Bogworts: A New Beginning

The farm has been in Ben's family since 1971. Ben spent his teen years here, growing organic vegetables, making compost piles, and tending the woods. We've named next summer's "encampment" phase Bogworts, in honor of the many species of wild blueberries that grow in the woods and wetlands on the farm and throughout the watershed we're part of. Bogwort is a common name for any wild blueberry in England.

We are calling it an encampment because we don't have a bunkhouse (yet?) for farmers or a dormitory for students. We plan to host event participants in a tenting area, with facilities nearby, including a fire circle and covered pavillion.

The farm was originally settled around 1800 by the Goodwins, an extended family that also built several other original homes in the neighborhood. The older barn dates from the same period as the old cape, both using English-style post and beam joinery.

At the turn of the century, a large Victorian-style barn and farmhouse were added. The "Milk Road" ran from the big barn out across the back pasture and down the back hill to what was then the Rochester (NH) to Portland (Maine) railroad line. Up until WWII, the train stopped at each farm along the valley to pick up the jars of milk waiting on the wagons that trundled down to meet it every day. The tracks were pulled up in 1952 and today the old railroad bed is part of a network of hiking trails.