2026 Harvest Time on the Farm

By Sue Cloutier

The landscape of North Central Massachusetts includes a vibrant community of farmers. Within reach, fields and orchards provide respite from hectic settings. Unique farms in North Central Massachusetts range from small family-run operations to large farms managed by dedicated volunteer groups.

Farm size often depends on what they are raising—cows or alpacas, apples or lettuce. Each has its own needs and niche. Each provides unique goods and services.

Friends of Sholan Farms operate Sholan Farms, located in the birthplace of Johnny Appleseed, at 1125 Pleasant Street, Leominster The people of Leominster decided in 2000 that the town should purchase Sholan Farms and keep the orchards with their many special varieties of apples instead of having the farm sold to developers. The town eventually handed off the management of the 169-acre farm to Friends of Sholan Farms, Inc.

The Friends set up farm operations, run the farm stand, organize farm tours and celebrations, and provide opportunities for visitors to pick berries and fruit July to November. Sometimes, the Friends make community garden plots available at the farm to interested individuals or groups. Miles of trails link to the farm. Sholan Farms stand as the southern starting point of Monoosnoc Ridge Trail. The Town of Leominster website has maps.

The farm calendar on the website sholanfarms.com includes dates of activities and events.

World Farmers manages a special seventy-acre farm they own in Lancaster designed with multiple plots made available to new immigrant farmers. Those farmers apply to World Farmers for a plot at Flats Mentor Farm.

To bring additional support and mentors, World Farmers collaborates with other organizations including Heifer International, UMass, the Society for the Promotion of Agriculture, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and others.

Since 1985, more than 260 immigrant farmers from more than 25 countries have learned how to use the fertile soils of the Lancaster farm to grow their food. In each plot farmers grow crops typical of their country of origin. Commercial markets do not typically carry such foods. Because crops are unfamiliar to many, World Farmers provides recipes with each vegetable purchase.

Farmers distribute their crops two ways through community supported agriculture shares and at local farmers’ markets. Farmers are mentored from when they first plant and grow food for their families to when they grow enough to sell their produce at farmers’ markets across the state.

More information and signup for CSA bundles at the farm website worldfarmers.org/csa.

Little Leaf Farms demonstrates a truly innovative way to farm! Eleven years ago in a ten-acre greenhouse, Little Leaf Farms implemented produce-growing systems considered best in the world. Today the farms include fifty acres of greenhouses growing lettuce.

Little Leaf Farms encourages learning about its process online, since the growing environment for little lettuce plants requires tight control. The farming method manages many of variables non-greenhouse farmers cannot, including soil composition, temperature, and moisture.

The farm uses mechanized harvesting and packaging.

The seeds start in a greenhouse where lettuce grows for harvest year-round. Little Leaf Farms has greenhouses in two sites, one at Devens, in North Central Massachusetts and one in McAdoo, Pennsylvania. Their multinational crews come to the farm with experience in plant science, technical maintenance, and sales and marketing. Little Leaf lettuce is available at area grocery stores. More information appears at littleleaffarms.com/the-greenhouse.

Taking a road trip offers a great way to explore the tastes of the farm produce at the region’s farms. Getting to the farms means enjoying a county road and a destination that will provide a tasty snack, interesting farm animals to see, new trails to hike, or a special farm event to enjoy. The following descriptions provide possible routes to follow while exploring the farms described above as well as other farms in North Central Massachusetts.

A List of Collaborating Farms & Restaurants

Bolton Orchards

Harvests a variety of peaches, plums, and apples. The store stocks a wide
variety of local foods year-round.

Carlson Orchard

In Harvard, Carlson Orchard specializes in fifteen varieties of apples as
well as peaches, nectarines, blueberries, raspberries, and sweet cherries.

Hollis Hills Farm

In Fitchburg, Hollis Hills Farm grows a variety of pick-your-own fruits and
flowers, with beef and pork raised on the farm and sold at the farm’s retail store.

Lanni Orchards

In Lunenburg, Lanni Orchards has a community supported agriculture (CSA)
program and hosts special events and activities.

Meadowbrook Orchards

In Sterling, Meadowbrook Orchards grows apples and other berries sold at
their farm store, with a bakery and restaurant open all year.

Red Apple Farm

In Phillipston, Red Apple Farm has many varieties of apples. Their store is
open all year. The website has details on events.

Rota Spring Farm

In Sterling, Rota Spring Farm has an ice cream stand that offers more than
fifty flavor mixes of ice cream or frozen yogurt in cones and dishes.

Smith’s Country Cheese

In Winchendon, Smith’s Country Cheese produces full-flavored Gouda, Havarti,
and cheddar cheeses made with milk from two hundred Holstein cows.

Wildwood Farm

In Westminster, Wildwood Farm sells pasture-raised pork and beef at their
farm stand. The equestrian center gives lessons and boards horses.

Davis Farmland

In Sterling, Davis Farmland has entertaining activities for all ages and
features Scottish Highland cows.

In The Meadow Farm

In Lunenburg, In The Meadow Farm has alpacas and runs fiber work classes
year-round.

Plain View Farm

In Hubbardston, Plain View Farm specializes in alpacas and llamas and sells
yarn, mittens, and more made from their wool.