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September 13th: Dave Herring, Executive Director As a child, I spent considerable time embarking on explorations in the woods and fields beyond our house, not really knowing why these places were special other than that’s where I wanted to be. Now with a family in tow, these explorations carried through to my adult life and led me to pursue a career that enabled me to live and work in and near these places of natural beauty and wonder. In starting my career at Wolfe’s Neck Farm, I thought, what better place to explore and discover nature’s wonders than a seaside farm on the coast of Maine?!
That was five years ago, and each year here as Executive Director I gain a deeper understanding of how important places like Wolfe’s Neck Farm really are. I have fully recognized the positive impact that such a unique and special place can have on our collective relationship with farming, our food choices, and the environment. At the center of our journey as an organization is our neverending desire to use the power of this place to create a healthier planet and enhance the lives of the people who come here. We’ve spent a great deal of time of late reflecting on how best to do that... Over the next 30 days, we’ll be sharing some stories that go beyond the landscape of this place, looking at the heart and center of who we are: stories about our work, the people who make it happen and the people whose lives have been touched by Wolfe’s Neck Farm. I encourage you to follow along with us as we count down to a major announcement in mid-October. #30days30ways
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September 14th: Lilly Kuhn, Teen Ag Crew Member Lilly has been a crew member in our Teen Ag Program for the past two summers. She is now heading off to college, and reflects fondly on what the program has meant to her: “I’ve always considered myself to be environmentally conscious, but it can be challenging to find jobs and activities that actively contribute to a green lifestyle. I love Teen Ag because it combines “low footprint” work with a positive impact on the surrounding communities. The most important takeaway of my participation in Teen Ag is the assurance that I am a hardworking individual who is capable of creating the positive change I want to see in the world.” This is one way our work has impact. #30days30ways
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September 15th: Kathy Smith, Neighbor & Historian Local historian Kathy Smith has been uncovering the beginning stories of Wolfe’s Neck for over a decade. She says of the place, “Wolfe’s Neck Farm history spans centuries—as a place with buildings and landscapes that go back to the 1700s and before, and as a pioneering organic farm way ahead of its time in the 1950s. In this historic photograph, Charlie DeGrandpre, left, farm manager with decades of experience in this new kind of farming since the 1940s; L.M.C. Smith, center, visionary owner of the farm with his wife Eleanor Houston; and their grandson Clemson Smith-Muniz, gather to talk about the day’s issues in the 1960s.” These stories come to life in a history hayride tour being offered tomorrow from 10 AM - Noon at the farm, led by Kathy herself. If you’d like to hear more, join us. This is one way our work has impact. #30days30ways
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September 16th: Colin Kelly, Head Chef at Gather
Colin is the Head Chef at Gather (Maine) in Yarmouth and has been a key creative thinker in making our Farm to Table Dinner Series unique. We’ve partnered with their restaurant for the past four years, and to him, the collaboration starts in the fields: “The joy for me has been hearing what the farmers have to offer in a growing season. As a chef, I have a much easier time visualizing and coming up with ideas when considering what I have to work with, versus simply manifesting ideas and acquiring ingredients. The ideas seem more organic this way. I also enjoy the process of bouncing these ideas off of others and trying to capture their vision or my own as a collaborative effort.” Find Colin at tomorrow’s Farm to Easel Art Auction and see how his creative menu ideas have come into fruition. This is one way our work has impact. #30days30ways
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September 17th: Harris Witzel, Camper (Age 7) Harris is 7 years old and is a second grader from Waitsfield, Vermont. He and his family camped at the farm for the first time this summer. During their visit, Harris loved watching the farmers spread manure on the pastures, and was inspired to draw this piece, which will be featured in this afternoon’s Farm to Easel Art Auction. He and his family also witnessed the birth of a calf during their time on the farm, something he said he would never forget. Harris loves art and loves to draw, and usually focuses on birds and trucks. This is one way our work has impact. #30days30ways
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“At Our Center” 7 Social Media Campaign
September 19th: Piper Dumont, Director of Education September 18th: Ben Jensen, Livestock & Dairy Manager Ben, Livestock and Dairy Manager, plays a critical role at Wolfe’s Neck Farm for his thoughtful approach to grazing management and the health of our planet: “In everything we do with our crops and livestock, we intend to build soil rather than deplete it - to add organic matter, soak up rain, maximize photosynthesis, promote resiliency, and ultimately, sequester carbon.” This is one way our work has impact. #30days30ways
Piper, our Director of Education, is a passionate ambassador for promoting how important it is for humans to be connected to the food we eat. She says: “We all eat, that’s a shared part of the human experience. And yet, we often are disconnected with the processes that allow us to eat. To have these experiences—making those connections and seeing the parts of it that are pretty magical and the parts of it that are pretty messy— we need to have places and opportunities to do that. We need to get back to where our food is coming from, and what that relationship with animals is like.
