English Ivy (Hedera helix) was introduced to Newfoundland as an ornamental plant in the 1800s. It can act as a groundcover and climb nearby structures or trees using aerial roots. Ivy thrives by smothering native plants and damaging trees, requiring persistent, long-term removal efforts. Luckily for us, ivy is also an excellent material for weaving simple baskets!

Join Lori McCarthy (Food Culture Place) and Dale Jarvis (Heritage NL) at O’Brien Farm for an invasive ivy pull to make way for indigenous plants. Then, we’ll show you how to make a hoop-style hen basket with the ivy you’ve collected - a sustainable way to repurpose a harmful plant. All participants will go home with a rustic ivy basket of their own making. 

What to bring:

• Gardening or work gloves are recommended for working with ivy. 

• Bring secateurs or small garden pruners if you have them. If not, no worries, we have spare pairs for you!

• Be sure to wear rubber boots or waterproof footwear good for stomping around in ditches, and a jacket for the rain and/or a hat for the sun (we know what Newfoundland weather is like). 

• Your favourite sunscreen and insect repellent. 

• Bring a kneeling pad or folding chair if you need one. 

Our ivy workshop will be taught by Lori McCarthy and Dale Jarvis. Lori is a chef, forager, hunter, educator, basket weaver, and enthusiastic outdoors person. She regularly teaches basketry courses through her business Food Culture Place - a folk school for craft, culture, and belonging. Dale is an author, folklorist, and Executive Director of Heritage NL, where he works to safeguard the historic places and living history of the province. He is passionate about forging links between communities, and is an aspiring basket maker. 

Tickets are $75, includes treats, tea, and lunch at the Thimble Cottage!

The first‑ever Cloudberry Kids’ Makers Market is set for Sunday, June 14, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m on O’Brien Farm. This family‑friendly community event brings together young creators and local makers for a day of live music, handmade goods, pancakes, lemonade, books, face painting, crocheting, and more.

Admission is a minimum $5 cash donation per person, with proceeds supporting upgrades to Cloudberry Outdoor Play and Education Centre’s programming. All are welcome to join us for a day celebrating creativity and community

On June 6th, we have the ever-popular Sheep to Sock event!

Join us, along with our partners at Heritage NL and our friends at the Sheep Producers of NL, for our 3rd annual Sheep to Sock Festival on June 6th. There will be sheep, lambs, shearing demonstrations, weaving, knitting, pillow-top making, rug hooking, a market and BBQ supporting SPANL, and — we’re very excited about this — a cuddle-a-lamb station! Guys! Doesn’t that sound amazing?

This event is free to the public. No need to register. Proceeds from market and barbeque go to our friends at SPANL.

Join us for a special farm fresh meal celebrating our local sheep producers!

Come celebrate spring with us!

We're celebrating local lamb and farm fresh flavors in our kitchen barn.

Meal includes:

• Spring Salad with Toasted Pecans

• Slow Roasted Lamb with a Guinness Glaze and Whipped Potatoes

• Pavlovas with Rhubarb and Cardamon

The bar will be open and the fires will make it so cozy!

Please remember that our kitchen barn is chilly, so dress warmly!

Are you curious about growing willow for privacy, living fences, or basketry? This workshop will offer hands on training for sourcing, preparing, and planting willow cuttings. We’ll talk about site selection, planting techniques, and proper care of cuttings and then we’ll work together to expand the farm’s Salley Garden!

A few suggestions for this workshop: wear comfortable gardening clothing, and dress appropriately for the weather! Gardening or work gloves suggested, and bring a kneeling pad if you need.

Willow planting will be taught by Lori McCarthy and Dale Jarvis.  

Lunch and tea at Thimble Cottage is included in the price!

Lori McCarthy is a chef, forager, hunter, educator, basket weaver, and enthusiastic outdoors person. She regularly teaches basketry courses through her business Food Culture Place - a folk school for craft, culture, and belonging. While Dale is an author, folklorist, and Executive Director of Heritage NL, where he works to safeguard the historic places and living history of the province. He is passionate about forging links between communities, and is an aspiring basket maker. 

Join us on May 23 at the O’Brien Farm Interpretation Center for a storytelling workshop hosted by Ainsley Hawthorn. Then, in the evening, St. John’s Storytelling is hosting Spring Stories -The Changing of the Seasons, the Turning of the Wheel in the kitchen barn.

