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What a [Farm] Week!

<p>Last week was the third annual Vermont Open Farm Week and what a week it was! Farmers throughout the state worked tirelessly to provide guests with incredible, accessible experiences – and the response was fantastic! Visitors came from near and far to find some on-farm fun. Whether farms hosted a dinner, workshop, tour or tasting – each event was successful in bringing people closer to Vermont’s working landscape and offered a unique glance into Vermont’s diverse agricultural communities. </p><p>The Open Farm Week organizing committee was lucky enough to visit some of these farms to take pictures and chat with guests. We tasted farm-fresh fried chicken, braided garlic, pet goats, fed ducks, taste-tested maple and beef, brushed Highland Cattle, made our own wool slippers, learned about flowers, herbs, bees and more! Below are some highlights from the week. </p><p><img class=”leftAlone” src=”https://www.diginvt.com/assets/_resampled/resizedimage600338-unnamed-5.jpg” width=”600″ height=”338″ alt=”” title=””/></p><p>Cows at <strong>Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company</strong>, Woodstock</p><p><img class=”leftAlone” src=”https://www.diginvt.com/assets/_resampled/resizedimage600450-IMG7115-1.jpg” width=”600″ height=”450″ alt=”” title=””/></p><p>Poetry Reading and Farm Tour at <strong>Crossmolina Farm</strong>, Corinth</p><p><img class=”leftAlone” src=”https://www.diginvt.com/assets/_resampled/resizedimage600450-IMG7127-1.jpg” width=”600″ height=”450″ alt=”” title=””/></p><p>Pigs and big sky! at <strong>Crossmolina Farm</strong>, Corinth</p><p><img class=”leftAlone” src=”https://www.diginvt.com/assets/_resampled/resizedimage600398-IMG3658.jpg” width=”600″ height=”398″ alt=”” title=””/></p><p>Garlic Braiding at <strong>Last Resort Farm</strong>, Bristol</p><p><img class=”leftAlone” src=”https://www.diginvt.com/assets/_resampled/resizedimage600398-IMG3660.JPG” width=”600″ height=”398″ alt=”” title=””/></p><p>The finished product, <strong>Last Resort Farm</strong>, Bristol</p><p><img class=”leftAlone” src=”https://www.diginvt.com/assets/_resampled/resizedimage600353-MapleWind.jpg” width=”600″ height=”353″ alt=”” title=””/></p><p><strong>Maple Wind Farm</strong> Fried Chicken Dinner, Richmond</p><p><img class=”leftAlone” src=”https://www.diginvt.com/assets/_resampled/resizedimage450600-unnamed-8_2.jpg” width=”450″ height=”600″ alt=”” title=””/></p><p>Chore Tour at <strong>Rebop Farm</strong>, Brattleboro</p><p><img class=”leftAlone” src=”https://www.diginvt.com/assets/_resampled/resizedimage600463-Screen-Shot-2017-08-23-at-10.28.39-AM.png” width=”600″ height=”463″ alt=”” title=””/></p><p>Farmer Ray Shatney at <strong>Greenfield Highland Beef</strong>, Plainfield</p><p><img class=”leftAlone” src=”https://www.diginvt.com/assets/_resampled/resizedimage464600-Screen-Shot-2017-08-23-at-10.30.02-AM.png” width=”464″ height=”600″ alt=”” title=””/></p><p>The perfect way to enjoy a hot day at <strong>Greenfield Highland Beef</strong>, Plainfield</p><p><img class=”leftAlone” src=”https://www.diginvt.com/assets/_resampled/resizedimage600353-Sandi.jpg” width=”600″ height=”353″ alt=”” title=””/></p><p>Farm Dinner at <strong>Sandiwood Farm</strong>, Wolcott</p><p><img class=”leftAlone” src=”https://www.diginvt.com/assets/_resampled/resizedimage600338-IMG3234.JPG” width=”600″ height=”338″ alt=”” title=””/></p><p>Basket Making at <strong>Sandiwood Farm</strong>, Wolcott</p><p><img class=”leftAlone” src=”https://www.diginvt.com/assets/_resampled/resizedimage600353-PicMonkey-Collage.jpg” width=”600″ height=”353″ alt=”” title=””/></p><p>Slipper making and lunch at <strong>Trollhaugen Farm</strong>, Newfane</p><p><img class=”leftAlone” src=”https://www.diginvt.com/assets/_resampled/resizedimage600398-IMG3686.jpg” width=”600″ height=”398″ alt=”” title=””/></p><p>Touring <strong>Trillium Hill Farm</strong> before dinner, Hinesburg</p><p><img class=”leftAlone” src=”https://www.diginvt.com/assets/_resampled/resizedimage600481-FullSizeRender-19.jpg” width=”600″ height=”481″ alt=”” title=””/></p><p>Paint and Sip Sap Buckets at <strong>Jed’s Maple</strong>, Derby</p><p><img class=”leftAlone” src=”https://www.diginvt.com/assets/_resampled/resizedimage600507-FullSizeRender-20.jpg” width=”600″ height=”507″ alt=”” title=””/></p><p>Tour and Tea Tasting at <strong>Free Verse Farm</strong>, Chelsea</p><p><img class=”leftAlone” src=”https://www.diginvt.com/assets/_resampled/resizedimage600450-3018643579915809088182034729935n-1.jpg” width=”600″ height=”450″ alt=”” title=””/></p><p>Goat Party at Boston Post Dairy, Enosburg Falls</p>

Source: Dig in VT Trails

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Vermont Open Farm Week

14 August 2017 – by DigInVT – Staff

Vermont Open Farm Week

Do you love local food and farms? Want to get to know your farmer better — and to get a behind-the-scenes look into Vermont’s vibrant working agricultural landscape? Mark your calendar for Vermont Open Farm Week: August 14-20, 2017 taking place at farms across Vermont! 

During Vermont Open Farm Week, you can meet the farmers, plants, and animals that bring your favorite high-quality Vermont products to your plate.  

What’s the greatest part about Open Farm Week? Every farm is unique!  Milk a cow and harvest a carrot at one farm, sit on a tractor and take in the smell of freshly cut hay at another. Find up-to-date lists of participating farms and search by location or product at DigInVT.com, your portal to Vermont’s agriculture and culinary experiences.

With so much happening all around the state, it might seem overwhelming to plan out a fun week. To make it easier on you, we’ve created a list of events happening on each day of Open Farm Week!

FAQ’s

  • When will the list of participating farms be ready?
    • They’re ready now! Click here to view them.
      • What can I do at the farms?
        • The activities from farm to farm will vary. Some farms might have scavenger hunts or wagon rides. Others may have tours, pick-your-own crops, produce for purchase, or animals that you can meet. When you arrive at a farm, check in with a farm employee to see what will be offered during your visit. 
      • What should I wear, and what should I bring to the farm?
        • Weather in August can be unpredictable!  Dress in layers and wear close-toed shoes that can get muddy.  Bring along a water bottle, bug spray, rain gear, sunscreen and a camera!  You may also want to bring a cooler, in case there are items you’d like to purchase during your visit.
      • Will there be food at the farm?
        • Some farms will be serving food, but look at each farm’s listing to confirm what they are offering.

      Are you a farmer participating in Open Farm Week? Try this page to find the information you are looking for – http://www.diginvt.com/blog/openfarmweekforfarmers/ 

      We can’t wait to see you at Vermont Open Farm Week!

Source: Dig in VT Trails

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Date Night on the Farm

<p><em style=”color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;”>Nothing says love like the freshest food and a beautiful landscape. This August, bring your sweetheart on a rural adventure to a farm where producers and chefs come together to create outstanding meals. There’s still time to book your dinners during Vermont Open Farm Week!</em></p>

August 15 | Valley Dream Farm 
Cambridge, VT 

Family style Chef dinner and farm hayride tour. Every dinner is uniquely delicious

August 16 | Sandiwood Farm 
Wolcott, VT  
A unique, tasty buffet dinner with local sides featuring farm-grown produce and of course dessert. Complimentary bar beverage for advanced reservations
August 16 | Trillium Hill Farm 
Hinesburg, VT 

Join farmers Sara, James, and Ruby from Trillium Hill Farm on Wednesday, August 16 from 5-9 for an evening of wood-fired pizza, music, drinks, and farm tours. This casual dinner is rain or shine. Trillium Hill Farm is a diverse beef and vegetable farm located in the heart of Hinesburg village

</span></strong></span></div>

August 17 | Maple Wind Farm 
Richmond, VT 

Enjoy lawn games, a local fiddler, and a chance to view the farm’s chick brooding facilities. Fried chicken will be sold by the bucket or the plate, and locally made Sisters of Anarchy ice cream will be available to purchase, too!

