Common Ground | For the Community

FOR THE COMMUNITY

Over the next year, Common Ground will present a diverse slate of public programs to celebrate the wonders of the farm and the forest. We hope you will join us here at our 20 acre haven on the edge of the city. Come participate in the life of the farm, enjoy the beauty of the New England landscape, and explore the science of the natural world.

Beyond offering a chance to get your hands dirty, our programs reveal the deeper messages of the farm and forest. These places have stories to tell about the environmental challenges we face as a people. How will we reduce our ecological footprint in order to preserve the splendor and sustenance of nature here at home and across the globe? Practices modeled at Common Ground offer some suggestions and solutions. We hope you’ll come learn and take action with us.

To view our complete program catalog for the year, click here.

For information on how to register for these programs, click here.

March

Winterfest (Sat, March 20, 11:00 – 2:00)

New England forests are rich in natural resources, the sweetest of which is maple syrup! Families are invited to enjoy nature in the winter and learn about the sap to syrup process. See tapped trees, taste raw sap, and participate in a maple syrup taste-test. Watch the wood-fired evaporator at work and warm up by a campfire in the woods. Finally, head inside for brunch featuring locally made maple syrup, pancakes, and Common Ground raised eggs and bacon. Families are encouraged to explore the forest trails independently and to bring sleds to use on nearby slopes. Admission is $8 per person for ages 6 through adult; ages 5 and under are free. In the event of SEVERE weather, this event will be re-scheduled for Saturday, March 27. Please call for weather updates.

April

Open Farm Day,"Ask the Farmer," and seed starting workshop (Sat, April 3, 10:00 – 2:00)

Greet springtime on the farm! Enjoy the greenhouse full of seedlings, search for emerging perennials in the garden, visit the farm animals, and find out what early spring crops you can prepare to plant in your garden. Farm staff will be available to help beginning though expert gardeners with garden advice and tips, from planning and planting to tricky garden problems and pests. A wide variety of seeds and organic soil will be available for starting your own vegetables, flowers, and herbs to take home. Event and advice are free, started seed trays are $8 ½ flat (12 cells), $16 for a whole flat (24 cells).

Open Farm Day and garden volunteer crew (Sat, April 10, 10:00 – 2:00)

Spring arrives with many jobs to be done on the farm. Learn to prepare your home garden for planting as you help us to add compost, dig and turn garden beds, mulch pathways, and plant early spring crops. Please come dressed to get dirty; gloves and tools will be provided. Projects are intended for adults; children ages 12 and up may participate with a parent. The farm is also open for non-volunteers to explore and enjoy. This is a free event.

Open Farm Day and garden volunteer crew (Sat, April 17, 10:00 – 2:00)

The farm is a busy place in the spring! Take a walk in the gardens, peek at the baby chickens, and enjoy the feeling of life and energy on the farm. Adults ages 18 and up are invited to join us in getting dirty and making the garden ready for planting. Mid-April tasks may include hauling compost, putting up fences, planting peas, and shaping garden beds. This is a free event.

Earth Day Family Camping (Thurs, April 22 – Fri, April 23, 6:00 PM – 10:00 AM)

Camping at Common Ground is a great way to celebrate Earth Day! Bring your own picnic dinner, roast marshmallows at the campfire, and participate in an optional guided night hike through West Rock. Friday morning, help with farm chores and enjoy a farm fresh breakfast including eggs from our chickens and other seasonal foods from the farm. $85 for a private cabin that holds up to 10 people, $35 to rent a tent that holds up to 4 people, $10 plus $5 per person ages 6 and up if you bring your own tent. Pre-Registration required; click here for online registration.

Open Farm Day and Rock to Rock Bicycle Ride (Sat, April 24)

Join several hundred cyclists, park lovers, friends and families on a bike ride across New Haven, connecting East Rock and West Rock, raising funds to support our parks and local environmental organizations. See www.rocktorock.org for registration and event details. Can’t make the ride? The farm is open for exploring, enjoying, and watching the riders arrive at the end of their route. Open Farm Day runs from 10-2; see www.rocktorock.org for the ride start time.

Full Moon Campfire & Night Hike (Tues, April 27, 6:00 – 8:30)

Experience the sights and sounds of the nocturnal forest as we stargaze, roast marshmallows, and take a guided hike. Campfire is appropriate for all ages; guided night hike is recommended for ages 6 and up. Please bring a flashlight. This is a free event.

May

Open Farm Day meet baby chicks (Sat, May 1, 10:00 – 2:00)

Did you know that not all chicks are yellow? Visit to the farm and meet our mother hens and their new baby chicks. Learn about the amazing journey from egg to chick and take home information about free-range, humanely raised poultry and eggs. This is a free event.

