Vermont is a sweet place at any time of the year, but especially during Open Farm Week. August is prime harvest season for the sweet fruits of summer. From scavenger hunts in the orchard, to behind the scene tours of cranberry bogs and then on to the sweet taste of maple syrup, during Open Farm Week, our farmers and food producers have opened their gates for everyone who has a sweet tooth.
Monday, August 13th, 2018
Jed’s Maple Products, Derby
Maple Syrup Tasting
1:00pm | Compare grades of syrup with Sugarmaker Steve
Champlain Orchards, Shoreham
Tasting & Scavenger Hunt Kickoff
All Day | A Scavenger Hunt in the pick-your-own rows kicks off on Monday and runs until everything has been found! Fabulous prizes! While you’re here, enjoy a Hard Cider & Vermont Cheese pairing flight – $10 for 5 ciders paired with 5 kinds of cheese – available every day during OFW.
Tuesday, August 14th
Jed’s Maple Products, Derby
Sugarwalk Tour
10:00am | Take an easy walk through the woods and learn about the organic principles used by Jed’s Maple Products and learn about their connection to the Audubon Vermont Bird-Friendly Maple Project.
Vermont Cranberry Company, East Fairfield
Cranberry Bog tours and Bobbers Seafood truck
12:00pm – 5:00pm | This is Vermont Cranberry Company’s first time participating in Open Farm Week. Go behind the scenes with a tour of their working Vermont cranberry bog and processing center, and buy delicious seafood from Bobbers Fresh Seafood Truck!
Wednesday, August 15th
Jed’s Maple Products, Derby
Birch Syrup Tasting
1:00pm | Taste the “Other” Syrup with Sugarmaker Steve
Smokey House Center, Danby
Blueberry Jam & Potluck
2:00pm- 7:30pm | Join us in our u-pick blueberry field, where you’ll pick berries from 2:00pm -3:00pm and then take them to the conference barn kitchen. Guided by Luna Collins, you’ll learn how to make your very own blueberry jam! An informal mid-summer potluck accompanied by local music will commence post jam-workshop. Come for a part of the afternoon/evening or stay for it all. Potluck and music from 5:00pm – 7:30pm. You must pay for your blueberries by weight at the farmstead. Sliding scale donation is suggested for the blueberry jam making $5-$15.
Friday, August 17th
Silloway Maple, Randolph Center
Pancake Supper at the Sugarhouse and Tour
5:00pm – 7:00pm | Enjoy pancakes with our own maple syrup, sausage, and watermelon as well as tours of the sugarhouse and/or a self guided hike to the sugarwoods to see the sap lines. There will also be hayrides! Dinner is $8.00 adult, $4.00 child. No registration required.
Champlain Orchards, Shoreham
Tasting & Scavenger Hunt Kickoff
All Day | A Scavenger Hunt in the pick-your-own rows kicks off on Monday and runs until everything has been found! Fabulous prizes! While you’re here, enjoy a Hard Cider & Vermont Cheese pairing flight – $10 for 5 ciders paired with 5 kinds of cheese – available every day during OFW.
Hard Cidery Tour & Class
4:00pm | Take a Hard Cidery Tour & Blending Class, Led by head Cidermaker Jeren Stoneman! This is a hands-on class, and a tulip glass is included. $20 a person. Visit www.ChamplainOrchards.com for more information.
Saturday, August 18th
Butterworks Farm, Westfield
Farm Tours and Smoothie Stand
12:00pm – 4:00pm | Visit Butterworks, meet our cows, taste our products, walk in the pasture, and order a custom superfood smoothie! Butterworks Farm T-Shirts also available for sale.
Jed’s Maple Products, Derby
Tour and Tasting
10:00am & 2:00pm | Did you know that Jed’s Maple Products is a participating producer in Audubon Vermont’s Bird-Friendly maple project? Learn about that and more when you stop in for a tour and/or tasting. Tour the sugar-woods with Sugarmaker Steve at 10am and then at 2pm there will be a tasting of the specialty foods made on the farm.
Sandiwood Farm, Wolcott
Farm to Fork Grand Buffet with Movie & Mobile Bar
6:00pm | In conjunction with Open Farm Week & Kingdom Farm & Field Days, a family-friendly dinner buffet event with movie! A unique and tasty buffet with farm grown and other local sides and of course dessert. A great time to gather with friends, family, meet new interesting people while watching an amazing sunset around a fire. This special buffet will also feature a movie. Come for a memorable, old time Vermont evening, dress for the weather. Tell your friends and family, an authentic culinary on farm event not to be missed! We look forward to hosting you! Non-alcoholic drinks provided. Cash bar by Black Bird Bar Catering. $50 a person reserved in advance, $65 on the farm, special 10 reservations for $450. Children 6-10 $35., 6 and under free. Reserve here.
Brookfield Bees, Brookfield
Honey Tasting and Open House
11:00am – 3:00pm |Taste Brookfield’s honey and compare it to their collection of honey from around the world. In addition, visit the observation hive and learn about bees and beekeeping.
Champlain Orchards, Shoreham
Tasting & Scavenger Hunt Kickoff
All Day | A Scavenger Hunt in the pick-your-own rows kicks off on Monday and runs until everything has been found! Fabulous prizes! While you’re there, enjoy a Hard Cider & Vermont Cheese pairing flight – $10 for 5 ciders paired with 5 kinds of cheese – available every day during OFW.
Orchard Tour
10:00am | Enjoy a Walking Orchard Tour led by owner/orchardist, Bill Suhr. Wear sturdy shoes. Free.
Hard Cidery Tour & Class
2:00pm | Take a Hard Cidery Tour & Blending Class, Led by head Cidermaker Jeren Stoneman! This is a hands on class, and a tulip glass included. $20 a person. Visit www.ChamplainOrchards.com for more information.
Vermont Trade Winds Farm, Shoreham
Maple Tastings
8:00am | Stop by the farm at 8:00am and they will have maple cream donuts and maple walnut bars to purchase with fresh coffee. There will be a variety of maple syrup to taste throughout the day. At noon, enjoy grilled maple rub chicken samples to taste (they will also have a vegetarian alternative).
The Scott Farm, Dummerston
Orchard Stroll
10:00am | Join Zeke Goodband for a stroll through the orchard and learn a bit about the history of Scott Farm’s heirloom fruits. You’ll learn about orchard ecology and grafting and how it was used to create the orchard. Then you’ll do a little scouting for pests and how they are managed. The farm stand will be open and orchard-related items will be available for purchase.
Sunday, August 19th
Brookfield Bees, Brookfield
Honey Tasting and Open House
11:00am – 3:00pm |Taste our honey and compare to our collection of honey from around the world. In addition, see our observation hive and learn about bees and beekeeping.
The Scott Farm, Dummerston
Orchard Stroll
10:00am | Join Zeke Goodband for a stroll through the orchard and learn a bit about the history of Scott Farm’s heirloom fruits. You’ll learn about orchard ecology and grafting and how it was used to create the orchard. Then you’ll do a little scouting for pests and how they are managed. The farm stand will be open and orchard-related items will be available for purchase.
Source: Dig in VT Trails