Billings Farm

Sheep Shearing
2025-04-05 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Billings Farm and Museum, 69 Old River Rd, Woodstock, VT, 05091, United States
Sheep Shearing Demonstrations, Saturday, April 5, 11:00AM
Experience the farm tradition of sheep shearing. Expert shearers Philo and Craig Marcotte will demonstrate the evolution of shearing tools and techniques while giving the farm’s Southdown sheep their annual “wool cuts.” A live demonstration, starting at 11:00AM will showcase the skill, strength, and precision required for this craft. From historical tools to modern practices, this family-friendly event offers an entertaining and educational glimpse into the art of sheep shearing.

Special Screening: Vanish
2025-04-05 15:00 - 17:00
Vanish – Disappearing Icons of a Rural America
April 5, 2025 | 3:00PM
2024. Jim Westphalen. 77 minutes. Not rated.
Q&A with filmmaker and Vermont fine-art photographer Jim Westphalen to follow the screening.
We are pleased to announce a special screening of the film Vanish – Disappearing Icons of a Rural America to celebrate the opening weekend of Billings Farm & Museum’s 43rd season. The filmmaker and Vermont fine-art photographer, Jim Westphalen, will join us for a Q&A following the film and will have several of his featured photographs on display.
A remarkable story of past and present, this film follows Westphalen as he captures the beauty of America’s disappearing rural structures. From weathered Vermont barns and one-room schoolhouses to the grain elevators of Montana, Westphalen races against time and the elements to document these fading icons.
With a sense of urgency, Vanish features compelling interviews with experts and passionate individuals who fight to save these structures. Written, directed, and produced by Westphalen, with Academy Award-winning story consultant Doug Blush, the film is both a breathtaking tribute and a call to action, urging us to stop, take notice, and care for these pieces of our shared history before they disappear forever.
This special screening takes place in the Billings Farm & Museum Visitor Center Theater. Tickets are $15 person/$12 Billings Farm member.

Closed
2025-04-08, 2025-05-01

Sensory Story Time: Farmers Market Fun
2025-04-09 09:30 - 10:30
Wednesday, April 9th, 9:30AM – 10:30AM
Join this playful exploration of the farm-to-market journey. Young learners will discover where food comes from through storytelling, movement, and hands-on activities including farmers market dramatic play.
Sensory Story Hour is a movement-rich, interactive experience designed for children ages 3-5 and their caregivers. Through stories, song, poetry, rhymes, sensory exploration, and farm-themed activities, children will build early literacy skills while engaging with the sights, sounds, and textures of the farm. A local Vermont snack will be provided, and advance registration is recommended.

Billings Backyard Workshop: Flavorful Fungi
2025-04-12 10:00 - 11:30
Saturday, April 12, 2025,
10:00AM – 11:30AM
Followed by a 30-minute Q&A
Price: $25/person, $20/member

Led by mycologist, author, and fungi advocate, Melany Kahn, this flavorful workshop explores the art of cooking with mushrooms, transforming both wild and cultivated varieties into delicious dishes. While the session will not include hands-on foraging and mushroom identification, participants will gain insights into local mushroom varieties and develop a better understanding of zones and climates where mushrooms thrive. Every participant will receive a copy of Mason Goes Mushrooming, a book that includes fun recipes and engaging lessons for young readers. This workshop offers a deeper connection to sustainable, locally sourced food while exploring the incredible culinary potential of mushrooms, even for the most reluctant mushroom eaters.

Art on the Barns
2025-04-22 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-24 10:00 - 16:00
Art on the Barns is an annual outdoor contemporary art exhibition that explores the connection between art, place, and history, inviting visitors to experience contemporary works within the rhythms of a working dairy farm. Thoughtfully placed on the historic barns, each piece interacts with its surroundings, evolving with the changing seasons. From budding trees in spring to the quiet stillness of winter, the artwork offers a dynamic and ever-shifting perspective.

Featuring Vermont artists Elise Whittemore and Will Gebhard in collaboration with Soapbox Arts, Art on the Barns creates a striking dialogue between tradition and modern creativity, ensuring a fresh and immersive experience with every visit.

Baby Farm Animal Celebration 2025
2025-04-26 10:00 - 17:00
We had a wonderful weekend of fun, education, and adorable farm animals on Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27 from 10:00AM – 5:00PM.
Visitors were able to meet Billings Farm’s Jersey calves, piglets, and chicks. Special baby farm animal guests included bunnies from Farm & Wilderness, Cabin Hill Farm’s goat kids, fiber goat kids and fiber rabbits from Starry Eyed Farm, and lambs from Aker Fiber Farm. Curious about other baby animals? Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park rangers were on hand to talk about baby animals in the wild.
There were Wagon Rides from 11:00AM – 3:00PM.
Children enjoyed Story with a Farm Friend at 11:00AM, 1:00PM, and 3:00PM. Interactive activities included an obstacle course and an animal-themed sensory table.
Delicious food truck fare was available each day from 10:00AM – 5:00PM by Sustainable Eats and Heidi’s Hot Dogs.
The Museum Gift Shop had Vermont-made ice cream, snacks, drinks, and cookies and a great selection of baby farm animal-inspired gifts, mementos, and adorable animal stuffies to take home.
Members receive free admission to this event and all year long! Beat the lines by following signs for the Member Check-In, from 10:00AM – 1:00PM each day. Not yet a member? Join today! billingsfarm.org/join/

Purchase advance tickets online to expedite the check-in process.

