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 if they wish, or other items from our wish list. A few squash, cucumbers, greens, melons, or other animal-safe favorites can become part of the afternoon’s activity.

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 pre-registration is required.