WINTERBERRY FARM

21 Teawaddle Hill Road in Leverett

2009 SUMMER CALENDAR

FOR KIDS AND FOR FAMILIES

June 6

BOYS ON THE FARM

A day just for boys. We’ll do chores, build a pen and a birdfeeder to take home…maybe even bake some cookies. This one’s just to give a few kids who’ve not been here a taste of the farm and our programs. We’ll start at 8:30 and go until 4:30. Kids bring a lunch, snacks provided per child, for 1^st through 6^th graders; limited to 6. $55.

June 20

WHAT GOOD IS A GOAT?

For little kids and parents. We start early- right at 8:30- since milking animals don’t like late! We’ll milk the goat. Then we’ll bring the goat out to the pasture so we can watch what she eats! When we come in, we’ll make soft cheese and cornbread and have a feast together. And there’ll be time for a goat story and visits with the other animals before leaving about 11:30. $50 per adult-child pair (4 pair limit).

June 21

FARMS FOR DADS (OR GRANDPAS) & KIDS

For dads (or grandpas) and little kids. We’ll feed (and pat) the animals, plant some seeds to take home, grind some flour to make a cake- then have time for a story and a small feast. Happy Father’s Day! Goes from 1:30- 4:30. $45 per adult-child pair (5 pair limit)

June 22 - 26

ALL THE GOOD STUFF THAT COMES FROM A FARM

Sheep, goats, poultry, rabbits, pigs- every day is chore day and kids do it all! Then there’s the garden and then each day we’ll make something both useful and beautiful. We’ll build something to take home and work on an animal shelter for the farm. We’ll cook, dig in the dirt and go for walks. We’ll spin and weave and listen to stories and farm songs. We’ll start at 8:30 each day and go until 4:30. Limited to 8 kids (who’ve finished 1^st grade- 6^th grade), $280 per child.

June 27

FELT COMES FROM SHEEP & RABBITS

Another one for little kids and parents/favorite adults. We’ll meet some sheep and rabbits…and then we’ll play with wool from both animals. We’ll make beautiful pieces of flat felt, with lots of color. We’ll make some beads for stringing. Then we’ll celebrate our creations with a snack. Goes from 1:30- 4:30. $50 per adult-child pair (4 pair limit)

June 29 – July 3

KIDS’ FIBER INTENSIVE

A whole week to really have time to make cloth. We’ll spin (on hooks, drop spindles and wheels), and we’ll weave on small and large looms. We’ll dye some fibers before spinning. As a group, we’ll put a warp on a loom. We’ll make felt- and maybe weave a felt mat. And each child will weave a scarf or mat of their own design. And of course we’ll spend time with the plants and animals whose fibers we’re using. Breaks will include hikes, music and stories. We’ll start at 8:30 each day and go until 4:30. Limited to 4 kids (4^th through 8^th grade) who really want to make cloth, $300 per child.

July 6-8

FARMING’S ABOUT FOOD!

Three days of animals, plants and cooking! We’ll do some morning chores…but lots of the time we’ll cook. Bread and muffins, jam and pie…and some vegetable experiments? Cheese anyone? How about ice cream? A lot is possible…probably visiting another farm or two -- we’ll plan our fun together. Goes from 8:30 until 4:30. Limited to 4 kids (1^st through 6^th grade), $170 per child.

July 20-24 & July 27-31

TWO WEEKS ON THE FARM!

Like “All the Good Stuff”- but lots and lots more time. So the carpentry project will be more complicated, we’ll cook for two days, we’ll weave on little and on big looms, we’ll make different kinds of paper…. and we’ll still have daily chores, stories- all of our usual basics. And we’ll go on a special trip to another farm.

The usual 8:30 – 4:30 time each day. Limited to 8 kids (entering 2^nd- 7^th grade). $550 per child.

August 1

CHICKENS LAY EGGS AND EGGS MAKE POPOVERS

For little kids and parents (or any favorite adults). We start at 9:00, visiting chickens and collecting eggs. We’ll make popovers and have a feast together. And we’ll have a chicken story and lots of time to visit the other animals before leaving at noon. $45 per adult-child pair (4 pair limit).

August 10-14

ALL THE GOOD STUFF THAT COMES FROM A FARM

Just like the June program, above. Except that this one’s for slightly younger kids, so pace will be a bit slower and projects a bit simpler. Limited to 6 kids, likely ages 5-9.

August 17-21

FARMING’S ABOUT FOOD!

A whole week of animals, plants and cooking! We’ll do morning chores…but lots & lots of the time we’ll cook. Bread and muffins, jam and pie…and some vegetable experiments? Pickles? Cheese anyone? How about ice cream? A lot is possible…we’ll definitely visit at least two other farms -- we’ll plan our fun together. Goes from 8:30 until 4:30. Limited to 4 kids (1^st through 6^th grade), $290 per child.

August 24-26

PAPER, WORDS AND PICTURES

Quieter days. Time to draw, collage and write. We’ll play with clay, and make animals out of sticks & wire & paper & clay &…. After we spend time just hanging out with the animals. Chores are optional this time, day-dreaming is required. Limited to 5 kids, $170.

AND A FEW FAMILY FARMING SKILLS WORKSHOPS…

These are two hour programs for families thinking about doing a little farming for themselves. Animals are always present; we talk about food, housing, fencing, basic care, possible problems…Sessions are often informal because of the kids; handouts and references are provided for further study. Follow-up phone calls are part of the deal. $30 per family (any size)

May 2 Backyard Chickens
May 30 More to Life than Chickens (Ducks, Geese, Turkeys, Guineas…)
June 7 Angora Rabbits- Much More than Fur

See the website for more information.

And for adults…

The farm offers a variety of fiber and farming classes and programs, and occasional retreats. For details, please visit our website www.winterberryfarm.org. We also sell fiber and special order poultry and meat.

For more information: Jill Horton-Lyons or Jim Lyons (413) 548-3940; e-mail: jill@winterberryfarm.org

Winterberry Farm, PO Box 701, 21 Teawaddle Hill Rd, Leverett, MA 01054

Winterberry Farm is a small family teaching farm. We raise a lot of our own food and we offer very small programs for families, for kids and for adults; we provide a place where people of different faiths—and people seeking faith—can reflect upon and share their call to care for the earth.