Cover Image: John Schneble • Back Cover Image: Amy Pim
Forest images courtesy of Chris Hubbard
Images on pages 34, 36, and 37: Staci Oswald Creative
Image on page 34: courtesy of Katie Saunders
Magazine layout: Renée Noel-Cutler
Welcome to MFFC’s 2024 Summer Ridgeline
By Sue Van Hook, Board President
Did you know that you can trailer your horse to MFFC and ride along the 35 miles of trails? Did you also know there is a second entrance at the south end of the property accessible to equestrians? How about the lean-to at Stone Lot past the farm and down the hill – do you know about that place to camp in addition to the 9 backcountry cabins and 3 lean-tos? Most visitors take the short walk from the parking lot to the farm to see the animals and admire the view to the west. Some bring a picnic or containers for U-pick blueberries in late July and early August. Others like to walk their dogs in a beautiful natural setting. Many come for a day hike to climb Mt. Antone or Spruce Peak or simply enjoy the streams and forest flora. MFFC is a great place to watch and listen to birds. The resident pair of ravens are easily heard interspersed with loud gobbles from our tom turkey strutting his stuff. Visitors can embark on their own, register for one of many programs, and come for an open house in March, May, July and September where staff and volunteers offer lots of themed activities. There really is something for everyone to enjoy, learn and treasure all 365 days a year.
Please share your enthusiasm for Merck Forest with others and encourage them to visit, learn more about the institution and support its efforts to keep land opena nd accessible to all by becoming a member and/or making a donation.
By Rob Terry, Executive Director
Eons ago, in my commercial guiding days, pre-season training would spur a springtime emigration of river rats, dirtbags and climbing bums from forest service campgrounds, crags, and put-ins around the US. The motley crew that converged at the guide-service headquarters was a sight to behold. In the parking lot, 4x4 vans plastered in rich brown mud from the Southern Appalachians would be parked alongside white Subarus caked in tan dust and red clay from the Utah desert. I distinctly remember chatting with a friend about her recent adventures when I noticed the bumper stick on the back of her truck proclaiming “American Wilderness: Love it or Leave it Alone!” No stranger to The Monkey Wrench Gang, the message resonated with my then youthful angst.
As the gray has intruded into my outdoorsey-fellow beard, my perspective has broadened. While I’m still pretty quick to rally behind a solid conservation project, I’ve also learned that… surprise… there’s quite a lot of space in between “loving it” and ‘leaving it alone.” In fact, there are as many ways to build a relationship with the natural world as there are people on the planet. Even the concept of wilderness, while critical for the protection of America’s treasured spaces, is not as straightforward as I once believed. What I love more than anything about Merck Forest & Farmland Center is that it is somewhat atypical. Is it a wilderness area? No. A commercial working farm and forest? No? A strictly recreational area? No. In a world of black and white… Merck Forest & Farmland Center, is a little gray. As a result, there is a unique beauty to this place. A beauty that can be as easily explored on a short walk to the farm as on a week-long stint in a cabin. A beauty that is equally present in parts of the forest that have been untouched for a century as those under active management.
In this issue, we’ll highlight some of the diverse projects that are in motion on the farm and in the forest. As always, there’s no substitute for time spent on the land, so do come up to see it all in person. Whether you pack a picnic basket or a 70-liter internal frame pack, there’s something here for you.
Things to do in the Summertime
Compiled by Elena Santos, Education Manager
Bring these items for a day of recreation and discovery at Merck Forest:
• Binoculars
• A field guide (insects, mammals, trees, wildflowers, mushrooms, spiders, etc)
• A friend to explore with and a blanket to spread out and sit on
• Shoes and layers that keep you prepared for the often-surprising weather patterns up here!
• Important safety essentials: bug spray, sun protection, water, energy dense snacks, map and compass, first aid kit
• Your phone - with downloaded apps: iNaturalist, Avenza, Merlin
• Notebook or nature journal and pencil for recording what you notice
While you’re here:
• Pick-your-own blueberries in late July & August!
• Learn about the different types of clouds and then lie back, watch the sky, and really take notice of them
• Explore under rocks and logs for creatures living underneath. When you’re done, gently replace what you overturned
• Count how many different bugs there are on a single goldenrod bloom
• Sit quietly in the field or in the woods and observe what is happening around you
• Take up bird-watching. Download Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s app: Merlin to identify birds and bird calls
• Go wading in the stream near Page Pond, turn over some rocks, and see if you can catch a crayfish
• Make impermanent art on the forest floor using found nature objects
• Meander through the grass maze in the Pollinator Meadow at the end of the Farm Trail
• Hike to all of the ponds at Merck Forest: Page, Birch, Bebee, and Rasey
• Stay to watch the sunset from the Harwood Barn lawn or the summit of Mt. Antone
• Remember to keep your dog on a leash and take any bags of dog waste with you when you leave
After your Merck Forest visit:
• Tag Merck Forest in your pictures and posts on social media
• Write to us or share about your visit on social media
• Check our website for upcoming events and updates
• Consider becoming a member or making a donation to MFFC!
Saturday, Saturday, July 13, July 13, 2024
11am - 3pm
$5/person suggested donation
Directions
Photo Credits: Sue Van Hook, Amy Pim-Chapmin
The Nature of Things
By Rob Terry, Executive Director
A scant 25,000 years ago, Vermont was buried under a mile of ice, which is hard to imagine when routine, record setting heat has become the new norm. This June, temperatures in Vermont crept into the mid-nineties, slowing the pace of life in the Green Mountain State. Such heat recalls Roman Empire days when agrarian workers in southern Spain adapted their schedules to avoid the day’s most brutal temperatures, giving rise to the siesta. This practice remains culturally ingrained in southern Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and parts of Asia.
The relationship between nature and culture is fascinating. Nature provides the context in which culture develops, with human belief systems and practices grounded in an ancestral connection to the land. As humanity has expanded globally, cultural practices have become so impactful that they now shape biodiversity. Seeing the world beyond one’s cultural lens is challenging, but language offers insight into how different groups perceive their relationship with nature.
