At Shepard Farm, people come to connect—with animals, with the land, and with each other. From the excited chatter of students on a field trip to the hum of restoration work in the 100-year-old woods, every experience is rooted in our mission of providing exceptional experiences in nature through environmental education.
Ongoing funding from Marathon Petroleum St. Paul Park Refinery helps support and grow Shepard Farm in meaningful, behind-the-scenes ways.
Skilled volunteers
Shepard Farm is a dynamic, working site: a large education center, blacksmithing forge, several stables & coops for farm animals, a community garden, bee apiary, and just over a mile of hiking trails all sit on its 140 acres. It takes many hands to care for this space.
Marathon volunteers have helped with thousands of dollars’ worth of projects that improve both safety and access across the property and support the daily rhythm of programming.
Marathon volunteers clearing a fallen tree from a trail at Shepard Farm.
Maintaining trails
- Clearing and hauling away hazardous, dead trees.
- Building a new foot bridge over a restored gully.
Improving infrastructure
- Constructing a new service road that allows vehicle access without interrupting educational programming.
- Preparing sites for future structures and buildings, such as removing an old turkey coop and prepping the base to build a new one.
An Arapawa goat, one of the resident farm animals at Shepard Farm, standing in a new pasture fenced by Marathon volunteers. This new pasture space allows visitors a closer view of the animals.
Supporting animals
- Removing old chain link fencing and installing new wildlife-friendly, high-tensile fencing.
- Expanding and grading pasture for resident goats, cows, and sheep.
“The skilled staff Marathon brings from their plant, like electricians and excavators, have been extremely helpful,” says Sean Gokey, Buildings and Grounds Director. “They bring expensive equipment we could otherwise not afford that allow us to get big projects done.”
Marathon volunteers onsite at Shepard Farm helping with trail maintenance.
“Their skills, knowledge, and resources have saved Dodge a significant amount of time and money, which can be redirected to our educational work.”
Public program partners
As Shepard Farm continues to grow as a site for educational programming, Marathon’s support for public programs has helped Dodge expand both our reach and offerings.
From September 2024 to August 2025, Dodge hosted 41 programs at Shepard Farm, welcoming 745 participants—more than doubling the previous year’s offerings and attendance. Across seasons and settings, people of all ages found ways to engage.
Farm Director Don Oberdorfer holding a turkey, one of the resident farm animals at Shepard Farm, during a farm program for adults.
An activity for every age
- Adults gathered in the teaching kitchen to bake bread, craft cocktails, and explore seasonal flavors, often using ingredients sourced right from the farm, like eggs.
- Families met animals, hiked under full moons, and discovered stars and constellations together.
- Youth built confidence with kid-only outdoor adventures: climbing trees, making fires, and exploring freely with their peers.
- Sensory-friendly programs created inclusive spaces for children who benefit from a quieter pace and smaller groups.
Students climbing a tree at Shepard Farm during an Outdoor Learning Day program, a day-long public program just for kids.
“We continue to find our place in the community by offering high quality, engaging environmental education to kids, families, and adults,” says Pete Cleary, Director of Environmental Education. “It brings them closer to the nature that surrounds them every day.”
Funding future educators
People have always been at the heart of environmental education at Dodge. Since 2012, the 12-month Naturalist Fellowship program has provided immersive, hands-on training for emerging educators. Marathon has long been a supporter of this program, donating $80,000 this year alone.
Naturalist Fellow Allie Steffen (2021–2022) leading a program about snakes as she holds Bowtie the Bullsnake, one of Dodge’s animal ambassadors.
Fellows live and learn onsite, gaining real-world experience teaching in forests, fields, and on the farm. Guided by Dodge’s experienced naturalists, they build the skills and confidence to lead programs for learners of all ages and take the next step in their careers beyond Dodge.
Naturalist Fellow Abbie Niskanen (2025–2026) leading a group of field trip students across the boardwalk.
In 2027, the fellowship will celebrate its 15th year—a milestone that reflects both the strength of the program and the dedication of Dodge staff who mentor the next generation of naturalists.
Marathon’s support for this program ensures that high-quality environmental education continues to grow far beyond our own classrooms and trails.
“At Dodge, our mission comes to life through the strength of our community. We’re grateful for the many roles Marathon plays in helping us connect more people to nature—their support truly moves our mission forward every day,” says Missi Arens, Executive Director.
“We are incredibly thankful for partners like Marathon and the many individuals who believe in our work, because it takes all of us. We simply couldn’t do this without their support.”