I decided to become an educator because I wanted to make a difference. We have the ability to do that, and we’re doing it here. Not only are we making people aware of the issues, but we are actually participating in solutions. And that is not only satisfying, it’s essential.” To hear more Piper-isms, you won’t want to miss this evening’s Dig Deeper discussion: Ecological Eating, taking place in our Livestock Education Barn from 4:305:30 PM. #30days30ways
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When Jesse, our Program Educator, leads the Farmer for the Morning children’s program, he is fueled by witnessing moments of discovery. “Some of the visitors that come to the farm have never felt the wool coat of a sheep, or tried milking a goat by hand, or eaten a large leaf of kale straight from the garden. One time in particular, while leading a group of first graders through their first farm experience, we walked through the garden and after picking and smelling some lemon balm, I was overcome with joy when I heard, “This is the best day of my life” come from a 6 year old behind me. The gratification of teaching sustainable agriculture and inspiring future farmers is such a delight for me.” This is one way our work has impact. #30days30ways Find Jesse in the barn tomorrow morning (and every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday) for Farmer for the Morning at 10 AM.
September 20th: Jesse LaFountaine, Program Educator
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9 years as a camper she has learned so much (and taught us so much!). She proudly shows adults how to milk a goat, or will happily explain to a visitor why a baby calf is being bottle fed. We will never forget when she (and we) got to see a lamb being born for the first time. She was 4, we were 4 decades older! Or when, at age 8, she was invited to learn how to wash and groom a cow. It’s quite an experience to see your tiny child washing, with great confidence, an animal many times her size and weight! Wolfe’s Neck Farm has instilled in our daughter a deep love and respect for the natural world, and a passion for animals and for agriculture. We’ll always be so grateful that there’s a place where she and other kids can have the same experience. It is my great honor to have served on the Wolfe’s Neck Farm board of directors since 2011 and to currently serve as President, especially as we enter yet another exciting time in the Farm’s history.” This is one way our work has impact. #30days30ways
September 21st: Fiona Wilson, Board Chair Fiona is our Board Chair and neighbor of Wolfe’s Neck Farm. Like many parents who bring their children here, she has found herself experiencing the farm through the eyes of her daughter: “When my husband, Rob, and I bought our property in Freeport, little did I know what a pivotal role Wolfe’s Neck Farm would come to play in my life and that of my family. As our daughter Isla grew, we were thrilled that she could start going to summer camp here. Over the last
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and how it gives us faith in the future. It also feels good to contribute thousands of pounds of organic vegetables to food pantries, and seeing the teens realize the impact they are having on their community. Want to taste the produce grown by our hardworking crew? Stop by our Farm Stand - We are convinced that our bay breezes gives our produce something extra special that is hard to find anywhere else and we are so happy to share it with the community.” This is one way our work has impact. #30days30ways
September 22nd: Richard Hodges, Teen Ag Coordinator Richard has been our Teen Ag Coordinator for the past four years. While his work requires thoughtful management of our vegetable field, the highlight of his position is facilitating a fun and educational experience for teens, who are often farming for the first time... “It is very rewarding to work with inspired young people as they learn about growing organic produce and ways to improve the food system. Throughout the summer, we talk about the importance of regional, organic agriculture to the health of people and the environment. We’ve marveled at the motivated teenagers we’ve worked with
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We’ve always done organic, but now people look for local, and that’s their top priority. People are more aware and concerned. It’s gone beyond ‘What am I putting in myself?’ to ‘How am I affecting the environment?’ Supporting the farms is really key to me. I grew up in a town where almost everyone was a farmer, and everyone is coming together to bring in the crops. It’s a unique experience and hard work, and some people realize they don’t want to do this. I liked it, but I never thought I’d be a farmer. It feels good to support farms in a different way now.