August 18 | Trollhaugen Farm 
Newfane, VT 

Savory gluten free galette dinner and crêpe dessert, served in the middle of the garden

August 18 | Rebop Farm 
Brattleboro, VT 

Enjoy the views from our hill-top and a multi-course dinner showcasing the abundance of our own farm raised meats, veggies, fruits, and dairy

August 18 | Silloway Maple
Randolph, VT 

It’s breakfast for dinner! Join Silloway Maple sugarmakers for a pancake supper in their Randolph, Vermont sugarhouse. Enjoy watermelon, pancakes, sausage, and their award-winning maple syrup from their wood-fired evaporator

<address style=”color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;”><span style=”color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;”><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/friday-night-pizza-at-crossmolina-farm-open-farm-week-2017″ target=”_blank”>Friday Night Pizza<br/></a></span></strong></span><span style=”font-style: normal; border-bottom: 1px dashed #cccccc; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;”><span style=”position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;”>August 18</span></span><span style=”font-style: normal;”> | Crossmolina Farm </span><br/><span style=”font-size: 12.8px;”>Corinth, VT </span></address><address style=”color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;”><span style=”font-size: 12.8px;”><p><span style=”font-style: normal;”>Come out to the farm and check out the latest, freshest produce, fresh eggs and other local goodies like mushrooms, local cheese, medicinal herb products and fresh artisan bread baked right on the farm!</span></p></span></address>

August 19 | Valley Dream Farm 
Cambridge, VT 
Family style Chef dinner and farm hayride tour. Every dinner is uniquely delicious

August 20 | Floating Bridge Co-op and Green Mountain Girls Farm 
Brookfield, VT 

Green Mountain Girls Farm meats, fruit, herbs and veggies together with contributions from others in the Floating Bridge Food and Farms Cooperative will be prepared and served by Chef Lee Duberman and Richard Fink who will host the dinner in their backyard, overlooking Sunset Lake in Brookfield, a quintessential Vermont village

<h2 style=”color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;”><em><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>Interested in something sweet? Don’t miss these romantic excursions:</span></strong></em></h2>

August 17 | Champlain Orchards and Cidery 
Shoreham, VT

Join head cidermaker Jeren Stoneman at our brand new tasting room for a guided cider tasting

August 19 | Brookfield Bees
Brookfield, VT 

Choose honey to taste from our worldwide collection and compare to our wild flower honey. There will also be a brief tour of the maple sugar set-up and honey extraction process (not actively doing these). A woods walk to bee hive location option as well

August 15 | Crossmolina Farm 
Corinth, VT 

Join us for a group poetry reading as we tour the gardens and pastures of Crossmolina Farm. Bring your favorite farm-themed poem – either your own or someone else’s – we will tour the farm finding beautiful and appropriate places to share the poems and ponder the beauty of an August evening on a local farm

August 20 | Shat Acres Farm 
Plainfield, VT 

Enjoy the farm,​and depending on good weather, bring a picnic​ and blanket, a book or crossword puzzle, and of course your camera! Take in the sweeping​ mountain and valley views while learning how Janet and Ray respectfully provide customers with healthy, locally and humanely raised meat. Beef will be available to sample and purchase

Once you get to Vermont, you’ll surely want to stay. Sleep late, sip slowly, and take in the beauty of the Green Mountain State from one of these quintessential lodging experiences: 
Rochester, VT
Marshfield, VT
Northfield, VT

Source: Dig in VT Trails

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Unique Workshops for Open Farm Week 2017

<p><em>Want to learn something new? Open Farm Week 2017 is home to some amazing workshops that could either help you perfect a skill or break you out of your comfort zone and discover a new passion! </em></p><p><em> </em></p><hr/><p> </p><h4>Trollhaugen Farm, Newfane</h4><p><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><strong><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/felting-slippers-part-1-at-trollhaugen-farm-open-farm-week-2017″ target=”_blank”>Felting Slippers</a></strong></span>: Monday, August 14th &amp; Tuesday, August 15th </p><p>Make yourself a pair of 100% wool slippers using wool from their sheep in this 2 day workshop. Wool is an amazing material that absorbs all odors, perfect for slippers! A crepe and galette lunch will be served after on Monday</p><p><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/felting-slippers-part-1-at-trollhaugen-farm-open-farm-week-2017-1″ target=”_blank”>Felting Slippers</a></span></strong>: Saturday, August 19th &amp; Sunday, August 20th</p><p>Can’t make the first workshop? Here’s another chance to make slippers using wool from their sheep in this 2 day workshop. A crepe and galette lunch will be served after on Saturday</p><p><img class=”leftAlone” src=”https://www.diginvt.com/assets/_resampled/resizedimage375210-Screen-Shot-2017-07-20-at-2.46.50-PM.png” width=”375″ height=”210″ alt=”” title=””/></p><p><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/making-the-perfect-crepe-and-galette-at-trollhaugen-farm-open-farm-week-2017″ target=”_blank”>Making the Perfect Crepe and Galette</a></span></strong>: Wednesday, August 16th or Thursday, August 17th</p><p>Practice mixing up and cooking crepes </p><h4>Last Resort Farm, Bristol </h4><p><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/learn-to-make-garlic-braids-at-last-resort-farm-open-farm-week-2017″ target=”_blank”>Learn to Make Garlic Braids</a></span></strong>: Wednesday, August 16th</p><p>Garlic braiding blends beuty, spice, and wellness! Join farmer Eugenie Doyle to learn the art of weaving flowers with softneck, certified organic garlic to create a functional and delicious braid </p><p><img class=”leftAlone” src=”https://www.diginvt.com/assets/_resampled/resizedimage300218-IMG3332.jpg” width=”300″ height=”218″ alt=”” title=””/></p><h4>Sandiwood Farm, Wolcott </h4><p><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><strong><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/farm-to-fork-dinner-with-movie-and-optional-workshops-at-sandiwood-farm-open-farm-week-2017″ target=”_blank”>Pine Needle Basket Workshop</a></strong></span>: Wednesday, August 16th</p><p>Learn to make pine needle baskets on the farm and stick around after for a unique on-farm dinner and movie </p><h4>Rebop Farm, Brattleboro</h4><p><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><strong><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/cheesemaking-in-the-farm-kitchen-at-rebop-farm-open-farm-week-2017″ target=”_blank”>Cheesemaking in the Farm Kitchen</a></strong></span>: Wednesday, August 16th</p><p>Hands-on cheesemaking class using their raw cow milk. Designed to be useful for adventurous home cooks and folks that want to play with milk science! You will likely make butter, ricotta, mozzarella, creme fraiche, and/or sour cream. There will also be a tour of the milking facilities</p><p><img class=”leftAlone” src=”https://www.diginvt.com/assets/static1.squarespace.jpg” width=”300″ height=”309″ alt=”” title=””/></p><h4>Green Mountain Girls Fam, Northfield</h4><p><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/scarecrow-making-pick-your-own-herbs-and-farm-tours-at-green-mountain-girls-farm-open-farm-week-2017″ target=”_blank”>Scarecrow Making</a></span></strong>: Thursday, August 17th</p><p>A fun-filled afternoon will include a scarecrow making workshop along with pick-your-own herbs and farm tours </p><h4>Crossmolina Farm, Corinth </h4><p><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/pickle-making-workshop-at-crossmolina-farm-open-farm-week-2017″ target=”_blank”>Pickle Making Workshop</a></span></strong>: Saturday, August 19th</p><p>Learn to make and preserve your own pickles from scratch! All materials will be provided. Participants will go home with 7 jars of dill pickles</p><p><img class=”leftAlone” src=”https://www.diginvt.com/assets/_resampled/resizedimage375225-Screen-Shot-2017-07-20-at-2.49.29-PM.png” width=”375″ height=”225″ alt=”” title=””/></p>

Source: Dig in VT Trails

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Experience an On-Farm Meal During Open Farm Week 2017

<p><em>On-farm meals are a great way to experience a farm and the food they grow or the animals they raise. Enjoy a fantastic meal with people from the community who appreciate local food just like you while getting to know the farmers. There are a few on-farm meals during Open Farm Week 2017, so make it a point to go to one near (or far away from) you!</em></p><p></p><hr style=”font-style: italic;”/><h4><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/farmers-table-dinner-and-tour-at-valley-dream-farm-open-farm-week-2017″ target=”_blank”>Farmers Table Dinner and Tour</a></span>, Valley Dream Farm</span></h4><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”>Cambridge, VT | Tuesday, August 15th or Saturday, August 19th | 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm<br/>Family style chef dinner and farm hayride tour. Every dinner is uniquely delicious</span></address><h4><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/trillium-hill-farm-harvest-party-at-trillium-hill-farm-open-farm-week-2017″ target=”_blank”>Trillium Hill Farm Harvest Party</a></span>, Trillium Hill Farm</span></h4><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”>Hinesburg, VT | Wednesday, August 16th | 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm<br/>An evening of wood-fired pizza, music, drinks, and farm tours at this diverse beef and vegetable farm located in the heart of Hinesburg village</span></address><h4><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/farm-to-fork-dinner-with-movie-and-optional-workshops-at-sandiwood-farm-open-farm-week-2017″ target=”_blank”>Farm to Fork Wood-Oven Dinner with Movie and Optional Workshops</a></span>, Sandiwood Farm</span></h4><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”>Wolcott, VT | Wednesday, August 16th | 3:00 pm<br/></span><span style=”font-style: normal;”>A unique, tasty dinner with local sides featuring farm-grown produce and, of course, dessert. Come for a memorable, old time Vermont evening. Gather with friends and family, and meet new interesting people while watching an amazing sunset around a fire. Movie screening once the sun goes down</span></address><h4><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/fried-chicken-dinner-on-the-farm-at-maple-wind-farm-open-farm-week-2017″ target=”_blank”>Fried Chicken Dinner on the Farm</a></span>, Maple Wind Farm</span></h4><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”>Richmond, VT | Thursday, August 17th | 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm<br/></span><span style=”font-style: normal;”>The best fried chicken served up battered and fried with all the fixins’ is coming to Open Farm Week 2017 at Maple Wind Farm. Enjoy lawn games, a local fiddler, and a chance to view the farm’s chick brooding facilities. Fried chicken will be sold by the bucket or the plate, and locally-made Sisters of Anarchy ice cream will be available to purchase, too!</span></address><h4><span style=”font-style: normal;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/pancake-supper-at-silloway-maple-open-farm-week-2017″ target=”_blank”>Pancake Supper</a>, Silloway Maple</span></h4><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”>Randolph Center, VT | Friday, August 18th | 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm<br/>It’s breakfast for dinner! Enjoy watermelon, pancakes, sausage, and their award-winning maple syrup from their wood-fired evaporator. Dinner begins at 5:00 pm, but come early for a maple candy making demonstration at 4:30 pm!</span></address><h4><span style=”font-style: normal;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/crepe-and-galette-dinner-at-trollhaugen-farm-open-farm-week-2017″ target=”_blank”>Crepe and Galette Dinner</a>, Trollhaugen Farm</span></h4><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”>Newfane, VT | Friday, August 18th | 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm<br/></span><span style=”font-style: normal;”>Savory gluten-free galette dinner and crepe dessert, served in the middle of the garden</span></address><h4><span style=”font-style: normal;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/friday-night-pizza-at-crossmolina-farm-open-farm-week-2017″ target=”_blank”>Friday Night Pizza</a>, Crossmolina Farm</span></h4><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”>Corinth, VT | Friday, August 18th | 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm<br/>Head out to Crossmolina Farm and check out their latest, freshest produce, fresh eggs, and other local goodies like mushrooms, local cheese, medicinal herb products and fresh artisan bread baked right on the farm! Pizza will be served on the farm or take it home. There will also be live music and a cheese tasting with neighboring farm Blythedale Cheese</span></address><h4><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/dinner-on-the-farm-at-rebop-farm-open-farm-week-2017″ target=”_blank”>Dinner on the Farm</a>, Rebop Farm</h4><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”>Brattleboro, VT | Friday, August 18th | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm<br/>Enjoy the views from their hill-top and a multi-course dinner showcasing the abundance of ther own farm-raised meats, veggies, fruits, and dairy</span></address><h4><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/on-farm-community-lunch-at-clyde-river-farm-open-farm-week-2017″ target=”_blank”>On-Farm Community Lunch</a></span>, Clyde River Farm</h4><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”>East Charleston, VT | Saturday, August 19th | 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm<br/>Enjoy a free lunch served by the Green Mountain Farm-to-School Lunchbox food truck</span></address><h4><span style=”font-style: normal;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/celebrating-25-years-of-growing-at-berry-creek-farm-open-farm-week-2017″ target=”_blank”>Celebrating 25 Years of Growing</a>, Berry Creek Farm</span></h4><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”>Westfield, VT | Saturday, August 19th | 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm<br/>Farm tour followed by NOFA-VT Pizza oven-fresh pizza served on the farm</span></address>

