Sustainability & Conservancy

Farming

Farming is the original sustainable enterprise and we have a 7 generation, 165-year tradition of innovation.

  • Davis Farmland is home to the largest sanctuary of endangered or heritage livestock in North America and houses over 100 breeds of farm animals.
  • Our 300-acre farm includes approximately 60 acres of wildlife areas with many native inhabitants. It is not uncommon to see Vultures, Owls, Canada Geese, Hawks, Coyotes, Deer, Foxes, Raccoons, Turkeys, Fisher Cats, Bobcat, Mountain Lion and even the occasional Moose and Bear.
  • 5th generation farmer, John Davis provided DNA samples from Farmland breeds and helped create the first Frozen Zoo for farm animals at the San Diego Zoo’s CRES program.
  • All of Farmland’s animal waste is composted and incorporated into the soil to naturally fertilize apple orchards and gardens locally.
  • Davis Farmland is home to the largest, zero-depth, water spray park in New England. The water used in both of our spray grounds is treated and recycled.
  • Davis Farmland features kid powered fun! It’s developmentally appropriate play and learning that’s hands-on and nature based. Even our go carts are kid powered – there’s no motors.

Solar

We are passionate about the dream of a better life that’s less dependent on other energy resources, other countries, and world events. For over 7-generations and 165 years, we have been searching and embracing ways to grow, develop and support sustainability – not just for us and our farm but for our community.

Green energy and sustainability projects:

  • Create jobs
  • Create new technologies
  • Create and ensure a better, cleaner world not just for our children but for generations to come

We started our solar endeavors in 2011 with the development and installation of Farmland’s Solar System – 144 solar panels on the barn roof of the Udder Rock. Farmland’s Solar System generates enough electricity to power 4+ homes…That’s the equivalent of one-thousand households watching an hour of Paw Patrol every day! Our solar array reduces the farm’s carbon footprint, equating to driving your car 36,000 miles per year. Imagine, driving from Sterling, Massachusetts to California 12 times!

Guests of Davis Farmland’s Discovery Farm can see just how much solar energy is being made during their visit by stopping by the solar display located at the Udder Rock Café.

BUT THAT’S NOT ALL… We have also dedicated an additional 15 acres of land to house a 10,000-panel solar farm. Our solar farm produces enough solar energy to power 400 homes!

The power is used by the Sterling Municipal Light Department to help reduce the town’s carbon footprint. We worked with a consortium of companies in the United States and Canada to make this solar farm possible.

Kestrels

The American Kestrel is North America’s smallest and most colorful falcon. They’re a bird lover’s favorite because of their eye-catching feather colors and personalities. These majestic beauties play a vital role in the control of “nuisance species” such as small rodents and insects. Since the late 1960’s the Kestrel Population in North America has been rapidly declining, about half of the kestrel population has been lost. Scientists believe that this is due to global development and the shift in land usage.

To help repopulate the species, Davis Farmland has teamed up with the MA Division of Fisheries & Wildlife and set up multiple Kestrel nesting boxes. Our farm is one of the best locations for Kestrel nesting because we have hundreds of acres of undeveloped forestry and wildlife, perfect for kestrels to build their habitats. We have already hatched and banded over 20 of these tiny, beautiful falcons. One of the boxes can actually be viewed right from the parking lot of Davis Mega Maze.

Kestrels rely on secondary cavities for nesting. Cavities can include old woodpecker holes, squirrel nests, crevices in barns and building roofs, right down to man-made or farm-made nest boxes, or other similar structures.
For guests that are interested in learning more or joining our efforts to rebuild the kestrel population, please visit the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.

Farmland Conservancy

The Farmland Conservancy, Inc. is a non-profit that we created in 1995 for the express purpose of supporting and promoting the value and care of endangered farm animals.

Your generous, tax-deductible donation will help feed and care for our most vulnerable and rare heritage farm animals. These genetically superior breeds are incredibly vital to the future of all farm animals.

The Farmland Conservancy is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization # 04-3335040. Your donation is tax-deductible. Farmland Conservancy is formally known as Farmland Institute of Agricultural Preservation.

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of 5th generation family farmer, John Davis. Farmer John leaves a long-lasting legacy deep-rooted in family and farming.

Farmer John never stopped. Even at 85 years old, he would still show up to work 7 days a week, riding around on his scooter with his iconic warming smile and his sidekick, Sonic the Hedgehog. He and Sonic became an inseparable duo, spending hours every day interacting and engaging with guests. Nothing made him happier than seeing a smile on a child’s face or the look of amazement on an adult as they cuddled a baby or pet their first hedgehog. When he passed, he was snuggling in his hedgehog blanket.

The loss of Farmer John is immeasurable. His knowledge, his spirit, his legacy will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. While he is irreplaceable and we miss him terribly, we will continue to follow his example of creating lasting memories for children and their families.