Round the Bend Farm has their first winter open farm day
Two children run along the stone fence at Round the Bend Farm. Photos by Kat Sheridan
Some pigs come to investigate the camera.
Bella, 4, and Marian Burgo pet the farm dog. 
Will Bauer, 5, peeks in at the market.
Jed, 5, and Willow Lord examine the produce for sale. 
Gabriela Gouveia, 7, poses with goats.
Why are you taking my picture?
Silly rooster, its's not morning, it's the middle of the day.
Exploring a farm truck.
Some goats think "Huh?"
A four-year-old plays on the rope swing.
IvyRose Nelson, 8, pets the farm dog.
Some of the children's clothes up for grabs at the free market.
Two children run along the stone fence at Round the Bend Farm. Photos by Kat Sheridan
Some pigs come to investigate the camera.
Bella, 4, and Marian Burgo pet the farm dog.
Will Bauer, 5, peeks in at the market.
Jed, 5, and Willow Lord examine the produce for sale.
Gabriela Gouveia, 7, poses with goats.
Why are you taking my picture?
Silly rooster, its's not morning, it's the middle of the day.
Exploring a farm truck.
Some goats think "Huh?"
A four-year-old plays on the rope swing.
IvyRose Nelson, 8, pets the farm dog.
Some of the children's clothes up for grabs at the free market.
It may be January but it wasn’t too cold for a farm dog to beg for homemade food while kids ran around and explored nature at the first ever winter open farm day at Round the Bend Farm.
“I think we relax when we’re in nature, I think we’re tuned in, we don’t feel the stressors of the world,” said Desa Van Laarhoven, the executive director and co-founder of Round the Bend Farm. “I think it’s good for our nervous system … I think it’s overall health, and both for all types of health; mental health, physical health.”
Regardless of being busy preparing for the spring with planting, planning and tending to the animals, Round the Bend Farm held their winter open farm day on Saturday, Jan. 17.
“We have the space, and having indoor and outdoor space is really important,” said Van Laarhoven.
The farm pairs with Elements Learning Collaborative, an organization that provides free learning activities during the open farm days.
This time, they hosted a tree identification workshop, where everyone (but especially kids ages zero to 13) were taught different ways to identify local species of trees. They then went on a walk to label types of trees at the farm.
“[The tree walk] was fantastic,” said Cristy O’Brien, the co-founder of Elements Learning Collaborative. “I think they took away some beginner skills,”
Besides the workshop, there were farm tours so visitors could see the variety of animals on the farm, including pigs, goats and chickens.
The farm also had homemade lunches available and a free market, where second hand clothes and technology is free. They had a large variety of baby clothes.
“Our whole mission is around sustainability and social justice. So the idea to keep things out of the landfill and in use,” Van Laarhoven said.
The day started with Buy Nothing Southcoast, a group that focuses on reuse, visiting the farm because of the free market.
About 300 people came to Round the Bend farm to participate in the activities and buy the meats, vegetables and baked goods for sale.
“Every month we always have different things,” said Van Laarhoven. “This winter provides more opportunities to do different types of things, which makes us happy.”