Source: Dig in VT Trails

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Kid Friendly Open Farm Week 2017 Events

<p><em>There are over 80 Open Farm Week 2017 events, so choosing which ones will work for your little ones can be daunting. With that in mind, we made it easy to find the kid friendly events statewide for you and your family because it’s never too early to teach your kids where their food comes from!</em></p><p><em><hr/></em></p><h2>Monday, August 14th</h2><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/morning-chores-and-garden-work-at-meadow-s-bee-farm-open-farm-week-2017″ target=”_blank”>Meadow’s Bee Farm</a></span>, Windham</strong><br/>Morning Chores and Garden Work | 8:00 am – 11:00 am | <span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Milk cows, put sheep on pasture, feed chickens and weed the garden</span></span></address><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><br/></span></span></address><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/children-s-garden-party-at-merck-forest-and-farmland-center-open-farm-week-2017″ target=”_blank”>Merck Forest and Farmland Center</a></span>, Rupert</strong><br/>Children’s Garden Party | 10:00 am | <span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Planting/ Weeding/ Harvesting, Storytime and Games</span></span></address><address><br/></address><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/evening-chores-and-farm-tour-at-rebop-farm-open-farm-week-2017″ target=”_blank”>Rebop Farm</a></span>, Brattleboro</strong></span></span></address><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Evening Chores and Farm Tour | 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm | <span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Milking cows, bottle feeding calves, feeding pigs/turkeys/ducks/rabbits, moving sheep, collecting eggs</span></span></span></address><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><br/></span></span></address><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/junior-sugarmaking-learning-and-quiz-at-sugarbush-maple-and-cheese-farm-open-farm-week-2017″ target=”_blank”>Sugarbush Maple &amp; Cheese Farm</a></span>, Woodstock</strong><br/>Junior Sugarmaking Learning and Quiz | 10:30 am – 3:30 pm | <span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Children &amp; Adults can sample maple syrup, walk the maple trail, visit the sugar house and learn how maple syrup is made in the spring. Earn a Sugarmaker Ceritifcate after finding the answers to a 10 question quiz</span></span></address><address><br/></address><address><strong style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/sampling-and-tour-at-vermont-farmstead-cheese-company-open-farm-week-2017″ target=”_blank”>Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company</a></span>, South Woodstock</strong></address><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”>Sampling &amp; Tour | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | <span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Free samples of cheese and crackers</span></span></address> <hr/><p><span style=”color: #414141; font-size: 26px; font-weight: 700;”>Tuesday, August 15th</span></p><p><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/children-s-garden-party-at-merck-forest-and-farmland-center-open-farm-week-2017-1″ target=”_blank”>Merck Forest and Farmland Center</a></span>, Rupert</strong><br/>Children’s Garden Party | 10:00 am | <span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Planting/ Weeding/ Harvesting, Storytime and Games</span></p><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/evening-chores-and-farm-tour-at-rebop-farm-open-farm-week-2017-1″ target=”_blank”>Rebop Farm</a></span>, Brattleboro</strong></span></span></address><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Evening Chores and Farm Tour | 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm | <span>Milking cows, bottle feeding calves, feeding pigs/turkeys/ducks/rabbits, moving sheep, collecting eggs</span></span></span></address><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><span><br/></span></span></span></address><p><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/junior-sugarmaking-learning-and-quiz-at-sugarbush-maple-and-cheese-farm-open-farm-week-2017-1″ target=”_blank”>Sugarbush Maple &amp; Cheese Farm</a></span>, Woodstock</strong><br/>Junior Sugarmaking Learning and Quiz | 10:30 am – 3:30 pm | <span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Children &amp; Adults can sample maple syrup, walk the maple trail, visit the sugar house and learn how maple syrup is made in the spring. Earn a Sugarmaker Ceritifcate after finding the answers to a 10 question quiz</span></p><address><span style=”font-weight: 700; font-style: normal;”><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/sampling-and-tour-at-vermont-farmstead-cheese-company-open-farm-week-2017-1″ target=”_blank”>Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company</a></span>, South Woodstock</span></address><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”>Sampling &amp; Tour | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | <span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Free samples of cheese and crackers</span></span></address><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><br/></span></span></address> <hr/><p><span style=”color: #414141; font-size: 26px; font-weight: 700;”>Wednesday, August 16th</span></p><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/family-fun-day-at-boston-post-dairy-open-farm-week-2017″ target=”_blank”>Boston Post Dairy</a></span>, Enosburg Falls<br/></strong>Family Fun Day | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm | <span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>There will be face-painting, and a chance to sample their award-winning cheeses while you learn how cheese is made. Visitors can pet the goats and calves, feed the ducks, goats and chickens, and participate in their Boston Post Dairy Quest</span></span></address><address><br/></address><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/tours-with-sugarmaker-steve-at-jed-s-maple-products-open-farm-week-2017″ target=”_blank”>Jed’s Maple Products</a></span>, Derby</strong></span></span></address><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Tours with Sugarmaker Steve | 10:00 am, 12:00 pm, and 2:00 pm | <span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Tour the woods, museum and sugarhouse</span></span></span></address><address><br/></address><p><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/morning-chores-and-garden-work-at-meadow-s-bee-farm-open-farm-week-2017-1″ target=”_blank”>Meadow’s Bee Farm</a></span>, Windham</strong><br/>Morning Chores and Garden Work | 8:00 am – 11:00 am | <span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Milk cows, put sheep on pasture, feed chickens and weed the garden</span></p><p><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/children-s-garden-party-at-merck-forest-and-farmland-center-open-farm-week-2017-2″ target=”_blank”>Merck Forest and Farmland Center</a></span>, Rupert</strong><br/>Children’s Garden Party | 10:00 am | <span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Planting/ Weeding/ Harvesting, Storytime and Games</span></p><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/garden-party-at-the-children-s-farmyard-at-shelburne-farms-open-farm-week-2017″ target=”_blank”>Shelburne Farms</a></span>, Shelburne<br/></strong></span><span style=”font-family: Arial; color: #000000;”><span style=”white-space: pre-wrap;”>Garden Party at the Children’s Farmyard | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | <span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>The garden in the Children’s Farmyard at Shelburne Farms is full of possibilities. Join farmyard educators for a harvesting adventure, then concoct tasty kitchen creations!</span></span></span></span></address><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”font-family: Arial; color: #000000;”><span style=”white-space: pre-wrap;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><br/></span></span></span></span></address><p><strong><span style=”font-weight: 700;”><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/junior-sugarmaking-learning-and-quiz-at-sugarbush-maple-and-cheese-farm-open-farm-week-2017-2″ target=”_blank”>Sugarbush Maple &amp; Cheese Farm</a></span></span>, Woodstock</strong><br/>Junior Sugarmaking Learning and Quiz | 10:30 am – 3:30 pm | <span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Children &amp; Adults can sample maple syrup, walk the maple trail, visit the sugar house and learn how maple syrup is made in the spring. Earn a Sugarmaker Ceritifcate after finding the answers to a 10 question quiz</span></p><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/sampling-and-tour-at-vermont-farmstead-cheese-company-open-farm-week-2017-2″ target=”_blank”>Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company</a></span><span style=”font-weight: 700;”>, South Woodstock</span></span></address><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”>Sampling &amp; Tour | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | <span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Free samples of cheese and crackers</span></span></address><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><br/></span></span></address> <hr/><p><span style=”color: #414141; font-size: 26px; font-weight: 700;”>Thursday, August 17th</span></p><p><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/children-s-garden-party-at-merck-forest-and-farmland-center-open-farm-week” target=”_blank”>Merck Forest and Farmland Center</a></span>, Rupert</strong><br/>Children’s Garden Party | 10:00 am | <span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Planting/ Weeding/ Harvesting, Storytime and Games</span></p><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/farm-chores-for-children-at-merck-forest-and-farmland-center-open-farm-week-2017″ target=”_blank”>Merck Forest and Farmland Center</a></span>, Rupert</strong><br/></span><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Farm Chores for Children | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm | <span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Join the farm staff for daily chores. Ages 3 years old and up. This “workshop” is designed to introduce children to simple farm routines &amp; products, and to meet our animals under expert supervision</span></span></span></address><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><br/></span></span></span></address> <address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/evening-chores-and-farm-tour-at-rebop-farm-open-farm-week-2017-2″ target=”_blank”>Rebop Farm</a></span>, Brattleboro</strong></span></span></address><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Evening Chores and Farm Tour | 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm | <span>Milking cows, bottle feeding calves, feeding pigs/turkeys/ducks/rabbits, moving sheep, collecting eggs</span></span></span></address><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><span><br/></span></span></span></address><p><strong><span style=”font-weight: 700;”><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/junior-sugarmaking-learning-and-quiz-at-sugarbush-maple-and-cheese-farm-open-farm-week-2017-3″ target=”_blank”>Sugarbush Maple &amp; Cheese Farm</a></span></span>, Woodstock</strong><br/>Junior Sugarmaking Learning and Quiz | 10:30 