Events Calendar

Please call 236-2739 or e-mail jjardine@mcht.org to register for upcoming events.

Community Sap Gathering: Assist with gathering sap in the sugar bush and learn about the process of turning sap into syrup. Tuesday, March 11th and 18th at 4pm and Sunday, March 16th at 2pm.
National Ag Week Poster Contest March 17th-21st.: Poster contest for youth in grades 3-8 who are in the Five Town Schools of Camden, Rockport, Hope, Appleton, and Lincolnville is designed to promote local agriculture. The deadline for the poster contest is April 11th, 2008. Posters will be displayed at Aldermere Farm's annual Calf Unveiling Day May 10, 2008.
Community Sap Boiling for Maple Syrup: Assist with the final stage of turning sap into delicious maple syrup Saturday, March 22nd at 2pm and Tuesday, March 25th at 4pm.
STAR Farmhands: This after school program for youth involves learning to halter train the calves and also learning about many agricultural and conservation issues. This program is offered through the Communities That Care (CTC), you can sign up for this six week program by calling CTC at 236-9800. Starts April 1st, 2008 from 4-5pm
Vernal Pool Presentation: Ron Huber of Pen Bay Watch will give a presentation on vernal pools and then take attendees over to Aldermere's vernal pool to learn more about its inhabitants on Sunday, April 20th.from 1-3 PM.
National Belted Galloway Sale-Fryeburg, Maine: Come see the nation's best Belted Galloways that are for sale and enjoy the youth shows. Public Welcome. April 25th-27th at the Fryeburg Fairgrounds in Fryeburg, Maine.
2008 Maine Land Conservation Conference: Statewide conference held in Brunswick for land trust staff, volunteers, and anyone interested in land conservation. May 2nd & 3rd from 9am-4pm. Please call (207) 729-7366 if you have questions about the conference.
May 10, 2008 Calf Unveiling Day: Community invited to this one-day open house event. Visit with the new calves that were born this spring as well as other animals from local farms. Saturday, May 10th from 10am-3pm.
Northeast Livestock Expo- Windsor, Maine: The Beef Breeders Association, Sheep Breeders Association, and Boer Goat Breeders Association have joined together for this weekend sale and youth show. Public Welcome. May 16th-18th at the Windsor Fairgrounds in Windsor, Maine.
May 18, 2008 Nature Trek along the Ocean Trail: Hike with naturalist and artist Kathie Gass along Aldermere's trail to the ocean. Includes a nature drawing component. Sunday, May 18th from 10am-Noon. Please bring a backpack, water bottle, snack, appropriate outerwear apparel, a clipboard with paper, and favorite drawing tools. All skill levels welcome. This trek is ideal for ages 8 and up. To register for this event call 236-2739 or email jjardine@mcht.org M-F from 7:30 AM -4:00 PM.
May 15, 2008 Revitalizing Local Farming: The Role of Farmland Preservation Talk at Camden Library 6:30-8:00 PM: John Piotti, executive director of Maine Farmland Trust, and former director of the Maine Farms Project, and chair of the Legislature’s Agriculture Committee will be speaking at the Camden Public Library on May 15th, 2008 from 6:30-8:00 PM about revitilizing local farming, the role of farmland preservation, and the Erickson Farm Campaign currently happening in Rockport, Maine. John Piotti sees a bright future for farming in Maine, and more specifically, in mid-coast Maine. Much of the new opportunity is within farms that serve local markets. Midcoast Maine is an ideal place for such farms, because many local residents care about safe, healthful, and tasty food. The biggest challenge is not the demand for local food, Piotti, but the high cost of farmland in midcoast Maine, which often prevents new farmers from coming here. High land costs are also a problem for existing farmers. It not only pushes up farmers’ property taxes, but makes it impossible for them to purchase leased land when it comes on the market. Many Maine farmers rely on leased land they do not own, which is often vulnerable to development. It’s clear to Piotti that the biggest challenge in Maine agriculture is to preserve more farmland, so that it will be forever available to farmers. Once preserved through an agricultural easement, farmland will change hands at its value as farmland, not as potential house lots. Piotti feels that this is the key to the future of farming, particularly in midcoast Maine. Maine Farmland Trust has recently focused attention on midcoast Maine. The organization is partnering with Aldermere Farm to preserve the Erickson Farm on Route 90 in Rockport. This property includes 35 acres of farmland that are critical to Aldermere’s cattle operation. Maine Farmland Trust sees this as a first in many projects designed to help revitalize midcoast farming,
May 15, 2008 Aldermere Spring Farmhands: Aldermere Farm is excited to host a spring farmhand session on Thursdays for six weeks starting May 15th to June 19th from 3:30-5:00 PM. This fun-filled program is for youth between the ages of 11 and 18 who want a chance to get up close and personal with the “belties.” Participants will learn to halter, groom, lead, and interact with the farm’s young calves and heifers. To register for this event call 236-2739 or email jjardine@mcht.org M-F from 7:30 AM -4:00 PM.