About Us
Rob Maynard and Deb Ravenelle always have had a deep appreciation of the woods and a love for maple syrup. They purchased the property together in 2000 and continue to be grateful to work in the forest.
Deb Ravenelle
I have always had a passion for horses, but it was Sterling College in Craftsbury Vt. that funneled that love into big working horses. In the forestry program at college, we logged with a single horse. After college, I worked at sugaring and logging with a team. Then I had to have my own team. I began farming, logging and riding all my draft horses, they became my work and play.
Eventually I worked in Stowe Vermont doing carriage, sleigh rides and wedding exclusively at the Trapp Family Lodge. My horses, Burt, Rex and I worked there for 15 years.
Here at Sterling Mountain Farm, I am excited to offer rides on our own property. We have created a beautiful winding trail over the summer and fall of 2022. We offer a comfortable and relaxing carriage or sleigh ride through the forest. My hope is to connect the passion of being within the trees and the ancient comfort of traveling by horse power to touch everyone who comes.
Mission Statement
My mission is to create a place of joy for those who come for a horse-drawn ride. It is a time to celebrate the simple pleasure of connection to the earth and sky and to each other. So … we welcome you … to the woods.
In the News
Rob Maynard
My passion for the outdoors was kindled as a boy scout growing up in Connecticut. On a whim I attended a 6 month wood harvesting training program at Washington County Technical Institute in Calais, Maine. That really sparked a lifelong passion for chainsaw work and forestry work.
In the 80s as a caretaker for a property here in Johnson, we built a sugarhouse and installed 900 taps. By 1985, we had grown it to a 8,000 tap operation.
In 2000, we bought the Sterling Mountain Farm property and have continued on to be stewards to this land. Whether you own land or not, it’s a blessing to continue to have a relationship to the land.
