Sunnyfield Farm

Feature Articles

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"Sunnyfield Farm - A Working Family Farm" originally appeared in the Winter 2004 issue of our seasonal publication, Horizons, Vol. 4, No. 1.

Sunnyfield Farm - A Working Family Farm
Extends the Crotched Mountain Community

Just 18 months after the property was given to Crotched Mountain, Sunnyfield Farm is thriving with the activity surrounding more than 20 cows and calves in the pastures, a roost of chickens, horses, sheep, pigs, dogs and cats.

Conceived as an experiential environment, Sunnyfield Farm has been developed to extend the Crotched Mountain community to include the caring, productive, self sufficient atmosphere of the traditional family farm, where every member contributes to the best of his ability.

Currently, at least one Crotched Mountain student spends part of each day at the farm and a group comes each week to collect eggs, fill water buckets and help tidy the barns. "We teach life skills," Ruth explains. The farm offers completely different opportunities than these students experience on the mountain. The work is very physical and is for a purpose that students can immediately see; completion of a task offers immense and immediate satisfaction. Students are challenged to stretch their abilities in new ways.

"Farm life is, after all, about independence and making the most of what you have," says Dan Holmes who with his wife Ruth and daughter Sara moved to Sunnyfield Farm in July of this year, bringing their own animals. Their son, Silas, is helping them repair the barn.

Dan grew up on a chicken farm while Ruth is from the San Diego area and always wanted to live on a farm. Ruth now spins wool into yarn, using the spinning wheel that dominates their living room. They have previously managed farms for The Meeting School, a Quaker boarding school in Rindge and for Canterbury Shaker Village.

The Homes' day runs 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM but they have fun with the students when they visit. During a barbecue this summer, one of the cows activated the joystick of a power wheelchair. It's hard to say who was more surprised... the animal or the wheelchair occupant! Students especially enjoy the family meals with everyone.

The Holmes work closely with the Crotched Mountain teaching and residential staff. In addition to teaching life skills and work ethic, they have given hayrides and plan to offer sleigh rides. Current sales of eggs and milk will eventually include cheese, yogurt, butter, meat and vegetables – all produced on Sunnyfield Farm.