Enjoy quality time at Wakeman Town Farm with your child and a small group of other nature loving parents and kids. Together, your preschooler and you will help care for and interact with the Farm’s sheep, chicken, goats, and, of course, the Farm’s furry Alpacas. Time will be spent outdoors interacting with Farm animals, and exploring the Farm Gardens as they start to grow. Caregiver, sitter, family member, or another adult is welcome in lieu of parent. Please Note: This program will be mainly outdoors so please dress weather appropriateand a small group of other nature loving parents and kids.
Fantastic Farmhands: Ages 6- 10 Starts September - Register NOW!
In this exciting, fun-packed farm program, participants will experience life on the Farm by seasonal planting, watering, and harvesting and getting to know what daily life is like on a working farm. Fantastic Farmhands will help care for and interact with furry and feathered friends on the Farm, and will also learn about what is means to be sustainable, pollinators, compost, and other farmhand experiences by way of hands-on activities.
Little Farmers: Parent + Me Ages 0-3 New Classes Start Up 11. 12 REGISTER NOW!
Join us for an hour of quality time this fall with your child on the Farm, while connecting with other children and parents in the community. You’ll enjoy fun and developmentally appropriate experiences with your little one in a class designed to foster social skills and independence on our Farm's grounds. The highlight of this signature program is the hands-on experience visiting our furry and feathered farm friends. In this class we will be outdoors exploring the farm, visiting the animals, playing on the grounds, chatting with new friends, or simply following the kids’ interests.
Green Teen Club Ages 11-14 Starting September 18 - REGISTER NOW!
This outdoor program for kids ages 11-14 allows students to ‘un-plug’ from the digital world, reconnect with nature, and learn the ins and outs of organic farming and gardening through hands-on instruction. Green Teens will work together to help maintain the Wakeman gardens while learning about composting, and taking care of the various farm animals (chickens, ducks, goats, alpacas, sheep). Building projects and exploring how to live a sustainable lifestyle are also a part of this program. This program is great for students who like to ‘get their hands dirty’ while learning about the environment and having fun at the same time.
New! kids' yoga on the farm. Special date! Sept 7, 9:30-10:15 a.m.
Join us for a special one-off parent + child yoga class with A Child’s Pose. Outdoor on the Farm: 9/7 @ 9:30 - 10:15 a.m.
The link for registration is this.
New! kids’ Apple Baking Bonanza - one-off After-School Class with Pizza! 9.27.24
Apple Baking Bonanza - After-School Class with Pizza!
9/27/24 - 4:15 pm-5:45 pm-Ages 7 - 12. 12 participants max
In this fabulous interactive fall baking class kids will explore different ways to bake with apples while developing their culinary skills! $60 per student, includes all ingriedients and homemade pizza for dinner!
Recipes will include:
Apple Pie Dumplings-a fun and tasty twist on traditional apple pie.
Apples are wrapped in pastry and baked with plenty of spices.
Baked Apple Donuts: A healthier twist on donuts, baked with a batter that includes apple chunks and cinnamon, then glazed with a simple icing.
Chocolate-Covered Caramel Apple Slices: Sliced apples dipped in dark chocolate and adorned in caramel and assorted toppings.
Handmade Pizza - We decorate with our favorite toppings!
New: kids' farm programs for fall!
Ages - Infants to Teens
Wakeman Town Farm offers dynamic baby, children’s and teen’s programs focusing on nature, the environment and sustainable living. A warm and welcoming place to gather and grow, the educational demonstration center connects individuals through seasonal classes, programs and camps for all ages and life stages. Check out our offerings at the link below and get a jump on fall planning for your kids.
Nurturing young minds, the Wakeman farmstead is dedicated to the development and promotion of sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, community education, and eco-friendly farming.
Children have fun while learning about nature through organic gardening, crafting, and seed-to-plate cooking classes, programs and camps, empowering them with an appreciation for local agriculture and animal caring for colorful chickens, fuzzy alpacas and sheep, and playful goats.
Registration Open
Peak season! wtf seasonal farmstand now open saturdays throughout summer 9-1
Stop by the Farm on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. from early June through mid-October, for the popular WTF Farmstand. We feature a terrific lineup that includes fresh organic produce, microgreens, honey and flower bouquets grown on the Farm, and WTF logowear, in addition to rotating local artisanal products, including organic coffee, bread, pastries, extra virgin olive oils, gourmet balsamic vinegars and salsas.
A visit to the Farmstand provides a fun family outing and the opportunity to enjoy the Farm’s flower and vegetable gardens, visit the animals and chat with the farmers.