An oft-cited example comes from Nunavimmiutitut, the Inuktitut dialect spoken in Canada’s Nunavik region, which has an astounding 53 words for snow. Northern New Englanders, no strangers to the cold, use a range of wintery terms including hail, sleet, snow, ice, graupel, powder, blizzards, and flurries. While a dyed-in-the-wool Vermonter might have a couple more up their sleeve, a full 53-word vocabulary indicates a culture deeply connected to winter. This linguistic nuance suggests a vital need to communicate in subtle and specific ways about winter conditions. Humanity’s connection with nature, however, transcends weather.
A deeper look into language reveals how various groups perceive nature on a metaphysical level. Dr. Luca Coscieme of Trinity University Dublin explored this by comparing the concept of nature across thirty cultural groups from around the globe. He found that in many indigenous cultures, nature is viewed holistically, with an element of spirituality and little or no separation from humans. In Japan, he noted a growing conceptual separation between humanity and nature tempered by a sense of inclusiveness grounded in values promoting harmony. In Western cultures, Coscieme found a clear duality separating humanity and nature. This perspective becomes problematic when nature is seen as a source of inexhaustible abundance available to serve human needs. However, it is equally evident in the protectionist language of the conservation movement, evidenced by the 1964 American Wilderness Act, which describes wilderness as “...an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.”
This perspective, while intended to protect the natural world, is considered fraught by some. In “Beyond the Nature and Culture Dualism,” Yrjö Haila argues that framing nature as separate and pristine forces a false choice between fierce protection and total control, neither of which is plausible or productive.
Despite its pitfalls, this protectionist agenda is increasingly important on a planet with accelerating ecological imbalance. All living species, humans included, rely on functioning ecosystems. Thus, protecting the natural world is an existential priority. Given the nature/culture dualism, conservation efforts grounded in a “leave-nature-to-its-own-devices’’ philosophy provide a critical counterpoint to the commodification of natural resources. Examples abound. On a global scale, the rewilding movement promotes large connected wilderness habitats free from human incursion. Domestically, President Biden’s Thirty-by-Thirty executive order aims to protect 30% of the US’s highest-value land and near-ocean habitat by 2030. In Vermont, groups advocate for the prohibition of active management in public forests. While reasonable debate exists about the most effective ways to support biodiversity and ecosystem functionality, the protection of our habitat is this generation’s most critical work.
Ultimately, protecting Earth’s ecosystems and maintaining global biodiversity will require more than preserving 30% of the planet for non-human use. The management of the remaining 70% will be equally important, particularly the 11% of Earth’s surface that is arable, and 31% that is forested. At present, nearly eight billion people depend on this land to meet their basic needs. Setting aside a small percentage while using the rest unsustainably is, well, unsustainable. Securing a livable future requires reimagining our relationship with the land, adopting sustainable consumption patterns, and implementing practices that allow humans to live off the land without undermining its ecological functionality.
Forests as Mirrors
By Cory Creagan - VT/SAF Licensed/Certified Forester, Bennington County Forester
Forests illustrate the drastic impacts we have had on the natural environment. The forests of today reflect centuries of humanwrought impacts. Species composition, structural complexity, age, health, and many other forest conditions - for better or for worse - are the results of past land-uses and ongoing human influence.
Today our forests are managed with an eye towards the future - an understanding that actions will have centuries-long impacts. These actions have new intentions: to promote and enhance forest health, diversity, and resiliency while also producing a supply of responsibly sourced, sustainable forest products.
Merck Forest & Farmland Center uses management techniques designed to restore many ecological attributes that were previously lost. These activities, included in the current Timber Stand Improvement Project, are part of a long-term forest management plan and are designed to restore and enhance species diversity, structural complexity, and promote the accrual of conditions that are more typical of an older forest.
This timber stand improvement project is sited just off the McCormick Trail. It is marked and the adjacent trails will be closed during the harvest period this summer.
This project will:
• Create canopy openings of various sizes throughout the forest to encourage the regeneration of a diverse new age class of young trees and promote the development of multiple tree heights, creating more growing space for underrepresented species such as red spruce and black cherry
• Contribute to the accumulation of downed woody material on the forest floor and standing dead trees typical of older forests
• Promote the development of larger, old trees and the identification of legacy trees to remain in the woods for perpetuity
• Improve overall health, diversity, and resiliency of the forest
• Produce high-quality, responsibly sourced products at a furniture grade mill (DCI furniture)
Partners and Collaborators on this project include the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, Cory Creagan - Vermont Licensed Forester, SAF Certified Forester, Bennington County Forester, and DCI Mills. It can be hard to think of a chainsaw as a conservationist’s tool. In fact, for many people, the act of cutting down trees is understandably perceived as an affront to nature. When considering Vermont’s forests, it is important to remember that these woods suffered a massive trauma in the late 1800s, when over 80% of the state’s trees were felled. Even 150 years later, Vermont’s forests still bear the scars of this destructive overharvesting. Unlike the primary forests that were felled without consideration for ecological functionality, Vermont’s current forests lack the age and canopy height diversity critical for a healthy habitat. Recognizing that old forest characteristics are optimal in various ways—such as carbon storage, forest resilience, and habitat—sustainable harvesting projects can improve forest health. These projects help accelerate the development of these beneficial characteristics for landowners willing to make modest compromises in the number of trees harvested.
Pig Palace: Providing a Respite from the Sun
By Dylan Durkee, Fleet & Facilities Manager
During spring planning, our farm manager Hadley, requested a new pig shelter for the sow and the piglets to come. Ryan Warner, a dedicated volunteer at Merck, and I decided to make this shelter a timber frame structure. The main components are ash (post, tie beams), spruce (top plates), and apple, larch, and cherry (knee braces).
The Pig Palace is a scribe rule timber frame, meaning each piece has a specific location relative to the others. If you’ve seen a timber frame with Roman numerals, that’s a scribe rule frame. There are three main methods for laying out joinery in timber framing: scribe rule, square rule, and mill rule.
• Scribe rule involves stacking timbers and using levels, plumb bobs, and strings. It’s time-consuming but rewarding, allowing for unique wood pieces.
• Square rule uses imperfect timber, finding the two most square faces and downsizing to create a perfect timber within. Components like knee braces and tie beams can be interchangeable. Labeling components helps visualize and assemble the project.
• Mill rule uses perfectly square timber true to the required size, making it quicker to layout and complete joinery. These three methods are the ones I commonly use, though there are many others. There is so much to go over in these different layout methods so come to MF&FC and I would love to talk extensively about this topic.
