It's never too late, or too early, to learn something new! During Vermont Open Farm Week, farms across the state offer you so many special opportunities to learn more about Vermont food, farms and so much more. From antique tractors to pre-natal yoga, this year's Open Farm Week has a variety of experiences available for to learn something new, explore something unfamiliar, and even saying yes to a challenge.
Check out the events below to find an experience near you! There are events events in every county in the state, some taking place more than once during the week.
Sunday, August 6th
Antique Tractor Day at Billings Farm & Museum
Woodstock
10: 00 am - 5:00 pm
The 23rd Annual Antique Tractor Day will feature restored tractors from yesteryear, along with fun activities, stories, games, and food. Visitors can enjoy Tractor Parades. An announcer will regale the crowd with fun facts about each tractor’s history, make, and model. As exhibitors shift into the lowest gear, guests can cheer on their favorite machines in the “Slow Tractor Race”. Children can ride pedal tractors through an obstacle course, make a tractor craft to take home, take a tractor drawn wagon ride, or enjoy stories about…you guessed it, tractors! $17.00: Adults ages 16-61 $15.00: Seniors ages 62 and over $10.00: Students ages 16 & up (please show student ID card) $10.00: Children ages 4-15 FREE: Children ages 3 and under. Purchase admission tickets in advance or at the door. Billingsfarm.org
Bast Fiber Harvest and Processing Demos at Smokey House Center
Danby
10am-2pm
Come help bring in the harvest and learn about the processes involved in turning bast fibers into cloth at Smokey House. Our textile flax and fiber hemp crops are being grown on our main campus research field. Look for processing demonstrations and hands-on opportunities to try hand processing equipment in the natural fibers lab, located near the farmstand.
Combing Wool at Cynefin Farm
Townshend
10:30am
An ancient process -one of two techniques - used to prepare wool for spinning.
Carding Wool at Cynefin Farm
Townshend
11:00am
A second process using different tools to insure the best prepared wool for the purpose
Spinning Wool at Cynefin Farm
Townshend
11:30am
The art of using a Spinning Wheel.
Primitive Rug Weaving at Cynefin Farm
Townshend
12:00pm
Weaving rugs on a peg loom with unspun wool.
Monday, August 7th
Combing Wool at Cynefin Farm
Townshend
10:30am
An ancient process -one of two techniques - used to prepare wool for spinning.
Carding Wool at Cynefin Farm
Townshend
11:00am
A second process using different tools to insure the best prepared wool for the purpose
Spinning Wool at Cynefin Farm
Townshend
11:30am
The art of using a Spinning Wheel.
Primitive Rug Weaving at Cynefin Farm
Townshend
12:00pm
Weaving rugs on a peg loom with unspun wool.
Tuesday, August 8th
Herding Demonstration at Morse Brook Farm
Westminster
9:00am
Come learn about the role that our Border Collies Poe and Cap play on the farm. Watch the dogs work sheep, learn about the history of various breeds and their roles in helping us farm. We couldn't do what we do on this farm without them! Afterwards try some of our maple syrup on some ice cream. Our herding events are early in the morning or later in the day so that we don't overheat sheep and dogs. Donations accepted at the gate. Please register at http://morsebrookfarm.com/events/.
Combing Wool at Cynefin Farm
Townshend
10:30am
An ancient process -one of two techniques - used to prepare wool for spinning.
Carding Wool at Cynefin Farm
Townshend
11:00am
A second process using different tools to insure the best prepared wool for the purpose
Spinning Wool at Cynefin Farm
Townshend
11:30am
The art of using a Spinning Wheel.
Primitive Rug Weaving at Cynefin Farm
Townshend
12:00pm
Weaving rugs on a peg loom with unspun wool.
Learn about Honeybees at Hobby Hill Farm
Newfane
2:00-3:00pm
Join VT Certified Beekeeper (and president-elect of the Vermont Beekeepers' Association) Jeff Battaglini as he shows off the Windham County Beekeepers' Club Hive on Hobby Hill Farm. Jeff will open the hive and show visitors how the honey is made. There will be three veils available for visitors who wish to get close to the hive or if you have a bug head net you can bring your own. Long sleeves and long pants advised. Jeff will answer questions about bees and beekeeping. This event is best for people aged 12 and over. There is some rough terrain to cross to get to the bee yard. No dogs allowed.
Can I Eat That? At Lavender Essentials of Vermont
Derby
4:00pm-5:30pm
Join us for some foraging and scavenging at the Lavender Farm! Gain the key to unlimited free salads and herbal tea. Become the Earth witch, hunter-gatherer, astute survivalist, naturalist you want to see in the world. Learn a minimum of 20 plants that you can utilize and find just about anywhere in Vermont. $25 per person
Wednesday, August 9th
Combing Wool at Cynefin Farm
Townshend
10:30am
An ancient process -one of two techniques - used to prepare wool for spinning.
Carding Wool at Cynefin Farm
Townshend
11:00am
A second process using different tools to insure the best prepared wool for the purpose
Spinning Wool at Cynefin Farm
Townshend
11:30am
The art of using a Spinning Wheel.
