Visiting the Farm
For the safety of our staff and rescued animals, we do not allow drop-in visits. Thank you for your understanding.
Want to visit? Tours are available by appointment only - see below. We are open to the public during scheduled events - see the Events Page.
Book a Tour
You can book at one-hour private tour to visit the sanctuary, meet the animals, and hear their stories. Or you can sign-up for a semi-private tour above.
Tours are a great way to see the sanctuary and experience the animals.
The donation amount for a private tour is $25 per person (private tours have a $75 minimum).
Tours are generally available in the afternoons at 2:00 pm.
Guidelines for your health and safety:
We are wheelchair and stroller accessible
Visitors should be dressed to be outside and wear closed-toed shoes
No feeding of animals is permitted
Children should be directly supervised, and small children should be kept within reach
Visitors will need to sign a waiver form prior to visiting the sanctuary for all participants attending the tour
If you would like to bring something for the animals, please see our wishlists on the How Can I Help page
Kids & Schools
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We have specific programs for kids to visit the sanctuary - See our Events Page to sign up
Toddler Storytime at the Sanctuary
Bring your younger children to read a farm themed book and take a wander through the sanctuary to meet the animals.
After-School Animal Welfare Program for children age 9 and older
We offer a 6-week program for children ages 9 and older. Kids spend time at the sanctuary Mondays from 3:30 to 5:30 pm helping care for the animals and learning about animal welfare.
Open Barn Days and other scheduled events are a great time to bring your children to the farm. Visit our events page.
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Join us at The Merrymac Farm Sanctuary the first Saturday of each month from 9am-noon to be a part of our TEEN volunteer team. This allows students to come together and share their love for animals, as well as volunteer at the sanctuary to learn more about the wonderful residents who live here.
Things to KNOW:
-You must sign up prior to coming so the waiver and appropriate paperwork can be signed by a guardian
-You must respect that you are at a sanctuary and behave appropriately. First and foremost this is a home for abused or neglected animals that live here forever, and they must be respected.
-You can only bring vegan snacks to the sanctuary to eat while you are here. We are hoping to get going folks to work towards signing up to bring and share snacks
-You must wear long pants and boots at the farm. It keeps you safe and allows you more freedom to interact with the animals.
What will you do at the SANCTUARY?
On Saturdays, the “club” will allow students to work with staff and other volunteers at MMFS, but they will also have some “teen” time to talk about humane education, sanctuary ideas, social media filming/tech involvement if desired, animal care of our residents that live here, and also just have some social time with like-minded individuals.
Who can come?
Any current 9-12 grade students in the surrounding area. We are a fully inclusive farm that welcomes any and all individuals. We are very LGBQT+ friendly and a safe spot for all. Be kind to all – that is who we are!
Fee: Suggested Donation of $10/month to help start a scholarship fund for our high school internship program as well as supply vegan snacks!
How to sign up?
Any Questions?
Questions about the program can be directed to Era MacDonald, Executive Director at MMFS @802-448-2377 or email at merrymacfarm@gmail.com
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We choose up to 3 schools per year to work with the sanctuary on year-long projects. The school group visits the sanctuary once a month to learn about the animals and help with their care. The partnering school is expected to bring back knowledge and experiences from the sanctuary into the classroom curriculum.
Ideas on how to connect your curriculum to the sanctuary:
Elementary students: art, reading and writing about animal welfare and farmed animals, lessons on social justice, lessons empathy and equity with animals
High School students: lessons on service and supporting local nonprofits, big picture ideas on environmental impact of farmed animals, farmed animal industry, and animal sanctuaries
Students will be expected to be dressed to be outside in all weather and around hay/fur/feathers. Please be aware of students' allergies/asthma needs. Only vegan snacks at the farm may be given out.
School group applications are due by May 15 to start visits in September.
Internships
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Merrymac Farm Sanctuary will be offering a seven week internship for incoming 9th graders through graduating seniors of high school for the summer of 2024. The internship will consist of joining the sanctuary Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8 am - 1 pm to learn about the care and wellbeing of our resident animals. Interns will assist in feeding, turnout, cleaning, medicating, observing any farrier/vet work that is happening at these times. Each intern will also have classroom time to learn about each of the species of animals that reside at MMFS. This will allow the students to gain more in-depth knowledge by taking a deeper look into the day-to-day operations of running a sanctuary, how best to care for individualized animals, as well as learning about herd management, and to see the many daily occurrences that take place when you have over 125 animals to care for.
Who is this best suited for?
Students interested in humane education, students interested in pursuing fields of Vet Tech/Veterinary Medicine, Vegetarian/Vegan Communities, or students interested in day-to-day operations of a sanctuary.
How do I apply?
Students should submit an email to the farm at merrymacfarm@gmail.com explaining their interest and commitment to joining MMFS for our seven week internship. Why do you think you would be a good fit? How can you contribute to MMFS?
What would you most want to learn by interning at MMFS?
Things to consider: We realize folks travel and have some commitments in the summer months, but please look at the dates and make sure you will not be missing more than two days. We are hoping for this core group of students to work together and learn from each other; therefore, we need students to be committed.
Fee: There is a fee of $550.00 for the seven weeks. We encourage all students to apply who are interested. Some scholarship funds are available if proven necessary.
Dates: June 25, 27 July 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, Aug. 30, 1, 6 and 8
Questions about the program can be directed to Era MacDonald, Executive Director at MMFS @802-448-2377 or merrymacfarm@gmail.com
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Summary:
If you love animals and want to make the world a more compassionate place for all living beings, consider applying for an internship at Merrymac Farm Sanctuary.
We’re looking for passionate and talented people to intern in the areas of animal care, marketing/social media, and educational programs.
Internships at MMFS offer the unique opportunity of working at a farmed animal sanctuaries.
You will:
Learn from and interacting with our animal residents
Work with like-minded people who are committed to animal welfare
Gain experience for future employment and life
Make professional contacts and references
Have the potential for academic credit
About Internships:
Internships are unpaid positions
Typical internships last a minimum of two months and require a minimum commitment of 10 hours per week. Generally shifts are two mornings during the weekdays from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
Candidates should be opposed to animal cruelty in all forms, and support MMFS’s mission
Vegans and vegetarians are encouraged to apply
Internships are available year round, and positions are filled on an ongoing basis as applications are received.
Interns will submit a proposal for area of study and goals to be accomplished during the internship
Work Environment:
Animal care interns will work in an outdoor barn setting with exposure to the elements.
Education and marketing/social media interns may occasionally work outdoors
All interns may be exposed to allergens including feathers and fur from farm animals
Animal care interns will be required to engage in physical farm labor up to an including standing and walking for extended periods of time, bending, pushing, pulling, and lifting up to 50 pounds.
Strong organizational skills and communication skills are required