Category Archives: Programs

Drumlin Farm Friday to Friday: January 20–27

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

Photo by Ian MacLellelan

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:

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“I want to cook more at home.”

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

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

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

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“I want to learn a new skill.”

Wonders of Wool: Needle Felting
Backyard Chickens
Beekeeping for Beginners

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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

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

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

Embrace Winter with These Upcoming Drumlin Farm Programs

chickensDecember 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

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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

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.

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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

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.

Sign up for our upcoming series programs to experience what farm life is all about!

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

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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.

Drumlin Farm Friday to Friday: September 9–23

Fall is fast approaching. We’re already noticing some leaves turning, and baby snapping turtles are making their way to our ponds. With the end of summer comes the start of school, and the urge to get outdoors and enjoy the cooler air and brilliant fall hues.

Here’s how you can soak up the new season:

Wednesday, September 14

Parents Outdoors! | Adult+Backpack Baby | 9:30 am
Get outside with your child and connect with other like-minded parents. We will walk and talk and learn about the world we live in and how truly fascinating it is.

Thursday, September 15

Fall Hawk Migration: Lecture| Adult | 7 pm
Hawks provide a number of identification challenges. Luckily, we can use general shape and behavior to categorize types of hawks. Field trip to follow on Saturday, September 17.

Friday, September 16

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Kimchi at Home | Ages 12+ | 7 pm
Learn how Asian communities preserve their food using salt, garlic, and spices, sample our Drumlin Farm kimchi, and take home your own fermented project to carry you through the winter months.

Saturday, September 17

Fall Hawk Migration: Field Trip | Adult | 8 am
We’ll travel to the hawk watch on 2290-ft Pack Monadnock in Peterborough, New Hampshire. Thursday lecture recommended.

Teen Birders: Hawk Watch Birding Weekend | Teens | 9 am
We’ll head to Mt. Watatic in New Hampshire for a hike and hawk watch, then head to Wildwood for a canoe trip, birding, dinner, and smore’s. On Sunday, we’ll drive to Pack Monadnock for a hawk watch with New Hampshire Audubon.

Naturalist Walk | Adult | 1 pm
These excursions will focus on observing, exploring, and appreciating the world around us. Email [email protected] to be added to the mailing list and receive details on each walk!

Sunday, September 18

Sunday Morning Birds at Drumlin | Adult | 8 am
Drumlin Farm has a great variety of habitats and gets a mix of migrants and residents every fall. These walks are ideal for beginning birders.

Thursday, September 22

Thursday Morning Bird Walk | Adult | 7:30 am
Join us as we explore Drumlin Farm and other local hotspots in search of fall migrants.

Friday, September 23

Apple Honey Harvest | Family | 3:30 pm
Visit the bees and taste delicious honey-and-apple combinations! We’ll share stories and songs, then finish the afternoon with apple crafts.

Teen Night at Drumlin Farm | Teen | 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.

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

Drumlin Farm Friday to Friday: August 19–26

Upcoming programs at Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary.

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Can you believe that summer is almost over? With only one session left of Drumlin Farm Camp, it’s time for all of us here to take a break before the fall programs start.

But that doesn’t mean that you can’t plan ahead! Take a look at all of our programs  at the farm (and some out-of-state birding trips!).

Here’s what’s coming up:

Friday, August 19

Friday Evening Hayride and Campfire | All ages | 6 pm
Take a ride in our hay wagon while watching for birds flying at dusk and evening fireflies.  We’ll  stop at our campfire for stories, s’mores, and a special nighttime visitor.

Saturday, August 20

Naturalist Walk | Adults | 1 pm
These excursions focus on observing, exploring, and appreciating the world around us. Each walk will focus on one area or habitat as we build our understanding of ecological communities. Pre-registration is not available. Meet us at the Nature Center!

Friday, August 26

Fermentation 101 | Adults | 7 pm
Join us for a visually, aromatically, and gastronomically exciting event exploring all things fermentation.

Drumlin Farm Friday to Friday: June 17–24

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Our strawberry yield has been low this year, due in large part to last year’s drought. Strawberries by the pint are still available at the farm stand, however, so feel free to stop by on your way out!

Don’t worry: The farm is still open this Saturday, June 18, when Strawberry Day was originally scheduled. Forecast calls for beautiful sunny weather!

Take a look at even more classes and workshops we have coming up:

Friday, June 17

Friday Evening Hayride and Campfire
4:30 and 6:30 pm | All ages
Join us for a hayride as spring moves into summer. Watch for birds flying at dusk and evening fireflies before stopping at our campfire for stories, s’mores, and a special nighttime visitor.

Saturday, June 18

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Landscapes for Beauty and Wildlife
9:30 am–12 pm | Adults
This program will cover beneficial and beautiful native shrubs, perennials, grasses and trees and how to utilize them in your landscape to enhance the habitat value of your yard.

Naturalist Walk
1–3:30 pm | Adults
These excursions will focus on observing, exploring and appreciating the world around us. Registration not required.

Afternoon Chores and More
3:30–5 pm | Ages 4–12 w/Adult
It’s chore time! We will feed chickens and collect eggs, then bring hay to the sheep, goats, and cows. After we finish up we’ll treat ourselves to a farm-fresh snack.

Friday, June 24

Fairies and Fireflies
8–9:30 pm | Ages 4–10 w/Adult
Join us to hear stories of fairy antics,  make a special herbal charm for protection. Then explore the sanctuary for signs of fairies and fireflies dancing in the meadow grasses.

See our full program catalog

Drumlin Farm Friday to Friday: June 3–10

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Hello, June!

With the heat of Memorial Day weekend behind us, it’s time for us to throw on sunscreen and explore the farm!

Here’s what we have lined up for you:

Friday, June 3

Queen Bee
3:30–5 pm | All ages w/Adult
Buzz on in and learn about the queen bee and her court. She may have as many as 20,000 attendants catering to her needs, and she could lay up to 1,500 eggs each day!

Saturday, June 4

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Introduction to Bees and Beekeeping
1–3:30 pm | Adult
This class is all about honeybees—how they survive, what they do for us, and of course, honey. We will visit the hives and sample various honeys. If you are contemplating beekeeping or if you just want to know more about these insects, join us!

Tuesday, June 7

Baby Bugs
3:30–5 pm | All ages w/Adult
Let’s go on a bug hunt and search for caterpillars, grasshopper nymphs, dragonfly naiads, and other insect larvae!

Thursday, June 9

Home Tweet Home
10–11:30 am | All ages w/Adult
Now that spring is here, migratory birds have returned and are settling in to raise their families. We’ll examine nests, listen to songs, and meet some feathered friends!

Friday, June 10

Splish Splash
3:30–5 pm | All ages w/Adult
Meet our web-footed quackers and discover why ponds are such wonderful places to live.

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Farm-to-table Cooking: Spring Harvest
6–9 pm | Adult
Celebrate the bounty of spring at Drumlin Farm as we visit the fields to harvest our meal. Return to the kitchen for a hands-on cooking class, where we will craft these ingredients and enjoy them together!

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