Unique Vermont Nonprofit Invites You To Get Back To Nature

Unique Vermont Nonprofit Invites You To Get Back To Nature

Four hours west of Boston sits the small town of Rupert, Vermont, home to the Merck Forest and Farmland Center (MFFC). Run by a non-profit organization, the property features 3,200 beautiful and wild acres for guests to enjoy FREE!

The Merck Forest and Farmland Center's mission is to "inspire curiosity, love and responsibility toward our natural and working lands," so there are never any admission fees.

The public is welcome to hike the forest trails, check out the farm, and enjoy close enounters with the animals including draft horses, chickens, sheep, and pigs.

Each season brings its own exciting natural events and opportunities to learn about nature and farming.

Winters can be harsh in rural Vermont, but as long as the weather permits, Merck offers year-round fun! Sign up for a guided hike to track wildlife through the snow or send your second through fifth grader to Winter in the Woods vacation camp where they will explore the snowy woods and create wintry crafts.

Springtime offers beautifully lush landscapes and flowers, as well as new babies at the farm!

Upcoming spring events include educational staff-guided hikes to check out the local wildlife, wild plants, and the unique ecosystems of vernal pools.

In summer, the animals graze freely and the staff and volunteers host workshops and day camps aimed at school-age children. These include hikes, pond explorations, and animal-themed crafts.

Fall is an incredible time to visit MFFC! Not only is the Vermont foliage unmatched, the property features its own, maple syrup producing thirty-five-acre sugarbush!

You can even turn your visit to Merck into a vacation when you stay on the property in one of their log cabins!

Bring that special someone for a private, rustic getaway or invite the whole family - including the dog! MFFC is completely dog-friendly!

Don't forget to pick up a bottle of fresh, 100% pure Vermont maple syrup as a keepsake of your trip!

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