2016
NEWSLETTER
Nonprofit educational farm in Freeport, Maine
626 Acre Oceanfront Farm Open Free to Visitors Every Day in Freeport, Maine Yankee Magazine: Best Seaside Campground Down East Magazine: Best Place to Picnic & Play
Visiting the Farm Wolfe’s Neck Farm is always open free to the public, and we encourage you to stop by and visit the barnyard animals, hike, picnic and more!
Come Join the Farm Community! Each year, the farm holds a greater sense of purpose and signs of growth. More and more visitors come to enjoy a space for outdoor recreation, engage with livestock, and appreciate the historic preservation of these four miles of coastline. I’m inspired to see the enthusiasm of a growing staff continuing to make the farm a special place for discovery and learning, and the awed faces of young children as they step into the barn for the first time. There is a further sense of connection for visitors who take part in our educational and recreational programming at the farm – from summer camp, to Farmer for the Morning, to spending a weekend at the campground or in our community garden. Take time to meet the farmers in the barn, and apprentices caring for our dairy cows in our Organic Dairy Research and Training Program. Stop by the oceanfront gardens to see members of the Teen Ag Program harvesting vegetables, serving the community with a farm stand and CSA, and contributing fresh produce to local food pantries each season. Spend an afternoon here and see how Wolfe’s Neck Farm is playing a leading role in shaping the future of sustainable agriculture by training new farmers, inspiring people to make informed food choices, and facilitating farm-based education and research. We are open free to the public year-round, and encourage you to traverse the miles of hiking trails, meet the livestock, explore the gardens and enjoy the open space. I’d love for you to get involved, create special memories, and be a part of this growth and purpose at the farm. With warmest regards, Dave Herring Executive Director
A Place for Aspiring Organic Dairy Farmers After over a decade of working in the steel and chemical operating industries, Ohio bornand-raised Casey Smith turned his sights to a different kind of skilled trade. Dairy farming wasn’t always a vision of his, but healthy living had come to be a focus in his mid-twenties. Smith began spending his free time reading up on farming and shifted to making more conscious food choices. He grew an affinity for Jersey cows and drinking grass-fed milk, and found mentorship in a Kentucky beef farmer. With years of research, lifestyle adjustments, and unfulfilling jobs, what Smith now envisioned for his future came as no surprise to family and friends: he wanted to be a dairy farmer. “You don’t hear about it quite as often these days, but it is definitely a skilled trade,” he explains. “There is a lot to learn and master, so I think it’s a great opportunity to gain experience, feed the community quality foods, continued on page 7
Seasonal Activities: • Oceanfront Camping (May-Oct) • Kayak & Canoe Rentals (May-Oct) • Bicycle Rentals (May-Oct) • Weekend Programming (June-Sept) • Snack Shack (July-Aug) • Farm Stand (July-Oct) • Pumpkin Hayrides (Sat/Sun in Oct) • Farmer for the Morning (Sept-May) Year-Round Offerings: • Barnyard & Gardens • Miles of Walking Trails • Volunteer Opportunities • Dances, Festivals & Events
Celebrating the Seasons By Robin Kerber, Events Coordinator Looking around Wolfe’s Neck Farm it’s plain to see that there is a lot to be grateful for – and we want to celebrate! In the warmer months, the farm comes alive and we join the farmers in “making hay while the sun is shining” by offering all kinds of fun events for our visitors to enjoy. As the farm grows and deepens its commitment to connecting people to farming, our events become a way to celebrate and see the farm in full swing. Central to our work at Wolfe’s Neck Farm is supporting the local food movement. Through our Farm-to Table-Dinner Series, we highlight local chefs, farmers, producers, and brewers in the community. Our Tasting Dinner in June features the fresh flavors of Frontier Café and Gather. Families can enjoy delicious wood fired pizza and pasture raised meat from the Fire and Company crew at our Family Farm Celebration in August. We celebrate the seasons with our Spring and Fall Festivals, bringing people of all ages to the farm for a day of animal demonstrations, crafts, educational activities, hay rides, live music and continued on page 4 for more information visit our website & blog:
- www.wolfesneckfarm.org and connect with us through:
Wolfe’s Neck Farm is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization open free to the public every day! Visit us at 184 Burnett Road, Freeport, Maine or at wolfesneckfarm.org