Lewis Oliver Farm Sanctuary has been in Northport since the late 1800s, but not many people even know it’s there. 

Today, it’s very different from what it was in the 1800s. In the 1890s, it was a dairy farm owned by the Lewis family. However, it is now a 100% volunteer run, vegan sanctuary. They take in unwanted farm animals or rescued factory farm animals. 

Over the years, the Lewis family bought out other local dairy farms, including the Oliver farm, making the name Lewis Oliver. As local dairies got less popular, the owners turned it into a petting zoo, run with volunteer help from local residents. 

In 2007 when Bill Davenport, the most recent private owner, wanted to sell, the local residents petitioned the town and county to buy the land and preserve it. Since then, the volunteers who run the farm have worked to make it a sanctuary and a lifelong home for their animals. 

Inside the Barn, there are no more dairy cases or milking machines. Instead, there is a vegan education center that shows you alternative options to dairy and other animal products. The coolest things in the education center are the original glass milk bottles that now contain soy milk, cashew milk, oat milk, and other milk alternatives. 

As an all volunteer organization, the Friends of the Farm Northport has to raise all of the funds required to care for the animals – about one hundred thousand dollars a year. 

The organization runs solely on donations. Certain events are held to raise money, and they are always looking for volunteers to help out with animal care, the store, events, and the education center.

Lewis Oliver Farm is a historic landmark and is part of Northport’s historic past. Everyone in the town is lucky to have such a history and something as special as a farm that takes care of their animals.