Letter from the Executive Director

October 10, 2006

Welcome to our evolving website, and as always, welcome to the farm! 

We had a fun Farm Fair, despite the grey skies, and a terific auction and fundraising dinner. Many thanks to our venue hosts, Margery and Irwin Muskat, our volunteers, donors and of course our guests!  Over $11,000 was raised for operating expenses and special projects at the farm!!  Click HERE for more information about our fabulous fundraiser!!


Haunted Tales
Looking for a family friendly Halloween event for all ages?? Join us for an eerie night at the farm for our third annual spine-tingling special program "Tales from Haunted New England"!  Enjoy a hayride out to the crackling bonfire and listen to professionally told, mysterious stories from Bedford.. And BEYOND!!!  Dress for the weather, bring a flashlight, glow sticks, a blanket to sit on, and one to snuggle up with!  Mulled apple cider, s'mores supplies, and cookies will be for sale!  Stories are appropriate for all ages.

Our storyteller, Angela Klingler, is the Founder of the Merrimack Valley Storytellers Guild and a recent president of the League for the Advancement of New England Storytelling.  Telling professionally since 1989, she has garnered national recognition at arts festivals, museums, schools, and libraries across the country, and her audio “Faire Tales” is a National Parenting Publications Award winner.

Dates are October 21st and October 28th at 5:30 p.m.  The program lasts approximately 90 minutes.  Reservations are suggested but not required. $10 per adult, $8 12 and under, ages three and under are free.  .  Call 472-4724 for more information.

Annual Christmas Tree Sale
Back by popular demand, once again this year we will be offering our Premium Christmas Trees  every weekend in December, from 10 - 4. Our NH grown Frasers and Balsam trees are cut fresh as late in the season as possible.  We will have a great selection of super premium extra tall trees this year for those special entrance ways and great rooms.  We will be selling baked goods and will have hot chocolate and mulled cider available again this year, holiday crafts for the kids in our heated discovery room, and of course our  fuzzy animals to pet and feed in the barn.

Introducing Year Round Pony Programs!
Two new programs for pony crazy kids! Each program runs for 4 weeks, and lasts approximately 45 mins. Moms, dads, or guardians work with their child in fun games that teach about horses, develop riding skills, aid in physical and cognitive development and stress safety. The parent or guardian is an active participant in the lessons, leading the pony and helping with other lesson activities. 

Little Boots, for toddlers thu age 4, and Peanuts on Ponies, for ages 4 and 5. Classes available M- F, morning and early afternoon. Fee is $100 per monthly session. For more information, click here.

Our fall Natural Horsemanship program is well under way, there are a few openings in our afternoon classes. I am also accepting registrations for private lessons during the day, for ages 4 on up through adults. Click here for more information on our unique riding program.


Kind  Regards,

Carol Lake Whitson

Carol Lake Whitson
Executive Director


GUIDELINES
for FARM VOLUNTEERS
THE EDUCATIONAL FARM
At  JOPPA HILL
a 501 (c) 3 organization
Volunteer Opportunities at The Educational Farm

The Educational Farm's  Volunteer Staff
The Educational Farm is atypical for not-for-profit organizations, particularly one so large. There are no professional fundraisers on staff. There are no public relations people on staff. There is no bureaucracy. We depend almost exclusively on volunteers.

Volunteer Training
Volunteer training is available by appointment.  All volunteers must attend an orientation session before working at the farm. Volunteers must be 16 yrs old or older, or have a guardian or parent with them at all times.

We welcome girl scout, boy scout and other commununity service organizations for group or individual projects.  Email our Executive Director at Lin.EFJH@comcast.net, or call us at the farm office at 603/472-4724.

Essential to Our Success
The services provided by volunteers are essential to the success of all our endeavors. Appropriate forms must be completed: Release of Liability, Emergency Medical Contacts, and a volunteer data sheet which lists, volunteer desires, available times/dates, special skills, etc. is also filled out, and a log of volunteer hours.

Farm Maintenance
We always need help with general cleanup (raking, mowing, weedwacking, etc.),  barn and fence painting, trails (both design, building and maintenance) maintaining colorful, informative  kiosks,  individuals to serve as school liaisons, help distributing  flyers, light carpentry,  and plumbing.

Graphic design
Like scrapbooking? Maybe you would like to help us design and decorate our Kiosks? We have three fronts to our Eagle Scout designed kiosks that need to be updated on a regular basis. We also regularly need event signs designed and created, and signage for the farm, garden and trails.

Farm animal care
Interested in caring for a specific animal here at the farm? Have experience with goats, or sheep, or small animals like chickens? Let us know!

Office and administrative work
Much essential work is performed behind the scenes by our volunteer force. Answering the phone, preparing mailing lists, helping organize special events, fundraising, all fall within the range of volunteers.

Flyer distribution
We need lots of people to distribute special event and program flyers to schools, bulletin boards and other locations.

House Parties
Help us spread the word about our special programs and events! Host a house party! We will help you organiz e a fun party, bring an interactive presentation even make a craft with your guests!

Garden Volunteering
Like to garden? Come enjoy our breathtaking scenery and our growing demonstration garden. Help with weeding, planting, and harvesting crops and flower gardens.

Agricultural Education Programming
Like teaching children about  animals and the natural world? Have a passion for igniting a child's enthusiasm for science? Come be an educational docent, assist with our summer agricultural or horsemanship camps, our vacation camps, or our after school programs. Become an outreach volunteer and travel to schools and nursing homes, hospitals and special events with our traveling farm.

Care for Our Animals
All of our animals need attention and care. They must be fed and groomed regularly, and volunteers help with such activities. In fact Educational Farm volunteers are given training in animal related matters, from mucking stalls to helping with handling of the animals.

Learn More
If you would like to learn more about volunteer opportunities at  The Educational Farm, please call our administrative office at 603 472-4724. Volunteers should be at least 16 years of age. Under 16 may volunteer with a parent or guardian.






The Educational Farm at Joppa Hill
174 Joppa Hill Road
Bedford, NH 03110
(603) 472-4724
e-mail: Info.EFJH@comcast.net