At the Morris Farm Trust’s barn sale on Saturday, Aug. 19, sale items included farm equipment, household items, books, art and furniture. Proceeds will help pay for upgrades to the farm’s Learning Center, including painting, new kitchen equipment and repairing the ceiling.

Morris Farm co-president Les Fossel said like other area  nonprofits, the farm must scramble to pay for upkeep. According  to co-president Merry Fossel, major sources of income are course fees, sales at the farm store, grants, donations and memberships. The organization has over 300 members.

In addition to other programs, the farm has been concentrating on its farm education program that includes a summer farm camp for ages 4-12, said Les Fossel. Lisa Packard heads the educational program, he said.

Another major effort is the Lincoln Country Food Security Forum. Fossel said Lincoln County is one of the poorest, in one of the poorest states. Many local people need to stretch their incomes to provide food for their families, said Fossel.  AmeriCorps Vista volunteer Chayli Buenger will be coordinating the forum and other nutritional programs, said Merry Fossel.

Upcoming events include the 13th annual Tour de Farms which directs cyclists on a county-wide loop that brings visitors to several area farms. The event is Saturday, Sept. 30. On Saturday, Oct. 14, the farm will host the Corgi Walk and Dog Fair.

For Dan Garvis of Scituate, Massachusetts, the farm visit reminded him of crawling through the bales of hay in a barn as a child.

Office Manager Angela Richards said the farm may not be home to as many cows now but it still maintains a small flock of chickens and raises piglets in the spring.

Among the treasures at the sale was a bone handle knife with a carved image of a tropical, straw-thatched house on the blade.