Charles L. Bowers School Farm, Bowers Academy, Woodland Trail
My father served on the School Board for 19 years, from 1960-1979. After he died in 1984, the School Board voted to change the name of the school farm to the Charles L. Bowers School Farm in his memory. As a family, we were humbled. I always say it’s my favorite farm and we love going there to see how it has grown over the years. Then the folks at the BHS alternative high school decided to rename that program Bowers Academy because it was housed on the Bowers Farm property. We were thrilled to see that happen and we attend the Bowers Academy graduation ceremony every year. Some of my favorite Biff remote broadcasts were aired during Open Barn events at the Bowers Farm, both in the Spring and in the Fall.
Charles L. Bowers School Farm was purchased in the mid-1960's by Bloomfield Hills Schools to be used as a land laboratory. The farm is housed on 90 acres on Square Lake Rd. in Bloomfield Hills.
Animals such as sheep, horses, llama and a donkey graze the pastures. They also house poultry of all types, rabbits and goats. Every animal has a purpose at the farm and farm equipment is used daily to maintain the property as an educational agriculture production enterprise.
Charles L. Bowers Farm is open daily and year-round for various educational programs and community events.
Students who thrive in a small environment that develops character, integrity, compassion for others, and academic skills will find success at Bowers Academy.
Founded to address the needs of non-traditional learners, Bowers Academy balances academic challenge with self-reflection, exceptionally small class sizes, and the unique learning environment of the Bowers Farm.
The ultimate goal at Bowers Academy is to graduate competent, empathetic, aware, and empowered individuals.
Bowers Academy aerial view.
Loved to do remote broadcasts from the Charles L. Bowers School Farm Open Barns!
Photo op with Billy the Greatest Of All Time!
Article in paper about ground breaking ceremony in 2010.
Selfie in front of the Bowers Academy entrance.
Join the Friends of Bowers Farm…see Farm website for details.
Woodland Trail Story
My parents bought some land on Franklin Rd. in Bloomfield Hills in the early 60's and a house was built on the property. We moved there in 1963. Our neighbors, the Olsen family, sold their property to the Bloomfield Hills School District in 1968. In 1969, the school district turned the property into a nature center and named it after former Superintendent Eugene L. Johnson. On September 21, 2019, the Nature Center Staff and the Friends of the ELJNC joined together to celebrate 50 years of environmental stewardship.We sold our property in 2003 and our house was torn down years ago. The school district made a deal with the current owner and was able to acquire what was our property to protect the south side of the Nature Center from development. Also on the 21st, a new hiking trail (the Woodland Trail) was dedicated on what was our property. Members of the Johnson family and the Olsen family were in attendance. My brother Jim and I represented the Bowers family. We had stories to tell about what it was like when the Olsens lived there and then later when it became the Nature Center. Thank goodness the Olsens sold their property to the school district and not to a developer. Everyone agrees...the Nature Center is a valuable asset for all ages in the community!
Heading to the 50 year celebration and the ribbon cutting for the new Woodland Trail.
Cutting the ribbon to open the Woodland Trail, a new trail which runs on what was our property on Franklin Rd. next to the Nature Center. Left to right is Nature Center Manager Dan Badgley, School Board Member Cynthia von Oeyen, Ruth Carol (Olsen), me and my brother Jim Bowers.
Vintage Charles L. Bowers School Farm shirt, a real collector’s item!
Bowers Farm swag.