History and Mission

“It was as if the land was telling us what to do,“ said Eleanor Houston Smith. In 1947, Eleanor and her husband, Lawrence M.C. Smith, of Philadelphia, purchased what is now Wolfe's Neck Farm, named for Henry Wolfe, who was the first settler on the neck. This 626-acre saltwater farm was the perfect place for the Smiths to begin their natural farming operation, as proof of their belief in the useful preservation and protection of open spaces.

The long-range planning of the farm began in 1949, when Eleanor Houston Smith became a member of the Cumberland County Soil Conservation District. Eleanor liked to say she had "been in the conservation world since 'conservation' was a dirty word." In 1953, the Smiths began their natural farming operating with 9 cows and a bull and by 1959 the herd neared 40. Today, the herd is a mix of Black Angus, Gelbvieh and Polled Herefords. Lawrence Smith, who was a great proponent of satellite farming, assisted other area farms in keeping their land open and viable.

The farm has created innovative educational programs to focus on preserving the environment and farming. Calf Watch (in the fall), nature trails, and internships in agricultural production are examples of the alliance that the farm has built with the community. Last summer, more than 1,000 children spent days at the Farm, learning about agriculture and food production. Visitors are always welcome.