& On This Farm: Why You Should Visit Smolak Farms.

Image courtesy of me.

In 1706, Thomas d'Urfey wrote down the lyrics to the folk song "Old MacDonald Had a Farm." For over 300 years, children have sung the folk tune "Old MacDonald" to learn about farm life. But before Old MacDonald came into being, Smolak Farms was already being cultivated. Since the late 17th century, the land that would become Smolak Farms has thrived, now tended by the Smolak family for over (almost) 100 years.

Image courtesy of the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation).

The Smolak Farms feels frozen in time. While the world races to the next great thing, Smolak Farms confidently knows it produces baked goods, and experience does not need flashy lights and artificial flavors to attract its audience. I've experienced this firsthand.

Image courtesy of Smolak Farms.

 On October 18, 2024, I drove from bustling Boston to the bucolic property. When I left the freeway and journeyed more into North Andover, I rolled down the windows to smell the fresh autumn air. The trees blazed with vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows as if a match had lighted each leaf. When we approached the property, the frost began to melt as we saw a pumpkin patch across from the store. The pumpkin patch is guarded by a pumpkin tree (the farm tied smaller pumpkins onto a tree). Before we entered the store, we heard the fallow deer munching on their breakfast. When we entered the storefront, we were greeted by the smell of freshly made apple cider donuts (voted one of the top 2 cider donuts in all of  New England by boston.com). I ordered a donut while Mom ordered the berry muffin. We left the store and went to eat the pastries in the car. In the car, we savored the fresh pastries (apple cider donuts for me and a berry muffin for my mom). After enjoying breakfast, we strolled through the pumpkin patch before continuing our journey north to Vermont and New Hampshire.

Image courtesy of me.

In my brief time at Smolak Farms, I knew this place was worth writing about. I later spoke with third-generation owner Michael Smolak to learn more about the history, traditions, and heart behind this farm.

Image courtesy of me.

1. What is Smolak Farms?

   1. Smolak Farms is an integrated farm with multiple facets to our business model. We have seasonal pick-your-own produce (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, cherries, peaches, plums, apples, and Christmas trees). Additionally, the farm is home to a bakery and animal interaction area. We host birthday parties, hayrides, educational tours, events, weddings, and corporate functions depending on the time of year. Smolak Farms has the best farm-to-table dinner series in Massachusetts called Whim Farm To Table. Over the summer, Whim Farm To Table highlights the New England food scene by partnering with eight to ten Bostonian restaurants. The farm provides the produce, a stipend for protein, and a venue. We then donate some of the proceeds to the chef's charity of choice.

Image courtesy of Smolak Farms.

Image courtesy of Smolak Farms.

Image courtesy of Smolak Farms.

Images courtesy of Smolak Farms.

1. Why should someone visit Smolak Farms?

   1. Smolak Farms is the quintessential New England farm experience. We offer people the experience of not just seeing a working farm but also the chance to get to know each other. Smolak Farms pioneered agritourism in New England. Since the 1980s, we have been the top tourist destination in North Andover. When people travel to Boston, Rhode Island, or New Hampshire, we are one of the stops they make. During the fall, people come from all over the world to try our famous apple cider donuts.

   
   
   
   
   
   

   

   Image courtesy of me.

   
   
   
   

In 2023, we sold about 400-450,000 apple cider donuts- Michael Smolak

Image courtesy of Smolak Farms.

3. How does the farm incorporate sustainable practices?

   1. Farmers were the first environmentalists, and we honor that legacy by actively avoiding harmful pesticides and unsustainable practices whenever possible. We use crop rotation and integrated pest management (IPM) to minimize pest issues naturally. Pesticides are used only as a last resort, as we prioritize the health of our environment and our own exposure as farmers.

Image courtesy of Smolak Farms.

1. What is the North End Legacy Project?

   1. In 2009, I began the North End Legacy Project. My farming journey started in 1974, shortly after I returned from the University of Pennsylvania. At that time, there were 34 farms similar to Smolak Farms; today, only three remain, with ours being the last one in North Andover. I developed a set of questions for oral interviews to explore the socio-economic reasons behind people leaving agriculture and to capture insights into what life was like on the farm in past decades.

   
   

Image courtesy of me.