September 23rd: Tina Wilcoxson, Owner of Royal River Natural Foods At Wolfe’s Neck Farm, we love partnering with likeminded local businesses that share a vision for a deeper connection to food and farming. Royal River Natural Foods is a special farm partner because owner Tina Wilcoxson has that same passion and drive. She’s observed the changing mentality firsthand while working in the grocery business over the past twenty years: “In the beginning, people thought of a health food store as this hippie place, or just limited staples. ‘Local’ has become so much more important as time has gone on.
I like supporting Wolfe’s Neck Farm because they’ve provided so much of the education piece that we [at Royal River] can’t do at that level. The Teen Ag Program and kids programs - I think they are just fantastic. It’s wonderful to support a mission that helps others learn where their food comes from. That’s our mission as well.” This is one way our work has impact. #30days30ways Come support local farms and agriculture in Maine at the Maine Organic Farmers And Gardeners Association (MOFGA) Common Ground Fair all weekend long!
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and meats produced on the farm sometimes makes me feel like the farmers are doing my job for me! It is easy to create good-tasting food when you start with good ingredients, and it is easy to pursue good ethics through cooking when you are first and foremost pursuing good flavor. Creating seasonal specials or creative toppings for our wood-fired pizzas is the perfect opportunity to invite people to support the farm in a way that nourishes, satisfies and educates. It’s not hard to convince people that local, organic food has a place in their community by showing them that it has a place on their plate!” Find Robin and her thoughtfully-crafted menu when the Café reopens for the 2018 summer season. This is one way our work has impact. #30days30ways
September 24th: Robin Kerber, Farm Café Manager Robin Kerber not only grew up a stone’s throw from Wolfe’s Neck Farm, but has since returned to incorporate her passion for culinary arts and fresh ingredients into our visitor offerings. Formerly known as the Snack Shack, our reimagined Farm Café caters to campers and residents alike, all while providing a palate of the season’s harvest. Here’s how Robin puts it: “Running the farm’s café and wood-fired pizza oven, my job is to offer high-quality, GOOD tasting food. If it doesn’t taste good, you’re not going to eat it. Working with the fantastic variety of organic produce grown
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September 25th: Frank Heitkamp, Camper Frank Heitkamp from Westford, MA has been camping with his family at Recompence Shore Campground at Wolfe’s Neck Farm for over 20 years. His four children, now grown, continue to reunite with the family at the campground each summer. The trip has become a special tradition, one that the whole family looks forward to year after year. We met with Frank when he was here this past July, and learned why he believes camping on our oceanfront farm provides such unique, memorable and enriching experiences for his family. This is one way our work has impact. #30days30ways WATCH THE VIDEO http://bit.ly/frank-30-days
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September 26th: Matt DeGrandpre, Farm Operations Manager Matt DeGrandpre is the third generation in his family to farm the land at Wolfe’s Neck. It began in the 1960s, when his grandfather Charlie became the first farm manager and used forward-thinking, cost-saving innovative practices to keep the soil organic and fertile. Matt, too, recognizes how much Wolfe’s Neck Farm has shaped who he is today: “For the last 50 or so years my family has cared for this land. I’m here today to carry on the family tradition and keep the farm alive and well. Wolfe’s Neck Farm is my home.” This is one way our work has impact. #30days30ways
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climate change so that we can leave healthy systems for more knowledgeable future generations. I am excited to help shed new light and collaboratively explore, share and improve our collective understanding of regenerative agricultural systems at the intersection of marine, field and forest systems. “ This is one way our work has impact. #30days30ways
