This September, we’re gathering at the sanctuary for Shared Harvest, a free community event celebrating the harvest season and the opening of our new Education Room. We’ll also share one of Merrymac’s daily sustainability practices: repurposing surplus produce into nutritious meals for the animals.

Merrymac’s Produce Recovery Program works with local grocery partners, including City Market, Hannaford, and Shaw’s, to recover fruits and vegetables that no longer meet grocery standards and might otherwise be composted. Volunteers pick up, sort, and prepare the produce, selecting items that are safe and appropriate for different species. Shared Harvest gives guests a chance to take part in this work, learn about farm animal nutrition and see community connection in action.Guests are welcome to bring extra produce from their own gardens to share!

Shared Harvest at Merrymac is made possible by a grant from the Spark Connecting Community Program of the Vermont Community Foundation.

Space is limited, and registration is required.

REGISTER to attend Shared Harvest HERE

Spend a beautiful morning at Merrymac with your toddler! Enjoy a farm-themed story followed by a guided tour to meet the animals that call our sanctuary home.

This event is held rain or shine. Please ensure your toddler is dressed for both indoor and outdoor settings. For safety, closed-toe shoes are required, and we ask that you keep your toddler within reach at all times during the visit. All participants must sign a waiver.

Tickets are $25 for one toddler and one adult caregiver. Additional children or adults are welcome to join for $10 each.

Space and parking are limited and pre-registration is required.

Merrymac Farm Sanctuary invites students ages 8–12 to join our 6-week After-School Junior Stewardship Program. This hands-on program bridges the gap between sympathy and stewardship, teaching children that they have the power to improve the lives of animals.

Session 1

Dates: 9/17, 9/24, 10/1, 10/8, 10/15, 10/22.

Thursdays 3:30-5:30 PM

Weekly Curriculum

• Week 1: Introduction & The Sanctuary Mission – Discover what makes a sanctuary special and learn about animal sentience.

• Week 2: Freedom from Hunger & Thirst – Participate in afternoon animal care

• Week 3: Freedom from Pain, Injury, or Disease – Learn valuable observation skills

• Week 4: Freedom to Express Normal Behavior – Get creative with enrichment projects that help animals thrive.

• Week 5: Freedom from Fear & Distress – Develop compassion and empathy for all living beings

• Week 6: Advocacy & Stewardship – Develop your personal "Sanctuary Promise" and celebrate your journey as a young advocate.

Practical Info

• Attire: Please wear waterproof boots and dress in layers!

• Snacks: We request that participants bring vegan snacks only.

• The Experience: Students will actively participate in afternoon barn chores and spend time getting to know some of our resident animals.

Questions? Email us at education@merrymacfarmsanctuary.org.

REGISTER for Session 1: After-School Junior Stewardship Program

We are always seeking enthusiastic volunteers who are able to commit to one shift per week.

Volunteer Guidelines

• Must be Age 15 or older

• Caring and compassionate attitude

• Ability to work around animals

• Must commit to at least 1 shift per week

Volunteers can help with

• Farm Chores or Special Needs/Bunny Room (9-Noon)

• Produce pick up - Shaws or Hannaford in South Burlington (8-9AM)

Please note Wear clothes to be outside. Boots are necessary for the sanctuary. If you have farm animals at home or go to other barns, please wear shoes that have not been exposed to those barns.

Volunteer Tasks

• Clean stalls and animal areas

• Fill hay bags, water buckets, & troughs

• Clean buckets, dishes, bowls, troughs etc.

• Chop and prep produce for animals

• Pick up produce from local groceries

Sign the volunteer waiver: WAIVER HERE

REGISTER for October 1 Volunteer Orientation

Learn about our High School Animal Welfare Program 26/27

Students may attend single session or the full program. Please pre-register to attend.

Program Schedule Saturdays 10AM-2PM October 10, November 14, December 12, January 9, February 13, March 13, April 10 & May 8 

Spend a beautiful morning at Merrymac with your toddler! Enjoy a farm-themed story followed by a guided tour to meet the animals that call our sanctuary home.

This event is held rain or shine. Please ensure your toddler is dressed for both indoor and outdoor settings. For safety, closed-toe shoes are required, and we ask that you keep your toddler within reach at all times during the visit. All participants must sign a waiver.

Tickets are $25 for one toddler and one adult caregiver. Additional children or adults are welcome to join for $10 each.

Space and parking are limited and pre-registration is required.

We are always seeking enthusiastic volunteers who are able to commit to one shift per week.

