Above: This fall’s programs at Chestnut Hill Farm include weekly story times with giant bunnies, preschool farm explorers, fungi finding, flower arranging and more. (images cropped from TTOR photos**)
I’m sharing the upcoming events at Chestnut Hill Farm over the next two months.
Events are organized below first by those for adults or all ages/families, followed by ones specifically for children (with or without parents).
Below are the basic details (mostly in their words, but edited by me for brevity). Click links for the full descriptions (or visit here for all of their upcoming programs at the farm).
The events all require pre-registration and most include a fee. (Fees are discounted for members and you can find membership details here.) (The fees listed below are by Trustees’ member/non-member.)
Programs for Adults/Families
Field to Flower: Harvesting, Cutting and Bouquet Making
Ages 13+
Thursday, September 14th, 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Join Field Crops Manager Erin Espinosa for a class on harvesting and arranging a flower bouquet. Tools and materials will be provided, and visitors will leave with a 30-stem bouquet. ($40/$50)
For details and to register, click here.
Wild Medicinals Foraging Workshop
Adults only
Thursday, September 28th 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Medicinal herbalist Alex Klein will show visitors how to identify medicinal plants and wild food in their gardens and surrounding woodlands in this leisurely walk around the farm. ($24/$30)
For details and to register, click here.
Finding Fungi Guided Mushroom Hike
Families with children ages 6+
Saturday, September 30th, 1:00 – 2:30 pm
At this fun and educational Finding Fungi Guided Mushroom Hunt we’ll review several methods beginners can use to identify and group similar fungi together, tips and tricks for locating mushrooms in seemingly barren forests and fields and learn how to connect with mycology wherever you live or travel. ($12-20/$15-25)
For details and to register, click here.
Autumn Equinox Forest Bathing
Adults only
Saturday, September 23rd, 1:00 – 3:30 pm
Jeff Hyman, a longtime member of the Trustees community, certified Kripalu Mindful Outdoor Guide and experienced naturalist, will lead this program for adults to experience the mindfulness of forest bathing. ($24/$30)
For details and to register, click here.
Cancelled — Full Harvest Moon Hike
All ages
This event is no longer being offered at the Southborough farm. (It may have been relocated, since it is offered at other Trustees’ properties.)
Saturday, September 29th, 7:30 – 8:30 pm
Enjoy a leisurely after-hours walk on the farm. Learn about the night sky, the significance of the full moon and what wildlife comes out at dusk. ($12/$20)
For details and to register, click here.
Goat Hangout and Ramble
All ages
Saturdays and Sundays through October, 9:00 am, 10:00 am, and 11:00 am
Take a goat on a leisurely stroll or even a lengthy hike, or just hang out close to the farmyard, letting the goats feed and frolic with you along the trails. ($76 per family up to 4 people/$95)
For details and to register, click here.
Pick Your Own Pumpkin
All ages
Saturday, October 7th, 12:00 – 4:00 pm
Activities will include picking your own pumpkin from our pumpkin patch, scarecrow selfies, face painting and a children’s scavenger hunt. Pay for the pumpkins you pick in the Farm Store, which will be filled with seasonal treats and local items for your fall shopping pleasure.
For details and to register, click here.
Hunt for Halloween Mushrooms Guided Hike
Families with children ages 6+
Saturday, October 21st, 5:00 – 6:30 pm
Focus on finding some “scary” and Halloween-themed mushrooms (e.g., Witches’ butter, Jack o’ Lantern mushrooms, Dead man’s fingers, and bleeding fungi). At dusk, experience how certain mushrooms glow in the dark! ($12-20/$15-25)
For details and to register, click here.
Programs for Children
Books with Bunnies
Preschooler with parent (siblings allowed for additional fee)
Tuesdays, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
An interactive storytime in the bunny garden with the farm’s Flemish Giant Rabbits hopping about. ($5/10)
For details and to register, click here.
Preschool Farm Explorers
For ages 2 yrs & 9 months – 5 yrs with parents (younger siblings allowed)
Thursdays, 10:00 – 11:00 am
Your little farm explorers will become fully immersed in what life is like at the farm with topics based on the season and farm cycle. Each session is a new learning experience. ($24/30)
For details and to register, click here.
Junior Farmer for a Day
For grades K-5.
Monday, September 25th, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (NSBORO school holiday)
A special drop-off program will give children the experience of what it’s like to be a farmer. They will help care for farm animals, learn about farm-fresh food, go for a hike and make nature-inspired crafts.
For details and to register, click here.
*For each of the Chestnut Hill Farm programs:
- For the most up-to-date information or weather cancellations for this and other programs, follow Chestnut Hill Farm’s Facebook page.
- Because it is a working farm, dogs aren’t permitted on the property.
**(all photos are copied from TTOR website events pages or Chestnut Hill Farm’s Facebook posts/events)
Updated (9/21/23 12:20 pm): The Full Harvest Moon Hike at Chestnut Hill Farm was apparently cancelled. The event was removed from the Trustees’ website and the link no longer works.
