News From Horseshoe Bay Farms | |
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A periodic newsletter to connect the mission, history, and current happenings of Horseshoe Bay Farms to all. | |
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The mission of Horseshoe Bay Farms, Inc. is to act as a responsible steward through preservation, rehabilitation, and activation of historic Horseshoe Bay Farms to secure its future for generations to come.
After a robust and unique 102 year history, this iconic Door County farm located in Egg Harbor, WI, became a 501(c)(3) non-profit in 2018.
Following substantial investments in exterior renovations and a 20 year master plan in 2019 and 2020, Horseshoe Bay Farms (HSBF) began its operations in 2021.
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Our History (one piece at a time)
Established in 1917, HSBF (Originally "Murphy Farms") was designed and built in just over 2 years. It was to be the premier farm for breeding Holstein Cattle. It pioneered breeding techniques, farm efficiencies, and production tracking statistics. It featured eight barns, five managers' homes, and several additional support structures.
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The rich history of HSBF is still being discovered by the staff and volunteers. As a critical component of our mission, we must gather as much of the history of this iconic Door County property as possible.
If you have any photos, stories, or connections to HSBF, or see that we may have a made an error in the history that we share, please contact us.
We want to hear from you!
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Horseshoe Bay Farms began a unique collaboration with Door County Dahlias back in 2018. After 3 years the result is an absolutely stunning zinnia, dahlia, and sunflower garden that has visitors to the farm in awe of its beauty.
Hundreds of zinnias and over 1,500 dahlias created a stunning garden in what once was one of the original cow pastures.
With all in full bloom by Mid-August, participants joined in our first "Dahlia Day" on August 28th. All who joined could experience the garden, talk with the folks from Door County Dahlias, and bring home beautiful hand made bouquets. With so much excitement from the first event, we added two more "Cut Your Own" events that attracted flower enthusiasts of all ages.
You can experience the garden any time we are open or on a tour. If you didn't get a chance to see them this year, make sure to mark your 2022 calendar!
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This year marked our first year of operations as a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Two of our main goals were awareness and accessibility. We hear it time and time again that folks have "driven by the farm hundreds of times, but never know if they can be on property". Well, now they can!
We kicked off the season on Saturday, May 29th with the Festival of Nature run by The Ridges Sanctuary. The festival ran throughout the summer and featured 4 monthly tours.
In addition to the Festival of Nature, we ran public tours twice a week June - October. Nearly 300 people participated in tours this summer. Tours feature a visit to every farm structure and the vegetable and dahlia gardens. Participants learn about the rich history of the farm, along with our plans for the future.
Tours wrap up Thursday, October 21st, but will start again May 2022. Visit our website for the tour schedule and to register.
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This past August, kids from the Boys & Girls Club of Door County summer camps took field trips to Horseshoe Bay Farms.
Ages 5 - 9 toured the farm, then made their own pickles with ingredients from the garden!
Kids ages 10-12 participated in the first ever "HSBF Greatest Garden Chef" competition. After a full tour of the farm, they familiarized themselves with the garden. The group split into two teams, created their own menus, and off they went. Meals included a pan fried potato and purple carrot medley with basil and garlic and a fresh cucumber, kale, tomato salad with sparkler white tip radish, carrot, and a vinaigrette dressing.
Along with all the fun we had, we also learned where our food comes from, how we can plant our own gardens at home, and how amazing fresh vegetables really are.
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In 2019, the HSBF Board hired TEN x TEN Landscape Architecture and Urbanism out of Minneapolis, MN to help them build a vision for the future. They were supported by a team of expert consultants including AWH Architects, New History, and Wigen Consulting. In the fall of 2020 the plan was completed and initiated.
This master plan identifies strategies for the continued preservation and rehabilitation of the Farm for a sustained future. The plan also proposes a road map for unique programs and reactivation so that Horseshoe Bay Farms can once again serve as a vital community space. This multidisciplinary team provided Horseshoe Bay Farms with a road map for preservation and implementation.
Click the button below to further explore the Master Plan.
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Horseshoe Bay Farms, Inc is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Our mission is to act as a responsible steward through preservation, rehabilitation, and activation of historic Horseshoe Bay Farms to secure its future for generations to come.
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