Historic O'Neil Farm

Since our founding in February 2005, we have been busy defining our mission and preparing for the future as a viable New England dairy farm.

Historic O'Neil Farm is a private, non-profit corporation run by a nine-member Board of Directors. We have developed a 3/4 mile walking trail off Autumn Avenue; have written a Phase I Business Plan through a Technical Assistance Grant from the Massachusetts Farm Viability Program; and have held our first of many Farm Days. We welcome you to our Avery walking trail on Autumn Avenue, and will keep you informed about farm activities through this website and future newsletters.

About Historic O'Neil Farm

In 2005, the O'Neil dairy farm was permanently protected with funding from Duxbury's Community Preservation Act fund, the Massachusetts Agricultural Preservation Restriction Program, and many generous private donors. The new name then became officially the "Historic O'Neil Farm, Inc.," a non-profit corporation run by a nine-member Board of Directors.

The campaign to permanently protect the farm, possibly the last working dairy farm on the South Shore, was spearheaded by the Wildlands Trust of Southeastern Massachusetts. It involved the entire Duxbury community and beyond. Because of the successful campaign's broad support, confusion still exists as to who actually owns and runs the farm.

At Historic O'Neil Farm, Carl O'Neil continues as the farmer in charge of day-to-day operations, directing the milking of 40 cows, caring for the land, and selling milk to Agri-Mark co-op. The nine-member Board of Directors is dedicated to preserving the farm. As Directors of the Corporation they are involved with policy issues, working with dairy consultants on long-range business plans, developing public access trails, applying for grants, and holding community Farm Days.

Two restrictions protect the Historic O'Neil Farm, Inc. in perpetuity: 1) an Agricultural Preservation Restriction ensures the farmland will always remain in agriculture, and 2) a Conservation Restriction ensures the farmhouse, barn and outbuildings will remain a barnyard. The 145-acre farm can never be developed as house lots.

Historic O’Neil Farm, Inc. is open to the public in several ways. A trailhead and parking lot on Autumn Avenue provides walking access on a 3/4 mile loop trail. This trail takes hikers along farms fields, over a brook, through woods and past a vernal pool. Glimpses of the farmyard and cows can be seen from the trail. The public is invited to the barnyard for an annual Farm Day each Fall. This fun community event offers an opportunity to see farm animals up close, play games, eat ice cream, and meet the Farmtastic 4-H club members, who raise their calves at the farm. Farm visits for scout troops and school groups can be scheduled throughout the year.

The Historic O’Neil Farm Board of Directors is especially grateful to Boy Scout Troop 62, and two of its Eagle Scouts, who helped construct the Avery walking trail; the Appalachian Service Project adults and teens who restored an outbuilding and re-sided part of the main barn; and the Farmtastic 4-H group who meet weekly at the farm and help with farm chores.

The Chandler trail in now open!  This trail goes down our new right of way, through a hay field and down through the woods to the high tension lines and out through Old Forge Way. This is a longer walking trail than our first, and we are looking forward to sharing it with the public. Parking for the new trail is in the same parking lot on Autumn Ave that the Avery trail uses.