The Soule Hub

Tucked down a narrow road on the border of Plympton sits some of the most beautiful, preserved farmland on the South Shore/South Coast, the Soule Homestead.

In its 34^th year of operation, The Soule Homestead Education Center is a beloved community resource and a 501(c)(3) entity in Middleborough. The stunning 120-acre property is owned by the town, and the nonproﬁt organization leases the land from the town. The small but mighty organization (just two part-time staff) utilizes the energy of thousands of volunteer hours per year to impact many thousands of people.

“I never knew this was here. It’s so beautiful—we’ll be back!” a local exclaimed to me at the farm’s Fall Harvest Fair. It has always amazed me that people within a ﬁve-mile radius still don’t know about this hidden gem. But if you have small children, are a music or animal lover, or a local foodie in search of organics, you are probably connected to the hub that is The Soule Homestead.

Left to Right: David Kraemer – Board Vice President Kelly MacDonald Weeks – Executive Director Nancy LaFave – Board Acting Treasurer Nathan Demers – Board President

Education

The Soule Homestead’s ﬁrst mission is children’s education. They offer a variety of low-cost educational programs that emphasize hands-on learning experiences in a unique setting. Summer camps, school vacation programs, and after-school programs are all popular, and their school ﬁeld trips can incorporate state curriculum standards. Soule also works with scout troops to meet badge requirements and are ﬂexible to the needs of other students, including homeschool groups. Early childhood programs are in demand with the little ones, including “First Farm Fun” and “Farm Buddies.”

Soule’s Education Coordinator, Melanie Fernandes, explains the importance of Soule’s kids programs. “If, after attending a program about plants, or animals, or genetics, or climate change, even one child is inspired to learn more and share what they learned, then Soule has made a difference,” she says.

Melanie believes that sharing each other’s passions and values as future stewards of the earth gives children the conﬁdence they need to become community leaders.

Kelly MacDonald Weeks, Soule’s Executive Director adds, “We have kiddos who make friends in camps and programs and it’s so special to see them when they run into each other—it’s magical that these fast friendships begin at Soule.”

Volunteers

MacDonald Weeks readily sees the community connections Soule makes, especially through the many volunteers at the farm who give thousands of hours each year to help Soule survive. “We have volunteers from all age groups… from adults who tend the gardens, help with repairs, or set up for big events, to teens who volunteer well past their required number of hours needed for graduation because they like the challenge of learning so many new things here,” Kelly says.

Soule also provides a wide variety of workshops year-round, including Rug Braiding, Embroidery, Pottery, Painting, Weaving, Intro to Bee Keeping, Organic Gardening, Holiday Wreath Making, and so much more.

The hard work of the volunteer force will enable the farm to thrive and, hopefully, be open to the community for generations to come.

Food & Farming

Dave Purpura of Plato’s Harvest has been farming since 2005 and in residence at Soule for years, growing a wide variety of vegetables and stocking other provisions for the Plymouth Farmers’ Market, which he also runs. Just imagine the thousands of people who have shopped at that market, not even knowing some of the food came to them via the soil at Soule. That’s community connection, in a stealthy way!

Mike Perry, third-generation sheepdog trainer and owner of Sheepdog Junction, also leases land at Soule. Sheepdog Junction provides experienced working-dog training. A highlight of many Soule events is the Sheepdog Demo. “I believe it is important for people to be communal, diligent, and generous. Spending time with people, dogs, and livestock in this community is simply an ingress to facilitating these values,” Mike says.

Soule’s Farm to Table Dinner is an annual special night of food and community, an evening that highlights locally grown and raised produce and proteins from farms across Southeastern Massachusetts. Stephanie McArdell of Wilde Flour was this year’s chef, serving delicious food from start to ﬁnish. The event featured local beer from Harper Lane Brewery, Brewery 44, and Brockton Beer.

“I started renting in the commercial kitchen at Soule last summer and have fallen in love with the community there. From all the activities going on, to being able to be the chef for last year’s Farm to Table Dinner and connecting with local farmers like Farmer Dave of Plato’s Harvest and Kristen Webb of Teedlebug, who are located at Soule, to others like Lolans Farm, Lindsay’s Local, Lipinski’s Farm, Freedom Food Farm, McGuire’s Mushrooms—and that’s just the beginning… It’s wonderful to see the local farming and business community come together in one event. Soule’s community has access to all these awesome small businesses which I got to use in my cooking for that event as well as in my own business, Wilde Flour,” Stephanie says.

The dinner is also one of the farm’s biggest fundraisers, supporting many of the kids’ programs that happen throughout the year. A great meal, and a great cause.

Community Events

Soule hosts other community events that are vital to fundraising as well, including Sheep Day, a Summer Concert Series, and a Harvest Fair in the Fall. This past season Anna Daley Young, Total Strangers, Kim Moberg, MUTU4L, Mark T. Small, Lainey Dionne, and Valerie Barretto all graced the Soule music stage with funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. A family concert with Cool Banana Wig had kids of all ages dancing around the farm.

The ”busy season” at Soule wraps up with their annual Harvest Fair celebration, featuring local artisans and crafters, hayrides, a sawmill demonstration, children’s fun tent, a story walk, raffles, and local beer and food. This day also plays a big part in funding the diverse programs at the farm.

Preservation

In the late 1980s, the town of Middleborough had the 80s, t foresight to keep the Homestead’s 120 acres of farmland keep t intact instead of letting it be transformed into yet another development. This was the first step in providing not only the town but also the entire region with preserved open space for recreation, hands-on kids’ education programs, farm education, and dedicated agricultural space for organic farmers.

Soule is town-owned but not town-funded. The farm survives on program revenue, membership support, grants, and fundraising. The Board of Directors at Soule is made up of volunteers, including President Nate Demers, a former Middleborough Select Board member.

“Soule has a history of building comradery throughout our community through festivals, workshops, and other organized activities and has enjoyed being able to highlight those who make our town so special and unique, whether it’s supporting local artists, musicians, farmers, volunteers, or small businesses. Being able to provide a space to bring so many talented individuals together and present these people to the community is truly rewarding for all involved,” Demers says.

MacDonald Weeks sums up the true spirit of Soule. “Soule Homestead continues to be a draw for the community. It’s such a special place. We see new babies added to families, celebrate 40th and 50th wedding anniversaries with our members, and cheer alongside parents when their kid gets into college! Just last month we had a member move back to Massachusetts from Florida—he stopped by Soule because he quite literally couldn’t wait to get his hands back in the soil here. We are working hard to ensure that the legacy of Soule Homestead Education Center continues for future generations,” she says.

Just as spokes are essential for a wheel to turn, the connective spokes of farm/food/family that emanate from the Soule Homestead are also essential for this community to connect and thrive.

Be a part of the South Shore hub that is the Soule Homestead. Check out their website for programs or take a little road trip. It’s always a good day for a walk around the farm.