ROCKPORT — Maine Coast Heritage Trust, a statewide land conservation organization, invites the public to Aldermere Farm & Erickson Fields’ Fall Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 14 (rain date Oct. 15). This free, family-friendly event will be held from 1 to 4 p.m., at Erickson Fields Preserve, 164 West Street, Rockport. 

“It’s fall harvest time and there’s a lot to celebrate,” said Aaron Englander, interim director of Aldermere Farm and Erickson Fields Preserve.

September through early November, the Teen Ag Crew typically harvest 60+% of their food bank garden’s annual yield at Erickson Fields. At Aldermere Farm, the fall calves are being born. 

During the Fall Celebration, attendees can take a self-guided tour at Erickson Fields and learn about the agricultural programs run at Aldermere Farm and Erickson Fields. Meet an Aldermere Belted Galloway cow, enter a free raffle to win a gift basket of Erickson produce and Aldermere beef, and explore the Teen Ag Crew’s 4-acre garden which last year produced 19,514 lbs. of fresh produce for food pantries, share tables, free farm stands, and public school lunches. 

At 2 p.m., Englander will give a brief talk about MCHT’s community work and regenerative agriculture practiced at both farm preserves.

The Knox County Gleaners and Teen Ag Crew will give hands-on demonstrations of how the produce grown at Erickson Fields is harvested, washed, and packed for delivery. Stone Fox Farm Creamery’s ice cream truck will serve home-made ice cream. 

Attendees will also learn about the Aldermere & Erickson Campaign that Maine Coast Heritage Trust has launched to raise at least $3 million for critical new infrastructure and equipment at Aldermere Farm and Erickson Fields. “These improvements will enhance our food security efforts and give us more time for programming, gardening, and food distribution,” says Englander. 

In the event of rain, the event will be moved to Sunday, October 15, from 1 - 4 p.m. 

For more information about this event, Aldermere Farm, Erickson Fields, and Maine Coast Heritage Trust, visit mcht.org and aldermere.org or call 207-236-2739.