New life: Baby animal celebration coming up

A lamb is greeted by mom at Billings Farm & Museum in Woodstock, Vermont, recently. (Photo Courtesy of Billings Farm & Museum)

What’s the cutest sign of spring? Billings Farm & Museum knows, and it’s about to celebrate.

The historic Woodstock, Vermont, farm will have its lambs, chicks and calves ready for its annual Baby Farm Animal Celebration next weekend. The bunnies, piglets and kid goats will be there, too. 

This year, people are encouraged to reserve their entry time for the April 10-11 celebration, as there is limited site capacity. An online version of the event is available April 9 for those who can’t join in person. April 9 happens to be the same day Billings Farm & Museum will open for the 2021 season.

Every spring, nothing charms the crowds like baby animals, which makes this celebration a much-anticipated event. It didn’t take long for Billings’ baby animal photos to get popular on social media this week.

“Those babies just melt your heart. They're always a hit, with all ages,” said Marge Wakefield, public relations and community relations coordinator. 

Plus, it’s one sign of a new season many have been waiting for. 

“It's letting you know that spring is here,” Wakefield said. 

Along with an up-close visit with the farm’s baby animals, visitors will also be able to plant an heirloom seed, participate in fun craft activities and more, during Billings’ most popular event. 

The in-person celebration takes place on April 10 and 11, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with reservations available at billingsfarm.org/special-events. The Virtual Baby Farm Animal Celebration on April 9 is at 12 p.m. This 30-minute program will be live via Zoom, and the fee is $5.  Register at billingsfarm.org to receive the Zoom link. 

A special Baby Farm Animal Celebration preview for Billings Farm & Museum members will take place on April 8 at 4 p.m. Members should contact membership@billingsfarm.org to reserve their spot.

— Gareth Henderson

At Billings Farm & Museum, face coverings are required for all visitors over age 2, including outside, and contact tracing information and temperatures are taken for all visitors. For more information about health and safety standards, visit billingsfarm.org/safety.

Outside and buying local

Colemann Colburn, of Fresh Roots Farm in Sharon, bags some vegetables for customers Karen Ferrante and Paul Disegna at the Market on the Green in Woodstock, Vermont, on Wednesday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

People love being outside and buying local food — two things summer is made for. That's why, on its second day of the season, the Woodstock Market on the Green in Woodstock, Vermont, had no trouble attracting customers for its local food producers, despite the fact that it looks a bit different this year. 

Hand sanitizing stations are on either end of the Green and social distancing is required during in-person shopping, in accordance with state regulations on farmers markets. Vendors are required to wear masks, and they are recommended for customers. 

Colemann Colburn, of Fresh Roots Farm in Sharon, is at the Market on the Green for the ninth straight year. The market is every Wednesday during the summer from 3 to 6 p.m., and it started the season last week. 

Spotting a few of his vegetable baskets which were near empty, he said on Wednesday that the market's second day of 2020 was a fruitful one. He said customers had no problem with the six feet of distancing. Colburn said he's glad to pick the food for customers, but if they want to pick up the food themselves, he asks that they wear gloves, which he supplies.

"People have been good about it," he said. 

Karen Ferrante and Paul Disegna, from Rhode Island, stopped by Colburn's stand for some veggies, donning their masks. They've enjoyed his farm's vegetables many times in the past two or three years when they've been visiting Woodstock, and they had no issues with the state rules. 

"It's weird but we believe it's keeping us and others safe, so it's just being respectful," Disegna said. 

Farther down the Green, Windsor-based SILO Distillery was offering their small-batch spirits, all made with Vermont-grown grain. Mary Shappell, field events manager for Silo, said people were thrilled to see the vendors. 

"I've heard so many customers say, 'We're so glad you're here,'" she said. "It's just a little touch of normal." 

Kathy Avellino, of the Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce, which runs the market, said a "steady stream of people" during the first couple of hours on Wednesday. The state unveiled the rules for farmers markets last month, but some restrictions have been relaxed. Craft vendors are now allowed, and Avellino said the market hopes to have some crafters back in two weeks. 

The weather this Wednesday was a lot better than opening day last week, when it rained and poured. That was a welcome change, Avellino noted as the sunshine hung around through the late-afternoon hours.

"It's a beautiful day. Who wouldn't want to be out here?"

— Gareth Henderson