The Spicy Lamb Farm, located in Peninsula, Ohio, is a national park farm in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP). It is part of the Countryside Initiative farm lease program, a unique modern sustainable farmland rehabilitation and revitalization plan, making the CVNP an agricultural provider. The farm’s mission is to work an economically viable farm; to provide agtourism opportunities; and to educate the public on the critical need for local sustainable farming. The farm provides education to the public on the economic, social, and environmental reasons for agricultural preservation and restoration.
On the farm, we raise production Dorset sheep for wool and meat. We have a flock of approximately 50 ewes. We have a spicy herb/vegetable garden, wildflowers, and pumpkins; and have started an orchard with organic varieties of apple, pears, and plums.
In addition to our farming enterprise, we provide ag-tourism opportunities for visitors to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP). These opportunities will include:
- Farmyard Tours
- Lambing Days
- Sheep Shearing Demonstrations
- Border Collie Demonstrations
- Fiber workshops
- Educational lectures
- Pumpkin Picking
- Hay Wagon Rides
- Sleigh Rides
- Culinary Dinners and Picnics
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At The Spicy Lamb Farm, we are dedicated to educating the public on the critical need for local sustainable farming and environmental stewardship. We are concerned with the preservation of remaining open spaces, responsible urban development, and environmental equity for all people. We want to empower people to make better decisions about land stewardship, to understand the importance of the cumulative impacts of each individual choice, and how to get personally involved.
Environmental Sketch
The farm is located at the headwaters of an unnamed tributariy in the Stanford Run watershed along the divide of the Boston Run watershed, both watercourses flow into the Cuyahoga River. Surrounding the farm are mature woodlands. Redtail hawks, coyote, wild turkeys, deer, and other wildlife are often seen on the farm. Pick your favourite location and sponsor it through the CVNPA ParkShares at www.parkshares.org. Our favourite spot is the ephemeral stream behind the orchard.
Historical Sketch
The Garvey farm was part of Lot 37, which was formerly Boston Township until it became part of the Village of Peninsula in the 20th Century. Mary Ingerton Garvey purchased the 40-acre. She was born in Summit County in 1860 and lived there all her life. Her husband, Daniel Garvey, was born in Ireland in 1859 and came to the U.S. in 1899. They had three children. Until her death in 1913, the family lived on Main Street in Peninsula and not on the 40-acre parcel.
The house and barn were built in 1900. Yet, there is no evidence that the Garvey family ever farmed or lived on this farm. It may be that it was leased to a tenant farmer. Over the years, the property functioned as a farm with a farmhouse, barn, cultivated fields and pastures, an orchard, and a vineyard.
On June 22, 1977, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park acquired title to the house and 10 acres of the original 40 acre farm. On August 31, 2007, we secured a 60- year lease of the farm.
During the summer of 2009 and the spring and summer of 2010, we had visits from the Jones and Ross families who previously lived and farmed this property.
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The Spicy Lamb Farm, LLC and Twitter.
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Directions We are off Boston Mills Road at the end of Akron-Peninsula Road. (You can not reach us from SR303; GPS and Internet mapping will send you the wrong way! From SR303 in Peninsula, take Riverview or Olde 8 around to Boston Mills to Akron Peninsula Road. Remember the road is closed between SR303 and the farm.) (map) (trail map & directions)
The Spicy Lamb is part of Urban Shepherds, a pioneer program in the USA with the purpose of promoting urban and suburban sheep grazing as a cost effective and environmental alternative to mowing, promoting urban farming and increasing sheep production; and educating youth and recruiting future shepherds.
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Hours
We are open by appointment and for special events. However, you are always welcome to stop by and see if we are home. Please park on the road, heading east, and save the spaces in front of the house for those with special needs who need to park close. We are trailside to the Buckeye and Valley Bridle trails; just follow the while Buckeye blazes when you come upon the old road bed. You can also walk up the hill from the Village where it says road closed.
When visiting the farm, you can pick up or place an order for gourmet lamb and spices, buy an heirloom wool blanket, see a working border collie herding, pet other farm animals, make wool crafts, and enjoy the scenic view of the park.
Please protect our sheep and keep your dogs on leash. Equestrians can bring a halter and lead and tie up inside the demonstration field on non special events days.
Note: Please note that we are footrot free. Please make sure that you have clean feet and that you wear clothing that has not been around other sheep or livestock. We will ask you to disinfect your shoes and/or wear plastic shoe covers.
Visitors are encouraged to be become Conservancy for Conservancy for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park members and a Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy members.
News
Please follow us on Facebook and/or Twitter for the latest news. As we shoot videos, they are being put up on YouTube under thespicylambfarm and linked to Facebook. The best way to reach us is always via email. The farm phone is not answered daily.
Our biggest news is that thanks to the generous support of Greg Shellabarger,our pavilion has become a reality. Thanks to Greg for his generous support!
2012 Events
We have our 2012 calendar sent now. Mark your calendar. More details will follow:
Shearing Days: March 10th, 11th, 17th, and 18th. 10am - 2pm: Visit The Spicy Lamb Farm and watch a sheep shearing Demonstration. Aaron Lee Smith, our shepherd consultant will be on hand to talk about the shearing and answer any questions about raising a flock. $5 per person. Refreshments will be available from our caterer. For folks wishing to shear a sheep, see our Lease-a-Sheep program under the Get Involved page.
Lambing Days: Saturdays March 24th & 31st from 9 to 11 and Sunday, March 25th from 2 to 4pm: Visit the farm and see newborn lambs, ducklings, chicks, and bunnies. For more information, follow us on Facebook and Twitter to hear news of our new arrivals. $5 per person.
The Blessing of the Sheep: April 21st, 12 to 4pm: Do not miss annual Blessing of the Sheep. Bagpipes will follow the Blessing which will be followed by a Border collie demonstration given by Wayne Miller of Mount Hope. Aaron Lee Smith, our shepherd consultant, will be on hand to talk about the demonstration along with Wayne Miller and answer any other questions about raising a flock. Fiber artists and craftsmen will be invited to set up booths. And, our caterer will be selling lamb meals and other treats. $8 for adults and $5 for children.
Spring Free Lecture Series: Wednesday Nights from April 25th to May 23rd at 7pm
The Spicy Lamb Farm will be holding a lecture series with guest experts in our educational pavilion:
- April 25th – Getting Started as a Shepherd
- May 9th - Religious Care for the Environment
- May 16th – Biodiversity
- May 23rd – The Shepherd’s Calendar
- May 30th - Using Sheep and Goats to Mow
Dinners will be available from our caterer prior to the lectures at 6pm. For more information go to the Education page.
Sheep Herding Lessons: Friday’s weather permitting all year.
Private dog herding training will be offered by appointment. For more information, go to the Herding & Border Collies page.
Fall Lecture Series: Wednesday nights from September 5th to October 3rd. See the list below of lecture topics. Dinners will be available from our caterer.
Fun Herding Trial: September 22nd We will be holding a fun trial for the herding dogs on our B course. Spectators will be welcome. And, our caterer will be selling lamb meals and other treats.
The Blessing of the Animals: October 6th. We will have a blessing of the animals. Bring your dog on lease for a blessing or ride your horse from the Wetmore or Boston trailheads. Bagpipes will follow this Blessing too which will also be followed by a border collie demonstration given by Wayne Miller of Mount Hope. Aaron Lee Smith, our shepherd consultant will be on hand to talk about the demonstration along with Wayne Miller and answer any other questions about raising a flock. And, our caterer will be selling lamb meals and other treats.