am – 3:30 pm | <span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Children &amp; Adults can sample maple syrup, walk the maple trail, visit the sugar house and learn how maple syrup is made in the spring. Earn a Sugarmaker Ceritifcate after finding the answers to a 10 question quiz</span></p><address><span style=”font-weight: 700; font-style: normal;”><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/sampling-and-tour-at-vermont-farmstead-cheese-company-open-farm-week-2017-3″ target=”_blank”>Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company</a></span>, South Woodstock</span></address><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”>Sampling &amp; Tour | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | <span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Free samples of cheese and crackers</span></span></address><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><br/></span></span></address> <hr/><p><span style=”color: #414141; font-size: 26px; font-weight: 700;”>Friday, August 18th</span></p><p><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/morning-chores-and-garden-work-at-meadow-s-bee-farm-open-farm-week-2017-2″ target=”_blank”>Meadow’s Bee Farm</a></span>, Windham</strong><br/>Morning Chores and Garden Work | 8:00 am – 11:00 am | <span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Milk cows, put sheep on pasture, feed chickens and weed the garden</span></p><p><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/children-s-garden-party-at-merck-forest-and-farmland-center-open-farm-week-2017-3″ target=”_blank”>Merck Forest and Farmland Center</a></span>, Rupert</strong><br/>Children’s Garden Party | 10:00 am | <span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Planting/ Weeding/ Harvesting, Storytime and Games</span></p><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/quarry-hill-farmival-at-quarry-hill-farm-open-farm-week-2017″ target=”_blank”>Quarry Hill Farm</a></span>, Jeffersonville</strong><br/></span><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Quarry Hill Farmival | 11:00 am – 8:00 pm | A family friendly farm themed carnival with food, games, music, market, farm tours, and demos! </span></span></address><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><br/></span></span></address><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/pancake-supper-at-silloway-maple-open-farm-week-2017″ target=”_blank”>Silloway Maple</a></span>, Randolph Center<br/></strong></span><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Pancake Supper | 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm | <span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>It’s breakfast for dinner! Join Silloway Maple sugarmakers for a pancake supper in their Randolph, Vermont sugarhouse. Enjoy watermelon, pancakes, sausage, and their award-winning maple syrup from their wood-fired evaporator. Serving dinner from 5-7 pm. Come early for a maple candy making demonstration at 4:30! Rain or shine</span></span></span></address><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><br/></span></span></span></address><p><strong><span style=”font-weight: 700;”><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/junior-sugarmaking-learning-and-quiz-at-sugarbush-maple-and-cheese-farm-open-farm-week-2017-4″ target=”_blank”>Sugarbush Maple &amp; Cheese Farm</a></span></span>, Woodstock</strong><br/>Junior Sugarmaking Learning and Quiz | 10:30 am – 3:30 pm | <span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Children &amp; Adults can sample maple syrup, walk the maple trail, visit the sugar house and learn how maple syrup is made in the spring. Earn a Sugarmaker Ceritifcate after finding the answers to a 10 question quiz</span></p><address><span style=”font-weight: 700; font-style: normal;”><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/sampling-and-tour-at-vermont-farmstead-cheese-company-open-farm-week-2017-4″ target=”_blank”>Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company</a></span>, South Woodstock</span></address><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”>Sampling &amp; Tour | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | <span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Free samples of cheese and crackers</span></span></address><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><br/></span></span></address> <hr/><p><span style=”color: #414141; font-size: 26px; font-weight: 700;”>Saturday, August 19th</span></p><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/meet-the-animals-taste-the-tomatoes-and-tour-the-farm-at-lester-farm-and-market-open-farm-week-2017″ target=”_blank”>Lester Farm &amp; Market</a></span>, New Haven</strong><br/><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Meet the Animals, Taste the Tomatoes, and Tour the Farm | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm | <span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Petting zoo (dwarf goats, sheep, chickens, geese). Samplings of our tomatoes and other produce. Wagon ride around the farm (weather permitting)</span></span></span></address><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><br/></span></span></span></address><p><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/morning-chores-and-garden-work-at-meadow-s-bee-farm-open-farm-week-2017-3″ target=”_blank”>Meadow’s Bee Farm</a></span>, Windham</strong><br/>Morning Chores and Garden Work | 8:00 am – 11:00 am | <span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Milk cows, put sheep on pasture, feed chickens and weed the garden</span></p><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/meet-the-parris-hill-farm-alpacas-and-shop-at-the-alpacart-studio-at-parris-hill-farm-alpacas-and-the-alpacart-studio-open-farm-week-2017″ target=”_blank”>Parris Hill Farm Alpacas and the AlpcArt Studio</a></span>, Brownsville </strong><br/></span><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Meet the Parris Hill Farm Alpacas | 11:00 am – 4:00 pm | <span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>”Alpaca 101″ – Learn all about the Alpaca</span></span></span></span></address><address><br/></address><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><strong><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/morning-music-for-little-farmers-at-philo-ridge-farm-open-farm-week-2017″ target=”_blank”>Philo Ridge Farm</a>, Charlotte </strong></span></span></span></span></address><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Morning Music for Little Farmers | 9:30 am – 11:30 am | <span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Explore farm animals, vegetables, soil and more through song and play. Bring your little farmers to the Livestock Barn at Philo Ridge Farm for a fun morning of exploration, featuring music with Julia Wayne of Mayfly! </span></span></span></span></span></address><address><br/></address><p><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/quarry-hill-farmival-at-quarry-hill-farm-open-farm-week-2017-1″ target=”_blank”>Quarry Hill Farm</a></span>, Jeffersonville</strong><br/></span><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Quarry Hill Farmival | 11:00 am – 8:00 pm | A family friendly farm themed carnival with food, games, music, market, farm tours, and demos! </span></span></p><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/evening-chores-and-farm-tour-at-rebop-farm-open-farm-week-2017-3″ target=”_blank”>Rebop Farm</a></span>, Brattleboro</strong></span></span></address><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Evening Chores and Farm Tour | 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm | <span>Milking cows, bottle feeding calves, feeding pigs/turkeys/ducks/rabbits, moving sheep, collecting eggs</span></span></span></address><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><span><br/></span></span></span></address><p><strong><span style=”font-weight: 700;”><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/junior-sugarmaking-learning-and-quiz-at-sugarbush-maple-and-cheese-farm-open-farm-week-2017-5″ target=”_blank”>Sugarbush Maple &amp; Cheese Farm</a></span></span>, Woodstock</strong><br/>Junior Sugarmaking Learning and Quiz | 10:30 am – 3:30 pm | <span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Children &amp; Adults can sample maple syrup, walk the maple trail, visit the sugar house and learn how maple syrup is made in the spring. Earn a Sugarmaker Ceritifcate after finding the answers to a 10 question quiz</span></p><hr/><p><span style=”color: #414141; font-size: 26px; font-weight: 700;”>Sunday, August 20th</span></p><p><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/meet-the-parris-hill-farm-alpacas-and-shop-at-the-alpacart-studio-at-parris-hill-farm-alpacas-and-the-alpacart-studio-open-farm-week-2017-1″ target=”_blank”>Parris Hill Farm Alpacas and the AlpcArt Studio</a></span>, Brownsville </strong><br/></span><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><span>Meet the Parris Hill Farm Alpacas | 11:00 am – 4:00 pm | <span>”Alpaca 101″ – Learn all about the Alpaca</span></span></span></p><p><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/quarry-hill-farmival-at-quarry-hill-farm-open-farm-week-2017-2″ target=”_blank”>Quarry Hill Farm</a></span>, Jeffersonville</strong><br/></span><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Quarry Hill Farmival | 11:00 am – 8:00 pm | A family friendly farm themed carnival with food, games, music, market, farm tours, and demos! </span></p><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/evening-chores-and-farm-tour-at-rebop-farm-open-farm-week-2017-4″ target=”_blank”>Rebop Farm</a></span>, Brattleboro</strong></span></span></address><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Evening Chores and Farm Tour | 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm | <span>Milking cows, bottle feeding calves, feeding pigs/turkeys/ducks/rabbits, moving sheep, collecting eggs</span></span></span></address><address><span style=”font-style: normal;”><span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”><span><br/></span></span></span></address><p><strong><span style=”font-weight: 700;”><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><a href=”https://www.diginvt.com/events/detail/junior-sugarmaking-learning-and-quiz-at-sugarbush-maple-and-cheese-farm-open-farm-week-2017-6″ target=”_blank”>Sugarbush Maple &amp; Cheese Farm</a></span></span>, Woodstock</strong><br/>Junior Sugarmaking Learning and Quiz | 10:30 am – 3:30 pm | <span style=”color: #000000; font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;”>Children &amp; Adults can sample maple syrup, walk the maple trail, visit the sugar house and learn how maple syrup is made in the spring. Earn a Sugarmaker Ceritifcate after finding the answers to a 10 question quiz</span></p>

Source: Dig in VT Trails

Posted on

Plate Cheese Like a Pro

18 July 2017 – by Vermont Fresh Network

Plate Cheese Like a Pro

Though it’s unofficial, July is the cheesiest month of the year – the Vermont Cheesemakers Festival takes over Shelburne Farms on August 16th and ushers in a string of national and worldwide cheese competitions where Vermont producers win big. Of course, we don’t need fancy awards to know that Vermont cheese is exceptional, but it’s nice to share our knowledge with the world. Naturally, Vermont chefs also know a thing or two about our state pride and you can find gourmet cheese lists and boards in restaurants across the state. Here are some pro tips, pics, and [virtual] tastes of their cheese boards.