Volunteer opportunities available!
Have fun, get benefits and be part of the action! Shifts available from 9:00AM – 1:00PM or 1:00PM – 5:00PM on both days!
Contact volunteer@billingsfarm.org or call 802-457-2355.

Today's Schedule
2025-05-02 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-30 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-01 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-15 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-16 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-28 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-07-08 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-07-09 10:00 - 17:00

Sensory Story Time: Little Gardeners
2025-05-14 09:30 - 10:30
Wednesday, May 14th, 9:30AM – 10:30AM
Get ready to dig in and get messy! In this hands-on session, little learners will explore gardening tools, plant seeds, and help decorate a PK Garden sign. Families will also receive a free child admission ticket to visit the farm and watch their garden grow!

Please dress for outdoor fun—little hands will be busy in the soil!

Sensory Story Hour is a movement-rich, interactive experience designed for children ages 3-5 and their caregivers. Through stories, song, poetry, rhymes, sensory exploration, and farm-themed activities, children will build early literacy skills while engaging with the sights, sounds, and textures of the farm. A local Vermont snack will be provided, and advance registration is recommended.

Member Family Picnic 2025
2025-05-15 16:30 - 18:30
Member Family Picnic
Date: Thursday, May 15
Time: 4:30PM – 6:30PM
Price: Complimentary for Billings Farm Members
Reserve Tickets
Bring a blanket and your favorite picnic dinner for a fun, family-friendly after-hours event for members.
Dessert is on us! Every attendee gets one free scoop of ice cream from the Farmhouse Scoop Shop.
~ Meet our animal ambassadors
~ Play lawn games & try out the obstacle course
~ Tour the colorful Art on the Barns Exhibition
~ Explore the Little Farm Hands play space and hear a story at 5:00PM
~ Wander the Farmstead Gardens
~ Sample Billings Farm cheese
In gratitude for your support, this event is complimentary for members.
Walk-ins welcome or reserve your tickets in advance.You must be a current member to attend.
Not yet a member? Need to renew your membership? Join or Renew Now! or call 802-457-2355.
We hope to see you there!

Discovery Days: Homemade on the Farm
2025-05-20 09:30 - 12:30
For Ages 6 – 13
$20/child (+ one caregiver), $15/member child (+one caregiver)

Join us for a hands-on day of creativity where learners will discover how farming and crafting nourish both body and mind. This session explores the connection between agriculture and artistry, inviting learners to engage in traditional skills like butter churning, ice cream making, felting, and candle making. Participants will also create nature-inspired art and meet the farm’s Jersey herd.
Designed for curiosity-led learners and their caregivers, this program offers an immersive, interactive experience filled with movement, play, and hands-on exploration. Themed stations encourage skill-building, farm-based activities, and community connection to create meaningful learning beyond the classroom. Sibling discounts are available.
Cancellation Policy: There are often waitlists for our courses, so please let us know in advance if you are unable to attend. Refunds are available up to 7 days before the class is held. There are no refunds within 7 days.

Family Sheep and Wool 2025
2025-05-24 10:00 - 17:00
We celebrated all things sheep and wool with a weekend of family fun on Saturday May 24th, 10:00AM – 5:00PM!
Guests caught an exciting glimpse of Vermont’s sheep farming history.
From fleece to fiber wonders, visitors of all ages followed the steps of wool processing and collected stamps on their Sheep-to-Yarn Passport along the way to earn a prize. Guests were guided through interactive stations, from cleaning fleeces at the Skirting and Washing Stations to aligning fibers at the Carding Station. A colorful display of dyed skeins of yarn showcased the final transformation of raw wool.
Visitors saw drop spindle and wheel spinning demonstrations, spun their own woolen bracelet to take home, and discovered fiber arts like felting, knitting, and crocheting, and watch live weaving on a loom. Plus, there was Story Time with a Sheep and Sheep Education Programs.
Visitors marveled at live demonstrations with Morse Brook Farm’s Shepherdess Liz Shaw and her team of border collies, as they herded their sheep with precision and grace.
Everyone enjoyed Vermont-made ice cream and snacks at the Farmhouse Scoop Shop, and delicious food from the Sustainable Eats Food Truck and the Vermont Snack Shack, available for purchase.
EVENT SCHEDULE:
10:30AM & 4:00PM Sheep Education Programs
11:00AM, 1:00PM & 3:00PM Border Collie Herding Demonstrations
12:00PM & 2:00PM Story Time with a Sheep
Members enjoy free admission to this event and all year long! Not yet a member? Join today! billingsfarm.org/join/
Purchase advance tickets online to expedite the check-in process.