Primitive Rug Weaving at Cynefin Farm
Townshend
12:00pm
Weaving rugs on a peg loom with unspun wool.
Crescent Moon Creations at Lavender Essentials of Vermont
Derby
6:00-8:00pm
Come join us and create Crescent Moons together! We will be using dried redwood for the base of the moon. Crystals, bells, dream catching webs, dried flowers, herbs, and pendants give your creation intention and strength while letting your sparkling personality shine through. Have a favorite pendant or crystal? Bring it with you!! When you leave class you will have a completed decorative Crescent Moon of your own design. We will be using hot glue guns and pliers, so please be advised, this is not a class for small children. Bring your own libations! Class is $40 per person.
Thursday, August 10th
How to Process a Chicken at Dubs Farm
Berkshire
9:00-10:30am
Join Dubs Farms, Healthy Roots Collaborative, and the NOTCH (Northern Tier Center for Health) for a morning of learning! Event participants will watch on as Marc and Julie of Dubs demonstrate the steps required to get one of their pasture raised chickens to your plate. They'll go over humane killing technique, review all tools used, and explain each step and each knife stroke as they go along. Kids are more than welcome to join but the chickens kindly request that dogs be left at home. Participants are asked to wear closed toed shoes with rubber boots being ideal but not required. Free. Please email Julie Wright ([email protected]) to let her know you'll be attending!
Yoga & Mimosas at Lavender Essentials of Vermont
Derby
10:00-11:00am
Yoga & Mimosas at the Lavender Farm! One of our very own farm hands will lead a gentle Hatha flow for all levels overlooking the lavender fields and Lake Memphremagog. Taryn has been at the farm with us for three years but she’s also a certified yoga instructor who used to teach regularly at Inspired Yoga! Please bring your own yoga mat if you have one. We will have a few extras to spare. This event will take place outside. If it rains, we will into the event center. Be mindful that this space has a concrete floor. $30 per person. Includes one complimentary mimosa! Guests must be of
Combing Wool at Cynefin Farm
Townshend
10:30am
An ancient process -one of two techniques - used to prepare wool for spinning.
Carding Wool at Cynefin Farm
Townshend
11:00am
A second process using different tools to insure the best prepared wool for the purpose
Spinning Wool at Cynefin Farm
Townshend
11:30am
The art of using a Spinning Wheel.
Primitive Rug Weaving at Cynefin Farm
Townshend
12:00pm
Weaving rugs on a peg loom with unspun wool.
Natural Wool Dying at Morse Brook Farm
Westminster
2:00pm
Come learn about dying using natural dyes. Our farm manager Christine will walk you through the process - from picking some golden rod, to a finished bit of wool. We will send you home with a bit of wool and instructions to try at home! Appropriate for ages 12 and up. Limited to 10 participants. Afterwards stay for some ice cream with our own maple syrup. Then come watch the herding demo at 6 pm. $25 per person. Please register at http://morsebrookfarm.com/events/.
Learn about Saffron at Hobby Hill Farm
Newfane
2:00-3:00pm
Saffron is often called "the royal spice" due to its rarity and high cost. It is used in Indian, Scandinavian, Southern European and Middle Eastern cooking. It was widely grown in Colonial America, but then faded from the US scene. Since 2016, several VT farmers have been bringing it back, with the help of the North American Center for Saffron, based at UVM. Hobby Hill Farm is in its fourth season of growing saffron and is in the second year of a SARE research grant to study weed suppression techniques in saffron farming. Join Hobby Hill Farm's owner, Erica Walch, as she talks about the saffron growing cycle and answers your saffron questions. Fall-blooming saffron is dormant in August, but Erica will show visitors the research beds and photos of her saffron in all its stages. Guests will get to try homemade Kesar Milk, an Indian milk drink that contains saffron, cardamom, and nuts, and lists of saffron recipes will also be available. No dogs allowed.
Herding Demonstration at Morse Brook Farm
Westminster
6:00pm
Come learn about the role that our Border Collies Poe and Cap play on the farm. Watch the dogs work sheep, learn about the history of various breeds and their roles in helping us farm. We couldn't do what we do on this farm without them! Afterwards try some of our maple syrup on some ice cream. Our herding events are early in the morning or later in the day so that we don't overheat sheep and dogs. Donations accepted at the gate. Please register at http://morsebrookfarm.com/events/.
Friday, August 11th
Yoga on the Farm at Adam’s Berry Farm
Charlotte
9:00am
Join us for yoga on the farm with our good friend Sy. This will be a fun and light Ashtanga based class linking movement and breath. This will be an all levels class with guidance for those who want to go deeper. $10-$15 sliding scale, pay upon arrival, no registration required.
Combing Wool at Cynefin Farm
Townshend
10:30am
An ancient process -one of two techniques - used to prepare wool for spinning.
Carding Wool at Cynefin Farm
Townshend
11:00am
A second process using different tools to insure the best prepared wool for the purpose
Spinning Wool at Cynefin Farm
Townshend
11:30am
The art of using a Spinning Wheel.
