What’s in a Farm Name?
Goldfinch Farm: Honoring the Past, Building the Future
At Goldfinch Farm, we view ourselves as more than farmers or land owners —we are brief stewards of a land that has a story far older and deeper than our own. We feel a profound sense of privilege in caring for this place, and our mission is clear: to leave the land, its habitats, and its ecosystems healthier and more sustainable than when we arrived.
A Legacy of the Land
The land we now steward has been home to generations of life and culture. It sits south of some of the most historically significant sites in the Saline area: ancient salt springs, Native American trails, and village and burial sites. These springs, rich in minerals, once drew mammoths, mastodons, muskox, and bison thousands of years ago. The abundance of wildlife supported Paleo Indian hunters who first arrived after the glaciers retreated 12,000 years ago.
Map of Washtenaw County from 1927: Indians of Washtenaw County Old Indian Trails designated by dotted lines. 1. Detroit and Chicago trail, also called Sauk Trail. 2. Trail to Monroe, Toledo and Sandusky Bay. Indian villages designated by triangle, Mounds by dots, Burying grounds by cross inside circle, Salt springs by S, Highways by double lines.
These early inhabitants built burial mounds, farmed, and raised families here, their culture flourishing for thousands of years. Around 500 years ago, the Pottawatomie came to the salt springs and used them as a center for trade, sharing salt with neighboring tribes. Later, French explorers arrived in 1634, naming the area “Saline,” and U.S. troops were stationed nearby during Indian uprisings and the War of 1812.
While much of this history has faded from view, the echoes remain. Today, just 15 undeveloped acres of the salt springs area are preserved by the city, standing as a quiet reminder of the region’s significance.
From Trails to Homesteads
The farm itself is south of two prominent Native American trails:
The Detroit-Chicago Trail (Sauk Trail), a major east-west route used for trade, communication, and travel across the Midwest.
The Trail to Monroe, Toledo, and Sandusky Bay, which connected the area to Lake Erie and beyond.
These trails linked people and communities long before European settlers arrived, weaving a network of connection and commerce across the landscape.
Harry Finch and His Legacy
Our farm’s name honors not just our family but also Harry Finch, a former steward of this land and its history. The “Gold” reflects our family name, Goldenberg, while “Finch” celebrates Harry’s dedication to farming and his four-generation legacy of care.
Harry’s original homestead has since been developed into Riverside Lane and Huntington Woods subdivision, but the land we now steward was Harry’s second farm, where he raised exotic fowl as a retirement project. This site, rich in history, has even been featured on historical tours for its ties to the past.
Harry Finch, showing off his birds.
Megan, one of Goldfinch Farm’s founders, grew up in Harry Finch’s second homestead. The connection to his story runs deep—not just through family lore but through a tangible sense of his presence. Megan remembers hearing footsteps in the house, something her mother always insisted was the spirit of Harry walking the floors.
Harry shared stories of the land—of arrowheads found in the soil, the remnants of salt wells, and family lore about Tecumseh himself spending a night with Harry’s great-grandfather. These tales paint a picture of a land that has seen centuries of life, from the footsteps of Paleo hunters to the rumble of tractors.
A Name that Soars
Combining our family name with Harry’s created Goldfinch, a name that evokes the image of a bright, nimble bird—a symbol of joy, resilience, and connection to nature. It’s a name that ties together the past, present, and future of this special place.
For us, Goldfinch Farm is more than just a name. It’s a way to honor those who came before us, from Harry Finch and his ancestors to the Native Americans who first lived on this land and found sustenance in its natural resources. It’s a way to celebrate our family’s own story of growing roots and building a sustainable future. We carry these stories with us as we work to cultivate this land. To us, farming is more than raising animals or growing crops—it’s about honoring the people and cultures who came before us while creating a future that respects the soil, water, and habitats that sustain us all.
We hope that when people visit Goldfinch Farm, they’ll feel the deep history and enduring spirit of the land. Whether you’re picking up pasture-raised chickens or dropping off leaves for compost, you’re part of a story that began long before us and will continue long after.
Stewards of Today, Advocates for Tomorrow
Every day, we ask ourselves: How can we improve the quality of this land? How can we restore it and increase its resilience? How can we ensure that our time here leaves a positive, lasting legacy for those who come after us?
If you like that, we think you’ll like these:
We’ve been working on a “holistic goal” for our farm—a guidepost for the life we’re building, the land we’re caring for, and the community we love. At its core? Helping people experience the ordinary magic found in everyday nature.