We acknowledge and honour the Quaboag people of the Nipmuc Nation who called this place Menameset, and their elders – past, present, and emerging. We humbly ask their blessings as we steward this beautiful land.
The recent history of our farm has deep ties to the history of Barre, and to the history of the region.
Situated on nearly 300 acres of preserved land on the Barre-Oakham border, Renaissance Farms was created from lands later belonging to several early Barre farmers. At one time, it was owned by Vernon Willey, Lord Barnby the owner of the Barre Wool Combing Company, and was a summer playground for his family and friends, complete with a cricket pitch. More recently, it has been home to dairy cattle and dairy goats, and was also used to grow landscaping trees.
Renaissance Farms is now a farm scale permaculture project. We have been home to a revolving cast of livestock, including goats, sheep, swine, and fowl. We also grazed a herd of Red Devon cattle for Rotokawa Beef for several seasons. We have grown heirloom vegetables, and microgreens. We have tapped our black birch and maple trees to make syrup.
In 2024, we are returning to our original plan from more than a decade ago to grow lavender and other herbs, to establish a bee sanctuary, and to raise sheep for wool.
We care deeply about our land and our community. Our mission is to increase local access to good food, holistic healing, permaculture education, and more.