University of Maine’s large animal research farm
The J. Franklin Witter Teaching and Research Center in Old Town is the home to the Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station’s teaching and research programs in animal sciences and sustainable agriculture.
The Center has two units: the Witter Farm, adjacent to the University of Maine campus and Rogers Farm, located several miles from the Orono campus. The Witter Farm is the home of undergraduate and graduate education and research programs in dairy and equine science. Rogers Farm has a focus on sustainable agriculture research and education.
If you would like to make a gift to support the farm, please visit our.umaine.edu/farms. Donations to the Emerald Dairy Operations Improvement Fund provides programmatic support for the student-managed dairy herd at Witter. Donations to the Durable Farm Fund will be used to improve and modernize infrastructure across the facility. Please specify “Witter Center” if contributing to the Durable Farm Fund.
Schedule a tour
The Witter Center is currently closed to the public while the new dairy barn (see below) is being constructed. Starting in March 2025, the Witter Farm will be open to the public during designated visiting hours.
Groups should schedule a tour. We welcome K-12 classes (especially those involved in the adopt a cow program), university clubs and courses, and other organizations or associations interested in visiting our facilities and meeting the animals.