300th Anniversary Celebration Weekend @ Nourse Farm!!!

Saturday and Sunday, June 18-19th, 2022 – 11:00-4:00

Since 1722, Nourse Farm has been a family owned and operated business, making us the 15th oldest continuously running business in the US. As we mark our 300th anniversary, we are proud that members of the 8th, 9th and 10th generation of Nourses remain active on the farm. To celebrate our tricentennial year, we are excited to host the community at a weekend-long celebration on the farm that will include music, history, agricultural demonstrations, food and family fun. Thanks to the Westborough Cultural Council for contributing to our program!

Saturday, June 18th Scheduled Events:
All events are within easy walking distance of the Farm store

• 300th Dedication (12:00-12:30 pm): Congressional Representative Jim McGovern, local Elected Officials and Farm Bureau Leadership will kick off the 300th anniversary with a dedication of Nourse Farm’s Tri-centennial plaque.
• Music on the mainstage (1:00-1:45; 3:00-3:45): Come enjoy the bluegrass of Pieces of Grain as well as acoustic guitar by 9th Generation Nourse Ben Nourse Gross.
• Oxen Plowing (11:15-12:00; 1:00-1:45; 3:00-3:45): In the pasture behind the Farm Store. Try your hand at plowing as it was practiced in the 19th century!
• Hay Ride (Every hour on the half hour – from 11:30 onwards): Tour the farm on our hay wagon and learn about Nourse Farm’s history and agricultural production.
• Draft Horse Harnessing (11:15-12:00; 2:15-3:00): West side of barns. Join Karen Baldwin and her draft horse Molly for harnessing demonstrations.
• Petting Zoo (11:00-4:00): Lane next to Barn. Get up close and personal with baby goats.
• Children’s Activities (2:00-3:00): Food Tent. Drawing and Crafts to create your own memory of Nourse Farm
• Video History (11:00-4:00): Barn to the right of the farm store. Learn about the history of Nourse Farm and the stories of those who have worked there.
• Farm Store (11:00-4:00): Open and offering jam, honey, maple syrup, baked goods, our own asparagus, and other vegetables.
• Food Trucks (11:00-4:00): Veg Out, Nourse Farm’s own food truck and others will be serving a variety of plant-forward and animal protein meals
• Tractor Touch (11:00-4:00): Tractors and farm equipment will be on display to the left of the Farm Store next to Veg Out; feel free to touch, climb on, and photograph these modern-day work horses.
• Farm Talk (1:30-2:00): Barn to the right of the farm store. Learn about agriculture at Nourse Farm from Farmer Jon Nourse.
• Cow Talk (3:00-3:30): West side of Barns. Learn about Nourse Farm’s Hereford Herd from David Nourse.
• Walking Trail (11:00-4:00): Hike a self-guiding trail to the top of the hill behind the House and Barns where there are great views of the Farm, its growing crops and the surrounding countryside. Younger participants can test their observation skills and complete a scavenger hunt hand-out.

Sunday, June 19th Scheduled Events:
All events are within easy walking distance of the Farm store

• Music on the mainstage (12:00-1:00; 1:00-1:45; 2:00-3:00): Come enjoy the bluegrass of the Ruta Beggars, local legend Luann Crosby, and acoustic guitar by 9th Generation Nourse Ben Nourse Gross.
• Hay Ride (Every hour on the half hour – from 11:30 onwards): Tour the farm on our hay wagon and learn about Nourse Farm’s history and agricultural production.
• Petting Zoo (11:00-4:00): Get up close and personal with baby goats.
• Video History (11:00-4:00): Barn to the right of the farm store. Learn about the history of Nourse Farm and the stories of those who have worked there.
• Farm Store (11:00-4:00): Open and offering jam, honey, maple syrup, baked goods, our own asparagus, and other vegetables.
• Food Trucks (11:00-4:00): Veg Out, Nourse Farm’s own food truck and others will be serving a variety of plant-forward and animal protein meals
• Tractor Touch (11:00-4:00): Tractors and farm equipment will be on display to the left of the Farm Store next to Veg Out; feel free to touch, climb on, and photograph these modern-day work horses.
• Draft Horse Harnessing (11:45-12:30; 2:00-2:45): West side of barns. Join Karen Baldwin and her draft horse Molly for harnessing demonstrations.
• Children’s Activities (11:00-12:00; 2:00-3:00): Food Tent. Drawing and Crafts to create your own memory of Nourse Farm.
• Walking Trail (11:00-4:00): Hike a self-guiding trail to the top of the hill behind the House and Barns where there are great views of the Farm, its growing crops and the surrounding countryside. Younger participants can test their observation skills and complete a scavenger hunt hand-out.
• Geology Hike (2:00 pm): Starts in front of the Farm Store. Join local geologist Andy Koenigsberg on a one-hour hike to explore the farm’s geology, learning how the soils and features of the farm were formed by the advance and retreat of glaciers. The hike will traverse the farms’ hills and dales (including some muddy parts), so wear your hiking shoes!
• Farm Talk (1:00-1:30; 2:30-3:00): Barn to the right of the farm store. Learn about agriculture at Nourse Farm from Farmer Jon Nourse.
• Cow Talk (3:00-3:30): West side of Barns. Learn about Nourse Farm’s Hereford Herd from David Nourse.

Parking: When coming from Route 30, park along the east (left) side of Jasper Street, parallel to the sidewalk. From West Main Street, park in the lot to the left (follow the signs and/or look for the parking attendant for direction.) During the event, all traffic is one way from Route 30 to West Main Street. Please take care when parking your vehicle and look out for pedestrians!

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Westborough Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.