Valley Farm & Family Farmyard

Honoring Our Agricultural Legacy

For generations, Valley Farm has been home to a rich agricultural tradition, and at one point was home to one of the oldest registered Holstein herds in the country. While our programming has evolved, we continue to honor our roots by offering engaging farm experiences for visitors of all ages.

The Holstein herd that once resided at Pineland Farms traced its origins back to 1881, when the Merrill family of Gray, Maine, established what would become one of the oldest registered Holstein herds in the United States. The Wilson family continued this legacy, earning the prestigious Master Breeder designation in 1999 before Pineland Farms acquired the herd in 2001.

For more than 20 years, families have visited Pineland Farms to learn about farming firsthand, meet our animals, and create lasting memories.

The historic herd that once resided at Pineland will continue to play a significant role in the dairy industry. Most of our cows have been sold privately to other dairy farms throughout Maine and the Northeast, ensuring that their legacy will carry forward and continue to benefit the dairy industry. Two offspring from our original Holstein herd will remain on the farm.

Farming has always been dynamic, and recent changes at Pineland open exciting opportunities for the future of Valley Farm. By shifting away from daily milking operations, we can expand our farm education programs and events while continuing to provide meaningful hands-on agricultural experiences. Visitors will meet a variety of animals in the Family Farmyard, including Highland cattle, goats, sheep, chickens, peafowl, rabbits, and Shetland ponies, with more to come as we grow our offerings. We invite you to stay connected with us as we continue to evolve, offering new programs and experiences that celebrate agriculture and farm life.

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