The Story Behind Burdoc Farms

The Story Behind Burdoc Farms: From Family Farm to Kentucky Wedding Venue
If you’ve ever visited Burdoc Farms in Crofton, Kentucky, you already know it’s more than just a wedding venue. It’s a place built on family history, hard work, big dreams, and a love for the land that goes back generations.

And honestly? We think that’s what makes it feel different here.

Where It All Started
Back in 1949, the land that would become Burdoc Farms was purchased in northern Christian County, just outside of Crofton, Kentucky, for only $2 an acre.

When Dr. Norma Shepherd and Burwell Keith Shepherd Sr. got married, they were given money to build a home in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. But instead of choosing the traditional path, they shared a bigger dream: owning a working farm where they could build a life together.

That dream became reality when they bought the farm—and combined their names to create the name BURDOC Farms.

A Farm Built on Passion & Family
Dr. Norma Shepherd was originally from Omaha, Nebraska and practiced family medicine in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. She delivered more than 6,000 babies throughout Christian County and surrounding areas during her career—back when doctors still made house calls.

Burwell Keith Shepherd Sr., originally from Lexington, Kentucky, practiced law in Hopkinsville. Legend has it, Dr. Shepherd once made a house call to a very sick lawyer… and six months later, they were married.

Together, they built not just a marriage, but a vision.

The family began raising American Shorthorn cattle, operating a successful cow/calf farm for over 40 years and showing cattle across the United States. Over time, the farm was passed down through generations of the Shepherd family, with everyone pitching in from feeding cattle to bottle-raising orphaned calves.

From Cattle Farm to Tree Farm
As the years passed, the vision for Burdoc Farms evolved.

Burwell Keith Shepherd Jr., who earned a forestry degree from the University of Kentucky, shifted the focus of the farm toward conservation and sustainability after the passing of his parents. The cattle operation eventually transitioned into a hardwood tree farm while earning  the certifications of …. Stewardship Farm, Certified Tree Farm, Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Farm…preserving the natural beauty that still defines Burdoc Farms today.

That connection to nature is still at the heart of everything we do.

The Log Home Dream
One of the most unique parts of Burdoc Farms is the craftsmanship behind the family homes and cabins.

Sara and Burwell Shepherd dreamed of building a log home that truly reflected the land around them. After researching log home building techniques and visiting seminars, Burwell purchased a sawmill and began cutting timber directly from the farm itself.

Every log, floorboard, molding piece, and wall inside their home came from trees harvested right here on Burdoc Farms.

Yeah… when we say this place is rooted in the land, we mean it.

How Burdoc Farms Became a Kentucky Wedding Venue
As family and friends visited the farm over the years, one thing became obvious: people felt at peace here.

What started as a private getaway slowly became something bigger.

The Shepherd family added cabins for overnight stays and created more than 8 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and ATV adventures. Eventually, the idea grew into sharing the property with others through weddings, events, and farm stays.

In 2012, Burdoc Farms hosted its very first wedding.

And the rest is history.

Today, Burdoc Farms has grown into one of the most unique Kentucky wedding venues, offering multiple ceremony and reception spaces surrounded by rolling hills, forests, ponds, and wide-open skies.

From the rustic charm of the Tobacco Barn Venue to the modern elegance of Keith Glen Venue, every space on the property carries a piece of the farm’s story.

More Than a Venue
At the end of the day, Burdoc Farms has never just been about weddings.

It’s about:

• gathering people together
• celebrating love and family
• preserving nature
• creating experiences people remember forever

Whether you’re planning a wedding weekend, staying in one of our cabins, or exploring the trails, you’re stepping into a place built with generations of care and vision.

And we’re so glad you’re here…WELCOME to Burdoc Farms.