As of this writing ( February 11, 2022), the sun  is getting higher in the sky and days are getting longer. For us, this means that we are intently focused on tapping and other preparations for the oncoming maple sugaring season. With this seasonal change, we are looking forward to the continued downward trend in the severity of the COVID-19 Omicron epidemic and the projected end of mask mandates in Massachusetts at  the end of this month. By then, we expect to return to mostly normal operations. I say “mostly” because of  the potential for new variants of the virus to change current trends. We all are fortunate in that Massachusetts has one of the highest vaccination rates in the country at 77%. Hence, we are no longer planning to ask potential guests for either evidence of vaccination or of a negative Covid test within 72 hours of arrival. Our family is fully vaccinated and boosted, and while we hope that any guests eligible to  be vaccinated will take advantage of the protection from serious illness and death that the vaccines offer, we will no longer require face coverings and social distancing of guests on the farm when in contact with us or other guests/neighbors. Our ongoing hope is that all guests will be able to observe and interact with us, our dairy goats, and Norwegian Fjord horses free of Covid constraints. As it was before Covid, access to interiors of the barn and maple sugar house will be by arrangement.

The farm is 130 acres, so there’s plenty of space to explore. No other guests will have been in your accommodations for at least 24 hours before your arrival, and the house itself and all linens and towels will continue to be appropriately cleaned according to State guidelines. In addition, we will still provide hand sanitizer and chlorine spray solutions for your use when here. In season, we will be happy to share produce from our gardens and provide you with a 1/2 dozen to a dozen farm fresh eggs from our hens.