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September 27th: Dorn Cox, Research Director Our Research Director Dorn Cox is founder of Farm Hack and online farm management platform farmOS. His work is driven by a goal of opening communication among farmers, researchers, and the public alike, all while contributing useful resources that put the environment first in farming practices. He shares how Wolfe’s Neck is playing a role in this endeavor: “As we understand more about the role of healthy soil in capturing and storing carbon and regulating water, it is clear that learning hubs like Wolfe’s Neck Farm will play a crucial role in the process of mitigating and adapting to
September 28th: Kari Jenkins, Summer Camp Director As Summer Camp Director, Kari Jenkins has seen her fair share of both magical moments and all things messy on the farm. While chaos is inevitable with hundreds of
young campers, it’s moments of fascination and learning that give Kari a true appreciation for Wolfe’s Neck Farm: “It’s hard to sum up the look of genuine excitement in words. Excitement if often best spelled out on people faces. Kids have a way of radiating it, and it’s uncontainably infectious. On the farm, I have the unique opportunity to watch unhalted excitement meet reverence. Reverence grounds many of our educational experiences on the farm as we navigate kids through questions surrounding our food system, to daily interactions with our livestock and a thriving crop production program. Reverence also welcomes new life on the farm, and watching it unfold is at the center of my love for this place. This summer, I walked into a dairy barn packed with 72 campers. One can imagine the noise that 72 campers could produce in a tin pole barn. Instead, I was greeted by complete silence, a silence only broken by OH’s and AW’s. That low and steady chorus welcomed a new calf to our milking herd. Our educational offerings get to be a part of the story kids tell when they leave this place. You never know how one moment on the farm is going to impact the next generation’s story. That’s important work. That’s education at the center of change.” This is one way our work has impact. #30days30ways
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September 29th: Tom Whelan, President at Bath Savings Trust Company & Board Member Tom Whelan, President at Bath Savings Institution Trust Company, has been on our board for the past five years. With all that he has done for Wolfe’s Neck Farm, Tom is a one-of-a-kind neighbor and member of our farm community... “When I moved to Freeport in 1992 I had no idea what a special part of the world I had stumbled upon. I remember driving through Burnett Road as I was scouting things out and thinking how beautiful and unique the fields rolling down to the ocean were and
what a magnificent place this was. When I found out that these fields and this place was Wolfe’s Neck Farm – a 626 acre working educational farm that was protected from development, I just knew I had to live here…..near this place. It was important to me.
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The reason why it was and is so important is simple, but not so simple to fully describe. There’s something about living near or being on the farm that is just so special. It’s real. It keeps you grounded. Whether out for some exercise, out with the kids and the dog, or just driving home the long way just to be able to drive through the farm – there’s just something about it. When you come over the hill and look down at the bridge and the green fields rolling down to Casco Bay and out to the Atlantic…..it just keeps things in perspective. It reminds you what’s important in life.” This is one way our work has impact. #30days30ways
September 30th: Moose & Milo, Farm Cats Milo & Moose are our resident farm cats and have become the familiar Wolfe’s Neck Farm mascots. We caught up with the dynamic duo while they were sunning on the Green Green Grass and asked them about what it’s like to live on our oceanfront farm... Moose says, “There’s really no better place to be a cat than at Wolfe’s Neck Farm, don’t you think? Where else can you spend the morning searching for mice and bugs in the forest followed by a long nap curled in the corner of a big barn? It’s the best! And there are so many neat places to wander!”
