New Ipswich Historical Society invites the public to the first in a series of presentations on local agriculture, “Old Homestead Farm: Our Story Past, Present, and Future” by Ben and Chelsea Hatcher. The program will take place on Saturday, April 27, at 1:30 p.m. at the New Ipswich Library.

The Hatchers were raised on New England farms, Ben on a dairy farm in central Massachusetts and Chelsea in New Ipswich on Old Tavern Farm. Although small-scale farming in the region has declined in recent decades, they decided that farm life is exactly what they wanted for themselves and their young daughters. In 2019, after they purchased the three parcels that would become Old Homestead Farm, they began to transform their dream into reality.

During their 60-minute presentation, the Hatchers will describe their journey, from the decision to buy the land in New Ipswich, the challenges they faced, the successes they achieved and their vision of the future as a small family farm. Light refreshments will be served.