Programs and Activities
The Farm & Museum offers interactive programs and seasonal activities for every age - ranging from "up close" with a Jersey cow, "checking out" a chicken, or trying your hand at a traditional craft. Schedules vary each day, but every program is designed to make your farm visit more interesting and memorable.
Up Close With a Jersey Cow: Meet one of our Jerseys up close! Learn how we care for her and why her body is uniquely designed to produce so much milk.
How to Keep a Sheep: Meet a wooly Southdown ewe from our flock, learn how we care for her, and why this breed was valued on the Billings Farm one hundred years ago.
Check Out the Chickens: Check out the farm's chickens and the wonder of an egg, as we learn how these useful birds were an important part of the farm and a child's daily responsibilities a century ago. Offered May - November.
On Behalf of a Calf: Step behind the barns to meet the younger members of the herd. Learn how the special caring they receive helps them become milk-producing marvels themselves.
Afternoon milking: Everyday beginning at 3:15 p.m. Stop by the cow barn to see how it's done and learn all about this essential element of dairy farm life from our professional farm staff.
What Happens to the Milk?: See the milking equipment and feel the suction as a cow feels it. Understand how our milk is kept safe and fresh before it makes its way to you, the consumer.
Corn is for Cows, Hay is for Horses: See, touch, and smell the many feeds that keep the dairy herd healthy and productive. Discover how small differences in feed can impact milk production. And just how much does a cow eat and drink?
Heirloom Garden Tour: Visit the heirloom garden, abundant with carrots, beans, pumpkins, and many other crops. Join in with seasonal work from planting to harvesting. Offered June - October.
Pumpkins A to Z: Orange pumpkins are so passé! See the many varieties grown here - from white to blue to striped, in all shapes and sizes. Find out how different varieties are used and which types taste best or are easist to carve. Offered late September - November.
Apples A to Z: Apples for eating. Apples for baking. Apples for cider. Apples that store into the winter season. There are many varieties with unique histories, many developed for specific purposes. See Thomas Jefferson's or King Louis' favorites and find our more than you ever knew existed about this all-American fruit. Offered late September - November.
Churning Butter: Help churn cream into butter and sample your product on Vermont common crackers.
Hands-On Craft Activities: Take home your own creation. Make a wool ball, cornhusk or clothespin person, weave or stencil. Different hands-on activities offered most days in July and August.
