There are many ways to take care of ourselves. Whether it's spending time on a favorite hobby, walking around a farm, digging in the garden, going for a run, or attending a weekly yoga class, wellness means different things to different people. Spending your time outdoors with friends is good for your health and good for the soul, especially during Vermont Open Farm Week.
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Sunday, August 7th
Community Flax & Blueberry Harvest
Smokey House Center, Danby
10am-2pm
Come join Andrea Myklebust of Mountain Heart VT for her second annual flax harvest at Smokey House Center and an end of season Smokey House blueberry U-pick party! The flax harvested will be used in linen textile processing. Refreshments and snacks to energize visitors for the harvest will be provided, and there will be a Smokey House farm tour. Come for as much of the day as you are able!
Guided Tour at a Hops Yard
Champlain Valley Hops, Starksboro
2pm
Enjoy a guided tour of Champlain Valley Hops, the largest hop farm in New England! Hops grow vertically up strings to the top of a massive 18 foot trellis. Walking through the yard is like entering a different world, surrounded by walls of living plants. It's truly magical! The folks at Champlain Valley Hops are excited to welcome guests and show them around the farm! Visitors will gather in the hop yard for a discussion about hop farming, learn about Champlain Valley Hop's unique practices, and get an overview of the hop industry.
Seed to Soap Herb Farm Tour
Farm Craft VT, Shelburne
2:00pm - 4:00pm
You're invited to take a tour of the Farm Craft VT herb garden and apiary, where the owner of Rebecca Lindenmeyr will describe each herb grown and its uses, and the process of harvesting, drying, and distilling herbs for their essential oils - and how they are incorporated into products. Rebecca will also open one of the hives and pass out samples of the fresh honey inside and discuss organic beekeeping and what it means to be a Bee Friendly Farm certified by the Pollinator Partnership.
Tuesday, August 9th
Crop Field Volunteering
Retreat Farm, Brattleboro
9am-12pm
Come to Retreat Farm to learn about their crop fields, see what's growing, and help with the weekly harvest! Last year they harvested over 10,000 pounds of produce for the community! Please wear long pants and bring work gloves and water bottles. Sign up is required; please email [email protected] with the subject line "Open Farm Week" to learn more and sign up to help with a harvest day.
Sunset Picnic & Flowers
Anderbell Acres, East Montpelier
5:30pm-8:30pm
Sunsets at Anderbell Acres never disappoint. Bring a picnic dinner, blanket or chairs and enjoy the wild fields and mountain view (free). Gather an organic flower bouquet to take home for $30. RSVP encouraged by emailing [email protected].
Wednesday, August 10th
Milking & Farm Tour
Meadows Bee Farm, Windham
8:00 am
Join the Meadows Bee Farm team and see how they use their milking machine and hand milk their Jersey Girl dairy cows. After the morning milking, guests will go on a tour to see what fruits and veggies are growing in the gardens and orchards, get a chance to meet the sheep out in the pasture while they rotational graze, and have a snack of yogurt smoothie made from our own canned fruits and raw milk yogurt!
Crop Field Volunteering
Retreat Farm, Brattleboro
9am-12pm
Come to Retreat Farm to learn about their crop fields, see what's growing, and help with the weekly harvest! Last year they harvested over 10,000 pounds of produce for the community! Please wear long pants and bring work gloves and water bottles. Sign up is required; please email [email protected] with the subject line "Open Farm Week" to learn more and sign up to help with a harvest day.
Self-Guided Farm Tours
Golden Apple Family Farm, Charlotte
10am-4pm
Join Golden Apple Family Farm at your leisure to walk their farm and perennial gardens. Illustrated maps will be provided to help visitors on their self-guided tour. While guests walk down the aisles of the apple orchard, they will see hives of pollinators, heritage chicken layers and their many-colored eggs. Cooling down in the mud, the Mangalitsa pigs, Midnight and Buttercup, will welcome everyone with snorts. The Finnsheep and lambs will be in the fields helping to regenerate the soil and clearing the grasses. In the perennial beds, there will be new colors at every turn. Chicken, fruit, honey, eggs and other products will be available for purchase at the farm stand.
