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Mesa Farm
[Click on photos to see larger version]
History:
Mesa Farm is the home base
for the Dale Perkins
Horse Show as well as home for Dale, Ann, Elizabeth, and Sam.
The farm gets its name because a plot plan of the farm
gives the outline of a rectangle or table which in Spanish is
the word “mesa”. The letters in Mesa also contain the first letter of the
names of the Tripp family when Ann and her late husband, Mark,
purchased the farm in 1997.
Mark passed away in the fall of 2002 and Ann and Dale, a
family friend since he moved to Rutland in 1990, were
married in 2006, the same time the number of horses at Mesa Farm
rapidly increased.
The farm house was built in 1724 with numerous additions,
including an attached post and beam barn. A chicken barn,
constructed in the late 1800’s, has been refurbished for horses
and equipment. Other more recent construction at Mesa
consists of outdoor and indoor riding arenas.
Land and Resources: Mesa Farm is roughly 80 acres
including
more than 50 acres of woodlands, approximately 18 acres or
pasture/hayfields, and 3 acres of garden and crop cultivation.
The farm borders Muschopauge Pond, which is the water reservoir
for the town of Rutland.
Agricultural plans: As much as possible, horses spend
their days with 24 hour turnout. The fields are rotated
between pasture and hay each year so the bulk of the feed is
produced on the farm. The horses are fed grain and
concentrates on a very limited as-needed basis. Dale and
Ann are working towards turning Mesa into a small sustainable
farm with a garden, an orchard, and a managed woodlot.
Other livestock (sheep and poultry) will be integrated into the
farming system. The horses are increasingly being utilized
for much of the farm work (plowing, cultivating, logging, etc.).
Programming plans:
Future plans for Mesa Farm include integrating the land,
livestock, and other resources into programs that provide
empowering opportunities to targeted populations. Dale has
a keen interest in working with disadvantaged youth, and
connecting with organizations and schools that work with at-risk
youth will be a primary goal of Mesa Farm. Dale and
Ann recognize there are multi-level opportunities for personal
growth when an individual effectively and compassionately learns
to control and effectively communicate with a large animal.
Likewise, individuals of all socio-economic backgrounds can
benefit from focused activities involving equines and farm work
in a non-threatening supportive environment.
One of the activities offered at Mesa Farm is equestrian
vaulting, sometimes described as gymnastics on horseback.
Respect and self-confidence can occur on an individual level
while building trust and cooperation in this non-competitive
team discipline.
Most of Mesa Farm’s programming will be directed towards at-risk
youth through various agencies in the Central Massachusetts
area. These programs will likely be channeled through a
non-profit branch which would allow the farm to accept donations
towards specific programs.
Other possible activities at Mesa Farm include week-long summer
horsemanship programs for children and specific advanced
workshops such as draft horse training and handling.
Other farm philosophy:
As Christians, Dale and Ann strive to provide a caring and
nurturing environment where they can share the blessing of Mesa
Farm by providing learning and personal growth opportunities
through equestrian and other activities.
More Information: Click on Links
Below
-
Mesa
Farm Brochure (in PDF format--may
require ADOBE READER, available free
HERE).
-
Mesa Farm Liability Form
-
Summer
Riding Programs
-
Summer Riding Programs Registration Form
Contact Dale at
dale.mesafarm@gmail.com if you would like more information
on programs and activities at Mesa Farm.
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