HeritageEvents

Farm - Heritage Events

Sheepdog Trials at Bittersweet Farm

109 Hammond Hill Road

With 49 acres of woodlands and prime pastures that roll down to the Little River, this working sheep farm is an ideal place for livestock and the 2 distinct breeds of working dogs that move and guard them.

As soon as you see this picture postcard Farm, you will know it is a place where animals live in balance with one another. While sheep are grazing, big white dogs (Maremmas) are lying nearby watching over their flock, as they have been bred to do for thousands of years. Sometimes the sleek black and white Border Collies are out there too, moving the sheep from one end of the pasture to another...or, into the barn at dusk.

The Border Collie breed was developed in Scotland over 200 years ago for the sole purpose of managing livestock. Dogs were trained with whistle commands. As their movements around the livestock were perfected, shepherds wanted to find a way to sow off to each other the skill and agility of their dogs. These were essentially the first Sheepdog Trials.

Once a year - in late Summer or Fall - a Trial is held here with 40 to 50 highly-trained dogs competing. Each dog must move a "packet of sheep" through a series of obstacles within 5 minutes, guided only by the whistle commands of their handler. Dogs are judged on how well they do in the allotted time.

If you see event signs, or drive by and notice the Trial going on, you are welcome to stop. If you want to know more about either of these specific working dog breeds, call Carol Campion at 455-9416.

Text from 'Hampton... a very special place'; written by Barbara Andersen; used with permission.

Spring Plow Day at Indian Ledge Farm

89 Bigelow Rd

One of the most picturesque farms in Hampton is the old Fuller Farm (now called Indian Ledge), which dates back to the late 1700's. Except for the 40 years between 1936 and 1976 when a tractor was in service, oxen and draft horses have helped to work the land.

When you visit the farm today, you will see that old 1936 John Deere tractor in the barn unable to start. Whereas, the Milking Shorthorn (or Durham) oxen and the Percheron horses in the pasture are always ready to work! As a matter of fact, these magnificent animals love to work on this Farm. To keep them in peak condition and happy, they also enter plowing competitions all over New England with their proud owner, Ron Gluck.

Over the years, Ron had boasted to his competitor friends that he would be plowing his field in Hampton on April 1st. Thinking they might catch Ron at what was probably his April Fool's Day joke, some of them just showed up one year with their teams to help (or, as they called it, "to practice plowing for the next competition"). Soon it became a regularly-scheduled practice date - and therefore the reason we can all enjoy this very special farm-heritage event.

Once a year, on the weekend closest to April 1st, there is a standing invitation to come watch Ron's friends - with their oxen and draft horses - plow his Drain Street property across the road from the Farm.

The event begins at noon. It is free and there is plenty of parking and food! It is a wonderful way to spend a county afternoon!

Text from 'Hampton... a very special place'; written by Barbara Andersen; used with permission.