Farm Tour & Meet the Animals
Meadows Bee Farm, Windham
2:00pm
Stop and see what is happening here at Meadows Bee Farm! Visitors will get a full tour of the farm to see what fruits and veggies are growing in the gardens and orchards, get a chance to meet the sheep and cows out in the pasture while they rotational graze, and have a snack of yogurt smoothie made from our own canned fruits and raw milk yogurt!
Ranch Tour
Rowdy Cow Ranch, Craftsbury
5:00pm
Come tour at Rowdy Cow Ranch, a small livestock ranch with an on-farm butcher shop and a commitment to sustainability! The goal at Rowdy Cow Ranch is to use sustainable and regenerative practices to raise their animals in a way that is better for them, the environment, and the end consumer. Their unique solar powered on farm butcher shop gives them the flexibility and control to utilize as much of each animal as possible and create a truly one of a kind product.
Farmside Yoga with Emily Harvey Dooley
Howling Wolf Farm, Randolph
5pm-6pm
Spend an afternoon of connection to ourselves, the earth beneath our feet, and each other, with yoga teacher Emily Harvey Dooley of True Center Yoga. The practice will be outdoors at Howling Wolf Farm, either hillside above Randolph village or in the backyard, depending on wind conditions. This will be an all-levels class. $15/person.
Thursday, August 11th
Milking & Farm Tour
Meadows Bee Farm, Windham
8:00 am
Join the Meadows Bee Farm team and see how they use their milking machine and hand milk their Jersey Girl dairy cows. After the morning milking, guests will go on a tour to see what fruits and veggies are growing in the gardens and orchards, get a chance to meet the sheep out in the pasture while they rotational graze, and have a snack of yogurt smoothie made from our own canned fruits and raw milk yogurt!
Farm Tour & Gleaning with Healthy Roots
Sandy Bottom Farm, Isle La Motte
10am-12pm
This is a joint event with Sandy Bottom Farm and Northwest Vermont Healthy Roots Collaborative. Farmer Patrick Helman will give a farm tour to showcase small scale, intensive, organic vegetable and fruit production. After the tour help glean surplus crops being donated with the Healthy Roots Gleaning Program. All produce will go to food shelves and recipient sites in Northwest VT!
Garden Tour
Philo Ridge Farm, Charlotte
11am
Healthy soil is the foundation of Philo Ridge Farm’s agricultural and culinary practices. Tours will highlight a different aspect of the farm each day, including our garden and livestock programs. This is a beautiful opportunity to connect directly with farmers and the origin of our food. Philo Ridge will also have a kids activity table available from Wednesday, August 10 to Saturday, August 13, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Farm Walk & Picnic
Frog Hollow Farmstead, Hubbardton
11am-5pm
Frog Hollow Farmstead will be open for a 1.5 mile self-guided farm hike, that winds throughout the farm, and up into the old orchard and pastures to see some beautiful views. Located in the foothills of the Taconic Mountain Range, visitors will see gorgeous views throughout the farm. Not up for the hike? No problem! There are plenty of spots to hang out for a picnic, or to sit and watch the chickens (a kid favorite!). Bring your own picnic, or stop in the store for a farm sandwich, seasonal salad, weekly special and dessert. Picnics can be purchased online (a minimum 48 hour advanced noticed required for pre-orders) or via first come, first served at the farm. They will also have water and local sodas available for purchase, and Grady's special lemonade. Blankets are suggested for picnics as the grass may be wet or muddy.
Meet an Alpaca & Farm Tour
Parker Hill Farm & Boutique Campground, Springfield
12pm-4pm
Ever met an alpaca? Visit Parker Hill Farm for a farm tour where visitors will get to meet and learn about alpacas and alpaca fiber. The team at Parker Hill Farm will also be discussing the farm's historic, 18th century property and newly opened glampground. Tours will begin on the hour from noon-4pm. After the tour, guests will have an opportunity to shop at the farm and camp store where they can purchase farm-fresh eggs or products made with alpaca fiber! Children welcome, however no pets allowed.
