Beech Hill Farm
Growing food, knowledge, and community through hands-on learning
Beech Hill Farm
A living laboratory for sustainable agriculture
College of the Atlantic Beech Hill Farm is a MOFGA-certified organic property. Located just minutes from campus, the 73-acre property includes vegetable fields, pasture land, heirloom orchards, greenhouses, and open forest—all serving as an immersive classroom for human ecology in action.
From seed to soil to community, Beech Hill Farm helps students connect academic inquiry with real-world impact—through food production, ecological research, and social equity initiatives.
About the farm
Sustainability rooted in experience
Beech Hill Farm supplies fresh, organic vegetables and sustainably raised meat to the COA dining hall and wider Mount Desert Island community. It’s a place where students plan crop rotations, steward soil health, harvest food, and contribute to a more resilient local food system.
Key initiatives include:
- Seasonal farm stand open to the public
- Weekly CSA program with sliding scale options
- Partnerships with local restaurants and markets
- Share the Harvest student-led food access program
- Hands-on learning opportunities through courses, work-study, and independent projects
Our roots
History of Beech Hill Farm
From student project to campus cornerstone, Beech Hill Farm was founded in 1989 by Barbarina Heyerdahl ’88 and Aaron Heyerdahl ’87. The original farm plan began as Barbarina’s senior project, and the couple operated the farm for 10 years before gifting it to College of the Atlantic in 1999.
Their vision created a place where future generations of students, farmers, and community members could learn and grow together—preserving working farmland and advancing the values of ecological stewardship.
Explore our Farms
Stories from the Field
Learning to lead from the ground up: COA launches Farm & Garden Fellows Program
The Thoreau Foundation-funded pilot integrates classroom study, experiential work, and mentorship to prepare students to lead the transition toward just and resilient food systems. Read More
Beech Hill Farm preps for a busy season [Mount Desert Islander]
The lion of early March is quickly becoming a lamb as 30-degree days become 40-degree days and snow turns into rain. The ground is thawing, and crocuses are peeking up from the soil. All this means the team at College of the Atlantic Beech Hill Farm in Mount Desert has begun preparing for a busy growing season. Read MoreReady to build your own path?
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