Who we are

Smith Farm at Borderland State Park was built in 1880 by Dr. Asahel Smith, a clairvoyant healer, who began to practice the healing arts in Easton in 1850. The site he chose, nestled in what is now Borderland State Park on the Bay Road side, was selected for its serenity and peacefulness—with the farm serving as a place of respite and tranquility for Dr. Smith and his patients. Given its peaceful location, Smith Farm serves as a restful and meditative place for visitors to Borderland.

About six years ago, Carrie Crisman was walking the Borderland trails when she came upon the vacant old farmhouse. The Department of Conservation and Recreation was offering use of the farmhouse under their curatorship program for historic properties. Envisioning the farm as a space for a variety of health and wellness programs, yet not being aware of its history as such, Carrie was awarded the curatorship of Smith Farm and has been working since to build a strong board and raise community support to achieve the goals of Smith Farm—to preserve the historic farmhouse on the site, and as stated in the Smith Farm mission, to use the facility to “enrich lives through education,arts, culture, spirituality and wellness.”

Achievement of these goals will bring Smith Farm full circle as it was originally built by Dr. Smith on a site specifically chosen for its serenity and peacefulness. The farmhouse, and eventually a newly constructed event barn, will be used to provide wellness programs such as: meditation; alternative healing therapies; community garden space and related nutrition and culinary education programs; arts, theater and music programs; fresh air/recreational programs for children and families; and veteran’s wellness programs. Smith Farm will also provide space for use by wellness practitioners and other nonprofits.

Currently, in the absence of renovated physical space, Smith Farm has partnered with several key organizations in advancing strategic areas of our mission—with a focus, in particular, on veteran’s programming. We are making our outdoor facility available to
local wellness practitioners and nonprofits who work with Veterans, so that these organizations can use Smith Farm as an alternative site for them to enhance their existing programs and can take advantage of the peaceful setting we have to offer.

We currently offer yoga, Thai chi, and other fitness classes on our lawns, and we have partnered with the VA Boston Healthcare System’s Brockton campus and a local yoga teacher to make yoga classes and garden space available specifically for the Veterans in our community.

Why Smith Farm? 

It is our mission to enrich lives through education, arts, culture, spirituality, and wellness. We envision a future of community outreach that helps change and prosper the lives of many.

Who is Smith Farm?

Carrie Crisman

Founder

Carrie has always been passionate about helping others live a fulfilling life. She is a certified life coach and Reiki Master while currently pursuing her doctorate in metaphysics. Being a single mom for 21 years has sparked her desire to help people realize their own potential and abilities. Carrie has been a small business entrepreneur for 20 years, both as an owner of her own cleaning business and as a consultant with a food supplement company. She seeks to provide a holistic trauma recovery program for Veterans and First Responders once the renovation of the farmhouse has been completed.

Rich Eastman

Executive Director & Board President

Rich is a retired graphic artist who held a design position at Down East Enterprise and was the designer of Fly Rod and Reel magazine. He has a degree in Graphic Design and brings 20 years of design, marketing and promotions experience to the board. Rich also served in the US Navy for 20 years as a Navy musician. He is the great-great- great grandson of Dr. Asahel Smith, the original owner and builder, and brings a wealth of historical and family information to Smith Farm.

Marie Kelly

Secretary & Vice President

Marie serves as the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at Stonehill College in Easton. She graduated from Stonehill College with degrees in Psychology and English and began her career in development at Boston Children’s Hospital where she worked for seven years, assisting the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations with proposal submissions, stewardship reports, and re-solicitations. Marie returned to Stonehill in her current role where she identifies potential corporate and foundation funders to support institutional priorities at Stonehill, particularly academic and institutional programs and projects that have been informed by Stonehill’s current strategic plan. Marie will serve as the chair of the Smith Farm Grants Committee and work to secure external funding from corporation and foundations for Smith Farm projects including the Farmhouse renovation, barn construction, operating support, and program offerings.

Jack Campbell

Treasurer

Jack is a Certified Public Accountant with over 8 years of experience advising clients in proper accounting, tax planning/preparation, and initiatives to improve operational performance. In 2012, Jack graduated from Northeastern University with a master's degree in business administration and accounting. Jack is passionate about helping small business owners realize their full potential by ensuring accurate financial reporting and compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, which can be relied upon to make informed capital and labor expenditures. During the pandemic of 2020, Jack opened his own CPA firm to help local business owners navigate the uncertainties of the changing economic environment. Jack will work as the Treasurer for Smith Farm to ensure accurate financial reporting and tax compliance.