Farm Tour & Meet the Animals
Meadows Bee Farm, Windham
2:00pm
Stop and see what is happening here at Meadows Bee Farm! Visitors will get a full tour of the farm to see what fruits and veggies are growing in the gardens and orchards, get a chance to meet the sheep and cows out in the pasture while they rotational graze, and have a snack of yogurt smoothie made from our own canned fruits and raw milk yogurt!
No Till Farm Tour
Breadseed Farm, Craftsbury
3:00pm
Experience a small scale no-till production farm first hand. Breadseed Farm's market garden focuses on regenerative practices and soil health. Farmers Doug Wolcik and Kayleigh Boyle will give you a tour of Breadseed's second year of no-till production. Learn about setting up a farm from scratch, finding markets, and growing intensively on a small scale! Registration is preferred, reserve your spot by emailing [email protected].
Grow the Changes We Want to See in the World!
Green Mountain Girls Farm, Northfield
4pm-6pm
So much food can be grown on farms and in back yards! Participants will taste their way around this small farm celebrating diversity and exploring social and landscape change creation. "Welcome the Change" The Design Studio for Social Innovation asserts "ideas are embedded within social arrangements, which in turn produce effects". Participants interested in making farms and communities more welcoming will engage in sensing, questioning and reimagining existing arrangements imagining new, more vibrant and welcoming ones.
Butcher Shop Tour
Rowdy Cow Ranch, Craftsbury
5pm
Tour Rowdy Cow Ranch's new state inspected (solar-powered) butcher shop! Learn about the inspection process as well as the day to day operation.
Guided Tour at a Hop Yard
Champlain Valley Hops, Starksboro
5:30 pm
Enjoy a guided tour of Champlain Valley Hops, the largest hop farm in New England! Hops grow vertically up strings to the top of a massive 18 foot trellis. Walking through the yard is like entering a different world, surrounded by walls of living plants. It's truly magical! The folks at Champlain Valley Hops are excited to welcome guests and show them around the farm! Visitors will gather in the hop yard for a discussion about hop farming, learn about Champlain Valley Hop's unique practices, and get an overview of the hop industry.
Sunset Sugarbush Tour
Woodstock, Bourdon Maple Farm
6pm-9pm
Join Bourdon Maple Farm for a sunset tour around the sugarbush! As stewards of the land, they care about the health and sustainability of the forest. Their land is conserved in the Vermont Land Trust, which looks to preserve Vermont's rural working landscape. They also maintain a state-approved forest management plan to ensure that they are utilizing the land in a way that is in alignment with both their agricultural goals and the continued ecological health and resilience of our forest. This plan, along with sustainable tapping practices to make sure the land is viable for future generations.
Friday, August 12th
Self-Guided Farm Tours
Golden Apple Family Farm, Charlotte
10am-4pm
Join Golden Apple Family Farm at your leisure to walk their farm and perennial gardens. Illustrated maps will be provided to help visitors on their self-guided tour. While guests walk down the aisles of the apple orchard, they will see hives of pollinators, heritage chicken layers and their many-colored eggs. Cooling down in the mud, the Mangalitsa pigs, Midnight and Buttercup, will welcome everyone with snorts. The Finnsheep and lambs will be in the fields helping to regenerate the soil and clearing the grasses. In the perennial beds, there will be new colors at every turn. Chicken, fruit, honey, eggs and other products will be available for purchase at the farm stand.
Open Farm Day
Lavender Essentials of Vermont, Derby
10am-3pm
In the spirit of Vermont’s Open Farm Week, come learn about the farm at Lavender Essentials of Vermont! They raise laying hens, meat birds, and pigs, and grow vegetables and herbs that they pickle or freeze. The team will talk about everything farm! Taste raw cow’s milk, pat the pigs, or go for a pony or wagon ride. There will be rabbits for sale from Simpson Drafts, and other events to be announced!
