Gould Farm Roadside Store & Café

Established in 1913 by Will and Agnes Gould, the farm stands as a testament to their visionary approach to helping those with mental health issues. Their pioneering work in the Berkshire hills of Massachusetts welcomed guests experiencing emotional and psychiatric vulnerabilities to join them, working on the farm and sharing the joys and challenges of daily life in a kind, healthy community. The compassionate approach quickly garnered the attention of social service agencies in Boston and New York, who began referring people to the farm for treatment. Today, the farm remains true to its roots while also focusing on helping people with serious mental illnesses. Licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, it has been recognized as a model treatment program and has influenced other programs worldwide.

The farm is built on the principles of empowerment and inclusivity, believing that each guest has unique talents and strengths to offer. The community encourages guests to share their gifts and provides ample opportunities to learn and practice new skills in a supportive environment. The clinical team works closely with guests to create personalized plans that optimize medications and build compensatory strategies to manage symptoms. The farm's 750-acre campus has been designated as a Model Forest by the Forest Guild.

The farm features a Roadside Store & Cafe offering farm-grown products including beef, homemade breads, mint tea, and maple syrup. The cafe is open for breakfast and lunch, serving huge pancakes with their own maple syrup. The farm also has a small dairy operation, large gardens, pigs, beef cattle, many marked trails, and farm tours. The main mission is to provide a community living and working toward the well-being of guests on the 600-acre farm. Products available include cheese, eggs, syrup, and pancake mix. The farm offers a continuum of care, including a supported transition to greater independence, and access to an extended community in both the Berkshires and the Boston area.