Special thanks to our sponsors BMW of Darien and MINI of Fairfield. Their sponsorship makes it possible to staff and run this community farmstand, and we couldn’t do it without their generous support!
How to raise multitudes of Milkweed and Monarchs with Alice Ely 8.19.24
How to Raise Multitudes of Milkweed Plants and Monarchs with Alice Ely 8.19.24, 7-8 pm.
Monarchs, the once plentiful beauties of yard and field, have suffered habitat loss so great that their numbers in recent years have dwindled to 10% of their peak population. They are called the ‘poster child’ for pollinator habitat protection, owing to their beauty and the remarkable feat of their annual migration to Mexico and back. Protecting Monarchs leads us to a wider awareness of the fragility of insect populations, the steady assault on their numbers through the indiscriminate use of pesticides, and the vital role that diverse native species play in keeping our planet healthy.
At this talk, you’ll learn about how to attract a bevy of egg-laying Monarchs to your garden, how to raise the odds by raising the eggs into hungry Monarch caterpillars, and finally, healthy adult Monarchs, as well as some tips on how to grow a variety of different milkweed species to help them thrive.
About the Speaker:
Alice Ely, UConn Advanced Master Gardener and Master Composter, Monarch Watch Conservation Specialist, creator of multiple public and private Monarch Waystations in Westport CT, and Mother of Monarchs, raises these marvelous butterflies as a hobby and outreach tool. She knows the sense of wonder that these remarkable creatures inspire. Learning to protect them helps teach the importance of species diversity, the dangers of widespread pesticide/herbicide use, and the critical role our own backyards play in saving the planet.
This lecture is suitable for families.
Learn To Compost 10.28 with master composter alice ely
Want to do your part in saving the planet? Why not try turning over some compost? Come learn how to save water, reduce your carbon footprint and enrich your soil, all by making ‘black gold’ at home. . .there’s an easy way that’s right for you!
Taught by UConn master composter and advanced master gardener Alice Ely.
Workshop: Fall Harvest Centerpiece in Pumpkins 10.29.24 @6:30
Join us at Wakeman Town Farm and make a creative fall harvest centerpiece inside real pumpkins — perfect for bringing in the fall season!
In this workshop, led by Master Gardener Chryse Terrill, you will learn how to create a stunning fall harvest centerpiece inside real pumpkins; these are perfect seasonal decor for your home or holiday table. Attendees will choose from a variety of natural materials, including some that have been harvested from Wakeman Town Farm's own gardens. At the end of the class, you will take home your work of art! This is a fun night out, and we welcome you to bring your own snack and beverage.
sold out! Late-summer dinner with Chef Alison Milwe Grace 8.29.24
We love our intimate al fresco dining series at the Farm, and this is our late-summer celebration, featuring the bounty from our Farm and local purveyors. Al fresco, weather permitting. Join us for a fun night out on the Farm. BYO beverages! 6:30-9 p.m.
SUMMER FARM DINNER MENU
Thursday, August 29
FIRST COURSE
Creamy Roasted Tomato Gazpacho
Buttermilk Biscuits with Jalapeño Honey Butter
SECOND COURSE
Peach Panzanella Salad with Pickled Onions, Chèvre, Toasted Pistachio
and Rose Vinaigrette
ENTREE
Deep Sea Seared Scallops with Summer Corn and Bacon “Hash”
OR
“Caprese” Grilled Filet of Beef Served Over Herb-Roasted Potatoes
DESSERT
Strawberry-Basil Key Lime “Parfaits”
sold out! Pizza on the Patio Night 8.28.24
Join us for an adults-only "Pizza on the Patio" event, part of a summer series. We'll be stoking the flames on our wood-fired pizza oven, sipping wine under our outdoor string lights. You'll enjoy piping hot individual pizzas made by Anthony K of Tony Pizza Napolitano, and one bottle of your choice of 3 wines from our friends at The Grapevine. Each order is for two guests. It includes 2 personal pizzas (you will select at checkout), one bottle of wine (choose either a white, red or rosé at checkout), plus taxes and service fees. A limited number of single tickets, and additional bottles of wine or pizzas, are also available.
Please note: There are two start times to reduce wait times for pizzas, which are made by hand. Please choose 6:30 or 7 p.m. This will help our pizzaiolo in staggering pizza output.
P.S. If we're lucky, we may have a musical guest to provide background music, so consider bringing a few bucks for tips.
Please note the policies for weather cancellations and refunds when registering. We have a no-refunds policy. No exceptions. You may transfer tickets to a friend or sell them, but you must provide us with the names of your replacements and they will get the pizzas/wines you ordered. If it rains, we will notify you of weather cancellations by 4 p.m the day of the event. If we cancel, we will refund your order minus CC and Eventbrite fees.
