Celebrating the Abundance of Life
Farm Scenes
In addition to our farming enterprise, we provide ag-tourism opportunities for visitors to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. 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.
Educational Programming and Tours
We welcome school groups and other organization 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 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 unnamed tributaries in the Stanford Run watershed along the divide of the Boston Run watershed, both tributaries of 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 |
| Directions We are off Boston Mills Road at the end of Akron-Peninsula Road. You can not reach us from 303. (map) (trail map & directions) |
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Sleigh Rides
Due to demand and the limitations of our mare, rides will be limited to those who purchase blankets.
Hours
Currently, we are only open by appointment and for special events. However, you are always welcome to stop in and see if we are home. You can follow what is happening on the farm under TheSpicyLamb using Twitter. We also created The Spicy Lamb Farm cause and fan pages under Facebook where you can follow our news of agriculture, ag-tourism, and education. As we shoot videos, they are being put up on YouTube under thespicylambfarm. Visitors are encouraged to be become a Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association (CVNPA) member and a Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy (CVCC) member.
Special Events
Lambing Day
Saturday, March 20, 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Visit the farm to see lambs, ducklings, chicks, and bunnies. Fee: $5 per person or $2 for CVNPA or CVCC members. Portrait photography available for an additional fee. A percentage of all fees goes to the CVNP.
Blessing of the Sheep
Sunday, April 18, 1:30 - 3 p.m.
Visit the farm to see sheep shearing, blessing of the sheep with bagpipes accompaniment, and a border collie demonstration. Fee: $8 per person or $5 for CVNPA or CVCC members.
Spring Farming in the Valley
Saturday, May 1
From 9 - 11 a.m., Heritage Farms will present evergreen and daylily demonstrations followed by Gardening on a Shoestring program. Learn how to garden by recycling everyday items that most people will have around their home. Each participant will receive either an evergreen seedling or a daylily to take home to plant. For more information call (330) 657-2330 or visit www.heritagefarms.com. Fee: $8 per person, or purchase a full-day, $12 combination ticket with The Spicy Lamb Farm from 1- 3 pm. Participants will be free from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. to explore Peninsula, picnic at either farm, or enjoy lunch at one of the local restaurants, then hike or drive to The Spicy Lamb Farm, 1-3 p.m. to learn about to learn about raising sheep and try your hand at a craft using wool fibers.
Historical Sketch
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.
The summer of 2009, we had visits from the Jones and Ross families who previously lived and farmed this property.