New Sign at the Road: Welcome!
By Dylan Durkee, Fleet & Facilities Manager
After completing the Pig Palace, Ryan and I started on a new entrance sign. The sign is hand-hewn, meaning we took a round log and used axes to square it into timber.
We used various hand tools, including an old mortising machine from the 1800s, chisels, axes, and hand saws. The posts, tie beams, and top plates came from one European larch tree, and the live edge knee braces from a cherry tree.
We treated the sign’s wood frame with yakisugi: burning the wood, cooling it, brushing off some char, and oiling the rest. This treatment makes the wood more resistant to insects, decay, and fire. We are currently deciding the best placement for this new timber frame structure. Be sure to check it out!
A Vision, and a Grant Awarded
By Chris Hubbard, Education Specialist
With Merck Forest and Farmland’s mission to inspire curiosity, love, and responsibility for natural and working lands, it was only natural that when the opportunity arose to acquire a 146-acre parcel adjacent to a school presented itself, MFFC would seriously consider the proposal. The acquisition would allow us to pursue that mission with students and expose them to joyful interactions on and with the land. And, in late 2019, we did just that, with the help of the Vermont Land Trust. The result: students at the Mettawee Community School in Pawlet now have access to the land for academic and recreational purposes. The land, composed of fields and forests, wetlands and hilltops, provides a myriad of ecological systems for students to explore and opportunities to hike, sled and recreate on.
A partnership between the school and MFFC was nurtured, with MFFC staff initially joining MCS staff for field days, as students hiked onto the land and into the woods for explorations of the natural world. MFFC staff have been leading Four Winds programming in various classrooms, assisting teachers in bringing students outside and onto the land, and providing a JISP alternative: “Field and Forest Fridays” during the winter months. An ecology box, packed with a variety of gear, and made possible by a grant, was created, donated to the school, and made available to all teachers, supports getting students outside. But one barrier remains. Wetlands exist between the school and the MFFC land. Navigating those wetlands can prove challenging, no matter what the season. Creating a boardwalk and trail would provide an easier way for teachers and students to access the land.
Recognizing the challenges and complexities involving wetlands, an engineering firm was engaged to produce a wetland delineation map. A field survey of the soils, hydrology, and vegetation determined the boundary between the wetlands and dryer uplands, and a map was produced showing those areas. A meeting with MCS teachers provided information that
access to the land from the playground area would be most advantageous and desirable. It would be easily accessible from all classrooms, reduce the time needed to access the property, and, with improved access, the wetlands, pond, and a small seasonal stream would provide additional educational opportunities for students.
With the delineation map in hand, a VOREC (Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative) grant was applied for in early December 2023. We shared our vision, created a budget and gathered the required documents by the submission deadline.
The VOREC grant would disperse $6.3 million across the state of Vermont to boost outdoor recreation in four tracks: design, implementation, social justice, and flood recovery from 2023 summer storms. As we were already underway with the design of the boardwalk project, an application was submitted under the implementation track.
Several months passed this winter and early spring as we waited for an answer to whether or not we received the grant, received partial funding, or were declined. Additional information was submitted to the grant committee as our application moved through the review process. Finally, the notice came that we had met all the requirements for the grant, and an invitation to a press release at Pico Mountain was received. We would be awarded the full amount of our ask: over $365,000 for the construction of an accessible boardwalk and trails across the wetland.
What happens now? We have engaged a trail designer and builder to create a vision and plan for the boardwalk and trail, and stakes are in the ground showing what a proposed route will look like. The design will be finalized, bids will go out, and permits applied for, with the goal of breaking ground in 2025. The project will be completed by the end of 2025.
We are excited to have been awarded the grant, and we look forward to the upcoming project and the opportunities it will present for Mettawee students as they gain additional access to the land adjoining the school. A small pond will be made more accessible, students will have easier access to wetlands for classroom studies, and less time will be spent getting students out onto the land.
In 2018, after Governor Phil Scott signed Executive Order #11-17 establishing the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC), representatives from Vermont’s Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation hosted a statewide series of listening sessions to learn more about needs and opportunities from regional professionals. In Southwestern Vermont, these sessions were facilitated by the Shires Outdoor and Adventure Recreation committee, chaired by Merck Forest & Farmland Center’s Executive Director. Reengaging with VOREC years later to implement the type of project that was close to unimaginable at that time is an exciting moment for Merck Forest & Farmland Center and southwestern Vermont.
Happenings on the Hill
By Mike Stock, Resource Manager
This season has been full of blow downs and trail maintenance, all of which is stacked and ready for our next sugaring season. We’ve been cutting the Striped Maples to widen trails, which also allows more light to hit the forest floor. Our plan is to make furniture out of the Striped Maples. Turning an otherwise shademaking invasive tree into something people can enjoy, as well as storing carbon - that’s exciting! Trail Camp kids recently used Striped Maples to fence in the garden.
I’ve also been involved with an almost mile long fencing project. This will allow all the pastures to have a hard wire sheep fence around them. Rotational grazing - with flex net - inside the perimeter fences will be very handy. I also think the fences will help with winter snow drifts. The posts are pressure treated, but all the cross braces and gate assemblies are Black Locust . We harvested the trees 4-6” inches diameter, debarked them, and installed them in one 8 hour day . Noah Crawford has been helping us with the fencing project. He has been an enormous help throughout the process!
The firewood train is still rolling strong, cabins will be warm again this coming winter. The two sided wood sheds are working out splendidly. A “dry and ready to use” side and a ”for the next season” side. Every day is exciting at Merck Forest!!
See you all soon!
Mike
2nd annual Junior Stewardship Award 2024 Noah Crawford
The Junior Stewardship Award acknowledges the efforts of individuals who embody the principles of stewardship, a concept rooted in the responsible management and care of our natural resources and community assets. The award is presented to those who not only show a deep commitment to these ideals but also inspire others through their actions and leadership.
This year, the 2024 Junior Stewardship Award is awarded to Danby resident Noah Crawford not only for his dedication and hard work, but also in recognition for the growth he has shown as an individual.
Noah’s growth and learning achievements since his early days are nothing short of extraordinary. From his initial participation in small projects around the farm to major initiatives such as the completion of the new Sugar Bush warming hut to assisting with the new pasture fencing on the farm, Noah has supported MFFC’s mission consistently throughout his time with us.