Hosted by Jim Payne on May 23rd at 7 PM in the Kitchen Barn. This evening will feature Jodee Richardson, Catherine Wright, Ellen Power, and Gerry Strong, with each storyteller offering a distinct style, from humorous moments to thoughtful reflections.

Set in the welcoming surroundings of O’Brien Farm, this event offers the perfect chance to gather with others, unwind, and be carried away by stories that connect us to place, memory, and one another. Whether you’re a longtime fan of storytelling or simply looking for a memorable night out, Spring Stories promises an atmosphere that is both lively and meaningful.

Admission is $10 per person at the door. Come early, bring a friend, and be part of an evening that celebrates the art of storytelling.

Eric Escudero is a friend of the farm and a former employee, so when he came up with the great idea for a series of kitchen parties from around the world, well we jumped at the chance to have him back. This is the first one of a series and tickets are $25.00.

The event is May 16th from 7-10. Sean Panting, Natasha Blackwood, and Ana and Eric will all be performing. This will take place in our kitchen barn, fires will be going, and the bar will be open! 

Earlier this winter, we put out a call for fibre art submissions, and we were just thrilled to receive a slew of beautiful entries. We’re excited to connect with participating artists and to celebrate their work at our opening reception on May 15 from 7:00–9:00 PM in our Interpretation Center.

This will be open to the public! No need to register or buy a ticket!

Our theme, The Changing of the Seasons, Turning of the Wheel reflects the rhythms of nature and the passage of time and all of the fibre pieces have been created using natural fibres. Curated by Daniel Rumbolt, we’re very excited to share this show with you. If you can’t attend the opening, no worries, the show will be up until June 16th. Blue ribbons will be presented by Heritage NL at Sheep to Sock for the best heritage crafts in the show.

Join us for cake and craic* in support of the O'Brien Farm Foundation!

On April 17, come to Quidi Vidi Brewery for a night of drinks, desserts, music and more, in support of the O’Brien Farm Foundation. Tickets are $75, and include:

• 1 cake raffle entry

• 1 beer + snacks

• live music

• silent auction

All proceeds support environmental learning, cultural events, and local agriculture at O’Brien Farm.

*Craic is the Irish word for a lively gathering.

Join us in celebrating St. Patrick's Day with an intimate hour of music and poetry. Come enjoy some beautiful music on the Celtic harp, with readings of Irish poetry and original work by our friends Agnes Walsh and Ed Kavanagh.

🎟️Tickets: Early bird price - $25+HST until March 7th! Normal price - $30+HST.

📧Email programming@obrienfarm.ca to reserve your spot & receive ticket payment instructions!

🥃Back again! Another of our ever-popular tasting events, this time to celebrate St. Patrick's Day!🍀

Join Steve Delaney (former wine columnist for the Telegram and member of the Opimian Society) as he guides you through a fine selection of 6 whiskies from around the world. Then, guess correctly which are Irish to be entered into prize draw!

Tickets include:
-Taster flight of 6 whiskies
-Slice of baguette
-1 savory & 1 sweet snack

🎟️Tickets: Early bird price - $75+HST until March 5th! Normal price - $85+HST. Limited availability.
📧We are currently still experiencing online store technical issues so please - email programming@obrienfarm.ca to reserve your spot & receive ticket payment instructions!

We’re back with another of our ever-popular tasting events, just in time for Valentines Day!

This time, join Steve Delaney (former wine columnist for the Telegram and member of the Opimian Society) as he guides you through a perfectly selected, expertly paired menu of 5 wines + chocolates and desserts. Spend a beautiful evening on the farm, enjoy a delicious menu, and maybe even learn a thing or two!

Tickets: Early bird price - $75+HST for the first week of sales! Normal price - $85+HST. Limited availability.

Reservation: Email programming@obrienfarm.ca to reserve your spot & receive ticket purchasing instructions!

Join us at O’Brien Farm on November 15th for a Folk Songs concert with James Hurley & Dean Power!

Enjoy an evening of music inspired by Newfoundland-Irish traditions.

Doors open at 7:00pm for drinks & socialization at our Thimble Cottage. The concert will take place in our Interpretation Centre from 7:30-8:30pm. Stick around afterward to meet & greet the performers!

Tickets: $30+HST (taxes included in online price). Limited availability. (Tickets also available in person at O’Brien Farm’s Thimble Cottage!)