Family, Service, and Spirits
Pathfinder Farm Blending More Than Military Grit and Farming Roots
Photos and story by Maria Listman
Perched near the rolling foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, just steps from well-known hiking trails, sits Pathfinder Farm. The 42-acre property in Keedysville, Maryland is more than preserved agricultural land — it’s the heart of a family-run distillery where military grit and a touch of adventure collide.
A unique red corn stretches across 25 acres. This special variety, known as bloody butcher, along with fresh spring water from the land, offers the perfect foundation for Pathfinder Farm’s moonshine, bourbons, and whiskey. Distilled in a former carriage house on the farm, every bottle reflects both authenticity and innovation.
Pathfinder Farm is powered by a family team — husband and wife veterans Nate and Natalie Kraft, and Nate’s sister, Liz Kraft Weiss, who is an Army Reservist currently called to active duty. Military service has shaped their discipline and determination, with Nate serving 10 years in the Navy, Natalie serving six years in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, and Liz being active in the Army since 2008.
Nate and Liz grew up near their grandparents and great-grandparents who had a farmette and instilled respect for hard work and a love of the land. When it came time to name their business venture, Pathfinder felt fitting — a nod to Nate’s time in the Boy Scouts, an acknowledgement to their Pennsylvania Dutch heritage where “scout” translates to Pathfinder in German, and a tribute to their location near the Appalachian Trail.
That pioneering spirit took root years earlier when Nate completed his time with the Navy. He and Natalie traded uniforms for adventure, purchasing a sailboat and setting off on a year-and-a-half long trip around Mexico with a baby on board. Their lifestyle was far removed from their upbringing but sparked new dreams.
When Liz flew in to visit during their travels, the three found themselves envisioning a shared future — one where family, agriculture and entrepreneurship converged.
“That’s when we started talking about how crazy our lives are compared to the way that we grew up,” says Liz. “We wondered how we could do something together.”
As their sailing journey came to an end, Nate and Natalie knew their next chapter needed to be rooted in the land. Nate dreamed of owning a farm, and with family members who dabbled in hobby distilling, the idea of growing their own corn and crafting spirits felt like the perfect fit. The plan began to take shape and when Liz returned from another Army deployment, she wanted in.
“If there’s a safe bet in the world, it’s these two,” Liz shares.
What started as a vision for a new way of life soon became a family venture. Natalie and Nate chose to settle down in Maryland and with support from Farm Credit, the family purchased their farm and equipment and started planting bloody butcher corn.
Known for its deep red color, the variety adds distinctive character to their craft beverages. From the beginning, they were committed to doing things with integrity — real fruit infused in jars, fresh spring water from their land, and spirits crafted with care. The first three moonshine flavors were chosen as a tribute to a family member’s favorites, tying the generations together.
“We like to say that we turn sunshine into moonshine, because we grow the corn and we make the whiskey ourselves,” expresses Nate.
Their small batches crafted during the pandemic quickly scaled into a professional operation. Now, they own and operate a tasting room and cocktail bar on Main Street in nearby Boonsboro. Guests can sample their top seller, Bloody Butcher Bourbon, which is Nate’s personal favorite. Or, they can sip on Liz’s pick, Daily Driver, and Natalie’s choice, Orange Cranberry Moonshine. The team is also developing ready-to-drink cocktails, giving people new ways to enjoy the farm’s flavors wherever they are.
Their small batches crafted during the pandemic quickly scaled into a professional operation. Now, they own and operate a tasting room and cocktail bar on Main Street in nearby Boonsboro. Guests can sample their top seller, Bloody Butcher Bourbon, which is Nate’s personal favorite. Or, they can sip on Liz’s pick, Daily Driver, and Natalie’s choice, Orange Cranberry Moonshine. The team is also developing ready-to-drink cocktails, giving people new ways to enjoy the farm’s flavors wherever they are.
You don’t have to look far to find Pathfinder Farm spirits in the community at local farmers markets and special events, where customers can meet them face-to-face and hear the story behind each bottle. Their products are also sold in over 90 stores throughout the state and ship to 45 states, providing plenty of ways to enjoy spirits that start on a local farm in Keedysville. Pathfinder Farm was recently named America’s Best Farmer Distiller Bourbon by the American Craft Spirits Association, a worthy recognition for a small-town distillery whose reach and reputation continue to grow far beyond Maryland.
Pathfinder Farm is more than a business — it’s a shared leap of faith, born at the sea and anchored in Maryland soil. It’s proof that service, adventure and family can come together to create something meaningful for their community.
Visit pathfinder.farm to learn more.