Mike Stock, MF&FC’s Resource Coordinator, shares his thoughts on working with Noah: “Through his hard work and willingness to learn, Noah has not only made a significant impact on our projects but also has grown in confidence and ability.”
Noah’s accomplishments have been instrumental in helping the farm and forest crew up at Merck Forest. He has learned to use almost every piece of equipment on the farm from running chainsaws, mastering the excavator and helping the continuous mowing of pastures.
The Junior Stewardship Award serves as a testament to the power of young individuals to effect positive change. Congratulations, Noah!
Spring 2024 Field Trips: A Season of Discovery
Compiled by the MFFC Education and Communications team
This spring, Merck Forest & Farmland Center was bursting with exploration, learning and unforgettable experiences for hundreds of students from 13 schools in the region. We offered local students a vibrant outdoor classroom where young minds and hearts connected with nature, ecosystems, and engaged in hands-on learning. Here’s a glimpse into the diverse and enriching field trips that made this spring special.
March: Tapping into Nature’s Sweetness and Understanding Watersheds
March brought the excitement of sap collection and syrup production. Middle school students from Flood Brook were the first to dive into the “Sap to Syrup” program, learning the intricate process of transforming tree sap into Vermont’s favorite sweetener - maple syrup. Little Wings Farm School followed with an age adjusted version of the program that taught them about the role healthy trees play in syrup production.
Meanwhile, The Red Fox Community School focused on watersheds, understanding how water travels through the environment and the critical role it plays in sustaining life. This hands-on study laid the groundwork for deeper ecological awareness among the students.
April: Farm Connections and Environmental Exploration
April showers didn’t deter the enthusiasm of students as Flood Brook returned for their second visit, this time focusing on farm connections. They learned about sustainable farming practices, the importance of local agriculture, and the symbiotic relationships between animals and crops on a working farm.
Fiddlehead Farms School plunged into Pond Explorations, uncovering the hidden world beneath the water’s surface. The Southshire Community School made dual visits, with both groups studying watersheds, and gaining an understanding of local water systems. Third graders from the Dorset School participated in the pollinator program, learning about the vital role bees and other pollinators play in our ecosystem.
May: Watersheds, Pollinators, and Farm Tours
As May flowers bloomed, so did students’ curiosity. Flood Brook Middle School continued their educational journey with a deep dive into watersheds, followed by a separate trip to explore pollinators. MEMS students explored the world of pollinators as well, while Wallingford Elementary’s sixth graders focused on a watershed curriculum, learning about our roles in protecting and corexisting within VT’s network of watersheds, emphasizing the role we play in protecting and coexisting within the watershed that we all live in Vermont.
A special highlight was the Learning Employment Assistance Partnership (LEAP) farm tour. This program provided participants with hands-on experience in farm life, from feeding and socializing with the animals to a wagon tour of the farm fostering a deeper connection to the land and the opportunities that MFFC have for new families in the area.
June: Culminating Experiences and Comprehensive Learning
June was a culminating month for many students. Manchester Elementary and Middle School (MEMS) combined lessons on pollinators and farm connections for their third graders, offering a holistic view of agricultural ecosystems. Long Trail School engaged with animal ambassadors through e-classes, enhancing their understanding of animal care and behavior.
Maple Street School’s participation in Mountain Days saw all three sections of the school engaging in a full-day, multigrade field trip, embodying the spirit of outdoor adventure and teamwork. Pre K Elementary and Middle School students participated in both fall and spring field trips, thanks to their special program that encouraged year-round engagement with nature.
Mettawee Community School’s Girls on the Run program enjoyed their “Meet and Feed” experience, learning about animal care.
Looking Forward: Fall Programs and New Adventures
As we reflect on the spring season, we extend our deepest gratitude to the thirteen schools and hundreds of students who made this spring unforgettable. Special thanks to Maple Street and Flood Brook Middle School, whose multiple visits highlighted their commitment to outdoor education. Looking ahead, Merck Forest & Farmland Center will introduce new field trip offerings this fall. Programs such as “Reading the Forest”, “Invasives”, and “Tree to Timber” will provide students with deeper insights into forest ecology and sustainable forestry practices. The fall field trip season kicks off on September 3rd when Education DirectorJohn Schneble will invite educators from these and other area schools to plan their next adventure with us!
Summer on the Farm
By Hadley Stock, Farm Manager
Summer’s here! And life on the farm is bustling with activity. We have welcomed some new friends to the farm – plant, animal, and human varieties!
I’m thrilled to have our new land management assistants Justin and Keenan working with us on the farm and in the forest this season. Justin is familiar with Merck from his involvement over the past two years through our partnership with Long Trail School, where he is entering his senior year in the fall. Justin was our first ever Junior Stewardship Award recipient thanks to his hard work, volunteering and eagerness to learn. Keenan is excited to learn more about MFFC this season and to put his environmental science degree to use while working on the land.
I hope you have had a chance to meet our new rabbits Celery and Kale who are housed outside the Harwood barn. Celery, our doe (female rabbit), is a Silver Fox rabbit. This breed is raised for their meat and their fur, and is one of the first registered American rabbit breeds. They are large rabbits with adults weighing between nine and twelve pounds. Kale, our buck (male rabbit), is a Rex breed rabbit. Rex rabbits are from France and are known as “the King of Rabbits’ because of their luxurious fur and also for their meat.These two will be our breeding stock for a small scale meat rabbit production.
While rabbit meat has fallen out of popularity in the US, back in the1940’s and 50’s it was as popular a dinner dish as chicken and beef. It remains a popular protein in most other parts of the world, especially Europe. As a protein it is a real winner, rich in vitamins B12 and E with very low sodium, and almost no cholesterol, rabbit meat has a much higher percentage of digestible protein compared to beef and chicken. It’s also high in healthy fats with fewer calories.
Just up the hill from the rabbits is our new vegetable garden, featuring a salad bed, salsa bed, and melon bed. We have mixed herbs, green beans, summer and winter squashes, cucumbers, and more. This garden will have a strong presence in the Twilight on the Mountain menu this year. It will feed campers tasty fresh snacks, provide nourishment for our livestock as well and provide fun new educational programming in the months to come. Most of the plants in the garden were started from seed by students from local schools – Long Trail, BBS, and Salem High School with me overseeing the project in the late winter and early spring months.
