Williamstown Farms Open Their Gates on Sunday

July 12, 10am–1pm | Williamstown, MA

The Williamstown Agricultural Commission hosts its third annual Open Farm Day on July 12, with nine farms across town opening simultaneously for a three-hour window of shopping, touring, hiking, and animal-meeting.

The participating farms span a range of what agriculture looks like in the North Berkshires. Cricket Creek Farm on Oblong Road is a small, grass-based dairy producing raw cow's milk, grass-fed beef, rose veal, and pork, alongside seven styles of artisanal farmstead cheeses. The Sabot family bought it in 2002 with the goal of preserving Williamstown's largest single tract of farmland and building a sustainable cheesemaking operation; it's one of the oldest dairy operations in Massachusetts.

Ioka Valley Farm on Hancock Road is a fourth-generation, 500-acre family operation in nearby Hancock, known for its maple sugaring operation, which now runs 14,000 taps and produces over 7,000 gallons of syrup annually, along with hormone-free beef, pumpkins, squash, and Christmas trees.

Caretaker Farm on Hancock Road is one of the region's long-running community-supported agriculture operations, known for its organic vegetable production. The full list also includes Bigfoot Farm, Chenail Farm, Clover Hill Farm, Green River Farm, Peace Valley Farm, and Wendling Farm—a cross-section of livestock, produce, and specialty food operations spread across Williamstown's rural roads.

Visitors can shop for vegetables, meat, eggs, syrups, and more; hike farm trails; join guided tours; and spend time with livestock including cows, calves, pigs, chickens, and horses. The views from the higher farms are worth the trip on their own.

Questions: Sarah Gardner, Chair of the Agricultural Commission, at (413) 281-0478.

Nine farms across Williamstown, MA. Full address list at williamstownma.gov.