Maine Perspective Front Page
May Open House Celebrates Growth at Witter Teaching and Research Farm
Newborn calves and a foal named Poetry in Motion will greet the public at an Open House May 1 at the Witter Teaching and Research Farm. Students in UMad Cows and the horse barn cooperative are organizing the events with help from Marcy Guillette, livestock supervisor.
The event will also feature the annual Royale Livestock Show and a student horse demonstration.
The Standardbred foal was born at the farm April 7. Nick-named Poetry, the new arrival brings the number of horses at the farm to 27.
In addition, there are 80 Holstein cows and calves - 35 in the milk herd - and 17 black angus beef cows and calves.
The animal demonstrations begin at 9 a.m. with a presentation of horses. At 11 a.m. will be the Royale, a showing of groomed dairy and beef cattle, and at 1 p.m., a horse vaulting and riding demonstration will begin under the guidance of Sandy Walsh, a horse trainer from Dover-Foxcroft.
In addition to the animal events, there will be educational displays and a bake sale to benefit the farm's student programs. Plans are also being made for a scavenger hunt and hay rides.
The farm currently serves as a classroom for 13 students in UMad Cows and 22 in the equine program, as well as research on animal reproduction. Students do most of the chores, which include twice daily milkings and care of the horses, beef cattle and sheep.