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Case Western Reserve University Farm

Nestled upon 389 acres of land characterized by forests, ravines, meadows, waterfalls, ponds, a brook and its watershed and miles of roads and trails, the Case Western Reserve University Farm has become a staple on the university’s campus. The University Farm, located on Fairmount Boulevard in the village of Hunting Valley, came to fruition as a result of four extraordinary gifts over the last several decades: the late Andrew Squire presented 227 acres of land (Squire Valleevue Farm) to CWRU in the late 1930s, followed by Jeptha Wade II’s heirs’ grant of 104 adjoining acres (Valley Ridge Farm) in 1977. In 1984, five acres was donated by John and Elizabeth Hollister, with an additional five acres bestowed upon the university in 1995.

The Farm continues to be a significant resource in the area, benefiting both the entire university community and its neighbors through its vast scope of educational, research, community and recreational services and programs. Fourteen undergraduate and graduate courses are available, focusing on the fields of Ecology, Geology and Arts, along with training courses for nurses and language immersion programs. The Farm is currently home to three active research groups concentrating on such disciplines as Ecology, Environmental Studies and Behavioral Studies.

A handful of conservation programs, working towards enriching the farm’s natural resources while at the same time providing ample opportunities for research and learning, are accessible here. The programs are continually expanding as each year passes, with current offerings including a bluebird trail of 42 homes, a four-acre prairie restoration area, the improvement of ponds utilizing renewable energy and the generation of a salamander lagoon.

In addition, the University Farm’s indoor and outdoor facilities have been utilized more than ever by student groups, faculty, local organizations and other visitors. In fact, use of its facilities swelled greatly in 2007 – from 21,028 scheduled visits in 2006 to 26,127 in 2007; a 22% increase. The Farm, which encompasses the Sheep Barn, Pink Pig, Kutina Classroom, Manor House and a number of picnic sites, serves as a top destination for such applications as coursework, events, meetings, retreats and outreach programs.

The facilities located within the University Farm’s land area are persistently being updated by continual improvements and repair to the infrastructure. Reducing energy consumption is of the utmost importance in these current and future enhancement plans, with such recent undertakings as the installation of a new irrigation system at the Debra Ann November Research Greenhouse, the remodeling and modernizing of the farm residences, the refurbishment of the Horse Barn at Valley Ridge Farm and several trail repairs.

The CWRU Farm has remained a significant feature in the community at-large thanks in large part to generous donations from area organizations, university alumni and others invested in the prosperity of this aspect of the university’s overall vitality.


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