Farmstead Today
The Farmstead is an outstanding example of early homesteading in Idaho. It serves as an agricultural history learning center for the Dry Creek Valley through exhibits and site tours. The property sits on approx. 2 acres and includes the Farmhouse (one of the older intact houses in Ada County and the State of Idaho), Structures include: Red House/Cook House, Root Cellar, Woodshed, Saddle Shed, Horse & Dairy Barn, Granary, Chicken Yard, Goat Pen, Medicinal Garden and lovely grounds and gardens.
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There are many ongoing projects on the property and we tackle them one by one. The latest was the reconstruction of the Granary. Please click the below button to see the process from the beginning to completion.
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The Horse Barn and Woodshed are next on our agenda! Click below to check our status.
Medicinal Garden
Front of Farmhouse
Granary at Ribbon Cutting Ceremony after Reconstruction
Video Tours of the Property
Valentine Ostolasa (1925 - 2022)
It is with deep sadness that we inform you that Valentine Ostolasa passed away in her sleep on February 14, 2022 (Valentine's Day) at the age of 97 years.
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Valentine moved with her family to the Schick-Ostolasa Farmstead in 1927 and lived there most of her life. The Schick-Ostolasa Farmstead was honored to have a visit from Valentine in June of 2021. She had a smile on her face that made a lasting impression on all of us.
She was a lovely and amazing woman and pioneer of the Dry Creek Valley.
Woodshed dedicated to Valentine on May 6, 2023. Her nephew, Robert Ostolasa made the sign.
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The woodshed was restored the fall of 2022
Farmstead Residents
Did you know the Farmstead is a working farm to goats and chickens!? Families love to come and visit them and take photos. Come one come all, but please refrain from feeding them. Their caregivers take great pains to keep them healthy and their weight under control! There are also wild rabbits that live on the property, you can often see them in the spring and summer meandering around the property.
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Meet the Goats:
Nellie
Named after the historic Dry Creek Nellie.
Donkey
Also known as Olive to some Hidden Springs families.
Stosh
He's the only boy in the bunch!
Although we don't have photos (yet!) of all our ladies when you come by you can call them by name! See below for their names and descriptions.
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Ruth: Has the most white and looks like lace.
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Susan: is black and white with less white
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Motherclucker: is red with black tail feathers
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Cluck Norris: is the other red one
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Sunny: white with a black spot
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Winter: the other white one
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Karen: grey and orange with mostly orange
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Who: the other orange and grey with mostly grey feathers
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Unexpected Resident
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We had another visitor in 2020. A black kitten was living with the goats in their pen since at least August of 2020. When a board member found out, in early December, she enlisted the help of a neighbor to set up a trap in the barn. And that cold night at 1:30am he was trapped and taken in to a warm home.
It was quickly determined that he was not feral and was only about 6 months old! He has since been adopted by the board member and his name is Barney - in honor of where he was found!
Kitten spotted in the Goat Pen
Barney at Home