Merck Forest & Farmland Center - Rupert, Vermont

Introduction

The Merck Forest & Farmland Center, located in the beautiful town of Rupert, Vermont, stands as a prominent non-profit organization dedicated to promoting sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship. It serves as a vital hub connecting the community and visitors with the natural beauty and agricultural heritage of the region. This unique property combines various attractions under one roof, offering a multifaceted experience that appeals to diverse interests.

Location & Accessibility

Nestled in the scenic landscapes of Vermont, the center's address is 3270 VT-315, Rupert, VT 05768. Its location provides convenient access for both local residents and tourists exploring the Green Mountain State. Visitors can reach the center by phone at 802-394-7836 or by visiting their official website, merckforest.org. The site is thoughtfully designed with accessibility in mind, featuring a wheelchair accessible parking lot, ensuring that the experience is inclusive for everyone. Additionally, the presence of gender-neutral restroom facilities caters to the modern traveler's needs, further enhancing the visitor experience. The welcoming environment explicitly states that it is LGBTQ+ friendly and transgender safe space, promoting a sense of inclusivity and comfort for all guests.

Characteristics & Offerings

The Merck Forest & Farmland Center is not merely a single entity but a confluence of several key elements:

• Working Farm & Sustainable Agriculture

  At the heart of the center lies a vibrant working farm. Guests have the unique opportunity to observe and appreciate various farm animals, including sheep, goats, pigs, turkeys, rabbits, and horses. This direct connection to agriculture is central to the center's mission. The farm embodies sustainable agriculture practices, demonstrating how farming can be done responsibly and harmoniously with the environment. This aspect is highly praised by visitors who appreciate the educational value and the farm's commitment to ecological principles.

  Supporting this mission is a farm shop where visitors can purchase locally produced goods, providing direct economic benefits to the farm and the surrounding community.

• Scenic Hiking Trails

  Surrounding the property are extensive and beautiful hiking trails. These paths wind through forests and open spaces, offering opportunities for exploration and exercise. The hiking area is a significant draw, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the region. Many reviews highlight the enjoyment of these trails as a key part of their visit.

• Mountain Cabin & Visitor Center

  The property includes a mountain cabin and a well-equipped visitor center. These facilities serve as bases for exploration and provide essential information and services. The visitor center acts as a welcoming point, offering guidance and resources for those visiting the farm or exploring the surrounding area.

• Tourist Attraction & Educational Hub

  With its combination of farm life, natural beauty, and educational focus, the Merck Forest & Farmland Center is a prominent tourist attraction. It offers a distinctive and enriching experience that blends recreation, education, and agriculture. The center plays a crucial role in showcasing the importance of sustainable land management and local food production.

What to Expect & Recommendations

Visitors to the Merck Forest & Farmland Center can anticipate a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. The grounds are meticulously maintained, and the staff are known for their helpfulness. The farm animals are often a highlight, with many reviews mentioning the delight of seeing and sometimes feeding them (weather and farm policy permitting). Exploring the various trails is highly recommended for a full appreciation of the natural surroundings.

For those interested in agriculture or sustainability, the farm provides valuable insights. The shop is an excellent place to find unique Vermont-made products. It is advisable to inquire about any farm events, workshops, or educational programs that might be happening during your visit, as these significantly enhance the experience. Checking the website or contacting the center beforehand can provide useful information about specific activities or hours.

Community Impact & Reputation

As a non-profit organization, the center relies on community support and visitor engagement to sustain its operations and further its mission. The positive feedback received on platforms like Google My Business (187 reviews, averaging 4.9/5) underscores its success and the community's appreciation for its work. Visitors consistently express satisfaction with the overall experience, highlighting the beauty of the place, the friendliness of the staff, and the educational value of the farm and trails. The center's reputation is built on its commitment to sustainability, education, and providing a welcoming space for visitors to connect with nature and agriculture.