The whole MFFC staff tries to get up to the garden together at least monthly to weed, mulch, harvest, and just enjoy the many health benefits of gardening. Spending time gardening has been shown to lower blood pressure and reduce stress and anxiety. Spending time out in the garden is a great way to up your vitamin D levels, while getting you up, moving, and outdoors, connecting to your food and community.
I’d love to get more people out working in the garden and enjoying all the great benefits this super healthy activity can bring. And, by the way, the end result is tasty produce grown by a community of people who love MFFC.
If spending time in the MFFC garden sounds good to you, let’s talk! Between weeding, mulching, harvesting, and organizing our blueberry orchard, veggie garden and apple orchard, there is a little bit of work for anyone and everyone to enjoy. And the best part… you’ll take home some of the harvest for your family to enjoy. If this sounds like an opportunity you’d like to take part in please email me, hadley@merckforest.org, Let’s get you up here on the mountain and familiarized with the work, the tools and the spaces that could use your help.
I’m looking forward to seeing you all on the hill this summer!
Farmer Hadley
2023 Annual Report
By the end of 2024, Merck Forest & Farmland Center will be wrapping up the final objectives in the organization’s active 5-year strategic plan in preparation for a new adventure beginning in January 2025. This plan has focused on four primary objectives: implementing best practice in ecologically sound farm and forest management, demonstrating the full forest and farm products value chain on property, piloting a diverse array of new educational programs and community focused events, and performing key infrastructure maintenance upgrades. Thanks to a supportive board of trustees, dedicated staff, and committed donors this plan has been successful. Going into 2025, the 75th anniversary of Merck Forest & Farmland Center’s founding, this momentum has positioned the organization to take on exciting new projects that will create opportunities to better serve our community while delivering mission-focused programming in innovative ways.
2023 Income
$369,342.57
$4.9M
Volunteerism at MFFC
“Volunteering at Merck Forest has been a great experience! It’s such a beautiful place and I have felt welcomed and valued from my first day volunteering. I would highly encourage anyone interested in learning about farming, forest management, timber framing, homesteading, and so much more, to see what they can learn at Merck Forest and Farmland Center.”
- Timber framing apprentice and volunteer
2023 VOLUNTEER EFFORTS:
427 INDIVIDUALS 1225 HOURS $38,955 VALUE
Experiencing Merck Forest
“Being at Merck Forest and Farmland Center was nothing short of a magical experience. From the moment I arrived, I was captivated by a serenity so magnetic that I could not bear to leave when it was time. The land is a mosaic of green tones and is so rich in nature that being there leaves you mesmerized. Merck Forest is an oasis, rich in beauty, that embraces you with a peace that feels almost surreal. I am grateful to have had a taste of that.”
- Summer service learning intern
TRAIL USAGE:
DISCOVERY TRAIL
Average daily use: 4.88
Total visitors: 1,771
FARM TRAIL:
Average daily use: 13.52
Total visitors: 4,989
OLD TOWN ROAD:
Average daily use: 60.32
Total visitors: 22,009
VYCC TRAIL:
Average daily use: 16.14
Total visitors: 5,866
Land and Resource Management
In addition to ongoing maintenance of MFFC’s 63 acre regenerative farm and 3,440 acres of forest, the MFFC land management team also maintained 35 miles of trails and 12 cabins and lean-tos for our 20,000+ visitors to enjoy throughout all four seasons.
Highlights from 2023:
Completed a ten-year farm plan that will improve ecological outcomes of the farming operation, enhance pollinator habitat in alleys and borders, consolidate pasture land to make the flock more accessible to visitors and increase carbon sequestration and storage by introducing the experimental alley cropping of trees in key pastures
Designs for Pig Shade Shelter and New Animal Barn
Refinements to sugaring operation; conducted forest health work in the sugarbush and began the multi-year process of replacing sap lines
Finished Timber shop and utilized the space to construct the new sugarmaker’s cabin (a structure which will store sugaring supplies year-round and support sugaring operations during the spring) which has since been raised in the sugarbush
Put a forest health focused harvest out to bid in with support from VT Forest, Parks and Recreation’s county forester in alignment with their goal of conducting landowner and public education
Released 225 Apple Trees along the Wildlife and McCormick trails. Apple tree release opens up the space around naturalized apple trees so that they receive more sunlight. This increase in energy yields greater apple crops supporting a variety of native wildlife species.
Improved wood sheds at all cabins
Service learning opportunities with local/regional groups
Improved Public Access—
Laid 24 dump truck loads of gravel on Old Town road between the entrance and the farm, which has improved visitor access to and on the property in all types of weather
2023 Partners and Collaborations
EDUCATIONAL PARTNERS
Bennington-Rutland Supervisory Union
Burr & Burton Academy
Castleton University
Harvard University Outing Club
Little Wings Farm School
Long Trail School
Maple Street School
Mettawee Community School
Northeast Woodland Training Inc.
North Bennington Village School
Northshire Day School
Red Fox Community School
Salem Central School
Shrewsbury Elementary School
Southshire School
Taconic and Green School District
Tinmouth Elementary School
Tufts Wilderness Orientation for First Years
University of Massachusetts: Amherst
University of Vermont: Rubenstein School of Environment & Natural Resources
Mahwah Environmental Volunteers Organization, Inc.
Student Conservation Association
Vermont Land Trust
Lake Champlain Basin Water Quality Council
Vermont Coverts
Southwestern VT Regional Chamber of Commerce
Audubon Vermont
New England Forestry Foundation
Vermont Department of Forest, Parks, and Recreation
REGIONAL PARTNERS
Back Road Tours
Bennington County Regional Commission
Berkshire Bank
Barnstead Inn
Berkshire Family YMCA
Green Mountain Academy for Lifelong Learning
Greater Northshire Access Television
Kroka Expeditions
Mountain Goat, Inc.
The Orvis Company
Pember Museum
Rupert Volunteer Fire Department
Southern Vermont Arts Center
Program participation at MFFC
“Merck Forest embodies what you expect Vermont to be like in the best ways possible. When we arrive for our annual family wreath making tradition, we immediately feel the warmthmetaphorically and physically - upon entering the Visitor Center with the old-time hearth burning, but it does not end there. Where else can you spend time on a working farm, see a sugaring operation up close, yearn for some maple syrup and be able to taste and then buy a jug on your way out?
