Here on the four-hundred-acre Spring Hills Farm in NEPA, we have undertaken a long and steady project of restoration and education to exemplify sustainability and the gentle stewardship of our land.
For decades, the Farm’s matriarchs, Louise and Margaret Hull, led youth environmental education, from Scout hikes to organic farm management. The Spring Hills Foundation, formed in 2013, aims to share the farm’s resources with the community and continue its educational mission. The Foundation provides a variety of experiential educational programs centered on nature and environmental stewardship, including nature-inspired science, theater camps, art workshops, and immersive forest hikes, supported by local grants.
To reduce the Farm’s carbon footprint, minimize pollution of the watershed, and expand our community engagement, Spring Hills Farm is building a new barn with the Foundation’s support. The barn will provide a large, dry space for the sheep, horse stalls, and a roof-mounted solar array. Moving the sheep away from the creek will benefit the watershed and animal health. The barn will serve as a meeting spot for educational activities, including hikes, tours, and classes. Kids can admire the animals, and artists can appreciate the space’s timeless beauty. It will also offer opportunities to learn about sustainable farm practices and spend time with the serene Jacob Sheep.
This project is underway! Lumber harvested from trees planted in the 1950s by Robert and Louise Hull has been milled on-site. The Farm is doing much of the work with help from friends, family, and local businesses. We are on track to finish the barn in August.
Once completed, the Farm and Foundation plan to winterize the existing sheep shed and equipment bays, further expanding space for education, theater, art workshops, and year-round programming.
We are seeking your financial support for this significant cause.
We appreciate your enthusiasm, participation, and donations. Join us at our workshops and programs! If you have a skill to enhance our offerings, contact us.