Historic Donald Farm, and the adjacent conservation land that is now Dane County's 782 acre  Donald Park, has been a cornerstone of the Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin community since 1855. 

The farm, in permanent land conservation easement, had begun its restorative and sustainably regenerative transformation in 2018, when the Stennes/Woodburn family began the work to reverse decades of soil degradation that had developed from monoculture corn and soybean  practices. 

In line with the Savanna Institute research initiatives to develop more diverse, perennial agriculture and nature-based water, food, and climate health solutions, Stennes' work to propel the vision of what’s possible for farmland health when farms integrate trees, shrubs and perennial plantings in pasture, in fields, and along waterways began.

With the farm as a proving ground, 3 critical future needs in American farming emerged: 1) Wide scale adoption of practices to improve soil health. 2) Protection of our vital  waterways from farmland contamination and erosion. 3) Local/Regional access to healthy, simple ingredient, unprocessed foods grown without harmful chemicals. 

In 2021, David Stennes took the research and inspiration from their work at Donald Farm to create Minneapolis-based Arcola Farms.  

After 166 years of continuous family operation, Marie and Matt Raboin, founders  of Mt. Horeb's hard cider and restaurant company, Brix Cider, became the next generation owners and stewards of the farm. Brix Cider partners with local farms and orchards to bring you the best of Wisconsin's Driftless Region. Follow their work on Facebook and Instagram, and at BrixCider.com

For link to cultural stories and natural history at Donald Farm and adjacent Donald Park, Click Here

Donald County Park is across Hwy 92 from Donald Farm. It's 782 acres of natural areas and rolling topography provide many opportunities for outdoor activities year-round. You will find a variety of habitats, including woods, pine groves, restored prairies, streams, natural springs, a pond and rock outcroppings.

The park is located in Dane County just 15 miles southwest of Madison, on Highway 92 between Mount Horeb and Mount Vernon.  As a natural preserve for habitat and public use, it is the largest park in the Dane County Parks system.  Download Trail Map  Equestrian Trail Map