See you next year! Snuggle with a Baby Goat Program Sold out for the season
Here We Goat Again! Our New ‘Kids’ Have Arrived
Sign up for one of our Fun ‘Goat Togethers’!
After a looong wait, our Mama Goat, Alice, gave birth to two healthy (and adorable) baby kids! And there are more kids to follow with our other expectant Mama. We invite you and your kids to come meet our newborn kids! These seriously sweet baby Nigerian Dwarf Goats were just born on the Farm, and we invite you to meet them – come hug, cuddle and play. Some events will include bottle feeding. Baby goats are so much fun — they are naturally curious, mischievous and playful — just like your kids!
The small group experience is 30 minutes long and will be held rain or shine. Suitable for all ages, adults will enjoy the event just as much as kids! Please note our rules below:
* All adults need their own ticket
* Tickets are required for anyone over the age of 1
* Children must be accompanied by a ticket-holding adult
Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable, no exceptions. If you cannot make your visit, kindly let us know in advance as a courtesy to our animal care team. Simply email animals@wakemantownfarm.org
sold out! foraging hike and nature dinner with chef genee habansky 8.3.24
Join us on a true forage-to-table hike and dining experience! Learn from master forager Amy of CT Foraging Club how to forage and identify outdoor edibles. Hike will last 1.5 hours. Then, come to the Farm for a 5-course, elevated nature-to-table meal by Chef Genee Habansky of Herbaceous Catering. There are dinner options for vegetarians, pescatarians and carnivores. More details will be confirmed closer to event date! We can’t wait to forage & feast with you! RAIN OR SHINE, NO REFUNDS. Dinner starts at 6:15 p.m. Contact Chef Genee with questions
Sold out! kids’ summer cooking camp II- new culinary theme every day! 7.29-8.1.24
Cooking Camp II - Kitchen Whisk Adventures, Ages 6-11
7.29.24-8.1.24 - 4 Days, 12:30 pm-3 pm, Monday - Thurs., $420 pp, Max 12 students
Chef Instructors: Robyn Herman + Kathleen Blarney
By popular demand, we’ve added a new and exciting afternoon summer cooking camp where jr. chefs will learn basic cooking skills, kitchen safety, and create delicious and nutritious recipes. This hands-on experience will not only teach our campers about food but also inspire them to be creative. Such a class structure ensures that kids not only have a blast but also learn fundamental cooking skills and the importance of healthy eating in a safe and engaging environment. Each day there is a different theme! See below.
Farm-to-Table: Emphasize local, seasonal produce from our farm and teach participants how to create dishes that highlight the flavors of the ingredients at their peak. Recipes include - Roasted Vegetable Grain Bowls, Herb-Roasted Chicken and Wakeman Town Farm Peach Cobbler.
Asian Fusion: Create unique and exciting new dishes such as Korean BBQ Chicken Tacos with Asian Slaw and Japanese-Inspired Teriyaki Burgers combining elements from several cooking styles and drawing inspiration from a wide range of traditional dishes and preparing them in novel ways.
Cowboy Cookout: Dive into traditional simple yet hearty food cooked campstyle, such as a Chicken Sliders on Cornbread Muffins, Green Bean Salad, and Campfire S'mores.
Easy + Healthy: Prepare nutritious meals that are satisfying and easy to make, focusing on balanced and mindful eating. Veggie Stir Fry with Tofu, Baked Lemon Chicken and Rustic Fruit Crostata with Fresh Whipped Cream.
We often get out into the garden to hand-picking organic ingredients in this hands-on cooking experience that promotes teamwork, as well as cultural insights and concepts like seasonal eating. We enjoy the foods we prepare at the Farm.
ALLERGIES: Kindly let us know in advance about any allergies so we can determine whether or not we can accommodate, as we are a shared kitchen with multiple chefs/caterers who use common allergens.
Sold out! Little Farmers' Parent and Child Sessions Announced for July!
Join us for an hour of quality time this summer with your child on the Farm, while connecting with other children and parents in the community. You’ll enjoy fun and developmentally appropriate experiences with your little one in a class designed to foster social skills and independence on our Farm's grounds. The highlight of this signature program is the hands-on experience visiting our furry and feathered farm friends. In this class we will be outdoors exploring the farm, visiting the animals, playing on the grounds, chatting with new friends, or simply following the kids’ interests.
Individual Classes on 7/29, 7/30 or 7/31 from 2-3 pm
Age 0 - 3 years, Up to 16 participants per class
1 Parent/Caregiver & 1 Child, $35 per class
Parents are expected to participate. Caregiver, sitter, family member, or another adult is welcome in lieu of parent.
