Frequently Asked Questions
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What kinds of animals live on Cuvilly's Farm?
Horses, sheep, donkeys, goats, pigs, geese, chicken, ducks and our prized llama/alpaca mix, Charlie. Every year, a portion of our Nubian goat herd is donated to Heifer International, a nonprofit organization whose goal is to help end world hunger and poverty through self-reliance and sustainability.
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How do you care for all Cuvilly's animals?
Our animals are housed in an authentic 19th-century timber barn that was donated and moved from private land in Danvers to our property in 2002. Members of the Timber Framers Guild painstakingly disassembled the barn and reassembled it piece by piece on Cuvilly's property. Our barn manager, Heather Forbes, cares for every animal on a daily basis, and the animals are seen on a regular basis by a local veterinarian. The cost of animal feed has skyrocketed in recent years, making it more and more challenging to continue operating our farm. You can help support our animals through our Cuvilly Critter Trek.
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Is it possible to visit with the animals?
Participants in the Cuvilly Critter Trek may meet our animals, but normally only those who attend our pre-school/kindergarten program or those who arrange for a tour may do so. Cuvilly is not a petting zoo and is not open to the public on a general basis. For tour/field trip information, please email Cuvilly Environmental Education Coordinator Erika Gorgenyi at erika@cuvilly.org.
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How do the animals support Cuvilly's classroom curriculum?
The animals are more than a backdrop. They teach our students that eggs come from chickens (not the supermarket), that manure becomes compost to nurture vegetables and flowers, that a pig is more than a pork chop and, as such, is a living being with value in and of itself. They illustrate the interconnectedness of life, an essential theme of our curriculum and overall mission. We do units on most of the animals throughout the year. Find out more information about our school curriculum.
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How did Cuvilly Arts & Earth Center come to be situated within a farm in the first place?
Because the farm was here first! Our school, arts studio and administrative offices are housed in a renovated 1940s dairy barn. Ipswich used to be a hub for dairy farmers. It's ironic that the only farm animal we don't maintain on our farm is a cow!
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Does Cuvilly's farm raise and sell produce?
A beautiful and extensive herb and vegetable garden is planted and cultivated by Cuvilly's unique gardening community. All participating members enjoy the fruits of the harvest, but Cuvilly does not sell any of the produce raised. Get more information on how you can join Cuvilly's gardening community.
