A historic farm and education center rooted in regenerative practices, ensuring access to healthy land for our next generations.
The Gift of Appleton Farms
Rolling grasslands, grazing livestock, stone walls, vegetable crops, and historic farm buildings comprise this 1,000-acre pastoral landscape, offering a rare glimpse into New England’s agricultural past. A gift of Colonel Francis R. Appleton, Jr., and his wife Joan, Appleton Farms is one of the oldest continuously operating farms in the country, established in 1638 and maintained by nine generations of the Appleton family. Prior to the settlement of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, this area was known as Agawam by its native inhabitants and was the ancestral land of the Pawtucket People.
A Sustainable Farm
Appleton Farms is committed to farming in ways that produce high quality food locally while preserving biodiversity and native species habitat, mitigating climate change, building healthy soils, and ensuring that our farmland is even healthier for the next generations. With our certified organic vegetable CSA and grass-based livestock operation, we aim to deepen visitors’ understanding of our agroecological approach to farming as a mechanism for conservation. Click here to see the current list of CSA options.
Not a member of our CSA? The Appleton farm store provides farm fresh products and locally sourced artisan goods all year long Tuesday- Saturday.
Wildlife on the Farm
Appleton Farms is home to a diverse mosaic of plant and wildlife species. The grasslands provide habitat for one of New England’s largest populations of bobolinks and meadowlarks, while the wetlands provide important spring feeding stops for migrating marsh birds and are home to frogs and salamanders, including the rare blue- and yellow-spotted salamander. Deer, fox, coyote, and mink are found in the fields, while the elusive fisher is common in the woodlands. Fall brings migrating hawks, and pine stands shelter owls in winter.
Year-Round Programs and Seasonal Events
Appleton Farms hosts year-round programming including culinary workshops and dinners, farm-based education programs and camp, daily fresh baked goods at our farm store, guided & passive recreational activities, private event opportunities & more.
With nearly 12 miles of hiking, cross-country skiing, bicycle and horseback riding trails, outdoor enthusiasts have access to historic farm roads, wooded paths, wetlands, and rolling hills from which to see the farmers and nature at work. Visit our historic Farmhouse for a glimpse into Appleton’s past. Year-round events and programs are centered here, including annual Farm Days and Oktoberfest celebrations, maple sugaring season, and guided hikes.
Barnyard & Garden
Our education garden and barnyard are open 10AM until dusk daily. Explore, smell, and taste what’s growing in the beds. Dig in the mud-kitchen or walk through our historic barn and enjoy the play corner. While you’re exploring, say hello to the goats, bunnies, and chickens that call the barnyard home. Our garden is a seasonal reflection of the work being done by our farmers in the fields and provides a close-up look (and taste!) of different vegetables grown here on the farm. For this reason, many of our educational programs are centered here.
Farm Store
The Appleton Farm Store is open year-round to the public and showcases our own organic produce and 100% grass-fed beef and pasture-raised meat, as well as a curated selection of local goods, artisan crafts and specialty items. Our culinary team uses farm grown, seasonal fresh ingredients to produce a variety of baked goods, prepared foods and fresh breads.
Programs and Events
Visit our busy events schedule online to sign up for barnyard activities, adult & youth programs & events, school field trips, farm summer camp and special seasonal offerings including large-scale annual events such as Farm Days and Oktoberfest in the Fall, and Maple Season in the winter.
Winter Adventures
Winter is a perfect time to visit Appleton and it becomes a playground for winter activities whenever there is snow on the ground. Enjoy cross-country ski trails groomed by our partners at North Shore Nordic Association. The only cost is the parking fee for nonmembers. Starting in January, we also have snowshoe rentals available at the Farm Store. Rental hours are Tuesday- Sunday 10:00AM to 2:00PM, with the last rentals returned by 3:30PM. Holidays and store closures will affect rental availability. Advance booking is not available, rentals are first come/first served and sizes are limited. Find more information here.
Property is open daily, Sunrise to Sunset.
Nonmember parking fee: $6 weekdays/$10 weekends and holidays.
Members always park for FREE.
Advance Parking TicketsFarm Store Hours ~ December 26-February 6
Tuesday-Sunday: 10AM-4PM
Closed Mondays
219 County Road
Ipswich, MA 01938
Telephone: 978.356.5728
Email: appletonfarms@thetrustees.org
Public restrooms are located in the Carriage Barn. During events and programs at the Farmhouse, restrooms in that building are also available.
Accessible Features
Accessible bathrooms for the general public at the Carriage Barn. During private events that use the Old House/Farm Offices, there are accessible bathrooms in that building for event attendees to use.
Accessible parking spots at both the Old House/Farm Offices and the Grass Rides. There are signs posted designating those parking spots. There are two of them at the Old House, right along the side of the building, close to the side door, and one of them at the Grass Rides, right near the pay station location.
Some trails might be considered wheelchair friendly. The ones on the Farmstead side of the property, around the Old House, Farm Store, and a few of the trails over our railroad bridge and onto the other side of the property are wide, flat, dirt roads.
Appleton Farms, a one thousand-acre property located on the North Shore of Massachusetts, is known for its preserved New England charm. Spring events will be backdropped by blooming wildflowers, songbirds, and the deep greens of the working farm. In the fall, the venue will offer cascades of oranges and yellows when the Maple trees that line many of the fields change for the new season. Our pastoral vistas, historic farmhouse, hours of walking trails, and a wide variety of programming provide an idyllic for select community gatherings.
Learn More
More than six miles of footpaths, bridle paths, and farm roads, some of which are part of the Bay Circuit Trail, provide numerous opportunities to experience Appleton Farms’ stunning vistas and striking diversity of landscapes, both natural and man-made.
Another six miles of trails perfect for walking, hiking or running, are available at the connected Appleton Farms Grass Rides, where dog walking is also allowed.
Trails are open year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. You can download a Property Trail Map here.
We ask that you stay on marked paths and roads, observing which are for pedestrians and which for equestrians. Please note: Dog walking is allowed at the Grass Rides only.
While enjoying our trails, please remember that this is a working farm and respect livestock, farm equipment and electric fences. Vehicles are allowed on main entrance driveway and parking is permitted only in designated parking lots.
Dog Lovers
While not permitted on the farmstead side of property, we welcome dogs to our 259-acre section of Appleton Farms known as the Grass Rides. Originally created as horse and carriage paths for the Appleton’s, the trails are now beloved by hikers and dogs alike. This wooded area is accessible from the Highland Street parking lot.
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Appleton Farms is one of the oldest continuously operating farms in America. Established in 1638 by Samuel Appleton, who emigrated from Little Waldingfield, England, the farm is among the most influential in America’s agricultural history. For nearly four centuries, and over nine generations, the Appletons preserved their farm and maintained a successful agricultural operation. Learn more from Historic Ipswich.