Family Camping (Fri, May 7 – Sat, May 8, 6:00 PM – 10:00 AM)

Camping at Common Ground is a great way to connect with nature in the city. Bring your own picnic dinner, roast marshmallows at the campfire, and participate in an optional guided night hike through West Rock. Saturday morning, help with farm chores and enjoy a farm fresh breakfast including eggs from our chickens and other seasonal foods from the farm. $85 for a private cabin that holds up to 10 people, $35 to rent a tent that holds up to 4 people, $10 plus $5 per person ages 6 and up if you bring your own tent. Pre-Registration required; click here for online registration.

Open Farm Day (Sat, May 8, 10:00 – 2:00)

Visit Common Ground in springtime to wander in the garden, sit in the chicken yard, watch butterflies in the wildflower field, or take a self-guided hike on the Old Oak Nature Trail. Farm staff will answer your questions and share the farm with you.

Open Farm Day and Home Composting Basics: Backyard Bins and Wiggly Worms (Sat, May 15, 10:00 – 2:00)

The farm is open for self-guided exploration in the gardens and visits to our family of friendly farm animals. For those who want a more in-depth experience, join us for Backyard Bins and Wiggly Worms. In this workshop for adults, we will cover several methods and systems for home composting. Learn to set up a backyard compost bin, what to put in it, and how to manage it. We will also talk about vermicomposting, or composting with red worms! Vermicomposting happens in small, self-contained bins that are kept indoors, so access to a backyard is not necessary. Participants will observe and learn about our on-site worm bins and take home information and resources for starting their own worm family! Workshop runs 10:00 – 12:00. $25 per person; pre-registration required. Open Farm Day is free.

Seedling Sale & Farm Festival (Sat, May 22, 10:00 – 3:00)

Enjoy Common Ground’s annual ORGANIC SEEDLING SALE and SPRING FARM FESTIVAL! The organic seedling sale features strong, healthy seedlings for your home garden. Choose from heirloom and hybrid varieties of tomatoes, hot and sweet peppers, broccoli, kale, parsley, basil, cucumbers, eggplant, and more. Seedlings priced from $1.00 - $4.00. At the Farm Festival, celebrate community and the beginning of the growing season as you enjoy tractor-pulled hayrides, music, face-painting, ice cream making, games, visits to the animals, live sheep shearing, and our 4th annual school-wide tag sale and bake sale. Admission to all events is FREE!

Campfire & Night Hike (Tues, May 25, 6:00 – 8:30)

Open Farm Day (Sat, May 29, 10:00 – 2:00)

Our 1 acre-organic garden is open for visitors to enjoy. Late May should bring lettuce and peas in the garden, herbs in the perennial beds, and chicks and piglets in the animal yards. Bring a picnic lunch and come spend an afternoon on the farm! This is a free event.

June

Family Camping (Fri, June 4 – Sat, June 5, 6:00 PM – 10:00 AM)

Open Farm Day and guided hike to Judges Cave (Sat, June 5, 10:00 – 2:00)

Visit the animals, explore the gardens, or relax and watch the dragonflies swooping over frog pond. At 12:30, farm staff will lead a hike to Judge’s Cave, a historic West Rock landmark and a perfect spot to enjoy the view from high above the city. Hike is moderate difficulty, about 25 minutes of mostly uphill ascent, and about 15 minutes to go back down. This is a free event.

Open Farm Day and Summer Camp Open House (Sat, June 12, 10:00 – 2:00)

Visit the farm in June to taste early summer garden treats and spend time with the farm animals. Summer Camps are usually fully enrolled by June, but this is a great time for registered families to stop in and see the campus, fill out any remaining paperwork, and meet some of the camp staff. This is a free event.

Campfire & Night Hike (Tues, June 15, 6:00 – 8:30)

Open Farm Day (Sat, June 19, 10:00 – 2:00)

Visit Common Ground in early summer to wander in the garden, sit in the chicken yard, watch butterflies in the wildflower field, or take a self-guided hike on the Old Oak Nature Trail. Farm staff will answer your questions and share the farm with you.

Open Farm Day (Sat, June 26, 12:00 – 3:00)

Take a self-guided tour of our beautiful urban, organic farm. Sample herbs in the garden, see the blossoming vegetable plants and buzzing honey bees, and visit the farm animals. Free for all ages.


