The 2017 Vermont Farm Show begins on Tuesday, January 31st and continues through Thursday, February 2nd at the Champlain Valley Expo Center in Essex Junction.
The Farm Show is full of events and exhibits for farmers, families, and consumers. It’s a chance to see the latest farm equipment, tour animal exhibits - including fancy poultry, livestock from Shelburne Farms, and the state horse (the Morgan Horse), judge food contests, meet food producers, and visit educational booths from farm organizations across the state.
Consumer Night is a popular part of the show, taking place on Wednesday, February 1st. It’s the night of the Capital Cook Off where state representatives, senators, and employees of the Agency of Agriculture compete in an Iron Chef style cooking challenge. The secret ingredient will be revealed that evening, contestants shop the Buy Local Marketplace for additional supplies, and the final dishes are presented at 6:30 pm. Judging is done by a panel of restaurant owners, chefs, and public official and also by a people’s choice award. The contest begins at 5:15 pm.
At 4:00 pm the Consumer Night Buy Local Market opens. At the market you will find over 50 farmers and producers of local cheese, meat, fruits and vegetables, milk, maple syrup, honey, jams, culinary oils, wine, beer, spirits, wool, jewelry, candles and other handmade crafts as well as ready-to-eat prepared foods such as bacon hot dogs and ice cream cones. It’s an opportunity for Vermont producers to engage with consumers through sampling and conversation. It’s also a chance for customers to purchase goods from around Vermont that are all assembled under one roof.
Admission is free, but everyone is encouraged to bring donations of non-perishable food for the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf.
You can find more details about the Farm Show and a full list of events at http://www.vtfarmshow.com/.
