Howell Farm has been one of my favorite local treasures since I first discovered it on a preschool field trip with my daughters when they were little. I loved it so much that I immediately signed them up for the Farm Hands and Hatchery programs, respectively. They loved it! They learned about farming and farm animals, collected eggs, and did crafts, while I helped out on the farm. And let me tell you – working at Howell, I quickly developed a high level of respect for farmers!
Howell Farm, located at 70 Woodens Lane in Hopewell Township, is also known as the Joseph Phillips Farm. Set on 130 acres in Pleasant Valley, the original farm dates to 1732, and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in May 1977. Originally owned by Inez Howe Howell of Pennington, the farm was donated to Mercer County in 1974, and is currently operated by the Mercer County Park Commission, under the long-time oversight of Director Peter (Pete) Watson. The farm is representative of a working farm circa 1890 – 1910.
I sat down with Pete recently, and asked him how he became involved with Howell Farm. He shared that he had been researching “small farm agriculture” in 1982 and found that Howell Farm had excellent resources to share. Several people working at Howell at the time were experts in “draft animal power” and Pete knew he could apply some of that knowledge to international projects he was involved in. Pete decided to volunteer at Howell to learn more and was soon offered a job. He took the job in 1983, thinking he would be at Howell for maybe a year, but 40-some years later…
When I asked Pete what made Howell Farm so special, he said that it’s a chance to share something that was once part of everyone’s lifestyle, that now is not.
“It’s fun and satisfying to let people experience the farm,” shared Pete, “[They] learn what comes from growing crops and taking care of animals in a way that uses our natural resources in sensible and ethical ways, that ensure those resources will be available for the next generation.” Pete noted that he is still fascinated with “using the historical record to strengthen research.”
Visitors to the farm can not only explore the farm on their own; they can watch or participate in a myriad of activities throughout the year – everything from potato planting to old-fashioned baseball games, sheep shearing, maple tree tapping, ice harvesting, plowing matches, wagon tours, and more. For all activities, see https://www.mercercounty.org/departments/mercer-county-park-commission/howell- living-farm-capital-city/howell-living-history-farm
Howell Farm hosts a themed corn maze each fall as well! This year the maze, with the theme “American Quilt,” will run from Saturday, September 21 to Sunday, November 3. For hours of operation and directions, see https://howellfarm.org/corn-maze.
Howell Farm does more than educate visitors about farming. During the COVID pandemic, Howell fought food insecurity in the wider community through its “Share the Harvest” program, donating fresh vegetables, eggs, and grain products to food pantries. It also milled its wheat crop into flour to be donated. Pete noted that Howell continues to donate eggs and crops to food pantries, with farm visitors often assisting in the process. So far, half a ton of potatoes alone have been donated!
So, if you’ve never been to Howell Farm, please go see it, and all that they do. Their website can be found at: https://www.mercercounty.org/departments/mercer-county-park-commission/howell-living-farm-capital-city/howell-living-history-farm.
All photos, other than the photo of Pete Watson, are copyright kbrobinsonphotography