	For the community FOR THE COMMUNITY Over the next year, Common Ground will present a diverse slate of public programs to celebrate the wonders of the farm and the forest. We hope you will join us here at our 20 acre haven on the edge of the city. Come participate in the life of the farm, enjoy the beauty of the New England landscape, and explore the science of the natural world. Beyond offering a chance to get your hands dirty, our programs reveal the deeper messages of the farm and forest. These places have stories to tell about the environmental challenges we face as a people. How will we reduce our ecological footprint in order to preserve the splendor and sustenance of nature here at home and across the globe? Practices modeled at Common Ground offer some suggestions and solutions. We hope you’ll come learn and take action with us. To view our complete program catalog for the year, click here. For information on how to register for these programs, click here. March Winterfest (Sat, March 20, 11:00 – 2:00) New England forests are rich in natural resources, the sweetest of which is maple syrup! Families are invited to enjoy nature in the winter and learn about the sap to syrup process. See tapped trees, taste raw sap, and participate in a maple syrup taste-test. Watch the wood-fired evaporator at work and warm up by a campfire in the woods. Finally, head inside for brunch featuring locally made maple syrup, pancakes, and Common Ground raised eggs and bacon. Families are encouraged to explore the forest trails independently and to bring sleds to use on nearby slopes. Admission is $8 per person for ages 6 through adult; ages 5 and under are free. In the event of SEVERE weather, this event will be re-scheduled for Saturday, March 27. Please call for weather updates. April Open Farm Day,"Ask the Farmer," and seed starting workshop (Sat, April 3, 10:00 – 2:00) Greet springtime on the farm! Enjoy the greenhouse full of seedlings, search for emerging perennials in the garden, visit the farm animals, and find out what early spring crops you can prepare to plant in your garden. Farm staff will be available to help beginning though expert gardeners with garden advice and tips, from planning and planting to tricky garden problems and pests. A wide variety of seeds and organic soil will be available for starting your own vegetables, flowers, and herbs to take home. Event and advice are free, started seed trays are $8 ½ flat (12 cells), $16 for a whole flat (24 cells). Open Farm Day and garden volunteer crew (Sat, April 10, 10:00 – 2:00) Spring arrives with many jobs to be done on the farm. Learn to prepare your home garden for planting as you help us to add compost, dig and turn garden beds, mulch pathways, and plant early spring crops. Please come dressed to get dirty; gloves and tools will be provided. Projects are intended for adults; children ages 12 and up may participate with a parent. The farm is also open for non-volunteers to explore and enjoy. This is a free event. Open Farm Day and garden volunteer crew (Sat, April 17, 10:00 – 2:00) The farm is a busy place in the spring! Take a walk in the gardens, peek at the baby chickens, and enjoy the feeling of life and energy on the farm. Adults ages 18 and up are invited to join us in getting dirty and making the garden ready for planting. Mid-April tasks may include hauling compost, putting up fences, planting peas, and shaping garden beds. This is a free event. Earth Day Family Camping (Thurs, April 22 – Fri, April 23, 6:00 PM – 10:00 AM) Camping at Common Ground is a great way to celebrate Earth Day! Bring your own picnic dinner, roast marshmallows at the campfire, and participate in an optional guided night hike through West Rock. Friday morning, help with farm chores and enjoy a farm fresh breakfast including eggs from our chickens and other seasonal foods from the farm. $85 for a private cabin that holds up to 10 people, $35 to rent a tent that holds up to 4 people, $10 plus $5 per person ages 6 and up if you bring your own tent. Pre-Registration required; click here for online registration. Open Farm Day and Rock to Rock Bicycle Ride (Sat, April 24) Join several hundred cyclists, park lovers, friends and families on a bike ride across New Haven, connecting East Rock and West Rock, raising funds to support our parks and local environmental organizations. See www.rocktorock.org for registration and event details. Can’t make the ride? The farm is open for exploring, enjoying, and watching the riders arrive at the end of their route. Open Farm Day runs from 10-2; see www.rocktorock.org for the ride start time. Full Moon Campfire & Night Hike (Tues, April 27, 6:00 – 8:30) Experience the sights and sounds of the nocturnal forest as we stargaze, roast marshmallows, and take a guided hike. Campfire is appropriate for all ages; guided night hike is recommended for ages 6 and up. Please bring a flashlight. This is a free event. May Open Farm Day meet baby chicks (Sat, May 1, 10:00 – 2:00) Did you know that not all chicks are yellow? Visit to the farm and meet our mother hens and their new baby chicks. Learn about the amazing journey from egg to chick and take home information about free-range, humanely raised poultry and eggs. This is a free event. Family Camping (Fri, May 7 – Sat, May 8, 6:00 PM – 10:00 AM) Camping at Common Ground is a