Merck Forest is a family friendly place with a knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff committed to caring for the environment. Being up at Merck Forest invokes a feeling of simpler times. It is a comfort that places like Merck Forest still exist and are supported by the community.”
- Family who visits MFFC annually during the Holidays 2023 EVENT & WORKSHOP PARTICIPATION
1763 PEOPLE 35%
Experiential Education at Merck Forest
”Kits and Cubs is my young family’s favorite thing to do each week! Spending time outdoors together with other young nature enthusiasts is just the best. Observing the genuine awe in my children’s eyes each week as they discover the magic of the simplest things never gets old. Our days at Merck Forest not only enrich our dinner conversations, but our lives here in this beautiful state of Vermont and phase of life. We are forever grateful to Elena and the entire team at Merck Forest!”
- Kits and Cubs family
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS:
KITS AND CUBS: Expanded to a year-round program with over 80 sessions and participation from children and adults.
SUMMER CAMPS: 8 weeks of programming for rising 1st to 8th graders with 75 campers.
FIELD TRIPS: Over 80 schools visited the mountain for programming.
Meet our Summer Camp Crew
MAX FISH
Hello Merck Community!
I am delighted to be MFFC’s newest Field Educator. I apprenticed with spring field trips and now am leading summer campers in nature-based explorations around MFFC. I am a graduate of Tulane University and bring my interest in, and knowledge of, ecology to the MFFC Ed team.
BELLA GARRISON
This summer I’m very excited to be coming back to Merck Forest as a camp counselor. Last year was a great experience and I loved working with the campers to explore the property and learn about the farm, the forest and the environment. I’m looking forward to all the adventures we’ll have, crafts we’ll make, and the things we’ll see and discover.
ANDREA KORNBLUH
Hi, I am Andrea, a plant ecologist and alpine skier originally from New Jersey. Awesome fact: I love to write and am currently working on my first children’s book. Nature has been my constant inspiration and refuge, and I’m looking forward to sharing my love of the outdoors and creating lifelong memories with campers this summer.
AMELIA STOCK
I have always loved being outside. Catching frogs, riding bikes, fishing, climbing trees and going for walks in the woods are a few of the many activities I have always enjoyed. Recently I learned how to use digital cameras at Long Trail School where I’m a rising sophomore. I have become passionate about nature photography and love capturing the beautiful outdoors digitally. I truly enjoy spending time with kids. Being a camp counselor at Merck Forest will combine my love for the outdoors with my enthusiasm for working with kids and I can’t wait to join the MFFC crew.
Summer Camp is in Full Swing!
By Amy Pim, Camp Coordinator
After months of planning, the trails, farm and woods are full of laughter and chatter as MFFC’s summer camp season started on June 24th and is in full swing! The campers will once again be immersed in farm chores, tree and plant identification projects, pond scoping, wagon rides and hikes, team building activities and taking in the wonders of nature. We are also looking forward to a weeklong collaboration July 15-19 with Farm and Wilderness Camp in Plymouth, VT. After 2 amazing seasons of leading campers, I have shifted to Camp Coordinator and look forward to mentoring and leading our new team of camp staff as they open young minds and aid in creating many new memories.
The Hope Tree
By Renata Aylward, Communications Manager
To all of our visitors who have come to love “The Hope Tree” as much as we have - we wanted to let you know that, for visitor safety, we recently removed the remaining upper limbs of this beautiful oak that greets visitors on the path up to the farm and Saphouse. The open trunk - where many of you have taken a photo! - still stands. The Hope Tree is an iconic figure at Merck Forest & Farmland Center and last year was the first year it no longer leafed. Her legacy lives on as both up and downslope you can find new oaks in the canopy that likely sprouted from her acorns. Hope lives on.
Merck Forest staff are looking to repurpose the wood from the tree so the tree will remain a fixture at MFFC though in a different form. We will say more about this idea as it comes into fruition.
Plant A Tree
by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
God, what a joy it is to plant a tree,
And from the sallow earth to watch it rise, Lifting its emerald branches to the skies
In silent adoration; and to see Its strength and glory waxing with each spring. Yes, ’tis a goodly, and a gladsome thing To plant a tree.
Nature has many marvels; but a tree Seems more than marvelous. It is divine. So generous, so tender, so benign. Not garrulous like the rivers; and yet free In pleasant converse with the winds and birds; Oh! privilege beyond explaining words, To plant a tree.
Rocks are majestic; but, unlike a tree, They stand aloof, and silent. In the roar
Of ocean billows breaking on the shore
There sounds the voice of turmoil. But a tree Speaks ever of companionship and rest.
Yea, of all righteous acts, this, this is best, To plant a tree.
There is an oak (oh! how I love that tree) Which has been thriving for a hundred years; Each day I send my blessing through the spheres To one who gave this triple boon to me, Of growing beauty, singing birds, and shade. Wouldst thou win laurels that shall never fade?
News from the Visitor Center
By Stephanie Breed, Visitor Center Coordinator
Hydrangeas, bachelor buttons, daylilies and flowering shrubs line the gravel path that leads to the Visitor Center. Astilbe and hosta, planted in October 2023 as bareroots, lead the traveler onward. Adorning the entrance of the Visitor Center are many well-established perennials. We are dividing and transplanting as fast as possible. Volunteers are always needed for this endeavor. Your thank-you gifts will be divisions from the day lillies, echinacea, geraniums and more. To help out, please contact stephanie@merckforest.org.
Our lobby has cut flowers, farm and trail information, maps to our local farms abd farmer’s markets and a comment box available. We hope visitors will jot down suggestions, comments, MFFC musings or perhaps a gratitude for their day. We are proud to offer, while supplies last, our farm-raised lamb, pork and chicken. Only a few sheep skins remain while beautiful hand-crafted sweaters made from our wool are going fast. Yarn, wool hats, fingerless gloves and roving wool are thoughtful gifts for friends and family.
A tasting station is now open! Sample the various maple syrup grades and pick your favorite. The maple cream is my favoriteit is absolutely delicious! In addition, we offer cold drinks, snacks and a fun array of books, games and novelties. A visit wouldn’t be complete without saying hello to Ellie the cat. She is a Maine Coon and can be quite affectionate! The VC is open daily from 9am - 4pm; the Friends of the Forest Shop is open Tuesday - Sunday 9am - 4pm.