Primitive Rug Weaving at Cynefin Farm
Townshend
12:00pm
Weaving rugs on a peg loom with unspun wool.
Saturday, August 12th
Herding Demonstration at Morse Brook Farm
Westminster
9:00am
Come learn about the role that our Border Collies Poe and Cap play on the farm. Watch the dogs work sheep, learn about the history of various breeds and their roles in helping us farm. We couldn't do what we do on this farm without them! Afterwards try some of our maple syrup on some ice cream. Our herding events are early in the morning or later in the day so that we don't overheat sheep and dogs. Donations accepted at the gate. Please register at http://morsebrookfarm.com/events/.
Hickory Tree Clean Up Day at White River Natural Resources Conservation District / Fable Farm / Yellowbud Farm / Dartmouth Organic Farm
Barnard
9:00am
Participate in a hands on workday where we will clean up the understory of hickory trees, to prepare them for fall harvest for nut oil production. Learn about the future of agroforestry and perennial food production and markets from nut and tree experts from YellowBud Farm and the Dartmouth Agroecology Lab.Registration requested but not required: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc_j05zwfpeDNlx5f8LcEjtU2Dy8OuWsndPMmj67IloYaQZIQ/viewform
Ahimsa Yoga at Adam’s Berry Farm
Charlotte
9:00-10:15am
Join Jane of Ahimsa Yoga for a mindful and restorative yoga class $15, no registration, pay upon arrival Sunday, August 13th at 10am with GROW prenatal and family Center Join Emily as she leads kids through farm and food inspired postures. And of course stay for berry picking and popsicles Register: https://growfamilyvt.com/kidsyoga/
Bast Fiber Harvest and Processing Demos at Smokey House Center
Danby
10am-2pm
Come help bring in the harvest and learn about the processes involved in turning bast fibers into cloth at Smokey House. Our textile flax and fiber hemp crops are being grown on our main campus research field. Look for processing demonstrations and hands-on opportunities to try hand processing equipment in the natural fibers lab, located near the Farmstand.
Combing Wool at Cynefin Farm
Townshend
10:30am
An ancient process -one of two techniques - used to prepare wool for spinning.
Carding Wool at Cynefin Farm
Townshend
11:00am
A second process using different tools to insure the best prepared wool for the purpose
Spinning Wool at Cynefin Farm
Townshend
11:30am
The art of using a Spinning Wheel.
Primitive Rug Weaving at Cynefin Farm
Townshend
12:00pm
Weaving rugs on a peg loom with unspun wool.
Learn about Saffron at Hobby Hill Farm
Newfane
2:00-3:00pm
Saffron is often called "the royal spice" due to its rarity and high cost. It is used in Indian, Scandinavian, Southern European and Middle Eastern cooking. It was widely grown in Colonial America, but then faded from the US scene. Since 2016, several VT farmers have been brining it back, with the help of the North American Center for Saffron, based at UVM. Hobby Hill Farm is in its fourth season of growing saffron and is in the second year of a SARE research grant to study weed suppression techniques in saffron farming. Join Hobby Hill Farm's owner, Erica Walch, as she talks about the saffron growing cycle and answers your saffron questions. Fall-blooming saffron is dormant in August, but Erica will show visitors the research beds and photos of her saffron in all its stages. Guests will get to try homemade Kesar Milk, an Indian milk drink that contains saffron, cardamom, and nuts, and lists of saffron recipes will also be available. No dogs allowed.
Tomato Trot 5K Fun Run at Cate Farm
Plainfield
4:00pm
2nd Annual Cate Farm Tomato Trot 5K fun run/walk at 4pm, and Farm Social following at 5pm. Come run/ walk around Cate Farm! The Tomato Trot 5K is a scenic trail run/walk 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/walker will receive a pound of Cate Farm tomatoes upon finishing the 5K, and anyone 65 or older who beats Farmer Richard’s time gets 2 pounds of tomatoes! (FYI, Richard is not that fast:) Tomato Trot 5K registration fee is just $10 before August 1st, $15 after August 1st. Sign up at catefarm.com. All runners and walkers must pre-register online. The course record stands at 20:33 (2022). First place runner will receive 10 pounds of tomatoes, 2nd place 5 pounds, 3rd place 3 pounds. 5pm Farm Social: After running or walking the 5K loop, celebrate with friends and neighbors and munch on some yummy snacks. Registration is $10 before August 1st, $15 after August 1st. Online registration strongly encouraged. Sign up here: https://www.catefarm.com/tomatotrot5k
Sunday, August 13th
Combing Wool at Cynefin Farm
Townshend
10:30am
An ancient process -one of two techniques - used to prepare wool for spinning.
Carding Wool at Cynefin Farm
Townshend
11:00am
A second process using different tools to insure the best prepared wool for the purpose
Spinning Wool at Cynefin Farm
Townshend
11:30am
The art of using a Spinning Wheel.
Primitive Rug Weaving at Cynefin Farm
Townshend
12:00pm
Weaving rugs on a peg loom with unspun wool.
Photo thanks to Billings Family Farm & Museum
