The inimitable Ebenezer Scrooge said, “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” It is a worthy effort for anyone, but few are able to keep this resolution as steadfastly and earnestly as Matt and Kimberly Campbell of The Farm at Raven Brook in Halifax. Though long-time residents of Halifax (Matt, a lifetime resident) the Campbell’s are relatively new to the world of farming, but you would never know it when visiting their picturesque 30 acres of Christmas tree heaven.
Matt and Kimberly’s journey started when they met in junior high at Silver Lake Regional Middle School and blossomed when they began dating in college. Matt attended Massachusetts Maritime Academy and became a Marine Engineer. Often having to spend months apart while Matt was at sea, the Campbell’s endeavored to make the most of family time and provide their boys, Evan and Nathan, with the quintessential farm-kid life. “We wanted a new adventure,” Kimberly Campbell says, “The boys were young, we love Christmas, and we wanted to be outdoors as a family all the time.” When the historic 1800’s tree farm became available, the Campbell’s jumped, without hesitation, at the chance of a lifetime.
Though idyllic, the property hardly came perfectly packaged and the Campbell’s realized their farm was going to require a group effort to restore and revitalize. “It was not a one-man job,” Kimberly recalls, “We have had many friends and family volunteer their time to help us bring the farm to where it is now. My mom and dad live with us now, too, and are jokingly referred to as our ‘full time volunteers’.” The real gift, however, has not been in seeing the fruits of their labor now that the farm is looking and working better than ever, but it was found in the process of being able to raise their boys at Raven Brook. “The boys have been able to connect to nature, to ride tractors, raise animals, work hard, and work with their family and community. It has been everything we wanted for them,” Kimberly reflects.
Coming up on their seventh year as the proprietors of The Farm at Raven Brook, the Campbell’s, though lacking any prior farming experience, have already acquired extensive knowledge about cultivating and harvesting evergreen trees. Not an easy or quick turn-around crop, evergreen tree farming requires as much wisdom as it does patience. Luckily, the Campbell’s found a fast and friendly community with the Massachusetts Christmas Tree Association. With an annual meeting and various seminars, the Campbell’s have been able to connect with and learn from experienced evergreen tree farmers in the area.
About 1,000 evergreen trees are planted each year at Raven Brook. Consisting mainly of Canaan Fir, Concolor Fir, Fraser Fir and Scotch Pine, the evergreen trees at Raven Brook range from 6ft to 25ft. Each tree grows approximately 12in a year and takes about 7-8 years to reach an appropriate size to harvest. Though the average desired tree size at other farms is around 6ft, it is the big trees that Raven Brook is best known for. “The size we sell the most of are the 12ft trees,” Kimberly explains, “so much larger than I can even fit inside my house!” After the tree harvest, the leftover stumps are removed from the field to make mowing easier in the summer. Each new tree is planted as a sapling in the spring and then plantings are done again in the fall to supplement any lost to disease or damage.
With a crop that takes so long to reach harvest stage, it takes a combination of logic and instinct to keep the field from being picked bare. “We have to keep an eye on the field in terms of what is being cut down,” Kimberly explains, “I am at a point where I can go out and survey the trees and if I start to feel a bit of panic about a certain size or type of tree looking picked over, I know it’s time to stop that harvest and I’ll call it. With a crop that takes seven years to replenish whatever is taken, you have to be careful not to over-harvest.”
Of course it is hardly just the adults learning the land. Evan and Nathan Campbell are growing right alongside the evergreens. The boys not only help with the holiday harvest-season, they raise various farm animals, maintain farm equipment, and collect tractors. “They raise chickens, goats, and pigs. Nathan helped deliver two litters of piglets. He was out there drying them off and making sure they were all alive and well -it’s an amazing experience,” says Kimberly. Before leaving to train as a merchant marine like his father, Evan was the resident beekeeper and sold the honey from their hives at the Shoppe on the farm. Nathan also has a passion for tractors -both the restoration and maintenance of them as well as using them on the farm.
The lessons of the farm are not confined to animals and equipment. Daily life enriching experiences are aplenty while working to keep the farm thriving. Kimberly particularly loves that the lessons her boys learn are not the kind available at school. “They learn to see things like the cost of running the farm -the cost of a 1,000 trees each year and the process of planting them. They learn marketing and management of the property, and about customer service. They also learn to innovate and come up with great ideas like events and offerings on the farm. This is all stuff you don’t learn in a classroom.” The boy’s good fortune is passed on to their friends as well. Kimberly explains, “The boy’s friends are always here coming up with ideas and giving their input. This was where all the kids wanted to be and hang out and I love it.”
Come Christmas tree season, the farm requires everyone on the farm to be involved. While the boys and their friends help with the baling station and hauling trees from the field, Kimberly’s mother runs and stocks the cozy Shoppe on the farm. Full of beautiful wreaths, arrangements, greenery, and pieces from local artists, the Shoppe offers seasonal, bespoke treasures that go hand-in-hand with Christmas magic.
One thing is certain, when The Farm at Raven Brook comes to life after Thanksgiving, it is a merry gathering of locals and visitors from afar. Collaborations with local businesses also enrich the experience at Raven Brook. “We have a lot going on at the farm during the Christmas season,” says Kimberly, “We have a snack trailer with treats, hot chocolate, and cider. Sarcastic Swine, Brewery 44, and Little Cookie Shed are on site. The Silver Lake High School Select Choir Carolers will be joining us at The Farm during Christmas Tree Season as well.”
In addition to drink, food, song, and tree cutting, the Farm at Raven Brook is also a haven for local photographers and photography opportunities. While photography opportunities are available year-round at Raven Brook, September to December is the busiest time of year with over 70 local photographers using the farm for their backdrop and setting. Photographers are also on site for visitors to get their pictures taken with nostalgic holiday props like the classic red pick up truck and rows of bushy evergreens in the background. If you are looking to get crafty this holiday season Raven Brook offers wreath making workshops and plenty of natural materials to cozy-up home and hearth.
Christmas is not the only season celebration can be found at The Farm at Raven Brook. Fall on the Farm offers boundless autumn beauty, food, entertainment, music, local businesses, and events that bring the community together on the weekends. Events featuring countryside delights such as antique tractors and local bands await visitors during the autumn. One particularly enchanting feature at Raven Brook to be used in any season is The Hollow. Once a clump of evergreen trees that were not harvested before reaching too large a size, The Hollow is now an outdoor room with live evergreen walls. Tucked inside is a long, high-top table, cable spool tables, stage, and a bar. At night The Hollow is illuminated like a fairy land with warm, white lights and overlooks The Pond and thousands of Christmas Trees.
The Farm at Raven Brook has grown to be a place of gathering and celebration for the community. With so may activities and natural beauty to be immersed in, it is not a surprise that many visitors become familiar faces. “Some weekends we see our neighbors every day at the farm enjoying the season. People drive from all over and many are returning and have made our farm part of their traditions,” says Kimbery, “Agrotourism can be tricky for sure, but it is a great way to teach people about the land and to appreciate the work that goes into a farm.”
Though the tremendous undertaking to provide hundreds of perfect Christmas trees and seasonal fun through fall and winter may sound daunting, the Campbell’s would not have it any other way. “One of my favorite moments lately was taking a little breather on a fall weekend and sitting at a picnic table and just watching people enjoy the farm. To know that our hard work and love for this place provides people with the quintessential New England experience for fall and Christmas is everything. This is our slice of heaven. We are so fortunate to be here.” In true Christmas spirit, the Campbell’s surely have found the perfect place where heaven and nature sing in unison and it’s a song that enriches anyone who stops to listen.