News & Events

NEW ADDITIONS TO THE FARM
The first lamb was born on March 18th and now we've got 20. Six yorkshire/tamworth piglets arrived on 3/21/13. Five "kids" arrived a couple days later after MFFC formed a goat partnership with Consider Bardwell Farms. There's chicks and a new sow too! Visit MFFC's adorable new additions today! If you see our farm staff, they will be happy to answer any questions.
FREE

FULL FLOWER MOON HIKE - May 25 (7pm-9:30pm)
What better way to hike through the forest than by the full moon? Led by Merck staff, this family-friendly hike will explore MFFC's twilight landscape. Starts from the Joy Green Visitor Center. Call the MFFC office at 802.394.7836 to RSVP.
Reservations are required.
FREE

2013 Moonlight Hike Dates: June 23, July 22

HELP WITH FARM CHORES - Daily at 3pm
Assist Merck staff in taking care of the chickens, pigs, sheep and draft horses during afternoon chores. Check-in at Visitor Center and we will let the farm staff know to expect you. You'll then meet our Farm staff at the Small Animal Barn. Come prepared by wearing boots or other sturdy footwear, it could get mucky!
Open to all ages.
Offered daily, check-in required.
FREE

HAY DAYS - June 15 & 16 (10am-4pm)
"Demonstrating Draft Power in the Working Landscape"
This two-day farm festival is a collaboration between Merck Forest and Farmland Center (MFFC) and Green Mountain Draft Horse Association (GMDHA). It will showcase the importance of draft power within the working landscape. Members of the GMDHA will demonstrate how horses can be used for plowing, tilling, raking, tedding, and more. Much of the work will be based on the haying season. This event is open to everyone interested in learning about draft power for farming.  MFFC staff will lead children’s activities related to draft power, our horses, and farm. Rain date: June 22 & 23.
Open to all ages.
FREE

TRAIL WORK PARTY - May 18 (9am-3pm)
Come out to MFFC and join a trail work party! It's a great way to get outside, have some fun, and work together to improve the MFFC trail system. With over 30 miles of trails, we need your help keeping them open and accessible! Open to ages 10 and up. Meet at the Joy Green Visitor Center. Call the MFFC office at 802.394.7836 or email volunteer@merckforest.org to register. For more information click here.
FREE

2013 Trail Work Dates: June 1 - National Trails Day, June 15, September 28 - National Public Lands Day

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR BIOBLITZ, MAY 11, 2013.
Regional naturalists will lead volunteers in a survey of selected sites on MFFC property on Saturday May 11, 2013 from 9am-3pm.

BioBlitz surveys are used by organizations like the National Park Service and National Geographic to bring scientists and the public together. The BioBlitz gets the public involved with and knowledgeable of the local habitats. On MFFC's 3,000 acre property, there are many species to discover! MFFC hopes to do a shorter BioBlitz this spring to be coupled with a fall survey. MFFC welcomes groups, families, and interested individuals to help catalog as many species of flora, fauna, microbes, fungi, and other organisms as possible.

Our staff hopes that you will join us in this awesome chance to become better acquainted with the land at MFFC, and to help us all become better land stewards.

FOREST PEST FIRST DETECTOR PROGRAM - June 8 (9:30am-4:30pm)
Vermont's Forest Pest First Detector Program, a partnership between University of Vermont (UVM) Extension and state and federal agencies, is offering free training for anyone interested in becoming a certified First Detector.

Certified volunteers are needed to help monitor trees in their local communities for the first signs of the Asian longhorned beetle, emerald ash borer and hemlock woolly adelgid. Once introduced to an area, these pests invade quickly, causing devastating damage to forests. Early detection is vital! Volunteers will assist with site visits and sample collection and help increase public awareness through community outreach efforts.

To become certified, individuals must complete seven online modules prior to participating in one day of on-site classroom and field training. The latter will be offered from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on June 8 (rain date - June 9) at Merck Forest and Farmland Center. For more information, visit the Forest Pest First Detector program here.

TRAIL CREW FOR TEENS - Summer 2013 (4 one-week sessions)
If you are 14-18, join MFFC's summer trail crew! It's a great way to volunteer as part of a team in a safe, fun, hands-on environment. MFFC's service learning program is designed for high school students who enjoy working and learning in the outdoors. Join us outside for a week to learn all about stewardship, teamwork and the joy of trail maintenance. Call the MFFC office at 802.394.7836 or email volunteer@merckforest.org to apply. For more information click here.

2013 Trail Crew for Teens Schedule: #1 June 23-June 28, #2 July 7-July 12, #3 July 21-July 26, #4 August 4-August 9

PRE-ORDER WHOLE LAMBS NOW
GRASS-FED LAMB: Our lambs are raised on pasture from the day they were born. Our flock of sheep is moved to fresh fields of clover every 2-3 days. Premium lamb cuts or whole lambs are available for purchase. To pre-order, please download the Lamb Order Form.

PRE-ORDER WHOLE AND HALF PIGS NOW
PASTURED PORK: Our pigs are rotationally grazed through paddocks, allowing them to express natural behaviors. Premium cuts of pork as well as whole and half pigs are available for purchase. To pre-order, download the Pork Order Form.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR BIOBLITZ, MAY 11, 2013. Regional naturalists will lead volunteers in a survey of selected sites on MFFC property on Saturday May 11, 2013 from 9am-3pm.ioBlitz surveys are used by organizations like the National Park Service and National Geographic to bring scientists and the public together. The BioBlitz gets the public involved with and knowledgeable of the local habitats. On MFFC's 3,000 acre property, there are many species to discover! MFFC hopes to do a shorter BioBlitz this spring to be coupled with a fall survey. MFFC welcomes groups, families, and interested individuals to help catalog as many species of flora, fauna, microbes, fungi, and other organisms as possible.
ur staff hopes that you will join us in this awesome chance to become better acquainted with the land at MFFC, and to help us all become better land stewards.
BioBlitz Volunteers Needed
Naturalists to survey MFFC
May 11, 2013