Call Sarah Post at 207-236-2739 or spost@mcht.org for more details or to register. Information is also available in our Events Calendar.
Programs & Events
Throughout the year Aldermere Farm offers a wide variety of programs and events that educate the community and encourage sustainable agriculture. The following is a list of programs regularly held at the Farm.
At Aldermere Farm
4-H Club
Aldermere Achievers 4-H club
The Aldermere Achievers is the Farm’s 4-H Club, which is mainly a beef club where participants lease a calf, halter train it, and then show it at the Union Fair in August. This club meets year round and performs community service projects, fundraising projects, and even does farm chores throughout the summer. Knox-Lincoln Extension 4-H.
Annual Art Show and Sale
Held in August each year this annual fundraiser supports the farm. Local artists enter fine art works for show and sale.
Art Workshops
Regularly held events that demonstrate various techniques including: wreath making, photography, and nature sketching and painting.
Beef Basics
A two day clinic focused on the basics of raising beef cattle with emphasis on meeting the needs of today's consumer. The program takes participants step by step through the beef industry from selecting cattle that best fit today's market to handling and managing the animals and their health. A variety of speakers present on topics such as Beef Quality Assurance, pasture management, and the importance of nutrition while also allowing time for participants to have their questions answered.
The Farm Hands program teaches important agricultural, conservation, and environmental issues as well as skills such as team work, trust, and patience.
Farm Hands
Farm Hands is the premier youth program at Aldermere Farm where youth ages 12-18 work with the young Belted Galloway calves learning to halter train, groom, and lead them. This provides a community service to the Farm because it allows the calves to get use to being around people, and to be well tempered and manageable. Participants also learn about important agricultural, conservation, and environmental issues as well as skills such as team work, trust, and patience.
Farm Hands is held year-round and is offered by the Farm itself and also through outside agencies like the Communities That Care STAR program. The Fall and Spring programs are six weeks long and are held after school for an hour to an hour and a half. The summer programs are eight weeks long and are held mid-morning for approximately three hours.
All the programs are co-led by the Farm’s general manager and program coordinator, with the summer sessions having college interns who provide a great amount of assistance and expertise.Two summer Farm Hands programs begin the first week in July. The summer programs culminate with a trip to the Union Fair to see the 4-H participants fit and show their cattle. Farm Hands is a wonderful learning experience which is more hands-on rather than classroom type of learning.
Farm Tours
Go beyond the tree lined avenue and get a behind the scenes tour of the Farm and learn about the history and upcoming events. Offered once a week from late June to late August.
Learning Tree and Me
Environmental education activities using the Project Learning Tree guide set up by the American Forest Foundation. A one week program for youth ages 8-11 during the summer.
Master Gardener program
Master Gardeners
Aldermere Farm is part of the Knox-Lincoln Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program in which interested gardeners learn techniques on gardening, and then volunteer hours throughout the year at a specific site. Aldermere Farm is one such site in Rockport where the Master Gardeners plant the gardens every year and host events such as container garden contests and instructional programs for the community. Master Gardeners earn certificates and gain great experience.
Beltie Holiday
The Beltie Holiday event takes place at Aldermere Farm annually as part of Christmas by the Sea in Camden and Rockport. Children and adults are encouraged to come and have their picture taken with a Beltie calf and make a Beltie ornament. Participants leave with a printed framed picture and their decorated ornament. Aldermere staff will take the photo, but participants are encouraged to bring their own camera for more photos. There will be a couple of Belted Galloway calves available to pet and lots of craft activities to work on.
Moonlight Ski Tours
Held during winter full moon evenings (weather permitting), these events include cross country skiing and snowshoe tours of the farm that end with a bonfire and hot chocolate overlooking Penobscot Bay.
Nature Walks from spring to fall on a variety of topics.
Nature Walks/Workshops
A number of different nature walks are given throughout the spring, summer and fall on the property. Bird and Nature Walks, Wildflower walks, Photo Workshops, and Nature Sketching Workshops are just a few of the types of presentations and walks given by local naturalists and skilled professionals.
New Calf Unveiling Day
Each spring the Farm presents the new calves. Visitors are invited to see the newborns and learn more about the farm, land conservation, and agriculture.
Sap-to-Syrup
Sap-to-Syrup programs for youth and the community in late Feb. to late March.
In March the Farm welcomes youths and adults to learn about and assist the farm in the tapping of trees, gathering of sap, and production of maple syrup.
Summerscape
A summer program for youth ages 7-11. Experience the power of place through mindful investigation and creative expression including sculpture, printing, drawing & journaling. At an outdoor site, we will grow and deepen our connection to each other and to our environment. Much fun is to be had by all.
At Erickson Farm Preserve
Teen Ag Crew
A teen social entrepreneurial program where a work crew of teens grow food to donate to local food pantries (spring, summer, and fall). Hiring takes place in the spring for the season (for teens ages 14-18).
Kids Can Grow
Families learning together about growing food using the square foot gardening method. A five session course once a month from May - September. For families with youth ages 8-12 years old.
Youthlinks Summer Program
Communities That Care STAR Green Thumb Gardeners
A six-week after school experiential learning program where youth learn about growing food. Ages 10-14. Community Garden Plots- Plots of different sizes can be assigned to community members who want to grow food for themselves (sizes of beds: 4x4’ , 4x8’ , 4x12’).
Talks in the Garden
A variety of discussions and workshops about growing food and gardening.
Youthlinks Summer Program in the Garden
Youthlinks summer camp students assist in the garden once a week providing a community service while also learning about gardening.