 Pics & Tips

duo Restaurant, Brattleboro | Owner Stephanie Bonin

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What are the must-have components to the perfect cheese plate?

Variety in texture & correct sizing of the cheese wedges. Palate fatigue is real and too much of a good thing can leave us no longer enjoying what tasted amazing the first 2 bites. Textures are another way we taste food and complementing textures allow us to taste a cheese differently.

Your most out-of-the-box cheese plate addition?

Housemade olive shortbread.

What’s your best advice for a novice looking to create an incredible cheese plate? 

Ask your favorite chef in your town.

Tell us about your cheese plate…

Chocolate & Cheese. Tavernier chocolate truffles / pistachios / pear chip / strawberries / Champlain Valley, Triple Cream / 2 year Grafton Village Cheese, Cheddar Cheese / Blue Ledge Farm, blue cheese

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What are the must-have components to the perfect cheese plate?

Mustard, seasonal compote or jam, and pickles.

Your most out-of-the-box cheese plate addition?

Pickled cherries and chanterelles.

Your favorite Vermont cheese to work with right now? 

Jasper Hill Harbison

What’s your best advice for a novice looking to create an incredible cheese plate?

A good variety of cheese – a soft cheese, a semi-soft, maybe a blue and variety of animals – sheep, goat, cow, etc.. 

Tell us about your cheese plate…

We currently offer four local cheeses and charcuterie, served with a seasonal jam, pickles, house-made crackers and Elmore Mountain Bread. The usual [cheese] suspects are Sage Goat, Lazy Lady, Bayley Hazen, Champlain Creamery, Sweet Rowen.

Shelburne Farms Cheese Plate 1

What are the must-have components to the perfect cheese plate?

CHEESE, nuts, dried fruit, herbs.

Your favorite Vermont cheese to work with right now?

Shelburne Farms Cheddar and Blue Ledge Farm’s Lake’s Edge

What’s your best advice for a novice looking to create an incredible cheese plate? 

To make it appealing, don’t ‘pile’ the cheese. Take the time to lay each piece down and use the natural curves of the cheese to make lines on the platter. And don’t be afraid to keep some whole!

Tell us about your cheese plate…

It’s a selection of 5 to 6 Vermont cheeses that are accompanied by nuts, jam, fruit butter, and crackers.

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What are the must-have components to the perfect cheese plate?

A variety of textures – you don’t want soft on soft on more soft. I also feel strongly that cheese plates in VT should have VT products on them – there is so much good cheese here it is a little ridiculous.

Your most out-of-the-box cheese plate addition?

We regularly rotate cheese plates and structure them as pairings. A recent (and unusual) pairing was organic pineapple with lime juice, mint, a spice blend of sumac and ground red pepper flakes, Orb Weaver’s Cave Aged cheese, Maldon salt, and house-made corn nuts.

Your favorite Vermont cheese to work with right now? 

I cannot choose….. Champlain Valley Creamery Pyramid Scheme, Orb Weaver, Humble Pie, Bijou, Bayley Hazen Blue….

What’s your best advice for a novice looking to create an incredible cheese plate?

Balance texture, flavor and color. Cheese plates should have some pop to them, on both visual and taste ranges.

Tell us about your cheese plate…

This week’s cheese plate is American-made prosciutto, house-made black pepper crackers, cielegine mozzarella (made with VT milk) and a blood orange reduction. Garnish is some brightly colored celosia, from the garden.

cheese plate 1

What are the must-have components to the perfect cheese plate?

Three cheeses, nuts, some sort of fruit compote, bread or crackers.

Your most out-of-the-box cheese plate addition?

Pickled fiddleheads – pickled in house.

Your favorite Vermont cheese to work with right now?

Vermont Creamery and Sweet Rowen Farm

What’s your best advice for a novice looking to create an incredible cheese plate?

Taste to see what you like, you should have a variety of tastes on the plate – not all one dimensional. Play with texture, mouthfeel, and flavors of the cheeses (one with ash, one dry aged, one fresh, etc.).

Tell us about your cheese plate…

American Continental with French flair.

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What are the must-have components to the perfect cheese plate? 

Some crunch, some (good) bread, something fresh, Cheeses (of course), a bit of green. 

Your favorite Vermont cheese to work with right now?

Vermont Creamery Bijou, Jasper Hill Blue, Cobb Hill Ascutney Mountain. 

What’s your best advice for a novice looking to create an incredible cheese plate?

Keep it SIMPLE.

Tell us about your cheese plate…

Selection of VT 3 cheeses that we rotate on a regularly: Bijou Vt Creamery, Jasper Hill Bailey Hazen Blue, Smoked Cheddar from Grafton Village. Apple butter, candied walnut, grilled O’Bread whole wheat or French round, dried cranberry, apple.

Cheese Weathersfield

What are the must-have components to the perfect cheese plate?

The cheeses are often from cheese makers that I know in Vermont. We only serve components w cheese that we make as well as a few slices of dates. I like to serve the grilled toast warm which has been drizzled with a fruity olive oil.

Your most out-of-the-box cheese plate addition?

Candied spaghetti squash.

Your favorite Vermont cheese to work with right now?

The soft goat cheese from Lazy Lady and the soft cheese from Woodcock Farm.

What’s your best advice for a novice looking to create an incredible cheese plate?

Have 3 different styles of cheese to see what you might like the best, but only what you will eat in a short period of time.

Tell us about your cheese plate… 

3-5 Vermont cheeses served with 2 different condiments, sliced dates and warm toast points.

Long Trail Brewery, Bridgewater Corners | Manager Brian Sherwood

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What are the must-have components to the perfect cheese plate? 

Local Vermont cheese.

Your favorite Vermont cheese to work with right now?

Our own Blackbeary Wheat Cheddar made by Vermont Farmstead. Pictured above is Long Trail/Vermont Farmstead Limbo Cheddar collaboration – read about that here!

No pics – Just Tips

What are the must-have components to the perfect cheese plate? 

Seasonal fruit compote, house pickled local vegetables, toasted nuts, local honey, Red Hen Fig bread, 4 diverse cheeses (different milk, different textures, flavors). 

Your most out-of-the-box cheese plate addition?

Pickled Vermont watermelon rind; housemade raisins on the vine.

Your favorite Vermont cheese to work with right now?

Sage Farm Worcester Tomme 

What’s your best advice for a novice looking to create an incredible cheese plate?

Always select different styles of cheese for an interesting plate, and try to have a balance of flavor and texture to keep the palate stimulated.

Tell us about your cheese plate…

Our cheese plate selection rotates. Our servers verbally tell the guest the offerings each night, and with their board, a small framed cheese menu with descriptions is placed on the table. We offer a selection of 3 local cheeses plus Tete de Moine, a cheese from Michael’s home of Switzerland. Served on a wooden board with house pickled vegetables, fruit compote, local honey, toasted nuts, Red Hen Fig Bread. Our items change from time to time.

Tip Top Cafe, White River Junction | Owner Eileen McGuckin

What are the must-have components to the perfect cheese plate?

Fruit and nuts. 

Your most out-of-the-box cheese plate addition?

Date almond cakes.

Your favorite Vermont cheese to work with right now?

We use an assortment of cheeses on our cheese plate. We try to always have goat, sheep and cow’s milk cheese and try to mix up textures, hard, soft, semi-soft.

What’s your best advice for a novice looking to create an incredible cheese plate?

Don’t be afraid to mix it up and experiment with cheeses you are not familiar with. 

Tell us about your cheese plate…

3 ounces of 3 different kinds of VT cheese, date almond cakes, seasonal fruit, Marcona almonds, and seeded lavash crackers from King Arthur Flour.

Just a Pic – isn’t she a beauty?

Prohibition Pig, Waterbury | Chef Michael Werneke 

cheese 2

Source: Dig in VT Trails

Posted on

Open Farm Week 2017: Participating Farms and Farmers Markets

11 July 2017 – by Jasmyn Druge

Open Farm Week 2017: Participating Farms and Farmers Markets

Plan your schedule for this year’s Vermont Open Farm Week – get to know the places where your food comes from and the people that make it all happen. Enjoy a range of events from on-farm dinners to workshops and tours that will be uniquely crafted at every farm. Whether you stay close to home or travel to unknown corners of Vermont, you’re sure to have a fantastic experience!

Monday, August 14th

North

Devaney Farm, West Charleston
Tasting of Preserves | All Day | A tasting of their hot pepper jelly, pickles, and sheep feta cheese

Jed’s Maple Products, Derby
Maple Speciality Food Tasting | All Day | Taste maple specialty foods made right on the farm

Central

Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company, South Woodstock
Sampling & Tour | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | Free samples of cheese and crackers
Sugarbush Maple & Cheese Farm, Woodstock
Junior Sugarmaking Learning & Quiz | 10:30 am – 3:30 pm | Children and adults can sample maple syrup, walk the maple trail, visit the sugar house and learn how maple syrup is made in the spring. Earn a Sugarmaker Certificate after finding the answers to a 10 question quiz

South

Meadow’s Bee Farm, Windham
Morning Chores and Garden Work | 8:00 am – 11:00 am | Milk cows, put sheep on pasture, feed chickens and weed the garden

Merck Forest and Farmland Center, Rupert
Children’s Garden Party | 10:00 am | Planting, Weeding, Harvesting, Storytime, and Games

Rebop Farm, Brattleboro
Evening Chores and Farm Tour | 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm | Milking cows, bottle feeding calves, feeding pigs/turkeys/ducks/rabbits, moving sheep, collecting eggs

Trollhaugen Farm, Newfane
Felting Slippers (part 1) | 9:30 am – 1:30 pm | Make yourself a pair of 100% wool slippers using wool from our sheep. Wool is an amazing material that absorbs all odors, perfect for slippers!

