ROCKPORT – This fall Aldermere Farm, a preserve of Maine Coast Heritage Trust, invites youth ages 10 to 18 to get up close and personal with belted Galloway calves. Starting Sept. 21, Aldermere's herd manager, Heidi Baker, will lead a six-week session of Farm Hands, a free, experiential program for youth to practice haltering, grooming and leading young calves.

Participants learn about agriculture and best practices for handling livestock while providing an important community service to the farm by helping train calves so they are easier to manage when they are full-grown.

Farm Hands will run every Monday from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the historic Aldermere Farm, located at 20 Russell Ave. in Rockport. Space is limited to eight participants. Registration is recommended by Friday, Sept. 11. To register, contact the office at 207-236-2739 or email jlucas@mcht.org.

Generous support from donors makes this educational program free to every participant. More information about the Aldermere Farm preserve and its community programs is available online at aldermere.org.