Author Archives: Staff

Drumlin Farm Friday to Friday: February 10–17

Posted on February 10, 2017 by Staff

We at the farm love this time of year. The farmyard is tranquil during the day, but meanwhile, we’re cooking up classes and workshops for folks of all ages to enjoy everything that New England’s nature has to offer.

We have programs nearly every day this week, so we hope you can make it to at least one!

Friday, February 10

Own Moon | Family | 7 pm
Search for wild owls by the light of February’s “Owl Moon,” then warm up inside and enjoy a visit from one of our resident owls. Listen to the beloved Owl Moon by Jane Yolen.

Saturday, February 11

Backyard Sugaring | Adult | 9 am
Turn your backyard trees into syrup producers! Join us to learn how to make your own syrup.

Teen Birders: South Shore Hotspots | Teen | 9 am
Cumberland Fields, Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary, and Duxbury Beach are some of the locations we will visit in our search to find rough legged hawks, canvasbacks, snow buntings, purple sandpipers, and many more.

Wonders of Wool: Needle Felting | Adult | 1 pm
This introductory class will familiarize you with basic needle felting tools and techniques. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you catch on as you create and personalize a felted creation of your own!

Sunday, February 12

In Search of Winter Raptors | Adult | 9 am
We will explore the Merrimack River, Plum Island, and Salisbury State Park. We will take time to closely observe these raptors and discuss the adaptations that allow them to survive winter.

Chickadee Birders: Songbirds | Family | 1 pm
Songbirds are unique because of their beautiful melodies and delightful colors. In this class you will meet some of Drumlin’s resident songbirds such as a cedar waxwing and a blue jay.

Wildlife Biologist Club | Teen | 1 pm
Explore habitats and ecosystems at Drumlin Farm and around the state while learning about native wildlife. Sign up for the remaining four sessions at a pro-rated cost!

Tuesday, February 14

Owl Always Love Ewe | Family | 3:30 pm
It’s Valentine’s Day! What would Ewe want? Let’s visit with the sheep and make some wooly valentines. Perhaps Owl could teach us a love song to woo someone special.

Wednesday, February 15

Winter Wonders: Have a Cow | Family | 11 am
Explore the farm and sanctuary in winter!

Fermented Beverages: Kombucha, Shrubs, and More | Adults | 6:30 pm
This class will focus on non-alcoholic fermentation with a particular focus on fermented teas, which have been a staple in many cultures for over 2,000 years.

For all of our upcoming programs, visit massaudubon.org/drumlinprograms.

Drumlin Farm Friday to Friday: February 3–10

Posted on February 3, 2017 by Staff

With Ms. G’s forecast behind us, it’s time to look ahead! After all, what’s winter in New England without maple sugaring and woolly adventures?

Take a look at what’s in store:

Friday, February 3

Stew and Brew | Adults | 6:30 pm
Feast on hearty stews made with Drumlin Farm meat and produce (including a vegetarian option!) as you imbibe on local brews from Rapscallion, Jack’s Abby, and Peak Organic.

Wednesday, February 8

Winter Wonders: Winter Coats | Family | 11 am
Feed hay to the sheep with their fluffy winter coats!

Thursday, February 9

Pigs and Blankets | Family | 10 am
We will explore pigs and blankets, taking care of the sheep as well and make a wee little blanket to take home.

In Search of Winter Raptors: Lecture | Adult | 7 pm
The lecture will cover physical and behavioral traits to help us identify hawks and owls. On the field trip, we will explore the Merrimack River, Plum Island, and Salisbury State Park.

Friday, February 10

For all of our upcoming programs, visit massaudubon.org/drumlinprograms.

Drumlin Farm Friday to Friday: January 27–February 3

Posted on January 27, 2017 by Staff

Cold days are coming!

Here’s your plan of attack: 1) Treat the kids to outdoor adventures. 2) Watch Ms. G deliver her 10th prognostication. 3) Treat yourself to a hearty meal (and brews!) by the fire to round out the week.