Welcome, Visitors!
By Darla Belevich, Visitor Center Coordinator
On any given day, we get visitors galore from everywhere. Last fall alone,visitors came from 20 plus different countries and over 30 states to celebrate our beautiful fall foliage. The diversity was amazing! The best part of my job here at Merck Forest is meeting and visiting with all these people and finding out what we all have in common. The most obvious tie is our love of nature and all that the wilderness offers. It’s so exciting finding out about where all these folks came from, where they work, where they travel from, how they found out about Merck Forest and what brought them here. In just a few conversations, we find out how we are connected… maybe it’s growing up in the same area, or traveling to the same places, or having the same desire to be in the woods, exploring nature. In 1975, one of my students and her Mom brought me here and said it was a ‘hidden gem’ in the Vermont forests. I have been coming here ever since, and now, it’s nice to see more and more people are finding out about this not so hidden gem! No matter where you’re from, what you do, or what you like, we welcome everyone to come and explore the wonders of Merck Forest!
Look for these regional food maps at Merck Forest and throughout The Shires. Thanks to Lookout Foundation for their support of MFFC’s efforts to strengthen our regional food shed.
forest feast for kids
cookbook by erin gleeson
Compiled by Elena Santos and Liz Ruffa forest feast for kids (available in the Visitor Center) is packed with colorful vegetarian recipes that are simple to make for kids and families! This beautifully produced cookbook is filled with Ideas for kids’ parties and easy to follow instructions on techniques, measurements, and other helpful kitchen aides.
Photographer and artist Erin Gleeson (who has visited Merck Forest!) lives in an idyllic cabin near San Francisco, California where she paints watercolors and writes her popular food blog: The Forest Feast at theforestfeast.com.
Education Manager Elena Santos recently worked with our Kits and Cubs crew to test some of these recipes. See what they tested and tasted together!
The following recipes are “Kits & Cubs Approved”!
watermelon smoothie
Serves 2
1. First combine in a blender:
• 2 c (300 g) chopped watermelon
• 1 c (240 ml) apple juice
• 5 frozen strawberries
• 3 ice cubes
2. Then pour smoothies into glasses
3. Lastly, cut another piece of watermelon into 2 inch (5 cm) cubes (that look like ice cubes) and add a couple to each glass.
yellow caprese bites
Serving suggestion: 3 bites per person
1. Stack on a toothpick:
• 1 yellow cherry tomato
• 1 mini mozzarella ball
• 1 basil leaf
2. Sprinkle with olive oil and salt before serving (about ½ t or less of each)
k+c testimonials:
Several kids also commented on which ingredients they grow with their families at home, from basil to strawberries to melons.
“This is yummy!”
“DE-LISH!”
“There are seeds in [the smoothie]...I like it!”
Upcoming Events Summer/Fall 2024
Explore-A-Thon
July 13, Saturday
11:00am-3:00pm; FREE
For families and friends of all ages, we’ll be spending the day celebrating different ways to explore and experience the outdoors. Come and join us as we use art, movement, outdoor skill building, observation and science, and more to enjoy the outdoor landscape. Food available; event is from 11a-3p, suggested donation of $5.
Kits and Cubs
All Summer and Fall - Wednesdays / Fridays
10:00 am -11:30 am; $5/Person
Join Merck Forest’s education team for Kits and Cubs, our preschool/toddler and caregiver meet-up group. Meet at the Visitor Center for themed outdoor nature exploration and activities, songs, story time, and take-home crafts. Weather and season appropriate clothing is strongly recommended.
Meet and Feed
Thursdays and Saturdays
2:00pm-3:30pm; $10
Join Merck staff on afternoon wellness checks on the farm animals. Our 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 our animals. Limit 12.
Chicken Processing Workshop
July, Fri. 19, Sun. 21, 10-12
August, Fri. 2, Sat. 3, Sun. 4, 10-12
August, Fri. 30, Sat. 31, Sun. 9/1, 10-12
September, Fri. 20, Sat. 21, Sun. 22, 10-12
$45
Join MF&FC Farmer Hadley Stock, and MF&FC Resources Manager Mike Stock for an exciting adventure into the world of poultry preparation! Are you ready to master the art of processing chickens?
Please reserve your spot in one of our workshops by registering online at merckforest.org/shop/ Most of the listed activities have an outdoor component –all members of your party should be dressed appropriately for conditions, including water, snacks, sturdy footgear. Due to the low cost of our programs, refunds are not available unless an event is canceled by MFFC. Pre-registration is required for all events at merckforest.org/shop. All events meet at the Visitor Center.
Coming this fall!
Tractor pulled Wagon rides
Check merckforest.org for details
Cider Sundays
Check merckforest.org for details
Merck Forest & Farmland Center Frank Hatch Sap House
Saturday, September 14, 2024 11am - 3pm
$5/person suggested donation
The Senses of the Seasons
By John Schneble, Education Director
As I celebrate my one-year anniversary at Merck Forest this July, I reflect on the connections between my workflow and how my senses awaken each season. The variety of sights, sounds, and smells at MF&FC is a blessing to all who spend time here. Summer is vibrant and bustling. Long, warm days are perfect for summer camps, where the sounds of kids enjoying nature’s classroom bring a smile to my face. Fields are lively with rotationally grazed animals, ensuring healthy pastures and happy livestock. Visitors enjoy Meet and Feed with the growing flock. The smell of sawdust from the timber shop draws passersby to witness the fascinating process of lumber being milled. Gardens flourish under the sun, yielding bountiful vegetables and flowers. Blueberries come into their prime, offering sweet, juicy treats for campers and visitors. As each day winds down, the sky paints a breathtaking canvas of stunning sunsets. If you haven’t been hiking at MFFC at this time of day, I highly recommend it.
Fall arrives with a burst of color, as the hills surrounding the Center are adorned with vibrant autumn foliage. This season is marked by an influx of school field trips, when students explore the wonders of nature and agriculture. Several college groups visit to enjoy the natural landscape and lend a hand on the farm with service projects. Apple trees are laden with fruit, ready for harvesting and enjoying in various forms. The smell of apples abounds during Harvest Fest. The crisp air and the rich palette of reds, oranges, and yellows create a picturesque backdrop for all activities.