Volunteer Guidelines

• Must be Age 15 or older

• Caring and compassionate attitude

• Ability to work around animals

• Must commit to at least 1 shift per week

Volunteers can help with

• Farm Chores or Special Needs/Bunny Room (9-Noon)

• Produce pick up - Shaws or Hannaford in South Burlington (8-9AM)

Please note Wear clothes to be outside. Boots are necessary for the sanctuary. If you have farm animals at home or go to other barns, please wear shoes that have not been exposed to those barns.

Volunteer Tasks

• Clean stalls and animal areas

• Fill hay bags, water buckets, & troughs

• Clean buckets, dishes, bowls, troughs etc.

• Chop and prep produce for animals

• Pick up produce from local groceries

Sign the volunteer waiver: WAIVER HERE

REGISTER for November 5 Volunteer Orientation

Merrymac Farm Sanctuary invites students ages 8–12 to join our 6-week After-School Junior Stewardship Program. This hands-on program bridges the gap between sympathy and stewardship, teaching children that they have the power to improve the lives of animals.

Session 2

Dates: 11/5, 11/12, 11/19, 12/3, 12/10, 12/17

Thursdays 3:30-5:30 PM

Weekly Curriculum

• Week 1: Introduction & The Sanctuary Mission – Discover what makes a sanctuary special and learn about animal sentience.

• Week 2: Freedom from Hunger & Thirst – Explore species-specific nutrition through hands-on feeding

• Week 3: Freedom from Pain, Injury, or Disease – Learn the role of keen observation skills to aid in animal health.

• Week 4: Freedom to Express Normal Behavior – Get creative with enrichment projects that help animals thrive.

• Week 5: Freedom from Fear & Distress – Introduction to low-stress animal handling and body language.

• Week 6: Advocacy & Stewardship – Develop your personal "Sanctuary Promise" and celebrate your journey as a young advocate.

Practical Info

• Attire: Please wear waterproof boots and dress in layers!

• Snacks: We request that participants bring vegan snacks only.

• The Experience: Students will actively participate in afternoon barn chores, gaining hands-on experience and forming bonds with our residents.

Questions? Email us at education@merrymacfarmsanctuary.org.

REGISTER for Session 2: After-School Junior Stewardship Program

Learn about our High School Animal Welfare Program 26/27

Students may attend single session or the full program. Please pre-register to attend.

Program Schedule Saturdays 10AM-2PM October 10, November 14, December 12, January 9, February 13, March 13, April 10 & May 8 

Spend a beautiful morning at Merrymac with your toddler! Enjoy a farm-themed story followed by a guided tour to meet the animals that call our sanctuary home.

This event is held rain or shine. Please ensure your toddler is dressed for both indoor and outdoor settings. For safety, closed-toe shoes are required, and we ask that you keep your toddler within reach at all times during the visit. All participants must sign a waiver.

Tickets are $25 for one toddler and one adult caregiver. Additional children or adults are welcome to join for $10 each.

Space and parking are limited and pre-registration is required.

We are always seeking enthusiastic volunteers who are able to commit to one shift per week.

Volunteer Guidelines

• Must be Age 15 or older

• Caring and compassionate attitude

• Ability to work around animals

• Must commit to at least 1 shift per week

Volunteers can help with

• Farm Chores or Special Needs/Bunny Room (9-Noon)

• Produce pick up - Shaws or Hannaford in South Burlington (8-9AM)

Please note Wear clothes to be outside. Boots are necessary for the sanctuary. If you have farm animals at home or go to other barns, please wear shoes that have not been exposed to those barns.

Volunteer Tasks

• Clean stalls and animal areas

• Fill hay bags, water buckets, & troughs

• Clean buckets, dishes, bowls, troughs etc.

• Chop and prep produce for animals

• Pick up produce from local groceries

Sign the volunteer waiver: WAIVER HERE

REGISTER for December 3 Volunteer Orientation

Learn about our High School Animal Welfare Program 26/27

Students may attend single session or the full program. Please pre-register to attend.

Program Schedule Saturdays 10AM-2PM October 10, November 14, December 12, January 9, February 13, March 13, April 10 & May 8 

Spend a beautiful morning at Merrymac with your toddler! Enjoy a farm-themed story followed by a guided tour to meet the animals that call our sanctuary home.

This event is held rain or shine. Please ensure your toddler is dressed for both indoor and outdoor settings. For safety, closed-toe shoes are required, and we ask that you keep your toddler within reach at all times during the visit. All participants must sign a waiver.

Tickets are $25 for one toddler and one adult caregiver. Additional children or adults are welcome to join for $10 each.

Space and parking are limited and pre-registration is required.