Sounds nice, right? Here’s what we have for you to choose from:

Saturday, January 28

Teen Birders: Super Bowl of Birding | Teens | 7 am
Compete to find the greatest number of species and to earn the greatest number of points based on the rarity of the birds recorded in 12 hours!

Simple Cheese Making | Adults | 12 pm
Sample homemade cheeses while learning the skills you need to make your own cheese at home!

Wednesday, February 1

Winter Wonders: Red Barn | Family | 11 am
Explore the farm and sanctuary in winter! Feed our livestock, search for eggs, and follow tracks in the mud!

Thursday, February 2

Groundhog Day | All ages| 10 am
Will Ms. G the groundhog predict an extended winter, or an early spring? Help our famous groundhog decipher the weather clues and deliver her 10th forecast!

Friday, February 3

For all of our upcoming programs, visit massaudubon.org/drumlinprograms.

Drumlin Farm Friday to Friday: January 20–27

Posted on January 20, 2017 by Staff

When the winter weather really starts to settle in, it’s tough for anyone to want to get outside and explore. Frozen toes, layer upon layer, and chattering teeth all start to take a toll.

Trust us, we know how you feel. That’s why our upcoming programs offer just the right amount of outdoor exposure and indoor coziness to get you in the mood for winter.

Friday, January 20

Wild by the Fire | Family | 3:30 pm
Meet furry and feathered creatures and learn how they survive in the snow. We’ll make a sweet treat for the birds and warm up with cocoa and cookies. Winter days are dark and cold, but it’s cozy by the fire!

Saturday, January 21

Sourdough Bread Making | Adults | 1 pm
Learn the age-old tradition of sourdough bread making in this hands-on workshop. Practice each step of the bread making process as we mix, knead, and shape bakery-quality loaves to taste and take home.

Chickadee Birders | Family | 6:30 pm
We’ll hike through the woods in search of owls that live in the habitats of our sanctuary—great-horned, barred, and screech. Afterwards, we’ll move indoors for a close look at our resident owls of the same species.

Tuesday, January 24

Kids in the Kitchen | Family | 10 am
Harvest ripe vegetables from the garden and cook up tasty treats. We’ll collect eggs from our chickens for baking projects and chop veggies from the garden or root cellar to make a variety of dishes.

Wednesday, January 25

Winter Wonders: Who’s Sleepy? | Family | 11 am
Explore the farm and sanctuary in winter! Feed hay to the sheep with their fluffy winter coats. Follow tracks in the snowy fields to see where they go. Make a winter “tweet” for the birds and meet native wildlife.

Thursday, January 26

On the Rise! | Family | 10 am
Mix, knead, and shape your dough for delicious country oat bread. While it rises and bakes, we’ll make butter to spread on your warm, oven-fresh bread.

For all of our upcoming programs, visit massaudubon.org/drumlinprograms.

Drumlin Farm 2017 Resolution Guide

Posted on January 5, 2017 by Staff

Photo by Ian MacLellelan

Happy New Year from all of us at Drumlin Farm! With the holidays behind us, our staff is ready and eager to get back into the swing of things! Keep an eye out for our spring and summer programs coming your way (Teaser: concerts, yoga, and all of your favorites!).

In the meantime…

Did you make a few resolutions? We have some programs that might help:

“I want to cook more at home.”

Winter Fermentation
Sourdough Bread Making
Fermented Beverages: Kombucha, Shrubs, and More

“I’d love to spend more quality time with my kids/grandkids.”

Kids in the Kitchen
Winter Farm Family
Winter Wonders: Red Barn

“I want to learn a new skill.”

Wonders of Wool: Needle Felting
Backyard Chickens
Beekeeping for Beginners

Photo by Darcy Duke

“I want to work off those holiday cookies while also learning about nature.”

Naturalist Walk
In Search of Winter Raptors: Field Trip
Alaska Birding Trips

“I just want to eat, drink, and be merry!”

Stew and Brew
Sausage Making and Beer Tasting with Aeronaut Brewing Co.