Volunteer opportunities available! Have fun, get benefits and be part of the action! Shifts available from 9:00AM – 1:00PM or 1:00PM – 5:00PM on both days! Contact volunteer@billingsfarm.org or call 802-457-2355.

Little Farm Hands
2025-05-24 10:00 - 17:00
Little Farm Hands is a playful, hands-on exhibit space designed for children ages 0–4 and their caregivers. While farms are full of big animals and big tools, this exhibit invites little hands to explore farm life in a way that’s just their size. In a warm and welcoming indoor setting, perfect for those unpredictable spring days, children can build a home for the chickens, sort eggs, or step into the role of a farmer at the farmstand. This touch-friendly exhibit connects children to agriculture in a way that sparks curiosity, builds confidence, and brings joy. Through interactive play, caregivers will find fun and meaningful ways to support their child’s growth and development.

Billings Backyard Workshop: Charcuterie
2025-06-05 17:30 - 19:00
Price: $150/couple, $140/member couple
Age: 21+
Kick off the summer with vibrant, fresh ingredients from the Billings Farmstead Garden. Learn to make quick pickles and flavorful herb-infused compound butter to elevate your spread. Enjoy a curated wine tasting as you savor your handcrafted charcuterie, complete with Billings Farm cheddars!

In this hands-on workshop, craft a stunning cheese and charcuterie board while discovering how to balance flavors, textures, and colors. Perfect for taking your entertaining skills to the next level!

Cancellation Policy: There are often waitlists for our courses, so please let us know in advance if you are unable to attend. Refunds are available up to 7 days before the class is held. There are no refunds within 7 days.

Contact info@billingsfarm.org with questions.

Sensory Story Time: Pollinator Pals
2025-06-11 09:30 - 10:30
Wednesday, June 11th, 9:30AM – 10:30AM
Saturday, June 14th, 9:30AM – 10:30AM
Flutter into a world of butterflies and pollinators! Young learners will explore the butterfly life cycle, observe pollinators in the Farmstead Gardens, and create their own wool butterflies.

This program takes place outdoors and includes walking on unpaved ground—please dress for exploration!

Sensory Story Hour is a movement-rich, interactive experience designed for children ages 3-5 and their caregivers. Through stories, song, poetry, rhymes, sensory exploration, and farm-themed activities, children will build early literacy skills while engaging with the sights, sounds, and textures of the farm. A local Vermont snack will be provided, and advance registration is recommended.

Father's Day "Base Ball" 2025
2025-06-15 10:00 - 17:00
Join us at the Farm for Father’s Day! Meet our farm animals. Tour the Farm Life exhibits. See the special exhibitions.
There will be a friendly, action-packed game of historic base ball at 2:00PM. Following rules from 1860, the game will be played on a field beyond the pastures with wood shaving baselines, canvas bases filled with straw, along with a metal pitcher’s plate and home plate. Players will use ash bat reproductions and follow the tradition of playing barehanded.
Visitors of all ages can join the team or grab some ice cream from the Farmhouse Scoop Shop and cheer from the bleachers for one of the original American pastimes. As a special Father’s Day treat Dads can enjoy a free scoop of ice cream! Father’s Day fun is included with admission.

Dairy Celebration 2025
2025-06-22 10:00 - 17:00
Celebrate Dairy Month with a deliciously fun day on the farm! From cheese lovers to curious kids, this family-friendly food and craft beverage event has something for everyone!
Taste your way through Vermont dairy favorites like Cabot, Farmstead Cheese, Green Mountain Blue Cheese, Spring Brook Farm, Billings Farm Cheese, and more. Meet the cows, explore how milk gets from field to fridge. Take a pasture walk with a farmer to explore dairy tools, regenerative agriculture and rotational grazing.
Sip and savor as Vermont Mobile Spirits mixes up their signature cocktails, available for purchase. New England Dairy’s Mobile Dairy Bar will be serving flavored milk samples and sharing insights into dairy nutrition and sustainability.
Get hands-on with butter and ice cream making, play the “From-a-cow, Not-from-a-cow” game, and take part in programs exploring how soil, plants, and cows all work together to bring dairy to your plate. From 11:00AM – 3:00PM, enjoy a horse-drawn wagon ride around the farm!
History buffs can join the Creamery Tour, explore artifacts and historic photos from the Billings-Starlake Dairy operation, and chat with our archivist to get their dairy history questions answered.
Top it all off with live music by local favorite Ali T from 11:00AM – 1:00PM, food truck fare from Sustainable Eats, and sweet treats from the Farmhouse Scoop Shop.
Join us for this joyful day of cows, culture, and culinary delights!