Tuesday, August 15th

North

Devaney Farm, West Charleston
Tasting of Preserves | All Day | A tasting of their hot pepper jelly, pickles, and sheep feta cheese

Jed’s Maple Products, Derby
Paint and Sip at the Sugarhouse | 6:30 pm | Paint sap buckets with one of our local art teachers
North Williston Cattle Co., Williston

Farm Tours | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm | Visit the nursery and see how they raise their newborn Holstein calves and tour the robotic milkers to see how technology helps manage the farm. The cows are able to choose to be milked 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Philo Ridge Farm, Charlotte
Grazing Research and Field Day & Pasture Walk with Jim Gerrish | 10:00 am – 3:30 pm | Join staff from the UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture’s Pasture and Farming & Climate Change programs to spend a day on a diversified, grass-based farm in Charlotte 
Valley Dream Farm, Cambridge
Farmers Table Dinner and Tour | 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm | Family style Chef dinner and farm hayride tour

Central

Crossmolina Farm, Corinth
Poetry Themed Farm Tour | 6:00 pm | Join Crossmolia Farm for a group poetry reading as you tour the gardens and pastures of the farm

Sugarbush Maple & Cheese Farm, Woodstock
Junior Sugarmaking Learning & Quiz | 10:30 am – 3:30 pm | Children and adults can sample maple syrup, walk the maple trail, visit the sugar house and learn how maple syrup is made in the spring. Earn a Sugarmaker Certificate after finding the answers to a 10 question quiz

Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company, South Woodstock 
Sampling & Tour | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | Free samples of cheese and crackers

South

Merck Forest and Farmland Center, Rupert 
Children’s Garden Party | 10:00 am | Planting, Weeding, Harvesting, Storytime, and Games

Merck Forest and Farmland Center, Rupert
Draft Horse Clinic for Teens | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm | Visitors from 12 – 15 years old will learn how to care for horses, and may have an opportunity to harness & drive our draft horse team

Rebop Farm, Brattleboro
Evening Chores and Farm Tour | 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm | Milking cows, bottle feeding calves, feeding pigs/turkeys/ducks/rabbits, moving sheep, collecting eggs

Trollhaugen Farm, Newfane
Felting Slippers (part 2) | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm | Finish making your slippers begun Monday

Wednesday, August 16th

North

Boston Post Dairy, LLC, Enosburg Falls
Family Fun Day | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm | Go and visit their farm and animals! There will be face-painting, and a chance to sample their award-winning cheeses while you learn how cheese is made. Visitors can pet the goats and calves, feed the ducks, goats and chickens, and participate in their Boston Post Dairy Quest
Devaney Farm, West Charleston
Tasting of Preserves | All Day | A tasting of their hot pepper jelly, pickles, and sheep feta cheese
Jed’s Maple Products, Derby

Tours with Sugarmaker Steve | 10:00 am, noon, 2:00 pm | Tour our woods, museum and sugarhouse

Last Resort Farm, Bristol
Learn To Make Garlic Braids | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm | Their expert braiders will share their skills and show you how to make a beautiful braid to enjoy all winter or give as a unique gift

North Williston Cattle Co., Williston

Farm Tours | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm | Visit the nursery and see how they raise their newborn Holstein calves and tour the robotic milkers to see how technology helps manage the farm. The cows are able to choose to be milked 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Sandiwood Farm, Wolcott
Sandiwood Farm to Fork Dinner with Movie and Optional Workshops | 3:00 pm | A unique, tasty dinner with local sides featuring farm-grown produce and of course dessert. Complimentary bar beverage for advanced reservations.
Shelburne Farms, Shelburne
Garden Party at the Children’s Farmyard | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | The garden in the Children’s Farmyard at Shelburne Farms is full of possibilities. Join farmyard educators for a harvesting adventure, then concoct tasty kitchen creations! 
Thompson Family Farm, Craftsbury
Maple Syrup Tasting | 11:00 am – 1:00 pm | Try different grades of maple syrup, learn how to use maple syrup and maple sugar in your recipes. Leave with some recipe cards

Trillium Hill Farm, Hinesburg
Pizza Supper | 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm | Join farmers Sara, James, and Ruby from Trillium Hill Farm for an evening of wood-fired pizza, music, drinks, and farm tours. This casual dinner is rain or shine

Central

Sugarbush Maple & Cheese Farm, Woodstock
Junior Sugarmaking Learning & Quiz | 10:30 am – 3:30 pm | Children and adults can sample maple syrup, walk the maple trail, visit the sugarhouse and learn how maple syrup is made in the spring. Earn a Sugarmaker Certificate after finding the answers to a 10 question quiz

Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company, South Woodstock
Sampling & Tour | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | Free samples of cheese and crackers

South

Meadow’s Bee Farm, Windham
Morning Chores and Garden Work | 8:00 am – 11:00 am | Milk cows, put sheep on pasture, feed chickens and weed the garden

Merck Forest and Farmland Center, Rupert
Children’s Garden Party | 10:00 am | Planting, Weeding, Harvesting, Storytime, and Games

Rebop Farm, Brattleboro
Cheesemaking in the Farm Kitchen | 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm | Hands-on cheesemaking class using their own raw cow milk. Designed to be useful for adventurous home cooks and folks that want to play with milk science! You will likely make butter, ricotta, mozzarella, creme fraiche, and/or sour cream. You’ll also have a tour of the milking facilities.
Smokey House Center, Danby
Community Farm Field Tour | 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm | Their Community Farm Educator will tour the 2017 Community Farm Project engaging participants in an in-depth discussion about the crops they choose to grow, and how they grow on a limited budget in order to be able to give the food away for free

Trollhaugen Farm, Newfane
Making The Perfect Crêpe and Galette | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm | We will practice mixing up and cooking crepes

Thursday, August 17th

North

Devaney Farm, West Charleston
Tasting of Preserves | All Day | A tasting of their hot pepper jelly, pickles, and sheep feta cheese

Jed’s Maple Products, Derby
Maple Speciality Food Tasting | All Day | Taste maple specialty foods made right on the farm

Maple Wind Farm, Huntington

Fried Chicken Dinner | 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm | Maple Wind Farm has the best chicken in town, and on August 17, you can enjoy it battered and fried with all the fixins’ right on the farm. Gather your family and friends, bring a picnic blanket and your favorite lawn games, and indulge in an unforgettable meal. (Bibs included!) Desserts and drinks provided by Richmond Community Kitchen

North Williston Cattle Co., Williston

Farm Tours | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm | Visit the nursery and see how they raise their newborn Holstein calves and tour the robotic milkers to see how technology helps manage the farm. The cows are able to choose to be milked 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Central

Champlain Orchards, Shoreham
Cider Tasting and Sunset Walk | 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm | Join head cidermaker Jeren Stoneman at their brand new tasting room for a guided cider tasting. You’ll head on up to the Pinnacle at sunset for early apples, fresh peaches, and a killer sunset
Green Mountain Girls, Northfield
Scarecrow Making, Pick-Your-Own Herbs and Farm Tours | 3:30 pm – 6:00 pm | Tour will include pigs and poultry on pasture, sampling your way through the gardens and the herbs and edible flowers of the orchard understory and getting up close to the 3 Sisters — their field of corn, beans, and squash grown using traditional Native American companion planting. Farmers will help you sample edible flowers and herbs in our pick-your-own herb garden. And there will be a scarecrow workshop, (bring your own shirt and pants, hat optional!) *Please bring worn out clothes no longer useful to people to lessen ecological waste. Stick skeleton will be provided to those who rsvp

Sugarbush Maple & Cheese Farm, Woodstock
Junior Sugarmaking Learning & Quiz | 10:30 am – 3:30 pm | Children and adults can sample maple syrup, walk the maple trail, visit the sugarhouse and learn how maple syrup is made in the spring. Earn a Sugarmaker Certificate after finding the answers to a 10 question quiz

Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company, South Woodstock
Sampling & Tour | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | Free samples of cheese and crackers

South

Merck Forest and Farmland Center, Rupert
Children’s Garden Party | 10:00 am | Planting, Weeding, Harvesting, Storytime, and Games

Merck Forest and Farmland Center, Rupert
Farm Chores for Children | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm | Join the farm staff for daily chores. Ages 3 years old and up. This “workshop” is designed to introduce children to simple farm routines & products and to meet the animals under expert supervision

Rebop Farm, Brattleboro
Evening Chores and Farm Tour | 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm | Milking cows, bottle feeding calves, feeding pigs/turkeys/ducks/rabbits, moving sheep, collecting eggs

Smokey House Center, Danby
Community Farm Public Volunteer Hours | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm | Every Friday they host open farm hours where the Farm Educator leads volunteers in a community farm project. This could be harvesting and preparing a CSA share for the Community Members, cultivating or transplanting into the fields, making compost tea for young seedlings or repairing garden carts. Join them during their open farm hours and they will give you a tour of the Community Farm project and engage you in a short day-in-the-life of a farmer
Trollhaugen Farm, Newfane
Making The Perfect Crêpe and Galette | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm | You will practice mixing up and cooking crepes and gluten-free galettes

Friday, August 18th

North 

Devaney Farm, West Charleston
Tasting of Preserves | All Day | A tasting of their hot pepper jelly, pickles, and sheep feta cheese

East Hill Tree Farm, Plainfield
Edible Landscaping Soils and Sites: Farm Tour | 10:30 am – 12:00 pm | Come tour East Hill Tree Farm with owner Nicko Rubin and learn how to work with challenging sites and improve soil to ensure your plantings thrive
Jed’s Maple Products, Derby
Maple Speciality Food Tasting | All Day | Taste maple specialty foods made right on the farm

Quarry Hill Farm, Jeffersonville
Quarry Hill Farmival | 11:00 am – 8:00 pm | A family friendly farm themed carnival with food, games, music, market, farm tours, & demos!
Thompson Family Farm, Craftsbury
Beef Tasting Trials | 11:00 am – 1:00 pm | Get a jump on lunch! See if you can tell the difference between their American-Style Kobe beef and their Hereford breed meat. Both are exceptional. Come develop your taste!