5 Gift Ideas for Locavores

Posted on December 16, 2016 by Staff

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With just about one week left before gift-giving time, we have a handful of items that just about any locavore would love.

1. Drumlin Farm CSA Share
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has been around for a few decades and has become one of the most convenient ways to get locally grown produce directly from the farmer. This might be the best way to ensure that your locavore pal (or you!) will have fresh, sustainably grown, local produce throughout the summer.

If the full Drumlin Farm Summer CSA share is overwhelming, we have new options! Our Spring Share is only four weeks long, and our Every-Other-Week Share is ideal for smaller households. Tip: Split your full share with a family member, friend, or neighbor!

2. How-to Workshops
Do you have a budding locavore itching to learn how to cook and bake using local ingredients? We offer a root-veggie class, fermentation class, sourdough breadmaking class, and even a cooking class for kids.

With all of our classes and workshops, we do more than just cook! We use Drumlin Farm produce, and oftentimes go outside to harvest veggies from our fields.

3. Food. And Beer.
If your locavore friend isn’t the hands-on type, we have something for them, too. How about an evening of hearty stews and locally crafted beer? At Stew and Brew on February 3, all you have to do is show up, eat, and drink.

For those looking for just a smidge of a hands-on experience, there’s our sausagemaking and beer tasting workshop in March. Enough said.

Tip: Make a personalized gift certificate like this one and stick it in an envelope!

4. Mass Audubon Membership
Maybe your locavore friend already has a CSA membership closer to their home. Or maybe they’ve already mastered their culinary skills. By gifting them with a Mass Audubon membership, you’re directly funding our farm and nature programs (including our CSA!)

Take a look at the perks of being a Mass Audubon member.

5. Mass Audubon Gift Card
Still don’t know what to get the locavore in your life? You can never go wrong with a gift card (and talk about portable). Stop by our admissions window during regular business hours to grab however many you need and load them up!

Best of all: You can apply the gift card to anything related to Mass Audubon, whether it’s a program, summer camp tuition, or a treat at the Audubon Shop.

Happy Holidays!

Embrace Winter with These Upcoming Drumlin Farm Programs

Posted on December 2, 2016 by Staff

December crept up on us, didn’t it? Seems like only yesterday our staff was closing another successful summer camp season and the fields were at their most fruitful.

Now we’re busy preparing for what we hope will be our most exciting year yet! Our staff is hard at work creating new workshops, programs, and community events for the spring and summer of 2017. We can’t wait to share them with you!

In the meantime, to get you in the holiday spirit, here are our upcoming winter programs:

Saturday, December 3

Teen Birders: Bird Anatomy | Teens | 9 am
In this science-based discovery class, we’ll dissect birds that we have collected on our state salvage permit and learn about their anatomy. Make new bird educational kits while learning a bit about preserving and taxidermy.

Tuesday, December 6

How Plants Get Around | Adults | 12:30 pm
Discover the many ways ferns, other herbaceous plants, and trees use wind, water, animals, and other partners to disperse their seed and fruit.

Wednesday, December 14

Eat Your Roots | Adults| 5:30 pm
Winter CSA shares are filled with hearty veggies! Need some inspiration? We’ll cook (and eat) our way through new and creative recipes focused on squash, root vegetables, and winter greens.

Saturday, December 17

Naturalist Walk | Adults | 1 pm
These excursions will focus on observing, exploring, and appreciating the world around us. Registration is not required to attend.

Afternoon Chores and More | Ages 4–12 | 3:30 pm
It’s chore time! We will feed chickens and collect eggs, then bring hay to the sheep, goats, and cows. Then we’ll treat ourselves to a farm-fresh snack.

For all of our upcoming programs, visit massaudubon.org/drumlinprograms.

Drumlin Farm Friday to Friday: October 21–28

Posted on October 17, 2016 by Staff

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Fall at the farm is in full swing! The maple trees have fiery hues and our lambs are looking extra fluffy. Our staff is busy preparing the farmyard for our annual Tales of the Night special event—try to spot something spooky as you walk around the farm!