Then Milo chimed in, “The hardest part about living here is stealing the attention away from all the nice visitors who go see the goats before us. I’ll still follow along, though! But boy, do we love it here! Next time you see us, make sure to say hi...and give us a friendly pet!” While they’re often found greeting visitors throughout the week, Moose loves to sneak around the raspberry patch in the Ed Gardens, and you can usually find Milo scampering about near the Farm Store. Wolfe’s Neck Farm is a place for people big and small, two hands, four hooves, or paws! #30days30ways
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As our official beekeeper (in addition to being our Education and Administrative Coordinator), Jen’s role at Wolfe’s Neck Farm has a particularly important impact on our work. She reflects on her time taking care of our hives, protecting these precious pollinators, and helping to cultivate a healthy ecological system on our farm: “As I watch our honeybees dart from our hives and fade into the sky and fields in front of me, I’m reminded of how amazing these insects are – the ways they navigate using the sun, the communication and feedback loops that are integral to the hive ecosystem – and how important their work is around the farm, as well as that of native pollinators. Much of the food we produce here at Wolfe’s Neck Farm for human consumption is highly dependent on these honeybees and native pollinators’ abilities to pollinate common crops such as apple, blueberry, raspberry, strawberry, squash, melon, cucumber, pepper, tomato, eggplant, and more. In light of the ever-increasing threats to our pollinators – whether from habitat loss or fragmentation, pesticides, invasive species and diseases, or climate change – I am honored to steward our farm’s honeybees and am continually humbled by their complex and aweinspiring nature.” This is one way our work has impact. #30days30ways
October 1st: Jen Rowland, Beekeeper and Education & Administrative Coordinator
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October 2nd: Lauren Robertson, Dairy Apprentice With roots in the Portland, Oregon suburbs, Lauren could not have imagined she would one day become an organic dairy apprentice at a farm in coastal Maine. College studies in a pre-vet program opened the door for her interest into agriculture, eventually leading down this unpredictable yet rewarding path. “I never grew up on a farm and did not have much experience working on a farm, so my post-grad school job search for something in the agrictulture field proved incredibly difficult. This led me to look into
apprenticeship programs away from my home in Oregon. After leaving home for an apprenticeship in Rockport, Maine, I came across the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship program here on Wolfe’s Neck Farm. It appealed to me due to the fact that I could stay in farming and learn at the same time. Not many farms are willing to give up their time to teach new farmers the ropes, and to me that is the WNF difference. Every opportunity is a learning experience, and I am forever grateful for that. Here I have been able to learn and become confident in the basics to dairy farming, haying, equipment maintenance, animal health, budgeting, dairy grazing, and so much more. The whole goal of this program is to allow apprentices to learn and gain as much experience as possible so that someday we are able to own our own farms, and I feel that WNF is giving me a direct pathway to that dream.” This is one way our work has impact. #30days30ways
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October 3rd: Nick Nelsonwood, Teen Ag Crew Member Nick Nelsonwood spent the summer of 2012, the summer before his senior year at Freeport High School, in our Teen Ag Program. While a childhood upbringing with a big backyard garden drew him to learn more about food and farming and ultimately participate in Teen Ag, he admits the program did not influence his future career choice. Nick is now studying mechanical and aerospace engineering at Princeton and seeks to maintain a healthy, envrionmentally-conscious lifestyle supported by his ten weeks as a Teen Ag crew member. He helps manage a small one-acre garden at Princeton, eats meat only when local, and hopes to have a large garden one day, just as his parents did when he was growing up. “It’s very much a part of my life even if it’s not part of my future career.” This is one way our work has impact. #30days30ways WATCH THE VIDEO http://bit.ly/nick-30-days
October 4th: Vaughndella Curtis, FCS Volunteer Our Teen Ag program contributes 1/3 of the produce grown each year to local area food pantries, in addition to providing vegetables for our Farm Store and CSA. Now, with the addition of our high tunnel greenhouses, we are able to extend these deliveries into the winter months when fresh and healthy food is needed most. On a recent delivery to Freeport Community Services, we spoke to Vaughndella Curtis, who has been volunteering there for decades. So long, in fact, that it was her and four other women that 43 years ago, worked to create
what is now FCS. Over the years, she has seen both an increase in the number of Freeport and Pownal residents who frequent the food pantry, as well as an increase in the amount of fresh food that’s donated. She is grateful for Wolfe’s Neck Farm and other supporting farms because these contributions offer healthier choices. “People really want fresh food when they come in here,” Vaughndella told us. This is one way our work has impact. #30days30ways
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October 5th: Maya Egan, FHS Intern