great way to connect with nature in the city. Bring your own picnic dinner, roast marshmallows at the campfire, and participate in an optional guided night hike through West Rock. Saturday morning, help with farm chores and enjoy a farm fresh breakfast including eggs from our chickens and other seasonal foods from the farm. $85 for a private cabin that holds up to 10 people, $35 to rent a tent that holds up to 4 people, $10 plus $5 per person ages 6 and up if you bring your own tent. Pre-Registration required; click here for online registration. Open Farm Day (Sat, May 8, 10:00 – 2:00) Visit Common Ground in springtime to wander in the garden, sit in the chicken yard, watch butterflies in the wildflower field, or take a self-guided hike on the Old Oak Nature Trail. Farm staff will answer your questions and share the farm with you. Open Farm Day and Home Composting Basics: Backyard Bins and Wiggly Worms (Sat, May 15, 10:00 – 2:00) The farm is open for self-guided exploration in the gardens and visits to our family of friendly farm animals. For those who want a more in-depth experience, join us for Backyard Bins and Wiggly Worms. In this workshop for adults, we will cover several methods and systems for home composting. Learn to set up a backyard compost bin, what to put in it, and how to manage it. We will also talk about vermicomposting, or composting with red worms! Vermicomposting happens in small, self-contained bins that are kept indoors, so access to a backyard is not necessary. Participants will observe and learn about our on-site worm bins and take home information and resources for starting their own worm family! Workshop runs 10:00 – 12:00. $25 per person; pre-registration required. Open Farm Day is free. Seedling Sale & Farm Festival (Sat, May 22, 10:00 – 3:00) Enjoy Common Ground’s annual ORGANIC SEEDLING SALE and SPRING FARM FESTIVAL! The organic seedling sale features strong, healthy seedlings for your home garden. Choose from heirloom and hybrid varieties of tomatoes, hot and sweet peppers, broccoli, kale, parsley, basil, cucumbers, eggplant, and more. Seedlings priced from $1.00 - $4.00. At the Farm Festival, celebrate community and the beginning of the growing season as you enjoy tractor-pulled hayrides, music, face-painting, ice cream making, games, visits to the animals, live sheep shearing, and our 4th annual school-wide tag sale and bake sale. Admission to all events is FREE! Campfire & Night Hike (Tues, May 25, 6:00 – 8:30) Experience the sights and sounds of the nocturnal forest as we stargaze, roast marshmallows, and take a guided hike. Campfire is appropriate for all ages; guided night hike is recommended for ages 6 and up. Please bring a flashlight. This is a free event. Open Farm Day (Sat, May 29, 10:00 – 2:00) Our 1 acre-organic garden is open for visitors to enjoy. Late May should bring lettuce and peas in the garden, herbs in the perennial beds, and chicks and piglets in the animal yards. Bring a picnic lunch and come spend an afternoon on the farm! This is a free event. June Family Camping (Fri, June 4 – Sat, June 5, 6:00 PM – 10:00 AM) Camping at Common Ground is a great way to connect with nature in the city. Bring your own picnic dinner, roast marshmallows at the campfire, and participate in an optional guided night hike through West Rock. Saturday morning, help with farm chores and enjoy a farm fresh breakfast including eggs from our chickens and other seasonal foods from the farm. $85 for a private cabin that holds up to 10 people, $35 to rent a tent that holds up to 4 people, $10 plus $5 per person ages 6 and up if you bring your own tent. Pre-Registration required; click here for online registration. Open Farm Day and guided hike to Judges Cave (Sat, June 5, 10:00 – 2:00) Visit the animals, explore the gardens, or relax and watch the dragonflies swooping over frog pond. At 12:30, farm staff will lead a hike to Judge’s Cave, a historic West Rock landmark and a perfect spot to enjoy the view from high above the city. Hike is moderate difficulty, about 25 minutes of mostly uphill ascent, and about 15 minutes to go back down. This is a free event. Open Farm Day and Summer Camp Open House (Sat, June 12, 10:00 – 2:00) Visit the farm in June to taste early summer garden treats and spend time with the farm animals. Summer Camps are usually fully enrolled by June, but this is a great time for registered families to stop in and see the campus, fill out any remaining paperwork, and meet some of the camp staff. This is a free event. Campfire & Night Hike (Tues, June 15, 6:00 – 8:30) Experience the sights and sounds of the nocturnal forest as we stargaze, roast marshmallows, and take a guided hike. Campfire is appropriate for all ages; guided night hike is recommended for ages 6 and up. Please bring a flashlight. This is a free event. Open Farm Day (Sat, June 19, 10:00 – 2:00) Visit Common Ground in early summer to wander in the garden, sit in the chicken yard, watch butterflies in the wildflower field, or take a self-guided hike on the Old Oak Nature Trail. Farm staff will answer your questions and share the farm with you. Open Farm Day (Sat, June 26, 12:00 – 3:00) Take a self-guided tour of our beautiful urban, organic farm. Sample herbs in the garden, see the blossoming vegetable plants and buzzing honey bees, and visit the farm animals. Free for all ages.