ROCKPORT – This May, Maine Coast Heritage Trust invites youth ages 10 to 18 to get up close and personal with the Belted Galloway calves at Aldermere Farm, a historic saltwater farm preserve located at 20 Russell Avenue in Rockport.

Starting May 8, Aldermere Farm will host a three-week long session of Farm Hands, a free, hands-on program for youth to practice haltering, grooming, and leading young calves. Participants will 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 full-grown.

Farm Hands will run every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30-5 p.m. Space is limited. Registration is recommended by Friday, April 27. To register, contact the Aldermere Farm office at (207) 236-2739 or email jalbury@mcht.org.

Generous support from donors makes this educational program free for every participant. More information about Maine Coast Heritage Trust and Aldermere Farm is available online at www.mcht.org and www.aldermere.org.