volunteer packet for sheep dog trials and farm festival 2015

Volunteer Information Packet

Merck Forest & Farmland Center

2015 Sheep Dog Trial and Farm Festival11t

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July 18th & 19th, 8am - 4pm

2015 Sheep Dog Trial and Farm FestivalVolunteer Information Packet

Admissions tent

Dear Volunteer,

We look forward to seeing you at the 11th Annual Sheep Dog Trial and Farm Festival here at Merck Forest. We are excited that you will be a volunteer at this fun two-day event! We couldn’t put on such a big event without the help of volunteers, and our staff greatly appreciates your assistance.

Take a moment and read the following information. You will find some basic info on Merck Forest and the event, and the volunteer schedule is within this document.

Also note, we encourage you to take some time before or after your volunteer shift to enjoy the wagon rides, family-fun farm festival activities, and, of course, the sheep dog trials, themselves.

Please call us with any questions you may have.

Sincerely,

Melissa CarllCommunications CoordinatorMerck Forest and Farmland Center

Volunteer Parking and Start of Shift Info:Volunteers, when you arrive for your shift, please park in the Daily & Overnight Parking area by the Visitor Center. During the event the parking lot fills up, so we do ask that you park closely to other vehicles in the lot.

Please, report to your volunteer location (see page 2), and a Merck staff member will help you get settled and provide you with your Meal Ticket.

The majority of activities at the Sheep Dog Trial and Farm Festival are a five - ten minute walk from parking area. If you think you might need assistance getting to your station, please call or email Melissa ([email protected] or 802.394.7836) prior to the event, so that she can arrange for you to be transported to the farm.

Shift Information and Schedule:Volunteer shifts run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the Sheep Dog Trials. Shifts are broken into two hour increments during this time. Please review the schedule on pages 4 and 5. If you need to change or cancel your shift, please let Melissa ([email protected]) know as soon as possible.

If possible, please try to arrive ten minutes prior to start of shift.

Taking a Break You are certainly allowed to take a break during your volunteer shift to use the restroom, eat a snack, or get water, etc. If you are at a station with a money box (Admissions or Vending Table), please make sure that a MFFC staff member or fellow volunteer is able to cover your spot. We want you to be comfortable and have a good time, so please don’t hesitate to let us know what you might need! Meal TicketThis year, volunteers will be provided with a voucher (valued at $7.00) to spend at the Edward’s Market food vending stand. Edward’s will have a great variety of menu options. Upon arrival at your volunteer station, an MFFC staff member will ensure that you receive your meal ticket.

RecommendationsVolunteers, please note that you will be outside for your shift, though several stations are under a tent (Admissions and Vending Table).

You will want to wear layers and comfortable shoes, and bring sunscreen, a hat, a raincoat, and a water bottle.

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Historic House Site

Joy Green Visitor CenterParking

Caretaker’s Cabin

Frank HatchSap House

Raspberry Patch

Blueberry Patch

American Chestnut Plantation Test-Site

HarwoodBarn

Small Animal Barn

Maintenance Building

Wind Turbine

Barn CabinsSugarbush

approx. 1/8 milemap NTS

Sheep Dog TrialPasture

Old Town Road Pasture

Stone Lot Road

Volunteer Stations for Sheep Dog Trials

You-pick blackberries and black raspberries

Admissions tent

Wool & Weaving Station

Children’s Activities

Sheep Chute

MFFC Vending & Info Table

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Volunteer Stations include:

Admissions: This station is located by the front gates (VC). Volunteers who work here will sell tickets for the event, hand out programs, and provide some general information for the day to visitors. They also will tally, as best they can, where people heard about the event. These volunteers get to sit under a tent. This is a good station for those that prefer not to stand for long periods of time, and those that feel comfortable handling money.

MFFC Vending Table and Information Station: This station is under the big viewing tent at the farm. Volunteers who work here will sell SDT t-shirts and hats, as well as take money for the Sheep Handler’s Breakfast (morning shift only). We’ll also stock Merck publications and paraphernalia here for interested visitors. This is a good station for those that prefer not to stand for long periods of time, and those that feel comfortable handling money.

Parking Lot:The parking lot can be an incredibly busy place during events. Volunteers can help a staff member direct cars to parking places and mediate the flow of traffic. We will put some seats down at the parking lot, but volunteers at this station can expect to be moving quite a bit, therefore, parking lot volunteers should be comfortable being on their feet.

Children’s Activities/Wool and Weaving StationDepending on how many volunteers and staff we have to take on this station, it may be split or it may be together. Children’s station hosts a multitude of activities, some that require some help from an adult, or at least an explanation. Volunteers that work in this station should feel comfortable around kids, and be able to stand on their feet under the sun for some of the duration of the shift .

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Volunteer Information Packet Volunteer Schedule for Sheep Dog Trial 2015

SATURDAY, July 18

Activity 8 am – 10 am 10 am – noon Noon – 2pm 2pm – 4 pm

Admissions June DeFelice Margaret Mertz

Tuck Daniels Susan Sommer

Greg Hopper Caroline Kreel

Phil Chapman Linda Chapman

Children’s Games

1.Meghan 2.

1.Stephanie 2. Terel

1.Julietta Cole 2.Kate


Wool and Weaving Station

1. 2.

1. 2.

1. 2.

1. 2.

Parking Lot Keith Kelley Ethan

Ethan Michelle

Tom 2.

Tom 2.

