ABOUT GORMAN HERITAGE FARM

The mission of Gorman Heritage Farm is to explore and learn the history, methods and values of a working family farm in a natural setting.

Overview

Gorman Heritage Farm is a 120-acre working farm and outdoor education center, which invites its visitors to explore and learn the history, methods and values of a working family farm in a natural setting. We are located on Reading Road in Evendale, Ohio. The Farm is one-half mile south of Glendale-Milford Road.
 

The Farm consists of 30 tillable acres, a farmyard with a variety of animals, a garden,  40 acres of wooded hillside, and a natural pond. We enjoy visits from members, casual visitors, school groups and many others during the course of the year. The paid staff includes both farming and administrative professionals, supported by a strong cadre of volunteers.

The crops are planted with a rotation of corn, alfalfa, rye and wheat. Our signature crop is sunflowers, the harvest of which is celebrated with our annual Sunflower Festival in early October.  Other seasonal events include our Shear Excitement festival, highlighting the spring season, sheep farming history and textile arts, and our summer history-based event.  2006 and 2007 saw the return of "Morgan's Raiders" and a Civil War Reenactment,  and plans are underway for a possible Highland Gathering to honor the Farm's Scottish heritage.

Our animals serve mainly educational purposes, but we do raise some animals to provide meat and eggs for market. We have goats, sheep, cattle, rabbits, miniature horses and a pig,  Students and volunteers assist with animal care tasks, and guests are invited to visit with the animals.

Education is a key element of Gorman Heritage Farm.  We provide educational services to thousands of school-aged children through our field trips and summer camp; and to adults and families with our workshops on such varied topics as beekeeping, flower arranging, and composting.

Gorman Heritage Farm promotes:

• Hands-on education for people of all ages, particularly local students, about agriculture, local habitats and the value of manual labor (through volunteering, internships and community service) as and essential pillar of American culture
   
• The preservation of a distinct regional identity and local traditions, specifically the history of Gorman Farm and the values of the Gorman family that helped it flourish
   
• An understanding of modern food systems and how sustainable agriculture, the consumption of locally grown food and responsible land use can support a healthy society
   
• The entrepreneurial spirit that seeks new avenues for self-sustaining business opportunities
   
• Community building that highlights the essential connections between people, land and meaningful labor.