Farm Program
Northfield Mount Hermon has had a working farm ever since 1879, and it’s still an important part of school life today. The farm is a place where many of our most cherished values—curiosity, hard work, creativity, and stewardship— come together. It’s a science lab, a work project, the source of delicious fresh food for our dining hall, and even a place to practice a bit of entrepreneurship.
Our farm grows quite a variety of crops, from rosemary to raspberries, pumpkins to asparagus. We distill lavender extract for soaps, produce apple cider and jelly, and milk cows and make cheese. The vegetables and milk go to the dining hall, and if your timing is right, you'll be able to sample our homemade ice cream when you visit. But maple sugaring is our largest endeavor. Over spring break we collect more than 24,000 gallons of sap from our own maple trees, which boils down to 600 gallons of syrup. We sell the soaps and syrup to raise funds for the school.
Each term, roughly 35 students spend about four hours per week at the farm as part of their work job requirement. Your duties might include anything from pressing cider to harvesting flowers to making jam.
Caring for animals, working the soil, and producing your own food teaches you practical skills and scientific facts. But it also reveals deeper lessons about the magic of nature, the beauty of the world and even your own character. Not to mention, it's fun!
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Northfield Mount Hermon
One Lamplighter Way | Mount Hermon, MA 01354