Visiting MFFC during Covid-19

Merck Forest & Farmland Center has remained open during Covid-19, requesting that visitors adhere to all suitably appropriate physical and social distancing protocols. The farm and trail network have been and remain open to all. As of June 22, limited programs are now open to the public and cabin bookings are available on weekends. Out buildings, outhouses and Visitor Center remain closed to the public at this time.

MFFC is continuing to carefully follow Be Smart, Stay Safe recommendations by the State of Vermont. MFFC is now offering scaled-back public recreation and educational programming - a tapered selection of events, programs, workshops and volunteer opportunities - all with policies in place to ensure the safety of both MFFC staff and participants. Cabin bookings are being taken for weekends and will open up further when MFFC staff feels safe to do so.

As Vermont’s protocols for re-opening continue to evolve, visit Merck Forest’s Covid-19 webpage at www.merckforest.org/Covidresponse for updates and details. MFFC staff remains dedicated to ensuring that all outdoor recreation protocols and best practices are messaged and implemented on site and on-line.

Racial Justice & Equity

At Merck Forest & Farmland Center, as for so many, recent events have brought into sharp focus the horrific indignities that black members of our community are subjected to on a daily basis, as well as the systemic inequalities relentlessly taxing their lives and livelihoods. We are listening, and committed to deepening our work to unpack and understand the role we play in this inequitable system.

We will expand our efforts to identify and eliminate implicit bias in our practices and programs while ensuring that the voices of people of color are represented, and heard, at all levels of our organization. Through this work, we further commit to exploring ways to more equitably utilize and allocate our resources to support marginalized populations.