Conclusion

The Merck Forest & Farmland Center in Rupert, Vermont, offers a unique and rewarding experience. It successfully integrates the charm of a working farm with excellent hiking opportunities and a welcoming visitor center. Its focus on sustainable agriculture and its commitment to being an inclusive and accessible destination make it a highly recommended stop for anyone seeking to connect with Vermont's rural life, enjoy its natural beauty, or learn about responsible land stewardship. It stands as a testament to the positive impact that dedicated non-profit organizations can have in their communities and beyond.

👍 Reviews of Merck Forest & Farmland Center

P.J. P.

5/5

Beautiful place with sheep, goats, pigs, turkey, rabbits and horses.

Oh... and tons of beautiful trails to hike on.

Once you're done, make sure to stop by their shop and get something. It helps support their mission of sustainable agriculture!

Overall, a beautiful place

Jcastle

5/5

Can't rave enough about this place. Forgive me if I get your names wrong. Mike, Elaine, Haddie, Fred, were all amazing people. I really enjoyed talking with Mike as he is packed full of information. Love when someone is passionate about what they do and express it through their actions. Went for the Maple meet up as there was no snow on the ground and other plans were canceled. BLESSING in disguise! Elaine started us off with the introduction to boiling and then a light hike while learning about the different trees and practices while confirming with Mike along the way, which he called him self long winded. I also get that way about my passions. Toured the sugar shack and a great tasting opportunity. Don't miss that! Then made sure to buy some maple syrup products on the way out. So this place is huge, and we liked it so much we came back the next day to hike. They have cabins to rent and rough it out in. They also provide wood to burn with small extra cost. So many trails and great views with different difficulties. Stay on the path or not type of stuff. That day it snowed that evening, so right back the next day for some great photo opportunities. Feel as if I cleaned out the Maple syrup when I was there, it was so good. They do programs with schools I believe and have a lot more they do. Even apples. Could go on and on. Thank you for keeping a place so well kept and people that obviously don't look at it like work when they are so happy. Will be coming back soon! Ranked up there with the Lincoln summer home. And y'all are open all the time. Goals - stay in one of your cabins when I visit VT again. Peaceful!

Chris A.

5/5

What I love about this place is how accessible things are. You get the sense that you are family here and I enjoy the trust that they give the visitors. Access to the barns to visit the animals. Access to the beautiful land and scenery. It’s such a hidden gem and a place very special. Looking for a great hike? Time to reflect?
Learn about different types of trees and animals. This is absolutely the place. Heaven on earth and I have never found it to be busy.

Anna M.

5/5

Free entrance, friendly personnel and 30 miles of trails to explore. They have animals on the property, cabins for rental and the welcome center that sells all kind of goodies. I would recommend wearing sport shoes as a lot of the walking in the forest is uphill and on the dirt road. Another plus is the free wife in the center (otherwise the service is limited in the woods) and picnic tables all over- so bring your food and enjoy the outdoors!

G C.

5/5

Really beautiful place. Looked amazing with autumn foliage. As you walk in a bit there were hills in backdrop with colourful foliage. Took so many photos. There were apple trees, sheep and horses. People were walking their dogs.

Wes G.

5/5

What a great place! Nice place to solo backpack or go with a group. 3,000 acres of farmland and forest (mostly forest). Cabins, shelters and dispersed camping are available most of the year. Call the visitor center for any questions the website doesn't answer. They are very helpful and friendly. The thing I love most is the peace and quiet. The beauty and serenity of the woods and the mountains is unrivaled. Don't expect to get a cellular signal (another wonderful benefit). The last time I camped there (at The Glen), I had to hike 1.1 miles uphill, just to get a weak signal to call my wife. All in all, MFFC is one of my favorite places to backpack, hike, snowshoe and camp. Oh yeah, and it's dog-friendly, too! Please pack out what you pack in, so we can all continue to enjoy this amazing place.

Julia

5/5

Great trails and spectacular views. Can’t speak to anything else, but I’ll definitely be coming back here for some hiking on my next trip to Vermont!

David F.

5/5

This is a great place to go on a hike. The views are incredible and there's lots to see and do. The trails around the farm are very hilly so make sure you wear comfortable shoes. It was amazing seeing the sheep and it's nice that you can walk your dog as long as they are on a leash.