Central

Brookfield Bees, Brookfield
Honey Tasting and Open House | 11:00 am – 3:00 pm | Choose honey to taste from their worldwide collection and compare to their wildflower honey. There will also be a brief tour of the maple sugar set-up and honey extraction process (not actively doing these). A woods walk to bee hive location option as well

Champlain Orchards, Shoreham
Cider Tasting and Sunset Walk | 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm | Join head cidermaker Jeren Stoneman at their brand new tasting room for a guided cider tasting. You’ll head on up to the Pinnacle at sunset for early apples, fresh peaches, and a killer sunset

Free Verse Farm & Apothecary, Chelsea
Farm Tour and Herbal Tea Party | 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm | Enjoy a tour of their beautiful hillside herb farm, which boasts stunning views, wildflower meadows, grazing livestock, and a great sensory experience! Once the tour ends, you’ll be treated to a tea party, where you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of their farm-grown herbal tea blends, plus delicious locally-sourced snacks. Visitors will also have the opportunity to peruse their full line of herbal products for sale

Silloway Maple, Randolph Center
Pancake Supper | 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm | It’s breakfast for dinner! Join Silloway Maple sugarmakers for a pancake supper in their Randolph, Vermont sugarhouse. Enjoy watermelon, pancakes, sausage, and their award-winning maple syrup from their wood-fired evaporator. Serving dinner from 5-7 pm. Come early for a maple candy making demonstration at 4:30! 

Sugarbush Maple & Cheese Farm, Woodstock
Junior Sugarmaking Learning & Quiz | 10:30 am – 3:30 pm | Children and adults can sample maple syrup, walk the maple trail, visit the sugarhouse and learn how maple syrup is made in the spring. Earn a Sugarmaker Certificate after finding the answers to a 10 question quiz

Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company, South Woodstock
Sampling & Tour | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | Free samples of cheese and crackers

South

Meadow’s Bee Farm, Windham
Morning Chores and Garden Work | 8:00 am – 11:00 am | Milk cows, put sheep on pasture, feed chickens and weed the garden

Merck Forest and Farmland Center, Rupert
Children’s Garden Party | 10:00 am | Planting, Weeding, Harvesting, Storytime, and Games

Merck Forest and Farmland Center, Rupert
Wagon Tour of the Farm | Afternoon (call for time) | Fern & Arch provide 2-horsepower transportation for an extended tour. As you ride, a member of the farm staff will describe their farming operations and will discuss larger issues & current trends in sustainable agriculture

Rebop Farm, Brattleboro
Dinner on the Farm | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm | Enjoy the views from their hill-top and a multi-course dinner showcasing the abundance of the own farm raised meats, veggies, fruits, and dairy
Trollhaugen Farm, Newfane
Crêpe and Galette Dinner, then local fresh fruit and ice cream dessert | 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm | Savory gluten free galette dinner and crêpe dessert, served in the middle of the garden

Saturday, August 19th

North

Berry Creek Farm, Westfield
Celebrating 25 years of Growing | 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm | Farm tour followed by NOFA-VT Pizza Oven fresh pizza
Capital City Farmers Market, Montpelier
9:00 am – 1:00 pm | Market, workshops, and demonstrations. Enjoy food and music, learn something new at one of their workshops and demonstrations and pick up your produce and unique handcrafted products
Clyde River Farm, East Charleston
On-Farm Community Lunch | 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm | Enjoy a free lunch served by the Green Mountain Farm-to-School Lunchbox food truck 
Devaney Farm, West Charleston
Tasting of Preserves | All Day | A tasting of their hot pepper jelly, pickles, and sheep feta cheese

East Hill Tree Farm, Plainfield
100 Varieties of Fruit: Farm Tour | 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm | Enjoy a walk through the super diverse plantings of East Hill Tree Farm. Discussion will focus on the wide range of fruits and companion plants from currants to kiwi growing at the farm
Jed’s Maple Products, Derby
Maple Speciality Food Tasting | All Day | Taste maple specialty foods made right on the farm
Philo Ridge Farm, Charlotte
Morning Music for Little Farmers | 9:30 am – 11:30 am | Explore farm animals, vegetables, soil, and more through song and play. Bring your little farmers to the Livestock Barn at Philo Ridge Farm for a fun morning of exploration, featuring music with Julia Wayne of Mayfly 

Pitchfork Farm, Burlington
Crop Mob | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm | Join Pitchfork Farm for a volunteer work party on the farm! City Market members can get member worker hours for this event. Please come prepared for the weather with appropriate layers, sturdy shoes, work gloves, and water.

Quarry Hill Farm, Jeffersonville
Quarry Hill Farmival | 11:00 am – 8:00 pm | A family friendly farm themed carnival with food, games, music, market, farm tours, & demos!

Valley Dream Farm, Cambridge
Farmers Table Dinner and Tour | 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm | Family style Chef dinner and farm hayride tour
Central

Brookfield Bees, Brookfield
Honey Tasting and Open House | 11:00 am – 3:00 pm | Choose honey to taste from their worldwide collection and compare to their wildflower honey. There will also be a brief tour of the maple sugar set-up and honey extraction process (not actively doing these). A woods walk to bee hive location option as well

Champlain Orchards, Shoreham
Wagon Rides, Pick-Your-Own Peaches, and Solar Tours | 12:00 am – 2:00 pm | Ride around the orchard in a wagon with a stop at their solar trackers, finishing with pick-your-own organic and eco-certified peaches

Crossmolina Farm, Corinth
Pickle Making Workshop | 1:00 pm | Learn to make and preserve your own pickles from scratch
Lester Farm & Market, New Haven
Meet the Animals, Taste the Tomatoes, and Tour the Farm | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm | Petting zoo (dwarf goats, sheep, chickens, geese). Samplings of tomatoes and other produce. Wagon ride around the farm (weather permitting)
Sugarbush Maple & Cheese Farm, Woodstock
Junior Sugarmaking Learning & Quiz | 10:30 am – 3:30 pm | Children and adults can sample maple syrup, walk the maple trail, visit the sugarhouse and learn how maple syrup is made in the spring. Earn a Sugarmaker Certificate after finding the answers to a 10 question quiz

South

Meadow’s Bee Farm, Windham
Morning Chores and Garden Work | 8:00 am – 11:00 am | Milk cows, put sheep on pasture, feed chickens and weed the garden

Parris Hill Farm Alpacas and the AlpacArt Studio, Brownsville
Meet the Parris Hill Farm Alpacas & Shop at the AlpacArt Studio | 11:00 am – 4:00 pm | “Alpaca 101” – Learn all about the Alpaca

Rebop Farm, Brattleboro
Evening Chores and Farm Tour | 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm | Milking cows, bottle feeding calves, feeding pigs/turkeys/ducks/rabbits, moving sheep, collecting eggs

Scott Farm, Dummerston
Orchard Stroll | 10:00 am | Join Orchardist Zeke Goodband to learn about the history of their heirloom fruits. You’ll discuss orchard ecology, how grafting was used to create the orchard, scout for pests and discuss how they manage them

Trollhaugen Farm, Newfane
Felting Slippers (part 1) | 9:30 am – 1:30 pm | Make yourself a pair of 100% wool slippers using wool from our sheep. Wool is an amazing material that absorbs all odors, perfect for slippers!

Sunday, August 20th

North

Devaney Farm, West Charleston
Tasting of Preserves | All Day | A tasting of their hot pepper jelly, pickles, and sheep feta cheese

Quarry Hill Farm, Jeffersonville
Quarry Hill Farmival | 11:00 am – 8:00 pm | A family friendly farm themed carnival with food, games, music, market, farm tours, & demos!

Central

Champlain Orchards, Shoreham
Wagon Rides, Pick-Your-Own Peaches, and Solar Tours | 12:00 am – 2:00 pm | Ride around the orchard in a wagon with a stop at their solar trackers, finishing with pick-your-own organic and eco-certified peaches

Green Mountain Girls, Northfield
Farm to Table Dinner at Ariel’s Restaurant | 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm | Green Mountain Girls Farm meats, fruit, herbs, and veggies together with contributions from others in the Floating Bridge Food and Farms Cooperative will be prepared and served by Chef Lee Duberman and Richard Fink who will host the dinner in their backyard, overlooking Sunset Lake in Brookfield, a quintessential Vermont village
Greenfield Highland Beef, Plainfield
Picnic by the Pasture at Shat Acres Farm | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm | Enjoy the peace of a Vermont hill farm and the majesty of Highland Cattle when you visit award-winning Shat Acres Farm in Plainfield, Vermont. Open Farm Week guests are invited to enjoy the farm and, depending on good weather, bring a picnic and blanket, a book or crossword puzzle, and of course your camera! Take in the sweeping mountain and valley views while learning how Janet and Ray respectfully provide customers with healthy, locally, and humanely raised meat. Beef will be available to sample and purchase. Rain or shine. No tickets required.
Root 5 Farm, Fairlee
Farm Tours | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm | Farm-led tours
Sugarbush Maple & Cheese Farm, Woodstock
Junior Sugarmaking Learning & Quiz | 10:30 am – 3:30 pm | Children and adults can sample maple syrup, walk the maple trail, visit the sugarhouse and learn how maple syrup is made in the spring. Earn a Sugarmaker Certificate after finding the answers to a 10 question quiz