Please know the Farm does not offer refunds or exchanges should your plans change. Please consider your ticket purchase a donation to Wakeman Town Farm to help support its educational initiatives.
Sold out! Family Pizza Making Experience 7.21.24
Al Fresco Neapolitan Pizza Class (Family-Friendly!)
Sunday, July 21 - 11am -1 pm $95 adults; $50 children ages 6-12. Includes set up, instruction and materials. Every guest will receive a recipe ebook and take-home dough
Join us for a fun Sunday Pizza Experience at Westport’s Wakeman Town Farm, where you’ll learn how to make Neapolitan pizzas from Alexandra Castro, a true Neapolitan Pizza Association-Certified Chef, using the Farm’s beautiful outdoor Mugnaini wood-fired oven. During the experience, we will learn the process from start to finish, from making the Neapolitan dough, an authentic sauce, and, finally, baking the pies to perfection. This class is family-friendly, for adults and children at least 6 years old. We will be preparing the Neapolitan classic: Margherita, and enjoying it with fresh herbs from the Farm’s Gardens. Every guest will take home dough and the recipes to replicate the process at home!
You’ll learn firsthand:
-The Neapolitan method for mixing and kneading
-How to shape the dough and top it
-How to bake pizzas in a wood-fired oven
-Slice, top, and serve
The best part: We will sit outdoors (if weather cooperates) and enjoy eating our creations. You are welcome to bring your own beverages of choice. We will also have chilled waters on every table. This event is held rain or shine! The class will move indoors in the event of inclement weather.
Sold out! Family fun day July 13th 12PM - 3pm
Come to Wakeman Town Farm for the return of our biggest annual summer Family event. Kids are sure to have a blast taking part in our farm crafts and games, suitable for all ages. Be sure to walk the Farm to visit our animals, complete a scavenger hunt, watch the bubble show, and jam out to music from the band, Moss! We will have summer fun foods, such as burgers and hotdogs available for purchase, in addition to Italian ices and lemonade for all to enjoy.
ALL DAY
· Refreshing lemonade courtesy of Huntington Learning Center
· Visit our furry friends!
· Reading Room with Westport Book Shop
· Jr’s Deli and Grille Food Truck
· Cool off with Italian Ice
· Flight of the Butterflies Craft @ Pollination Station
· Marigold Seed Planting
· Tinsel Fairy and Emmy Bee Hair Station
12:00-1:00
· Bubble Man - Firepit Until 2:00 with start pushed back
· Culinary Kids Station with Chef Kathleen
· Buzzing World of Bees with Jaime Smith
1:00-3:00
· Music from the Band, Moss
· Marvelous Monarch Station with Alice Ely
Sponsored by Help for Kids
THANK YOU Help for Kids, Huntington Learning Center, Westport Book Shop, Jr’s Deli and Grille, The Tinsel Fairy, Emmy Bee Creative and WTF Volunteers and Staff!
If not purchasing a family ticket, all adults require their own ticket. All children require their own ticket for capacity purposes but tickets for children ages 2 or younger are free.
Children must be accompanied by a ticket-holding adult.
Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable; no exceptions.
** No Rain Date. In case of severely inclement weather, we will cancel by Saturday 10AM. Due to opportunity costs and vendor fees, we cannot provide refunds.
Sold out! Latin-Inspired Summer Supper Class with Chef Raquel Rivera 7.24.24
Summer Latin-Inspired Cooking with Chef Raquel Rivera
Wed July 24 @7 p.m.
In this summer dinner class, we will be whipping up a flavorful Latin-inspired meal, perfect for al fresco dining while sipping homemade sangria!
Let's get cooking with Chef Raquel. We're making:
Sofrito chicken, cilantro & lime rice, vegan black beans w/ sweet plantains and Spanish Salad.
For fun, we'll also be enjoying homemade Sangria! Dessert is churros with chocolate dipping sauce.
BYOB: Feel free to bring wine or other beverage of choice
Chef Bio: Chef Raquel graduated with highest honors from the Institute of Culinary Education after completing her externship at Le Bernardin. After working for catering companies Raquel began teaching at a few NYC based cooking studios until opening A Pinch of Salt over 10 years ago. Chef Raquel teaches cooking fundamentals to all ages, focusing on healthy, seasonal, inexpensive meals that are culturally sensitive and delicious. Furthermore, she has trained adults desiring employment in the culinary field who are now vendors of the Bridgeport Farmers Market Collaborative. In 2010 Chef Raquel’s work was recognized with an invitation to the White House South Lawn as a part of First Lady Obama’s Let’s Move initiative and in 2019 she was awarded Women Business of the Year by the Southern CT Black Chambers of Commerce.