We hope you can visit the farm in the next few weeks before all the leaves disappear and make way for snow.

Here’s what’s coming up:

Friday, October 21

Teen Night at Drumlin Farm | Teens | 7 pm
Explore Drumlin Farm’s trails by moonlight, stargaze at the top of the drumlin, and listen for owls and night creatures. Learn about natural history, play games, listen to music, and bring a snack to share by the fireside.

Saturday, September 22

Food Day | All ages | 10 am
Join us for a day of tasty fun as we join the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources in celebrating our own statewide Food Day!

Teen Birders: Owls at Drumlin | Teens| 3:30 pm
Visit the resident owls at Drumlin Farm! As evening approaches, learn about the tiny (and adorable), elusive northern saw-whet owl and participate in a banding demonstration.

Tuesday, October 25

Owl-o-ween | Ages 0–8 w/Adult | 3:30 pm
Have you ever wanted to be an owl and stay up all night? After visiting an owl, we’ll create owl masks and prowl about! Whooo’s ready for Owl-o-ween?

Thursday and Friday, October 27 and 28

SPECIAL EVENT: Tales of the Night | All ages
Put on your favorite costume, grab a flashlight, and join us for the silliest, spookiest, and most family-friendly Halloween tradition! At Tales of the Night, you are sure to find seasonal excitement for everyone.

For all of our upcoming programs, visit massaudubon.org/drumlinprograms.

Meet the Staff: Lead Naturalist Tia Pinney

Posted on September 23, 2016 by Staff

How many bee hives does Drumlin Farm have? Which species of New England wildlife live here? Where can I see wild edible plants?

Meet Tia Pinney, Drumlin Farm Lead Naturalist, who, more often than not, will have the answer to your Drumlin Farm question.

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“So much happens here at Drumlin Farm,” says Tia, a biologist who grew up on a dairy farm in Connecticut.

Tia not only leads programs like cheese making, birding trips, and nature walks, but she also serves as our ecological management coordinator, stewarding the health of the sanctuary and its habitats through sustainable practices. Since 1994, when she first started working at the farm, Tia has overseen efforts to maintain New England’s wildlife on our 206-acre property, managing staff and volunteers in planting projects and citizen science.

Perhaps the most exciting part of Tia’s job is developing and teaching professional development for school teachers to integrate new science standards into their curricula with emphasis on authentic nature-based field work.

“To engage students with science is fascinating,” she says. “This curriculum really gets students to think. Teachers are taking students outdoors and they’re doing real science!”

Do you want to ask Tia a question? Here are all of her upcoming programs.

5 Ways to Experience Fall at Drumlin Farm

Posted on September 22, 2016 by Staff

Happy first day of fall! We apologize to summer-lovers, but here at the farm, fall is one of our favorite seasons. Maple trees throughout the farmyard are already starting to turn, farmers are harvesting pumpkins, and fall migrants are making their way through New England.

With so much going on this time of year, it can be tough to figure out the best way to take advantage of the precious weeks ahead!

Here are a few ways you can experience fall at the farm:

1. Explore Drumlin Farm Behind the Scenes

What happens to our ecosystem during the fall? What are the links between building rich soil and eating well? How can you hone your farm-to-table chef skills? Maybe your kids are thinking about ways they can give back through a 4-H program.

2. Feast on Wood-Fired Pizza

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The best of our early fall harvest in the form of snacks, drinks, salads, pizza, and dessert. Need we say more?

3. Take a Walk Outside with Baby

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If you love talking walks with your little one, this program is for you. Explore our trails with your baby snuggled up against you as you learn about New England wildlife.

4. Sip Spider Cider

What’s spider cider? Find out at Tales of the Night on October 27 and 28!

5. Explore the Farm at Night

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Warning: Teens only! Teen Night gives nature-lovers the chance to stargaze with unobstructed views on our drumlin, gobble up s’mores, and play music by the fireside.