BHF is a 140 acre family-run diversified farm located at 1500 feet on the eastern slopes of the Berkshire Hills of Western Massachusetts. With occasional hired-in help, the farm is owned and operated by Norma, the full-time farm manager. Husband Bill works part-time at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and is the part-time farm hand, largely responsible for the equipment operation and maintenance. 

According to deed research, the land on which the farm sits has been continuously farmed since at least 1797. With a top-of-the mountain, end of the road location, the farm offers vernal ponds, seclusion, quiet, wildlife sightings, beautiful views in all directions, and miles of trails for birding, biking, riding, hiking, snow-shoeing or cross-country skiing. Located away from significant sources of light pollution, visitors can experience spectacular night time views of stars, planets and the Milky Way Galaxy.

Two dear members of the farm family, Sierra, a very friendly 9-year old German Shepherd, and Buster, a lovable English Cocker Spaniel, left us in 2002 and will be dearly missed. Since we could not stand the thought of being "dogless", a short time after losing Sierra and Buster, we found and purchased a sweet AND ENERGETIC English Springer Spaniel who we named Tucker. 

A relatively recent addition is a purebred Siamese we named Luther.  He and Tucker have also become close friends. 

We also were fortunate to have been given another wonderful animal friend, a Bengal Cat named "Maddie" (short for Madagascar). Maddie has fit right in to our household, which she clearly rules, and which she has kept free of mice.

The farm's main crop is between 600 and 800 gallons of N.O.F.A.-Mass. Certified Organic Pure Maple Syrup, produced each year from sap collected from 2500 taps and boiled to perfection in the farm's modern sugar house. The farm's maple trees have long been known in town for producing high quality syrup with outstanding flavor. Norma handles virtually all of the syrup set up, boiling, and cleanup, as well as all of the packaging into retail containers, and some of the delivery to various retail outlets in Massachusetts and Connecticut. She is one of the very few full-time female sugar makers in the state.

Another product is young stock from the herd of Boer goats. The goats, affectionately known as the girls, also contribute to the farm's sustainability by producing ample manure, which, after it is composted is spread on the fields and gardens. Also, because they love to eat the briars, brambles, small trees and other brush that would otherwise grow unchecked, they help keep the pastures open and productive.

In addition, the Coli's breed, train and sell purebred Norwegian Fjord Horses, one of the world's oldest recognized breeds. Fjords, which were domesticated and used by the Vikings, are a small, but athletic breed, with outstanding temperament and versatility, capable of being used for tasks as varied as land plowing, competitive carriage driving, jumping and dressage.

For the past 20 years, the farm has offered family-oriented vacation rentals in one of five free-standing housekeeping units: The Cabin, The Cottage, The Sugarhouse, The Maples for the large maple sugarbush that surrounds it and the newest place, that we call "The Bungalow". Each is fully furnished and equipped, private and very comfortable. Although farm work is not required, many of our guests, particularly the young ones, enjoy trying their hand at milking a goat, grooming horses, picking up bales of hay, leading animals to and from pastures, and the like. The recent stocking of the farm pond with rainbow trout and largemouth bass has added another chore, that of digging worms and feeding them to the fish, some of which will take them right from your hand.

While staying at the farm (depending on weather and demands of other jobs), all guests have a chance to take a ride on a wagon pulled by Mogan and Vidar, our sturdy (1,200 pounds each) team of well-behaved 9 year old Fjord geldings (a.k.a., the Boys). After their work, the Boys really enjoy being hand fed a few apples (grown on the farm) as a special treat. Guests can also help harvest highbush blueberries in season for eating with their morning cereal, and to fill orders for local stores, are encouraged to share in the bounty of the farm garden as they prepare their meals. It should be noted that Blue Heron Farm is not a B&B, although we do serve food to any guests that eat hay and grain.

Evidence of how enjoyable are stays here is the fact that some families have been returning each year for as many as 13 years, and the many positive comments left in our guest books by visitors from all over the US, Australia, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, and several European countries. In addition to such home-grown comments, the farm has been written up numerous times in media such as The Boston Globe (several times), The Boston Herald (Aug. 19, 1996), Rural New England Magazine (Feb., 1991), Boston Magazine (Spring/Summer, 1998), The Massachusetts Explorer's Guide (1998 and Spring, 2000), Martha Stewart Living (June, 1993), Business Week (December, 1990), Gourmet Magazine (December, 1989), and Yankee Magazine (Jan./Feb., 2006).