Celebrating the Abundance of Life
The Spicy Lamb Farm is about celebrating the abundance of life. The farm is part of the Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy On the farm, we raise Dorset sheep and have started an orchard with organic varieties of apple, pears, and plums. And, we have a spicy herb/vegetable garden, wildflowers, and pumpkins.
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
- 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.
ADOPT-A-SHEEP Cost to lease-a-sheep: $250.00
Lease a ewe at The Spicy Lamb Farm for the 2009/2010 season:
Educational Programming and Tours
We welcome school groups and other organizations to come out to the farm to learn more about sustainable farming and environmental stewardship. Contact us via email to plan a program designed to meet your needs.
Volunteer Opportunities Other farm animals that you can see on the farm include: Environmental Sketch
If you are interested in volunteering and learning more about farming, we would welcome any help. The best way to reach us is via email.
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.
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The Spicy Lamb Farm, LLC 6560 Akron-Peninsula Road Peninsula, Ohio 44264 330-657-2012 laura@thespicylamb.com Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. |
| Directions We are off Boston Mills Road at the end of Akron-Peninsula Road. You can not reach us from 303. From 303 take Riverview or Olde 8 around to Boston Mills to Akron Peninsula Road. The road is closed between 303 and the farm. (map) (trail map & directions) |
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Hours Special Events Historical Sketch
Our autumn hours (September 11 to November 21) will be Saturdays from 9 to 11 and Sundays from 2 to 4. We are also open by appointment (email us) 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 visiting the farm, you can pick up or place an order for gourmet lamb and spices, see a working border collie herding, pet other farm animals, and enjoy the scenic view of the CVNP.
Visitors are encouraged to be become a Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association (CVNPA) member and a Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy (CVCC) member.
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.
Bonfire Night
Celebrate Bonfire Night with us on Friday, Novemebr 5th from 7:30 to 9:30. Reservations required. Please email us.
Yule Log Night
Celebrate the holidays with a yule log on Decmeber 11th from 7 to 9. Reservations required. Please email us.
Border Collie Demonstrations
The Spicy Lamb Farm does entertaining and educational sheep and duck herding demonstrations. Border collie demonstrations are a crowd pleaser for special events or parties. Email for pricing and scheduling availability. We can also bring the demonstration to you.
Fall Parties
Plan a party on the farm this autumn, enyoy the fall foliage, pick your own pumpkins, take a hay wagon ride, and enjoy hot cider and a bonfire. Email us to plan your group visit.
Sleigh Rides
Due to the demand for sleigh rides, the uncertainty of snow, and the limitations of our horse, we are limiting sleigh rides to those who lease-a-sheep and volunteers.
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 parcel in 1901. 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.
It is likely that the house, barn and some of the other farm buildings were built late in 1913, or early in 1914. 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.
