FREE! Pioneer Day with Laura Ingalls Wilder

The weather is changing and it reminds us of early farming days as pioneers prepared for winter. Come dig into a bit of history and a lot of fun as we welcome local makers to share the work they do to keep local farming culture alive and strong. 

BRUNCH @ The PitchFORK 

8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Fall Farm Brunch 

Oatmeal with Roasted Apples  - $6

Farmer's Breakfast - eggs, sausage, bacon, homefries and toast - $12

Cider Donut French Toast - $8

Pancakes with Jam and Butter - $7

Cocoa $2.50 and Hot Cider $3

Menu and pricing is subject to change. 

FEATURE SHOW in the Farm Store Greenhouse

10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. - Feature Presentation Historical Reenactment of Laura Ingalls Wilder

Free. The show will be a continuous 45 minutes and ask that families are seated by 9:55 a.m. Late comers will not be able to access. Appropriate for all ages but specifically geared towards elementary aged children. See more information below.

SPECIAL GUEST on the Main Lawn

10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Meet Harvard Alpaca Ranch

Free. Yes, we said alpacas. While alpacas are not native to the US, we saw this as a great opportunity to see how farmers and ranchers are innovating, caring for animals (and people!) and creating beautiful work that shares the story of fellow New England landkeepers. Plus, who doesn't love an alpaca! Come see these beautiful creatures. Learn more about Amy and Matthew, owners of Harvard Alpaca Ranch in Harvard MA.

ALL DAY HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES

10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Put the Strawberry Field to Sleep!

Free. Calling all wee farmers! We need your help putting the strawberries to sleep for the winter. Strawberry plants (part of the rose family!) need to stay warm during cold New England winters. Take a short walk out to the patch just over the foot bridge and help our farmers lay out straw over the fruit plants. P.S. Take a strawberry selfie and then make sure to come check back on them in the spring! #putthestrawberriestosleep

10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Old School Cider Pressing

Free. Stop into the Cider Hill Farm's Cider Pressing Room for a few minutes for a turn to press an apple into juice using our original cider press! No fancy machines today. 

10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Pioneer Craft Time

Need a break? We will have a craft table set up to color and play.

SCHEDULED DEMONSTRATIONS in the Farm Store Greenhouse

11 a.m. - 11:35 a.m. - Bread Making with Cider Hill Farm's Baker 

Free. Meet Elissa, Cider Hill Farm's lead baker. She will demonstrate how to make a simple loaf of bread! Families will be able to take recipes home to make bread. 

11:40 a.m. - 12:10 p.m. - All About Beekeeping

Free. Meet London Buzz Apiary of Hampstead, NH. Beekeepers Marty and Gail will share how they maintain and nurture dozens of hives every year. Learn the importance of pollinators plus taste a bit of honey sweetness! Live bees will not be present at the event.

12:15 - 12:45 p.m. - Quick Pickling Techniques with the.birch.arbor

Free. Families will have a chance to see how to make turn veggies into pickles. Kids will have the opportunity to get their hands in the action. Led by Gardens by Arianna Iappini, Kitchen Garden Consulting + Design.

12:50 - 1:15 p.m. - Butter Making

Free. Meet local dairy farmers, Contoocook Creamery! Watch as they magically turn cream into butter and learn simple techniques to make fresh butter at home.

Activities and times are subject to change. 

Laura Ingalls Wilder – The Writer of the Frontier

Laura Ingalls Wilder is our writer role model whose words bring to life the pioneer times during which she grew up. Children will learn about her encounters with neighboring Indians, her first experiences in school, the brutal winters which almost broke her family, and the joy Laura found in the simple things in life: “love and duty, work and rest, and living close to nature.”

Additionally, children will see the development of a writer beginning with simple storytelling, to Laura creating pictures for her blind sister, Mary, to the development of her “Little House” books at the encouragement of her daughter, Rose.

Learn more about Cider Hill Farm's friend and local talent, Sheryl Faye.