South


Deer Ridge Farm, Guilford
Flower Identification and Tour | 10:00 am | Walk the flower gardens and learn about different types of flowers from Jerry Smith, who has been growing flowers for over 30 years
Parris Hill Farm Alpacas and the AlpacArt Studio, Brownsville
Meet the Parris Hill Farm Alpacas & Shop at the AlpacArt Studio | 11:00 am – 4:00 pm | “Alpaca 101” – Learn all about the Alpaca

Rebop Farm, Brattleboro
Evening Chores and Farm Tour | 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm | Milking cows, bottle feeding calves, feeding pigs/turkeys/ducks/rabbits, moving sheep, collecting eggs

Scott Farm, Dummerston
Orchard Stroll | 10:00 am | Join Orchardist Zeke Goodband to learn about the history of their heirloom fruits. You’ll discuss orchard ecology, how grafting was used to create the orchard, scout for pests and discuss how they manage them

Trollhaugen Farm, Newfane
Felting Slippers (part 2) | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm | Finish making your slippers begun Saturday

Source: Dig in VT Trails

Posted on

Vermont Beer, Wine & Cider Love Vermont Cheese

10 July 2017 – by DigInVT

Vermont Beer, Wine & Cider Love Vermont Cheese

Two of the summer’s most anticipated food and beverage events happen within one week of each other! On July 16th the Vermont Cheesemakers Festival comes to Shelburne Farms bringing Vermont’s world-famous cheesemakers together under one roof (or tent, rather) to sample hundreds of new and classic styles surrounded by beverage and specialty food artisans to complement. The following weekend, July 21st and 22nd, is the Vermont Brewers Festival in Burlington where thousands of beer lovers pilgrimage to the craft beer mecca that is the Green Mountain State. 

Come for the festivals, stay for the tasting trails.
Whatever your preference, we have a trail for you!

Vermont Beer, Wine & Cider ♥ Vermont Cheese

These tasting rooms are featuring Vermont cheeses to pair with their artisan beverages July 15th – 23rd.    

♦♦♦

Follow: The Burlington Trail featuring Citizen Cider

Taste: Citizen Cider + Champlain Triple Creme, Grafton 2 year Cheddar & Jasper Hill’s Bayley Hazen Blue 

In Burlington for the Brewers Fest – lucky you! Drink. All. The. Beer. Don’t sleep, however, on Vermont’s incredible trail-blazing craft cider movement. Citizen Cider has been leading the American cider revolution since 2011 and their tasting room in Burlington is the best hang. Eat cheese, drink cider and explore Burlington’s Pine Street on this trail. 

Follow: The Shelburne Trail 

Taste: Four Shelburne Vineyard Wines paired exquisitely with a rotating selection of Vermont Cheeses 

Shelburne, Vermont – it’s unbelievable that a town so small could be packed with so much to do. Shelburne Farms (home of the Vermont Cheesemakers Festival) and Shelburne Museum are extraordinary destinations but Shelburne Vineyard and across the street neighbor Fiddlehead Brewery attract droves of their own. Visit to drink wine paired with exceptional Vermont cheeses, surrounded by the vineyards where the grapes were grown. 

Follow: The Middlebury Trail featuring Drop-In Brewery

Taste: Drop-In Brewery Beer + Taylor Farms Maple Smoked Gouda

Headed North on Route 7 on your way to Shelburne or Burlington? Don’t miss a stop at Drop-In Brewery on your way! Middlebury is a scenic town full of flavor and Drop-In Brewery is a leader in the craft beer movement, after-all it’s the permanent home of the American Brewers Guild – the nation’s premier brewing school for the craft brewing industry.

Follow: The Scenic Vermont Trail

Taste: Boyden Valley Wines + Gourmet Vermont Cheese Board featuring a rotating selection of cheeses including Vermont Creamery, Cabot, Blythedale Farm, Bridport Creamery, Sweet Rowan Farmstead, Hildene Farm, Sage Farm Goat Dairy, Cellar at Jasper Hill, Green Mountain Blue Cheese & Von Trapp

Here in Vermont, we highly encourage you to take the scenic route. Escape for an afternoon, or even tack an extra day on your trip and head to Boyden Winery in Cambridge. Less than an hours drive from Burlington, Cambridge boasts some of the most beautiful views in the state — and you can drive over Smugglers Notch and through Stowe on your way back to town.

 

Source: Dig in VT Trails

Posted on

Pick-Your-Own Locations

20 June 2017 – by Jasmyn Druge

Pick-Your-Own Locations

Category: Seasonal Activities

Tags: , , , , ,

Related Places: Adam’s Berry Farm , Boyd Family Farm , Cedar Circle Farm & Education Center , Champlain Orchards and Cidery , Hartshorn Farm Market , Isham Family Farm LLC , Knoll Farm , Last Resort Farm , Lewis Creek Farm , Merck Forest and Farmland Center , Norris Berry Farm , Paul Mazza Fruit and Vegetables , River Berry Farm

There’s no better way to truly appreciate the freshness of Vermont berries than going and picking them yourself. Below is a list split up by county to encourage you to go pick-your-own this season! Be sure to always call the farm ahead to verify their pick-your-own hours.

Addison 

Champlain Orchards, Shoreham

From June to November, anyone and everyone is welcome to come picking at Champlain Orchards.

Late June: Cherries (Sweet and Tart)
Early July: Berries (Blueberries, Elderberries, Raspberries)
Mid July: Currants
Late July: Golden Plums
Early August: Green Plums
Mid August: Peaches, Asian and European Pears
Late August: Early Apples, Peaches, Pears

Hours: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Phone: (802) 897-2777

Last Resort Farm, Bristol 

One of the first Vermont farms to offer organic pick-your-own strawberries, Last Resort Farm is a great place to pick berries. With experience growing strawberries since 1983, Sam and Eugenie’s organic production methods guarantee the tastiest, safest-to-eat fruit.

Hours: Thursday & Friday: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm; Saturday & Sunday: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Phone: (802) 453-2847

Lewis Creek Farm, Starksboro

June is the month for strawberries. They start the month with strawberries from their high tunnel and end the month with outdoor strawberries. Somewhere along the way they will be open for pick-your-own. Traditionally, strawberry season started with the first day of Summer, June 21st, and lasted through July 4th or even mid July. In the last few years, the season has moved earlier so that they have often started picking by June 12th or so, but it also means that they rarely have any berries left on the 4th of July.

Please call for pick-your-own hours!

Phone: (802) 453-4591

Bennington

Merck Forest and Farmland Center, Rupert

Raspberries, blackberries, black raspberries, and blueberries are all a part of pick-your-own at Merck Forest and Farmland Center from July to mid-September.

Hours: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm

Phone: (802) 394-7836

Chittenden

Adam’s Berry Farm, Charlotte

The 2017 season will be opening with pick-your-own Summer raspberries in early July followed by blueberries in mid July. If you are looking for fresh pre-picked berries (i.e.strawberries) go visit them at the farm, stop by and say hello at the Burlington Farmers Market on Saturdays, or enjoy the berries at local markets and restaurants throughout Chittenden County.

Hours: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

Phone: (802) 578-9093

Isham Family Farm, Williston 

Their berry fields, established in 2003, include early and mid-summer-ripening blueberries, and summer and fall raspberries. Self-serve berry picking is available from dawn until dusk. Quart and pint containers are provided.

Blueberries- early July and August
Summer Raspberries- July
Fall Raspberries- September and October

Hours: 8:00 am – 7:00 pm

Phone: (802) 872-1525

Norris Berry Farm, Hinesburg

Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries.

Call for Pick-Your-Own availability!

Phone: (802) 453-3793

Paul Mazza’s Fruit and Vegetables

Call for hours and more information!

Essex: (802) 879-3760

Colchester: (802) 879-0102

Franklin

Rivery Berry Farm, Fairfax

River Berry Farm’s berries are grown using organic and Integrated Pest Management (IPM), practices that help protect you and the environment. The organic strawberries are available as pick-your-own and pre-picked starting about the third week in June through the first week in July. Organic fall-bearing raspberries mid-August through September. They love the serendipitous meeting of neighbors in the patch.

Hours: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm

Phone: (802) 849-6853

Orange

Cedar Circle Farm, Thetford

They have a variety of pick-your-own options throughout the season including certified organic berries, flowers and herbs, and pumpkins.

Strawberries: 3 weeks, June into July
Blueberries: 3 weeks in July
Herbs: June-September
Flowers: July-September

Hours: Monday – Saturday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm; Sunday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Phone: (802) 785-4737

Orleans

Berry Creek Farm, Westfield

Berry Creek Farm is registered organic as well as Animal Welfare Approved.

A Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, a Pick-Your-Own program, and From-the-Farm sales are available. We are accepting pre-orders for Grass Fed Beef.

The CSA allows you to support your local farmer while receiving “real food.”  Our Pick-Your-Own (strawberries, peaches, and grapes) is a wonderful family outing.  From-the-Farm sales are as simple as a phone call to Larry.

Phone: (802) 659-3879

Washington

Hartshorn Farm, Waitsfield

A certified organic Vermont farm producing and selling delicious, healthy vegetables and fruits from their roadside farm stand. CSA shares and pick-your-own strawberries and blueberries are also available.

Call for hours!

Phone: (802) 279-8054

Knoll Farm, Waitsfield

The pick-your-own blueberry season is every July and August. Keep checking their site or call for more information!

Phone: (802) 496-5685

Windham 

Boyd Family Farm, Wilmington

Boyd Family Farm offers both pre-picked and U-pick blueberries. You can enjoy a fun-filled jaunt to their pick-your-own blueberry field. So bring your buckets and head over to their blueberry farm.

Hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Phone: (802) 464-5618

Source: Dig in VT Trails