Livestock Tour
Philo Ridge Farm, Charlotte
11am-12pm
Healthy soil is the foundation of Philo Ridge Farm’s agricultural and culinary practices. Tours will highlight a different aspect of the farm each day, including our garden and livestock programs. This is a beautiful opportunity to connect directly with farmers and the origin of our food.
Farm Walk & Picnic
Frog Hollow Farmstead, Hubbardton
11am-5pm
Frog Hollow Farmstead will be open for a 1.5 mile self-guided farm hike, that winds throughout the farm, and up into the old orchard and pastures to see some beautiful views. Located in the foothills of the Taconic Mountain Range, visitors will see gorgeous views throughout the farm. Not up for the hike? No problem! There are plenty of spots to hang out for a picnic, or to sit and watch the chickens (a kid favorite!). Bring your own picnic, or stop in the store for a farm sandwich, seasonal salad, weekly special and dessert. Picnics can be purchased online (a minimum 48 hour advanced noticed required for pre-orders) or via first come, first served at the farm. They will also have water and local sodas available for purchase, and Grady's special lemonade. Blankets are suggested for picnics as the grass may be wet or muddy.
Saturday, August 13th
Goat Yoga
Retreat Farm, Brattleboro
9am
Join the talented teachers from Inner Heat Yoga at Retreat Farm for a 1-hour session of Goat Yoga featuring Retreat Farm's herd of playful and curious baby goats, followed by a 30-min meet and greet. Kid goats are naturally curious and playful and love to climb on anyone and anything. This class is designed for all levels (including beginners).
Self-Guided Farm Tours
Golden Apple Family Farm, Charlotte
10am-4pm
Join Golden Apple Family Farm at your leisure to walk their farm and perennial gardens. Illustrated maps will be provided to help visitors on their self-guided tour. While guests walk down the aisles of the apple orchard, they will see hives of pollinators, heritage chicken layers and their many-colored eggs. Cooling down in the mud, the Mangalitsa pigs, Midnight and Buttercup, will welcome everyone with snorts. The Finnsheep and lambs will be in the fields helping to regenerate the soil and clearing the grasses. In the perennial beds, there will be new colors at every turn. Chicken, fruit, honey, eggs and other products will be available for purchase at the farm stand.
Lavender 5K
Lavender Essentials of Vermont, Derby
10:30am
Imagine running a 5K that begins and ends at a lavender farm! Nestled in the Northeast Kingdom is a beautiful farm that boasts of lavender, sunflowers, vegetables, herbs and much more! The views from the farm are nearly 360 degrees and absolutely amazing. This is a family event, all ages are welcome, walkers and runners.
Farm Walk & Picnic
Frog Hollow Farmstead, Hubbardton
11am-5pm
Frog Hollow Farmstead will be open for a 1.5 mile self-guided farm hike, that winds throughout the farm, and up into the old orchard and pastures to see some beautiful views. Located in the foothills of the Taconic Mountain Range, visitors will see gorgeous views throughout the farm. Not up for the hike? No problem! There are plenty of spots to hang out for a picnic, or to sit and watch the chickens (a kid favorite!). Bring your own picnic, or stop in the store for a farm sandwich, seasonal salad, weekly special and dessert. Picnics can be purchased online (a minimum 48 hour advanced noticed required for pre-orders) or via first come, first served at the farm. They will also have water and local sodas available for purchase, and Grady's special lemonade. Blankets are suggested for picnics as the grass may be wet or muddy.
Garden Tour
Philo Ridge Farm, Charlotte
11am
Healthy soil is the foundation of Philo Ridge Farm’s agricultural and culinary practices. Tours will highlight a different aspect of the farm each day, including our garden and livestock programs. This is a beautiful opportunity to connect directly with farmers and the origin of our food. Philo Ridge will also have a kids activity table available from Wednesday, August 10 to Saturday, August 13, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Livestock Tour
Philo Ridge Farm, Charlotte
11am-12pm
Healthy soil is the foundation of Philo Ridge Farm’s agricultural and culinary practices. Tours will highlight a different aspect of the farm each day, including our garden and livestock programs. This is a beautiful opportunity to connect directly with farmers and the origin of our food.
