There are certain places that evoke strong emotions when you visit them. Hornstra Farms is one of those magical places and one you’re never to forget. A beautifully built farmhouse that contains a bottling factory, an ice cream shop, and general store, is framed by picturesque rolling hills dotted with red and white Holstein cows.
These emotions are the product of the hard work and attention to detail that John Hornstra, owner and dairy farmer, always put into his farm. A family owned and operated business for over one hundred years, the Hornstra Family has proudly provided Grade A quality milk and dairy products to generations of South Shore families.
In 1912, Anske and Agnes Hornstra and their six children, boarded a ship from Holland to America. Three years later the family bought their first dairy farm in Hingham, Massachusetts and Hornstra Farms was born. John Hornstra and his wife, Lauren, moved the farm to Norwell in 2009 when they purchased the non-operational Loring Farm.
In 2013 the very first bottles of Hornstra’s own farm fresh milk rolled out of the new Norwell dairy. After years of having to outsource, they finally began producing their very own, truly local product, once again. This was truly a proud and memorable day for the entire Hornstra family, as well as the community.
An amazing place to see. Their Farm Store and seasonal Ice Cream Dairy Bar opened to the public on the Norwell property in 2014. After all their hard work, the opening of the retail store finally allowed them to share their love of farming, as well as a piece of their agricultural heritage with visitors.
Hornstra Farms is one of the last working dairy farms in Massachusetts where herds of Red and White Holsteins graze in their beautiful pastures every day. With so much to do in Norwell, like visiting Webb Memorial State Park or Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area, be sure to add Hornstra Farms to that list.