Day at Dickson-Murst Farm

in 20 days

When

Sunday, August 23rd 2026 at 09:00 US/Central

We are so excited to welcome you to our historic Dickson-Murst Farmstead for this late summer event!

We’ll have children’s crafts, activities and play spaces, hayrides, barrel train rides, farm equipment and harvesting demonstrations, face painting, meeting farm animals like Ellie the mini-cow, Fudge the goat, and Peanut the pony, and more. Kids will also be able to drive a tractor again this year and earn their good driver sticker. When you need a break, sit a spell in one of the farm’s signature red rockers while you enjoy tasty vittles from the Country Kitchen. Antique trucks and tractors will be on display and all of the pristinely restored historic farm buildings will be open for exploration.

It’ll be the perfect way to wrap up your summer!

Call (630) 816-0604 with questions! Admission and parking is free.

Thanks to our volunteer Dickson-Murst Farm Partners for their work on this event.

We do our best to offer programs, rain or shine. You can review our Rain Policy here.

FAQ Did you know?

Family Animals Community Education Volunteer

Where

2550 Dickson Road, Montgomery, IL, USA

To attend this event and discover more service opportunities, please login.

Organizer

The Conservation Foundation

Simply put, we save land and we save rivers, and we’ve been at it for more than 50 years. Founded in 1972, The Conservation Foundation is one of the region’s oldest and largest not-for-profit land and watershed conservation organizations dedicated to preserving and restoring open space, protecting rivers and watersheds and promoting stewardship of the environment in northeastern Illinois. We focus our work in DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will Counties, but have also had the honor of working on significant projects in Cook, DeKalb, Grundy and LaSalle Counties.

FAQ

How can I support The Conservation Foundation’s mission while attending the event?

You can support the Foundation by learning about its programs at the information/volunteer tent, purchasing food or merchandise from the Country Kitchen and other on-site vendors, signing up for newsletters or memberships, and sharing the event on social media to raise awareness. If you’re interested in longer-term support, ask staff about volunteer opportunities, educational programs, or planned conservation projects during your visit.

Can I volunteer or help out during the event, and how do I sign up?

Yes—volunteers are vital. Stop by the volunteer or information tent when you arrive or call the event line at (630) 816-0604 ahead of time to ask about shifts and tasks. Wear comfortable closed-toe shoes, bring gloves if you have them, and be prepared for light outdoor duties; staff will provide orientation and any necessary safety guidance.

What are the best practices for interacting with the animals and exploring historic buildings?

Follow staff and signage instructions, supervise children closely, and only touch or feed animals when a staff member explicitly permits it. Wash or sanitize hands after animal interactions and before eating. Respect roped-off areas and historic structures—no climbing on exhibits, and treat artifacts and displays gently to help preserve the farmstead for future visitors.

How can families make their visit more sustainable and model conservation for kids?

Bring reusable water bottles, utensils, and snack containers to minimize single-use waste, carpool or bike if possible, stay on designated paths, and pick up any litter you see. Encourage kids to observe and ask questions at demonstrations, participate in educational activities, and talk about why preserving farmland and historic sites matters—these small choices reinforce conservation values.

What weather-related precautions should I take for a late-summer farm visit?

Dress in layers and wear sun protection (hat, sunscreen) and sturdy closed-toe shoes for walking in fields. Bring insect repellent and a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated. The event runs rain or shine—check the Foundation’s Rain Policy or call (630) 816-0604 if severe weather is forecast and plan for shade or shelter options on-site.

Did you know?

Conserved open space and parks help protect drinking water and reduce flood risk by absorbing stormwater and filtering pollutants — supporting local land trusts and conservation groups directly helps maintain those natural protections.

Trust for Public Land — Parks and Water: https://www.tpl.org/parks-and-water

Regular access to green space and time outdoors is linked to better attention, lower stress, and improved physical health for children and adults — supporting community natural areas gives more people those health benefits.

World Health Organization — Urban green spaces and health (fact sheet): https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/urban-green-spaces-and-health

Planting native plants and creating pollinator habitat can substantially boost local bee and butterfly populations; even small habitat projects and volunteer habitat restorations have measurable benefits for pollinators.

Xerces Society — Pollinator Conservation: https://xerces.org/pollinator-conservation

Volunteering for conservation and community environmental projects improves social connectedness and mental well‑being — people who volunteer report better mood, reduced depression risk, and stronger community ties.

CNCS / Serve.gov — Volunteering and its benefits: https://www.nationalservice.gov/serve/via

Healthy soils on conserved farms and prairies store large amounts of carbon and support biodiversity; protecting and restoring agricultural and grassland soils is a practical, local way to help mitigate climate change.

The Nature Conservancy — Grasslands and carbon storage: https://www.nature.org/en-us/what-we-do/our-insights/perspectives/grasslands-carbon-storage/

Public participation — attending events, volunteering, or giving even small donations — signals community support that helps conservation organizations secure matching grants and public funding to protect more land.

Land Trust Alliance — What land trusts do and why public support matters: https://www.landtrustalliance.org/land-trusts/what-land-trusts-do