MFFC Vending Table

John Scarlata Chris Scarlata

Ann Jackson Margaret Mertz

Phil Chapman Linda Chapman

1.Michelle 2.

Sheep Chute 1.Kate 2.

1.Meghan 2.


1.Kate 2.Ethan

Wagon 1.Stephanie 2.Tim

1.kate 2.Tim

1.Meghan 2.Tim

1.Meghan 2.Tim

Visitor Center Katie Connor Katie C. Katie C. Katie C.

Floating 1.Melissa 2.Kathryn Michelle

1.Melissa 2.Kathryn

1.Michelle 2.Melissa Kathryn

1.Melissa 2.Kathryn

Bolded names are volunteers. Please verify your station and time are correct.

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Volunteer Schedule for Sheep Dog Trial 2015

SUNDAY, July 19

Activity 8 am – 10 am 10 am – noon Noon – 2pm 2pm – 4 pm

Admissions Carol Walrath Lee Walrath

Nancy Harnden Karl Quackenbush

1. 2.

1. 2.

Children’s Games

1.Stephanie 2.Terel

1.Meghan 2.

1.Kate 2.

1.Kate 2.

Wool and Weaving Station

1. 2.

1. 2.

1. 2.

1. 2.

Parking Lot 1. 2.

1. 2.

1. 2.

1. 2.

MFFC Vending Table

Bob Allen Keld Alstrup

Jean Ceglowski 2.

1. 2.

1. 2.

Sheep Chute 1.Meghan 2.

1.Kate 2.

1.Stephanie 2.Terel

1.Stephanie 2.Terel

Wagon 1.Kate 2.Tim

1.Stephanie 2.Tim

1.Meghan 2.Tim

1. 2.Tim

Visitor Center Michelle Michelle Michelle Michelle

Bolded names are volunteers. Please verify your station and time are correct.

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Schedule of Events

Sheep Dog Competition

Fiber Artists & Demonstrations

Farm Games & Activities

Sheep Dog Trial Open Competition - Sheep Dog Trial Nursery Class Competition - Sheep Dog Trial Pasture

8 am - 4 pmSat. afternoon

Horse Drawn Wagon Rides - Runs between Visitor Center and Frank Hatch Sap House

8 am - 4 pm

Frank Hatch Sap HouseAll Day

All Day

Food Vendors10 am - 3:30 New Edward’s Market - Jennifer Kelly, Granville, NY

Hay Maze - West Side of the Harwood BarnBalloon Sheep Herding - West Side of the Harwood BarnVisit Dolly the Lamb - Front of Harwood BarnBaby Chicks - Outside-In, West Side of the Harwood BarnPhoto Booth Fun - Sap House DeckWool and Weaving Station - Sap House DeckYou-Pick Berries - Berry Patches (see Map)Scavenger Hunt - Sap House Deck

In its eleventh year, the Merck Forest and Farmland Center Sheep Dog Trial and Farm Festival is a two day event that unites Vermont’s history of farming with the action of the Merck Forest Open. The Northeast Border Collie Association puts on the Open trials; both Saturday and Sunday are separate trial events.

Brief Overview of the Sheep Dog Trials and Farm Festival

What is the Merck Forest Open?This year the Merck Forest Open is the first leg of the Vermont Triple Crown Championship. Two following trials (the Mad River Valley Sheep Dog Trial in Waitsfield and the Vermont State Championships in Queechee and Strafford) will occur in August. On Sunday evening, after two days of the Merck Forest Open, the winner of the Open will be presented with his/her award.

The winner for the Merck Forest Open has his/her name added to the engraving on the Francis W. Hatch trophy.

Later in the summer, the award for the Vermont Triple Crown is presented to the handler and dog with the highest combined score of the three Vermont open sheep dog trials. The Triple Crown champion receives a cash prize, an embroidered jacket, and possession of the rotating award onto which the handler/dog’s names are engraved on a brass plate.

MFFC’s farm festival offers visitors the chance to experience a variety of happenings: Regional fiber artists who demonstrate their skills and have goods for sale; children’s games that tie farming practices in with fun, interactive activities; and a local food vendor, the New Edward’s Market with delicious lunch options.

About Merck Forest and Farmland Center HOURS OF OPERATION: Visitor Center - Daily 9 am to 4 pm / MFFC Property - Dawn to Dusk

Merck Forest and Farmland Center (MFFC) is an educational nonprofit organization with a mission to teach and demonstrate innovative, sustainable management of for-est and farmland. MFFC is composed of 3,162 acres and includes a 3,100 acre man-aged forest, certified-organic sugaring operation and a 62-acre farm. We offer on-site demonstrations, apprenticeships, workshops, and school programs as well as recre-ational and volunteer opportunities. These offerings allow visitors to connect with MFFC’s farm and forest through meaningful experiences with this working landscape.

Visit the farm, venture into the forest or stay overnight in a rustic cabin or lean-to. With over thirty miles of trails for hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and

horseback riding MFFC has a multitude of recreational opportunities. Please stop by the Joy Green Visitor Center to learn more about MFFC’s activities and land use. Our certified organic pure Vermont maple syrup and other farm and forest products may be purchased at our Visitor Center or our Online Store.

MFFC is open to the public year round, 7 days a week from dawn to dusk. There is no admission fee. MFFC is community-supported through donations, membership fees, cabin rentals and MFFC product sales.

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volunteer packet for sheep dog trials and farm festival 2015

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