Seed to Soap Herb Farm Tour
Farm Craft VT, Shelburne
2:00pm - 4:00pm
You're invited to take a tour of the Farm Craft VT herb garden and apiary, where the owner of Rebecca Lindenmeyr will describe each herb grown and its uses, and the process of harvesting, drying, and distilling herbs for their essential oils - and how they are incorporated into products. Rebecca will also open one of the hives and pass out samples of the fresh honey inside and discuss organic beekeeping and what it means to be a Bee Friendly Farm certified by the Pollinator Partnership.
Tomato Trot 5K
Cate Farm, Plainfield
4pm
Cate Farm Tomato Trot 5K fun run at 4pm, and Farm Tour with demo of unusual farm equipment at 5pm. Run around Cate Farm! The Tomato Trot 5K is a scenic trail run through farm fields and on woods roads, around the borders of Cate Farm. The first kilometer snakes along the Winooski River and is relatively flat; the rest of the run is over small rolling hills. Each runner will receive a pound of Cate Farm tomatoes upon finishing the 5K, and anyone 65 or older who beats Richard’s time gets 2 pounds of tomatoes! (FYI, Richard is not that fast:) Tomato Trot 5K registration fee is $5, sign up at www.catefarm.com. All runners must pre-register online.
Farm Tour & Demo of Unusual Farm Equipment
Cate Farm, Plainfield
5:00pm
Cate Farm has been farmed for over 200 years! A brief farm history and overview of current operations will be followed by pro tips for growing great tasting tomatoes and a tour of a tomato greenhouse. Afterwards, they'll fire up (very literally!) a tractor mounted flame weeder, and demo a soil block machine from the Netherlands used for plastic-free seedling production. Other unusual equipment will be on display (think Blind Tine weeder, Rolling Basket and Finger weeders, trolleys...) The 5pm farm tour is free of charge. Sign up on our website, www.catefarm.com.
Sunday, August 14th
Community Flax & Blueberry Harvest
Smokey House Center, Danby
10am-2pm
Come join Andrea Myklebust of Mountain Heart VT for her second annual flax harvest at Smokey House Center and an end of season Smokey House blueberry U-pick party! The flax harvested will be used in linen textile processing. Refreshments and snacks to energize visitors for the harvest will be provided, and there will be a Smokey House farm tour. Come for as much of the day as you are able!
Sugarhouse Tours
Bourdon Maple Farm, Woodstock
10am-2pm
Visit Bourdon Maple Farm for a tour of the sugarhouse and to sample their organic maple syrup, handcrafted just this spring. See how a modern sugarhouse works with the latest innovations in technology and learn how sap turns into sweet golden maple syrup. Sugarmaker Meg Emmons will be bottling syrup so you'll be able to experience the sweet smell of sugaring season and taste warm maple syrup as if it had just come off the evaporator. Maple syrup will be available for sale in the sugarhouse as well. This event is great for families and for anyone excited about maple syrup. Dogs are allowed on the premises but must stay outside. Thanks for your understanding!
Smoothie Stand & Farm Tour
Butterworks Farm, Westfield
11am-1pm
Stop in to Butterworks Farm to meet the farmers and cows, tour the farm, sample products, and indulge in one of their fresh and famous Butterworks smoothies! Smoothies will be available for sale at the smoothie stand. Free tours & samples.
Tour a Micro Dairy
Sunday Bell Farm, Northfield
1pm-4pm
Ever wanted to tour a micro dairy? At Sunday Bell Farm visitors can meet the cows, tour the barns, and see how their milk is produced. Sample their fresh raw a2/a2 milk with a warm cookie and experience one of Vermont's quintessential foods!
Gather & Grow: 2nd Annual Perennial Plant Swap
Anderbell Acres, East Montpelier
4pm-6pm
Share your extra blooms and find something new at the Anderbell Acres 2nd annual perennial plant swap! Free for visitors who bring a healthy plant to swap, or $5 per plant taker. Enjoy a walk among the gardens and take in the mountain views.
Funding for Open Farm Week was made possible by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service through grant
AM190100XXXXG100 . Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA.
