Belmont’s Sole Surviving Farm Has A Rich Legacy

Belmont was once home to dozens of farms, but only one remains. Belmont Acres Farm is tucked behind the trees and houses near the busy rotary at Washington, Blanchard and Grove streets at 34 Glenn Road. The farm is a subsection of the Richardson Farm Historic District, which also includes the Joseph Bright and Thomas Richardson houses. The property has been owned by the Ogilby family since the 17th century.

“My great-grandfather, Howard, drove the farm wagon to Faneuil Hall until the 1920s,” said Henry Ogilby, who administers the property. “[Then he] had an accident with a trolley car, and my grandmother Grace took over from there.”

In the 1940s, the Sergi family began to rent the farmland and ran it as Sergi Farms until 2012 when they retired. Since then, the farm, renamed Belmont Acres Farm, has been operated by Mike and Hermik Chase. 

Ogilby says, “We are very lucky to have Mike.”

The farm is a family affair. The Chases’ daughter, Narineh, a rising senior at Belmont High School, is in charge of the weekly farm stand sales, which is open on Saturdays from 2 – 5 p.m.

Mike Chase notes that there have been years when it has been open until Christmas. He believes that small farms are the key to healthy eating because people have access to fresh, local produce.

Depending on the week’s harvest, there may be anything from beans, corn, and tomatoes, to artichokes, bok choi, Korean melons and more. Winter squash, cauliflowers, cabbage, beans, and a variety of greens and root vegetables are sold in the fall. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares are also available on the farm’s website for $900 a year.