Join us for Maple Fest 2025, an exciting celebration of Michigan's sweetest winter crop—maple syrup! Discover the fascinating journey of how sap transforms into syrup as we guide you through the tapping process. First, identify a healthy sugar maple tree, typically with a trunk diameter of at least 10 inches, and with the right temperatures—days above freezing and nights below—sap begins to flow.

Experience the traditional method of tapping by drilling a small hole and inserting a spile, allowing the sweet sap to drip into buckets. Afterward, take a tour of our historic sugar shack to see the boiling process and the tools used in this age-old craft. Enjoy hands-on activities like wagon rides and sampling fresh maple sap, syrup, and sugar.

Come hungry for our ‘all-you-can-eat’ pancake celebration in the beautiful 19th-century barn, where you can indulge in pancakes, sausage, and of course, pure maple syrup! Embrace the spirit of spring and the rich flavors of maple at this delightful festivity!

Get Tickets Today: CLICK HERE.

Winter Break 2-Day Camp

• Price: $185
• Dates Feb 17 and 18, 2025
• Children ages 6-12
• Aftercare available 4-5pm $24/2 days

Drive away the winter blues and embark on outdoor adventures with camp friends!  

Join us for two days of winter farm exploration! Taking care of the animals at the Farm looks a little different in the winter months, and campers will learn how our animals cope with the cold while providing the extra care they need in winter. We'll also explore the winter wonders of the Tollgate Forest, diving deep into maple syrup production in our sugar bush, building shelters, and warming up while cooking over an open fire. While we will often be together in a large group, campers may be divided into smaller groups according to age for some camp activities. This camp fills quickly, so register soon!

https://www.canr.msu.edu/tollgate/camps/winter-and-spring-break-camps

Spring Farm Camp

• Price: $395  
• Dates: March 24- 28,2025 and March 31-April 4,2025
• Children ages 6-12
• Aftercare available 4-5pm $60/week

Celebrate Spring on the farm! 

The days are longer once again, and plants and animals are getting back into the swing of spring! During this week at Tollgate, campers will experience all the excitement of spring on the farm. Explore life cycles with hands-on investigations of seed germination, pond studies, and vernal pool discovery--- we may even meet some new farm babies! While we will often be together in a large group, campers may be divided into smaller groups according to age for some camp activities. This camp fills quickly, so register soon!

https://www.canr.msu.edu/tollgate/camps/winter-and-spring-break-camps

Summer Farm Camp

Registration is open

Summer Camp fun starts at Tollgate! Summer Farm Camp engages campers in all aspects of farm life including helping to care for goats, sheep, rabbits, chickens, ducks, and ponies, assisting in our fields where we grow a variety of vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers, and preparing daily snacks in our Garden Kitchen. We also have classic camp activities such as tie-dye, fishing, and canoeing, and all the campers enjoy a wagon ride around the farm!  

Weeklong, hands-on projects in every camp focus on different science, technology, engineering, and math topics, and throughout the week campers have multiple opportunities to express their individual creativity through art. On Friday afternoons, caregivers are invited to attend our Camp Showcase where campers perform camp skits and show off their projects from the week! This summer, we are offering three different camp themes for two separate age groups. Please see descriptions below for special activities included in those themed camps.

https://www.canr.msu.edu/tollgate/camps/summer

Tollgate Farm is excited to announce that we are actively seeking sponsors for our annual Maplefest fundraiser, happening on March 8th-9th, 2025.

Now in its 11th year, Maplefest is a beloved community-wide event that draws visitors of all ages, creating an excellent platform for local businesses and organizations to showcase their brands. By partnering with us, sponsors not only gain exposure to a diverse audience but also contribute to supporting essential agriculture-based programs that provide hands-on, experiential learning opportunities at Tollgate Farm.

Attendees will immerse themselves in the fascinating world of maple production, from tapping trees to witnessing the sugar shack operation, all while enjoying delicious maple-infused treats. Join us in celebrating this sweet winter tradition and make a meaningful impact on our community by becoming a valued sponsor of Maplefest 2025!

Email Lisa Bahm for more information: bahmlisa@msu.edu

Picture of the month!

This is our sugar shack, a cherished place where nature's sweetness meets age-old tradition. Soon, we’ll be turning clear maple sap into golden, rich maple syrup, a process that embodies the magic of the changing seasons. You can experience the process at our

up-coming Maplefest.

Are you looking for a unique venue to host your next event? 

Tollgate Farm and Education Center is conveniently located in the heart of Oakland County and has several rental options with its historic charm and natural beauty. Based on your needs, our event coordinator will work with you to customize an unforgettable event.  

Surrounded by 160 acres, Tollgate Farm is a working farm and offers indoor and outdoor rental. Your guests may explore the grounds enjoying the beauty of our trails, many ornamental gardens, pastures, our horses, goats and sheep, wooded hiking paths, historic farm buildings and relics.   Tollgate Farm is open daily from dawn to dusk. As a 501c3 organization, rental proceeds help support educational programs at Tollgate Farm that provide learning to those of all ages on agriculture, sustainability, natural resources and horticulture.  Stop by for a visit and reserve your next event at Tollgate Farm.

 Call our event coordinator, Lisa Bahm at (248) 347-3860 ext. 200

Weddings (less than 100 pp)

Baby and Wedding Showers 

Anniversary or Retirement Parties

Memorial Luncheons

Retreats

Business Meetings

Teambuilding