history. Starting 60 years ago, a father-and-son duo planted 10 acres of hybrid chestnuts at a 40-foot spacing. They have now become beautiful trees that cover the ground with chestnuts every fall.
The property was then purchased by Nancy and Morris Monesson. Morris was a USDA agricultural agent with a love for nut and fruit trees. On an adjacent 10 acres to the chestnuts, Morris planted another orchard of black walnuts and northern pecans. The story is that he would come home after work and spend his evenings using a 25-foot chain to measure and plant the beautiful rows that stand today.
In 2019 Michael Judd was driving by when it dawned on him this was an amazing mature nut orchard just down the street from where he lived. Of course, he had to knock on the door. This began a wonderful relationship with the Monessens and built trust to allow Michael’s help to revitalize the orchard and harvest its rich abundance. A number of years later, when Morris passed away and Nancy decided to sell their beloved property, Michael and Jane were gratefully able to purchase it with the intention of preserving it.
our vision for the future
Designed to be a tranquil sanctuary, the Orchard features walking paths, quiet seating areas, and spaces for contemplation. The natural beauty of the Orchard, combined with the respectful and ecologically sustainable burial practices, provides a peaceful environment for families to remember and honor their loved ones.
The Morris Orchard Natural Burial site is a space for community engagement and education where the Stewards will host workshops on sustainable living, permaculture, and the benefits of natural burials. As a registered cemetery, the site is protected from future development, ensuring that the natural landscape remains a haven for wildlife and a green space for the community. And a resting place for our loved ones.
the history of morris orchard
The trees that lend the majestic feel to The Morris Natural Burial site have a rich history. Starting 60 years ago, a father-and-son duo planted 10 acres of hybrid chestnuts at a 40-foot spacing. They have now become beautiful trees that cover the ground with chestnuts every fall.
The property was then purchased by Nancy and Morris Monesson. Morris was a USDA agricultural agent with a love for nut and fruit trees. On an adjacent 10 acres to the chestnuts, Morris planted another orchard of black walnuts and northern pecans. The story is that he would come home after work and spend his evenings using a 25-foot chain to measure and plant the beautiful rows that stand today.
In 2019 Michael Judd was driving by when it dawned on him this was an amazing mature nut orchard just down the street from where he lived. Of course, he had to knock on the door. This began a wonderful relationship with the Monessens and built trust to allow Michael’s help to revitalize the orchard and harvest its rich abundance. A number of years later, when Morris passed away and Nancy decided to sell their beloved property, Michael and Jane were gratefully able to purchase it with the intention of preserving it.
our vision for the future
Designed to be a tranquil sanctuary, the Orchard features walking paths, quiet seating areas, and spaces for contemplation. The natural beauty of the Orchard, combined with the respectful and ecologically sustainable burial practices, provides a peaceful environment for families to remember and honor their loved ones.
The Morris Orchard Natural Burial site is a space for community engagement and education where the Stewards will host workshops on sustainable living, permaculture, and the benefits of natural burials. As a registered cemetery, the site is protected from future development, ensuring that the natural landscape remains a haven for wildlife and a green space for the community. And a resting place for our loved ones.
STANDARD vs. NATURAL BURIAL
Choosing a natural burial at Morris Orchard means more than just saying goodbye—it means leaving a lasting legacy that supports the earth. Imagine your last act being one that nurtures the environment, feeding the ecosystem and preserving this beautiful land for generations to come.
why choose natural burial?
Morris Orchard Natural Burial Co-Founder Michael Judd shares his personal experience with natural burial, which sparked the inspiration to create Morris Orchard. Watch the video below to learn more about the profound experience natural burial can have on family and loved ones and get an inside look at what to expect as you embark on the journey.