Winter transforms the land into a serene and sometimes stark wonderland. The temperatures drop, snow often blankets the landscape, and biting winds cut through the bundled layers of the visitors. For the Education team, it’s a crucial period for planning and preparation for the new year, laying the groundwork for upcoming groups, projects, and events. The tranquility of winter offers a time for reflection and strategic thinking.
Spring is a season of variety presenting different temperatures, colors, and smells. The sugar bush comes alive with flowing sap, sweetened in the Sap House. The smell of boiling sap never gets old and visitors enjoy the sugaring process during Maple Open House. As the temperatures warm, there’s a sense of new beginnings. Farm animals birth their young, filling the barns and fields with the sights and sounds of new life. The landscape awakens with the vibrant colors of spring ephemerals, those early blooming flowers poking through on warmer days. The pond explodes with a symphony of peepers announcing their arrival. The farm buzzes with activity as planting begins and preparations for the growing season get underway. During Meet the Lambs, visitors cannot hold back the smiles and excitement that come from the interactions with the young animals. Student groups return to MF&FC and witness the many joys of the mountain, whether it be learning about pollinators, timber harvesting, the sugaring process, watershed studies, or farm connections.
Each season at MF&FC brings its own unique beauty and rhythm, contributing to the rich tapestry of life and learning at this special place. I hope visitors also experience nature through their senses. The Education team loves creating ways to learn from nature and enjoy all that is here. I look forward to the upcoming year and connecting with our visitors when they make the trip to the Mountain.
Meet the Lambs Recap
By Elena Santos, Education Manager
Surrounded by the fresh new swath of green carpeting the meadows and hillsides characteristic of late spring, 250 visitors made their way up the mountain to Meet the Lambs in May. New and familiar faces met the two lambs born earlier in the spring and spent time with our baby goats and chicks. A demonstration by Don Chandler at the Harwood Barn horse stalls featured the work of a horse farrier. A display in the Sap House featured the variety of Merck Forest wool products available for sale at the Visitor Center. Accompanying it was a map of the local businesses who are key in transforming Merck Forest’s raw fiber into hats, mittens, yarn, sweaters and sheepskins. Each of the several businesses is located in Vermont or New York within a three hour radius of Merck Forest and Farmland Center. Other activities included campfire s’mores, wool bracelet making and filling raised beds.
Vendor partnerships with Crooked Barn Charcuterie, Willoughby’s Depot Eatery and Flying Moon Farm provided delicious sausages and smash burgers, donuts and coffee and cut flower bouquets of tulips, lilac, and ranunculus. Thank you to our vendor partnerships!
Sheep to Shop: Merck Forest from Farm to Fiber
News from Here and There
Pawlet Library Nature Club
On Wednesdays in May and into June, Elena Santos spent afternoons at the Pawlet Public Library leading the Spring Nature Club. This was a continuation of the collaboration that began with the Fall Nature Club in October of last year. Lessons were based on seasonality. Some of the topics explored were compasses and map-making, birds, and spring flowers. There was enough flexibility in the lessons for the imaginative minds who took the class to create time for fairy house building and mini mud pie making.
Thank you to the Pawlet Public Library!
The Sign at the Road!
Be on the lookout in your inbox for a Visitor Use Survey from MFFC later this summer. We value your thoughts and insights!
Look for summer issue (on stands now) of VT Country Magazine for a feature story about Camping at Merck Forest!
Rupert’s Old Home Days 2024 will be held August 8, 9 and 10.
Three days of amazing food, carnival games and prizes, cake booth, maple treats, novelty ice cream, bounce house, live music, cloggers and the Old Home Days Parade! Find details on Facebook/Rupert Old Home Days.
Celebrate 10 years of Vermont Open Farm Week, August 4 - 11, 2024!
During Vermont Open Farm Week, meet the farmers, plants, and animals that bring your favorite high-quality Vermont products to your plate. You’ll get to know your farmer better, and get a behind-the-scenes look into Vermont’s vibrant working agricultural landscape.
This week-long celebration of Vermont farms offers visitors a backstage pass to learn more about local food origins, authentic agritourism experiences, and the chance to build relationships with local farmers. Farm visitors can look forward to maple and honey tastings, yoga on the farm, ice cream socials, behind-the-scenes tours, on-farm dinners, 5k races, concerts and so much more!
For more information, visit DigInVT.com!
President’s Volunteer Service Awards
In 2003, the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation founded the President’s Volunteer Service Award to honor individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires those around them to take action, too. The PVSA is led by Americorps and is managed in partnership with Points of Light. This program allows certifying organizations, of which MFFC is one, to recognize exceptional volunteers.
Two volunteers, Ryan Warner and Noah Crawford, were honored in June at MFFC.
If you, or someone you know, would like to join our volunteer program - and have fun while learning new skills - please contact John Schneble at john@merckforest.org.
Elliott Saunders, 2018
Thank you kindly for your hospitality today. My two sons and I visited for the first time though we live right in Granville! As soon as we stepped out of the car, I felt the magic of Merck. You were all so kind and welcoming, and made us feel like we belonged. It was also such an honor getting to witness the new sign! (I think Kayden would have gladly volunteered to drive the forklift!) We can't wait to come back again soon.
- Staci Oswald
Images courtesy of Staci Oswald Creative
Time spent outside and connecting people with the land has immense value.
The trails, cabins, four-season recreational opportunities, areas for quiet contemplation in nature and vast open vistas at Merck Forest all enhance our organization’s aim to encourage visitors of all ages to explore what the outside world has to offer.
Pre-K-12, undergraduate and graduate students use our landscape and resources as an outdoor learning campus throughout the year. MFFC provides ecology and sustainable land management education and service learning opportunities along with climate-smart farm and forest management demonstrations. Workshops, trainings and a variety of public events give nature enthusiasts of all ages a first hand opportunity to experience our work.
At Merck Forest & Farmland Center, we value:
• Recreation and time spent outside
• Place-based experiential education
• Service and hands-on learning
• Forest and agricultural literacy
• Climate smart land management practices
• Open community gathering spaces
• A safe, secure base of operations
Merck Forest & Farmland Center believes in connecting people through place, shared learning & community.