Members enjoy free admission to this event and all year long! Not yet a member? Join today! billingsfarm.org/join/
Purchase advance tickets online to expedite the check-in process.

Volunteer opportunities available! Have fun, get benefits and be part of the action! Shifts available from 9:00AM – 1:00PM or 1:00PM – 5:00PM on both days! Contact volunteer@billingsfarm.org or call 802-457-2355.

A Vermont Quilt Sampler
2025-06-28 10:00 - 17:00
About the 2025 Exhibition
The Vermont Quilt Sampler Exhibition is a juried exhibition open to all Vermont quilters. The exhibition will be displayed in the Billings Farm Historic Barn gallery from June 28 – September 1, 2025. The exhibition is included with admission to Billings Farm & Museum.

Submissions Accepted Monday, March 3 – Sunday, March 30

The exhibition selection committee includes members of the Billings Farm & Museum curatorial team. The committee will select approximately 50 quilts for display, featuring a spectrum of abilities and techniques. The selection committee is seeking a range of quilt styles from classic to cutting edge. Most importantly, weight will be given to quilts that tell a story or have a story behind them. Additional consideration will be given to the next generation of quilters, recognizing their important role in carrying on the quilting tradition.

Click here for more information.

Kitty Badhands: Vintage Fabric, Modern Fashion
2025-06-28 10:00 - 17:00
Kitty Badhands: Vintage Fabric, Modern Fashion showcases the art of transforming vintage textiles and damaged quilts into modern, wearable works of art. Presented alongside A Vermont Quilt Sampler exhibition, this collection explores the intersection of sustainability, history, and contemporary fashion.

Featuring four signature quilt coats, this exhibition reimagines quits, traditionally made for warmth and home use, into expressive, wearable pieces ready for the outside world. Each garment breathes new life into once-cherished textiles that might otherwise have been discarded. Sourced from eBay, antique shops, and donated heirlooms, each quilt carries histories, nostalgia, and personal connections to those who once owned them.

Visitors will also engage with educational displays on quilting techniques and a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process. One piece is crafted from an authentic Billings Farm staff uniform worn by the president of Billings-Starlake Dairy until its sale in 1976. Through this exhibition, guests can explore the thoughtful craftsmanship behind each quilt coat, from sourcing and restoring vintage fabrics to designing truly one-of-a-kind pieces.

4th on the Farm 2025
2025-07-04 10:00 - 17:00
Gather your friends and family for a fun-filled July 4th on the Farm at Billings Farm & Museum. Celebrate with horse-drawn wagon rides, ice cream-making, live music, historic “base ball”, and more from 10:00AM – 5:00PM.
At 2:00PM, step back in time for a friendly, action-packed game of historic “base ball,” played by 1860 rules, complete with wood shaving baselines, straw-stuffed canvas bases, ash bat reproductions, and barehanded play. Join the game or cheer from the bleachers!
Word lovers can put their skills to the test in youth and adult spelling bees with a 19th-century twist.
Take a stroll through the Farmstead Gardens, which feature a Victory Garden, a WWII-era initiative to promote home gardening so food processing plants could be repurposed for the war efforts.
Live music by the Rose Hip Jam Band from 11:00AM – 1:00PM will add to the celebration with Vermont-made ice cream and snacks available for purchase at the Farmhouse Scoop Shop.

Members enjoy free admission to this event and all year long! Not yet a member? Join today! billingsfarm.org/join/
Purchase advance tickets online to expedite the check-in process.

Volunteer opportunities available! Have fun, get benefits and be part of the action! Shifts available from 9:00AM – 1:00PM or 1:00PM – 5:00PM! Contact volunteer@billingsfarm.org or call 802-457-2355.

Thanks to the generous support of our 2025 Season Sponsors!

Sensory Story Time: Berry Fun
2025-07-09 09:30 - 10:30
Wednesday, July 9th, 9:30AM -10:30AM
Saturday, July 12th, 9:30AM -10:30AM
It’s a berry celebration! Young learners will discover which berries grow in Vermont, what animals love to snack on them, and fun ways to cook with them. Children will make their own strawberry shortcake sauce to enjoy with locally baked cake in the garden!

This program takes place outdoors on unpaved ground.

(Allergens: gluten, dairy & eggs)

Sensory Story Hour is a movement-rich, interactive experience designed for children ages 3-5 and their caregivers. Through stories, song, poetry, rhymes, sensory exploration, and farm-themed activities, children will build early literacy skills while engaging with the sights, sounds, and textures of the farm. A local Vermont snack will be provided, and advance registration is recommended.
