Special open house for members is June 25 and 26
WOODSTOCK— On June 27, the Billings Farm & Museum (BF&M) welcomes visitors back with a brand new Heifer Barn, growing gardens, a nature trail and acres of pastures where Jersey cows, horses, sheep and goats roam. Bring a picnic and spend the day in a beautiful, relaxing outdoor farm setting in the heart of Woodstock.
As a nonprofit organization, member support has helped immensely during these months that BF&M was closed. In thanks, Billings Farm & Museum will reopen on Thursday, June 25 and Friday, June 26 for member appreciation days.
By implementing six core safety pillars in accordance with the Vermont Department of Health and CDC guidelines, the farm’s operations will prioritize the well-being of the guests, staff, and animals. Spaces that are open to guests include the pastures, walking trail, Visitor Center & Theater, “Upon This Land” exhibit, Farm Life Exhibits, Wagon and Chicken Barns. The Dairy Bar is temporarily closed. The Animal Barns and 1890 Farm Manager’s House are closed until further notice due to safety precautions. Find a full list of what to visit at Billings Farm at billingsfarm.org/visiting-billings-farm-museum-safely/.
New attractions for guests visiting Billings Farm & Museum include a Heifer Barn built with state-of-the-art technologies to ensure “cow comfort.” The barn offers nine separate group pens to house as many as 45 cows during winter months. Climate controlled curtains adjust based on temperature and weather conditions to allow for natural airflow.
The Heirloom Garden, Victory Garden, Pollinator Garden, and Pizza Garden are taking shape and guests can ask questions of interpreters stationed nearby. T
he Sunflower House will fully bloom from August through September with 64 varieties of sunflowers planted to outline hallways and rooms in a maze-like structure. Visitors can explore the field of sunflowers from inside, with towering flowers peeking down at them.
For those interested in the history of Billings Farm, interpretive information can be found on the porch of the 1890 Farm Manager’s House, and throughout the Farm Life and “Upon This Land” exhibits in the Visitor Center.
Billings Farm & Museum’s week-long Junior Farmer Camp will take place in small groups of 10-15 campers and two to three counselors, who will spend the summer outside learning about natural history and farming. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday, activities include animal chores with the sheep, goats, chickens, and heifers, tractor-drawn wagon rides, games, gardening, crafts, and cooking.
Sessions are available on select dates in July and August starting at $300 per week for Billings Farm members and $340 per week for non-members.
Learn more at billingsfarm.org/junior-farmer-camp-2020/.
