THE FARM
THE HISTORY
In 1844,
which was the beginning of the family’s significant role in the development of Stone Bank. The Ferguson’s donated a parcel of their farmland to build a Presbyterian church in 1858. This church is now home to the Stone Bank Farm Market.
Scottish immigrant John Ferguson purchased 225 acres from the government,
In 1856,
the farm connecting North Lake to Okauchee Lake. The mill was in operation for 49 years until he slowly transitioned into dairy farming due to fears of mill closure from the invention of electricity.
John Ferguson built a gristmill on the west bank of the river that slices through
In 1890,
The original Ferguson farm became known as the Rogers farm when a Ferguson daughter married a Rogers son in the 1930s. Mr. Rogers continued the farming tradition until the 1950s, upon which he decided to give up farming and took a job in Oconomowoc.
For nearly 50 years no crops were planted or animals pastured until 2003 when the Faye Gehl Conservation Foundation purchased the farm from the Rogers family. Over the course of 10+ years the land has been turned back into productive farmland. The land on which the Market sits is surrounded by 75 acres of the original homestead and protected by the Faye Gehl Conservation Foundation.
the family built a small dairy barn which was expanded in 1910 to milk 24 cows.
THE HISTORY
IN 1844,
Ferguson purchased 225 acres from the government, which was the beginning of the family’s significant role in the development of Stone Bank. The Ferguson’s donated a parcel of their farmland to build a Presbyterian church in 1858. This church is now home to the Stone Bank Farm Market.
Scottish immigrant John
IN 1856,
gristmill on the west bank of the river that slices through the farm connecting North Lake to Okauchee Lake. The mill was in operation for 49 years until he slowly transitioned into dairy farming due to fears of mill closure from the invention of electricity.
John Ferguson built a
IN 1890,
The original Ferguson farm became known as the Rogers farm when a Ferguson daughter married a Rogers son in the 1930s. Mr. Rogers continued the farming tradition until the 1950s, upon which he decided to give up farming and took a job in Oconomowoc.
For nearly 50 years no crops were planted or animals pastured until 2003 when the Faye Gehl Conservation Foundation purchased the farm from the Rogers family. Over the course of 10+ years the land has been turned back into productive farmland. The land on which the Market sits is surrounded by 75 acres of the original homestead and protected by the Faye Gehl Conservation Foundation.
the family built a small
THE GARDENS
The gardens
pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. We begin with healthy soil and local compost. All plants are started from seeds, which are carefully selected for their unique, organic, heirloom, non-GMO qualities and sown directly by hand.
We grow all year long in raised beds, greenhouses, and outdoor gardens. Extra thought is given to carefully map plant placement for productivity, beauty and keeping the pollinators in mind. This creates natural, nutrient-dense plants to be harvested at the peak of freshness. Produce is then washed, packaged, and sold in our on-site Market.
grow a variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers without chemicals,
THE GARDENS
THE GARDENS
of vegetables, herbs, and flowers without chemicals, pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. We begin with healthy soil and local compost. All plants are started from seeds, which are carefully selected for their unique, organic, heirloom, non-GMO qualities and sown directly by hand.
We grow all year long in raised beds, greenhouses, and outdoor gardens. Extra thought is given to carefully map plant placement for productivity, beauty and keeping the pollinators in mind. This creates natural, nutrient-dense plants to be harvested at the peak of freshness. Produce is then washed, packaged, and sold in our on-site Market.
grow a variety
3 acre veggie garden
75 acres protected farmland
4,000 sq. foot greenhouse
THE ANIMALS
Stone Bank Farm
however the quality of the soil was depleted and the land wasn’t suitable for sustainable farming. In 2019, animals were reintroduced after 70+ years to play an important role in improving the soil health of the farm.
We care for beef cattle, lambs, pigs, and chickens that are free to graze on our pastures. All the animals are raised with no antibiotics, no hormones, and are fed a polycrop feed grown on our farm.
This simple combination of livestock and regenerative farming connects our health to the land.
had been preserved as a significant scenic open space,
THE ANIMALS
STONE BANK FARM
preserved as a significant scenic open space, however the quality of the soil was depleted and the land wasn’t suitable for sustainable farming. In 2019, animals were reintroduced after 70+ years to play an important role in improving the soil health of the farm.
We care for beef cattle, lambs, pigs, and chickens that are free to graze on our pastures. All the animals are raised with no antibiotics, no hormones, and are fed a polycrop feed grown on our farms.
This simple combination of livestock and regenerative farming connects our health to the land.
had been
Grazing on our Farm:
Lambs
Pigs
Red Devon Cattle
