Our History

The rich history of Drew Farm, a longtime fixture in Westford, began around 1925 when Ben Drew founded the farm on Main Street. He significantly expanded the operation, which eventually included 150 acres of orchard, two retail stands, and a cider mill. During the farm’s early years, Drew Farm made cider on its own press at the original Main Street location, and even engaged in international trade, shipping apples to the UK where smaller sizes were preferred.

The Bohne Family: Farming and Creating Community

The farm’s future shifted dramatically in 1971 when Keith Bohne was hired by Ben Drew to manage the Drew Farm store on Main Street at Stony Brook Road, prompting his family's move to Westford. Keith dedicated himself to the art of apple growing; his passion for and knowledge of the fruit, from heirloom varieties to the latest hybrids, cemented the Bohne family's deep involvement in the farm.

In 1976, Ben Drew sold some of the farm's land , and in a defining moment, he sold the Drew Farm name to Keith Bohne for the symbolic sum of $1.00. Keith purchased the Boston Road stand and two acres, later expanding the property and installing a new cider press at that location. The farm grew further with the acquisition of the Tadmuck Road orchard in 1984. The current Drew Farm logo was designed by Keith’s daughter, Lisa, a Westford Academy high schooler at the time.

Beyond growing apples, the Bohne family quickly became a central cornerstone of the community. Drew Farm was a place to visit and shop for fresh local produce, specialty groceries and treats like fresh bread and penny candy. “Pickin’ Picnic” was a popular weekend draw for people from near and far. The farm employed many local high school students at the Boston Road store throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Over their decades in farming and running a store, the family has aimed to make every visitor feel welcome, prioritizing the customer's experience and offering genuine guidance.

Drew Farm Today

Drew Farm continues to operate as a successful family-owned and run business under the continued stewardship of the Bohne family. The current operation, located at 31 Tadmuck Road atop Providence Hill, centers its business on apples.

Apple picking is the key feature that defines the farm's fall season. Keith and the family readily offer their expertise on which varieties are best for picking, eating, baking, or storing. Maintaining this legacy, Keith's daughter, Lorin Hill, and her husband, Bob Hill, are now taking over the farm's management. Lorin focuses on store operations and enhancing the customer experience, sharing valuable tips on ways to prepare those freshly picked apples for pies and more.

The farm is a vibrant hub for community engagement. The Apple Picking Weekends are particularly festive, often featuring live music in the orchard to enhance the harvest atmosphere. During weeks that the store is open, Drew Farm also hosts popular community events like Story Time and yoga classes in the orchard.

New Store and Beyond Apples

Demonstrating a significant commitment to its future, the family constructed a brand new large barn to better serve customers. This facility now serves as the farm’s primary retail store and houses modern equipment and cold storage, allowing the sale of pre-picked apples to extend well into the late fall season.

For more: article in the Westford Cat

While apples remain the focus, the new store aims to revive the wide selection of goods the original stores carried. The family strives to fill the need for local specialty items in the area by stocking an assortment of cider, baked goods, honeys, jams, maple syrup, and fudge, often purchasing these items from other local small businesses to support the broader regional economy.

A Beloved Westford Tradition: Annual Pumpkin Light

The Bohne family has fostered a spectacular community tradition for over 40 years: the Annual Drew Farm Pumpkin Light. Every Halloween night, weather permitting, Drew Farm hosts this amazing, free event. Hundreds of Jack-O'-Lanterns, carved by local "ghouls and goblins," are displayed in the apple orchard for a truly memorable night walk that is "out of this world." This tradition, loved by both kids and adults, is a gesture of the family's commitment to the community, with the pumpkins lit by nightfall and burning for hours, creating a magical atmosphere for families after trick-or-treating.

If you have questions about the farm or local history, feel free to stop in and ask!