Open Farm Week is coming up, and with it events that the whole family can enjoy! Your little ones will love petting sheep, going on hay rides, touching tractors, and more. Below we've highlighted one family-friendly event going on each day of Open Farm Week. But guess what? There's even more! For a full list of events listed as Kids' Activities, click here.
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All Week Long - Meet the Sheep!
Cynefin Farm, Townshend
Sun, Aug 4 - Sun, Aug 11, 11:00am
Every day at 11am during Open Farm Week, Cynefin Farm will be open for you to meet their Shetland sheep and Nubian Cross goats. These aren't just any sheep! They all have names that they respond to, and each has a distinct personality.
Sunday, Aug 4 - Hay Wagon Tours!
Chandler Pond Farm, Wheelock
Sun, Aug 4, 10:00am-1:00pm
Take a guided tour of Chandler Pond Farm on a hay wagon! Tours leave at 10am and 11am. Also enjoy other family activities such as touch a tractor, meet the animals, and yard games. Check out Chandler Pond Farm's walking farm tour as well!
Monday, Aug 5 - Feed the Pigs!
Union Brook Farm, Northfield
Mon, Aug 5, 1:00-3:00pm
Walk a quarter mile or so into the forest and feed the pigs of Union Brook Farm. You'll be feeding them bread from Red Hen Baking and veggie slops from the local grocery store - yum! Make sure to wear long pants and hard shoes in order to enter the pen!
Tuesday, Aug 6 - Story Hour!
Adam's Berry Farm, Charlotte
Tues, Aug 6, 10:00-11:00am
Join the folks at Adam's Berry Farm for story hour on the farm as they read stories about farms, food and pollinators. Adam's Berry Farm is also hosting many other family-friendly events during Open Farm Week, a couple being berry picking and dancing & music making with scarves!
Wednesday, Aug 7 - Kids' Day & Felting Workshop!
Champlain Islands Farmers Market, South Hero
Wed, Aug 7, 3:00-6:00pm
Celebrate Farmers Market Week with family friendly fun at the Champlain Islands Farmers Market! In addition to 20+ local vendors, there will be fun games and activities to encourage kids to learn about local agriculture including a free wool felting workshop (for all ages!) from Blue Heron Farm, a Farmers Market Bingo scavenger hunt, an interactive Watershed Model from Grand Isle Conservation District & South Hero Land Trust, cornhole toss, and more!
Thursday, Aug 8 - Animal Wellness Check!
Merck Forest & Farmland Center, Rupert
Thu, Aug 8, 2:00-3:30pm & Sat, Aug 10, 2:00-3:30pm
Join Merck Forest staff on an afternoon wellness check on the the farm animals. The farm team cares for sheep, horses, chickens, turkeys, rabbits and pigs daily and you can tag along, ask questions, and see all the activity around caring for the animals. You can register for the event here.
Friday, Aug 9 - Gelato Tasting and Farm Tour!
Paul-Lin Dairy, Bakersfield
Fri, Aug 9, 1:00-2:00pm
All are welcome to a farm tour and gelato tasting at Paul-Lin Dairy, the origin of Paisley Scoops Gelato. Receive a farm tour, visit the Jersey brown cows whose delicious milk is used in the gelato, and then sample the finished product! RSVP by Aug 7 to [email protected].
Saturday, Aug 10 - Tomato Trot 5K!
Cate Farm, Plainfield
Sat, Aug 10, 3:00-6:30pm
The 3rd annual Tomato Trot 5K is a scenic run/walk through farm fields and on woods roads, around the borders of Cate Farm. The first kilometer snakes along the Winooski River and is relatively flat; the rest is over small rolling hills. Each runner receives a pound of Cate Farm tomatoes upon finishing! Stay after for some yummy snacks. Runners/walkers are encouraged to pre-register online.
Sunday, Aug 11 - Harvest, Taste, Create & Play!
Cedar Circle Farm & Education Center, Thetford
Sun, Aug 11, 10:00am-12:00pm
The farm will be putting on three activities Sunday morning: harvest & taste, create, and play! Harvest & taste: Come for a farm tour and morning harvest followed by a tasting sample created in the farm kitchen using the produce you harvested. Create: Walk through the flower garden and harvest your favorites for an arrangement to take home with you, while learning about growing, harvesting, and design techniques! Play: Cedar Circle's educators will be offering free kid-friendly craft project and activities for their weekly Little Farmers program. Register here before Aug 8!
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For a full list of Open Farm Week kids' activities, visit our website here.