Maya Egan is a senior at Freeport High School. As a local resident, she loves this place. And she proves it to us by coming back at any chance she can get - we’ve had the privilege of working with Maya in Farm Camp when she was a Junior Counselor, as a volunteer at our festivals, and most recently as an intern helping with our vegetable harvesting and food pantry deliveries. Special community members like Maya are the face of who we are and what we can accomplish. “There have been several occasions where I go out of my way to visit Wolfe’s Neck. Whether it be to jump in the ocean, visit the newly born calves in the barn, or go for a relaxing walk in the woods, I’m always eager to get down to the farm. Wolfe’s Neck offers so much to the community, especially to children. The work done at the farm through all the education programs is amazing as it is crucial to educate people on our food system and how to be a better participant in it. I have learned so much through all my time spent at the farm and see it as a true gem to our community. I have been a part of the summer camp and seen 4 year olds be amazed by the parts of a plant. Working with children is so rewarding and I gained valuable experience at the farm. It allowed me to pursue my passion of teaching and being outside all in one. As an intern with Teen Ag this year, I am furthering my knowledge of organic produce production and seen the impact of delivering fresh vegetables to local food pantries. I have been given this amazing opportunity to positively impact my community as well as the environment. I always leave the farm smiling.” This is one way our work has impact. #30days30ways
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Erin McCall has become a recognizable face at Wolfe’s Neck Farm over the past few years. Eager to help in any way and always ready for the task on hand, she has been a star volunteer at a number of our events. On a break from setting up for a Farm-to-Table dinner, we asked Erin what the farm means to her and why she gives back... “I volunteer at Wolfe’s Neck Farm because it grounds me to the earth, the beautiful land, and to people who make farming education an inviting space to enter. Every visit or event, I learn something new about farming, the food chain, and animal stewardship. Most important to me is how every visit is a reminder about the very real, vital relationship the farm has to keeping healthy food on tables around our community. The staff and other volunteers offer education, disguised in fun activities and thoughtful conversations about life. I walk away from time at the farm feeling a little more hopeful that humans can remember why our land is so precious, and that our food future depends on programs the farm is teaching today.” This is one way our work has impact. #30days30ways
October 6th: Erin McCall, Volunteer
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the cider press, interacting with animals, and more! Its not only a fun way to celebrate autumn, but also an opportunity to transform your relationship with farming and food. “We were excited to learn that we just happened to be camping the weekend of the festival,” said Gina from Berlin, NH, who attended last year. “The folks running the crafts, demonstrations, and driving the tractors were perfect in every way! I felt great about our son spending the day outside at the farm doing crafts, listening to music, and visiting the animals. Thank you for such a nice, ‘unplugged’ event.” This is one way our work has impact. #30days30ways Don’t miss the Fall Festival on the Farm, one week from today on October 14th from 10am - 3pm!
October 7th: Fall Festival Everything you do at Wolfe’s Neck Farm is full of discovery. Here, you can participate in hands-on, sensory experiences on a working farm. We believe placebased, experiential learning strengthens our collective understanding of where food comes from and helps us to gain a deeper appreciation for the impact of our food choices on our community, health, and the planet. We take this approach to learning through all of our programs and events. Fall Festival is one of our favorite events of the year and includes many opportunities for active outdoor learners: pumpkin picking, turning
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October 8th: Josh Berry, UNION Head Chef Award winning chef Josh Berry of UNION Restaurant in Portland’s Press Hotel has long been one to value cooking with the seasons. He carries this culinary tradition to Wolfe’s Neck this fall, with our second annual Harvest Dinner to celebrate our bounty in the vegetable field. For Josh, it’s not only about creating a special meal for guests to enjoy, but also to highlight the year round work of our farmers... “It’s such a privilege to team up with Wolfe’s Neck Farm again and celebrate and be part of the long line of individuals that supply us from pasture to plate. Fall is one of my favorite seasons in Maine, and to host the Harvest Dinner is especially fun for us - we really let the autumn bounty shine.” This is one way our work has impact. #30days30ways
October 9th: Dan Kleban, Co-Founder of Maine Beer Company & Board Member
Dan Kleban is Co-Founder of Maine Beer Company and has been on Wolfe’s Neck Farm Board of Directors for a little over a year. He became involved because he is a neighbor and wanted to be part of the innovative and exciting work the farm is doing. Dan has found a special overlap in his work with Wolfe’s Neck, both as a board member and a business partner:
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“Wolfe’s Neck Farm and Maine Beer Company are examples of relatively small organizations with a vision of affecting environmental and social change far beyond their local communities. By partnering together, we hope to show that for-profit and non-profit organizations that share common values can accomplish more together than on their own. One small example of our successful collaboration are the Wolfe’s Neck Farm-to-Table dinners that highlight local chefs, farm-raised meat and produce, and of course locally-brewed Maine Beer Company beer. These dinners build community, highlight the importance of sustainable farming practices, and amplify the broader message of environmental and social change we seek. As the founder of a brewery with a similar commitment to the environment, Wolfe’s Neck Farm serves as a model for us and others who are also trying to do what’s right for our communities and our environment.” This is one way we have impact. #30days30ways Want to support in “doing what’s right”? Join us for our Community Happy Hour on Tuesday, October 24th!
