The Carleton College Farm

A dairy farm was operated by Carleton College from 1914 to 1964. At one time, 300 gallons of milk were delivered each day from the Carleton farm via a pasteurizing plant. Its registered Holsteins were well known among Northwest breeders.

For a short time the farm also served as a laboratory for agricultural biology. The first farm manager, Frederick F. Showers, appointed assistant professor of agriculture, taught "Animal Husbandry" and "Plant Life of the Farm." Although most of Carleton's liberal arts students showed no interest in such courses, President Cowling was interested in the cultural possibilities of the farm. The genetics of cattle breeding he found especially intriguing. "This is not farming," he exclaimed, "it's philosophy!"

The farm was, from the beginning, regarded as a business venture. Though discontinued in 1964, the land, adjacent to the campus and thus strategically located for future development, has remained valuable.