October 10th: Britt Lundgren, Stonyfield Did you know that Stonyfield got its start as an organic farming school in Wilton, NH? They’ve grown since those days, when they had one cow and made the yogurt in a tub behind the woodstove. Their partnership with Wolfe’s Neck began in 2014, when they provided the farm with the funds to launch the Organic Dairy Farmer Research & Training Program. Britt Lundgren, who leads Stonyfield’s work on organic and sustainable agriculture, tells us more about why this partnership is important: “Several years ago, Stonyfield set out to see if there was
more we could do to increase the amount of organic milk being produced right here in New England. We quickly realized that one of the most valuable things we could do is to help the next generation of organic dairy farmers get started. The average age of dairy farmers in New England is 57, and the vast majority of these farmers don’t have a plan for who will take over their farm when they are ready to retire. And it’s not easy to get started in organic dairy farmers need to be skilled in animal health and nutrition, pasture management, and business management, and the mechanics of running a milking parlor mean that farmers need to be plumbers, carpenters, and electricians besides. Wolfe’s Neck Farm’s commitment to education and growing sustainable agriculture in New England made them a perfect partner to launch the Organic Dairy Farmer Research & Training Program. We’ve been thrilled to watch the program take shape over the past three years, and all of the milk produced at Wolfe’s Neck is used in our yogurt. We’re looking forward to the day when graduates from the program are setting up their own organic dairy farms, and hopefully sending that milk to Stonyfield so we can make it into yogurt!” This is one way our work has impact. #30days30ways
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October 11th: Pote Barn History & Renovation
When you come to the farm, you feel like you are stepping back in time; this place looks very much like it did 100, even 200 years ago. The landscapes and historic buildings hold the stories of those who have lived here before us - ship captains and mariners, shipwrights and farmers, entrepreneurs and homemakers, and Native Americans who fished these shores. Our cultural resources keep us rooted in the rich history of this place, and are a constant reminder of the importance of stewarding this extraordinary resource. A prime example of how we preserve the past to serve the
present is the recent transformation of the Pote Barn. Originally built in the late 1700s, the dilapidated barn was deconstructed, the beams refurbished and reconstructed into a gorgeous new barn by Houses and Barns by John Libby, built in the same spot as before. Completed today, the Pote Barn will house our heifer herd, and continue to serve as both an historic icon and a tool for training the next generation of farmers. This is one way our work has impact. #30days30ways
After a full month of stories and diverse perspectives, we’re highlighting the 30th way that our work has impact through the voice of a child, our future generation.
Read more about the history of the Pote Barn on our blog, researched and written by local historian Kathy Smith: https://www.wolfesneck.org/new-blog/2017/pote-barn
Sebastian isn’t the only child who has connected the dots on a visit out to Wolfe’s Neck Farm. It’s activities like these that transform our relationship with farming and food, and make us realize the impact that we can each make on creating a healthier planet for future generations.
“At Our Center” 30 Social Media Campaign
Sebastian is a fourth grader from Yarmouth Elementary School and reminisced on the time spent walking the goats and doing barn chores at Farm Camp. He also picked and tasted beans from the vegetable field, and even came back to camp with his family this summer.
We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about many of the individuals who are at the center of this special place, and we are certain our impact will only continue to grow. Stay tuned for a very special, very big announcement later today! #30days30ways WATCH THE VIDEO http://bit.ly/sebastian-30-days
October 12th: Sebastian Silver, Summer Camper
WATCH THE VIDEO http://bit.ly/new-name-announcement