East Thetford – The farmers at Cedar Circle Farm & Education Center invite you to join in at the 6th Annual Strawberry Festival Sun. June 29, 10 am—5 pm, rain or shine, on the farm at 225 Pavillion Road, just off of Route 5.

Celebrate Vermont strawberries and local organic agriculture while enjoying a host of free activities: horse-drawn wagon rides to and from the strawberry patch (10 am-4 pm); 11 am informational tour through the fields and greenhouses to learn about organic farming, 2 pm draft horse cultivation and planting demonstration, 1 – 3 pm live music under a tent, and new this year, watch a “Garden Variety” puppet show by GabrielQ (12-1 pm). Kids can meet the Strawberry Queen, paint and plant clay pots, have their faces painted, or play in the sandbox. Food concession opens at 11 am to serve homemade strawberry shortcake, grilled local sausages, veggie burgers, farm-fresh salads, and Strafford Organic Creamery ice cream.

Cedar Circle Farm’s manager Kate Duesterberg reflects on the popularity of the event, saying, “The festival has really grown over the years. I think it’s a sign that people recognize the value of learning where their food comes from and why it’s important to understand how it’s grown. Lots of folks come and spend the day, starting with picking berries and then taking time to enjoy the good food, festive atmosphere, and opportunity to visit with their neighbors.”
According to husband and co-manager Will Allen, “Knowing where your food comes from is so important. With all the recent recalls of meat, spinach, etc., more and more people are realizing that local, organic farms are the surest way to a safe food supply. And the added benefit is that farm fresh, organic food is really delicious!”
During strawberry season, the certified organic strawberry patch opens for picking at 7 am and remains open until picked over. Pickers are urged to call ahead for availability.
Cedar Circle Farm & Education Center is a fifty-acre certified organic farm dedicated to growing for a sustainable future through the production of certified organic vegetables and berries and quality flowers and herbs. CCF offers a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, and educational programs and workshops for new farmers and the local community. Conserved in 1990 with the Vermont Land Trust, CCF is a proud member of Farms Not Arms, the Organic Consumers Association, Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA—VT), Rural Vermont, Slow Food USA, Valley Food & Farm, Vermont Farms! and the Vermont Fresh Network, as well as supporters of the Upper Valley Localvores.

For more information call Cedar Circle Farm & Education Center at 802-785-4737 or visit CedarCircleFarm.org

Contact Information:
Kate Duesterberg or Pam Knights

802-785-4737 or 802-485-7274
kduester@igc.org, pkcommunications@tds.net

WOODSTOCK, VT – Billings Farm & Museum, gateway to Vermont’s rural heritage and celebrating its 25th Anniversary year, will host Sheep Shearing Weekend, on Saturday and Sunday, May 24 and 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Sheep Shearing Weekend showcases the spring shearing of the farm’s Southdown ewes at 11:00 a.m., noon, 2:00 and 4:00 p.m., plus the skills required to turn fleece into yarn. All ages may take a turn with activities from carding wool to peg-loom weaving.

Lend a hand making maple ice cream and enjoy baby animal programs, historic games, ox programs with the farm’s team of Shorthorn steers, and hands-on activities. Planting the heirloom vegetable garden will be underway as well.  The working dairy farm, farm life exhibits, and the restored and furnished farmhouse are included in the entrance fee.  Admission also includes our 23rd annual commemorative spring button. For information, please contact the museum at 802/457-2355 or www.billingsfarm.org.

The Billings Farm & Museum, is owned and operated by The Woodstock Foundation Inc., a charitable non-profit institution celebrating its 25th Anniversary year, founded by Mary French and Laurance Spelman Rockefeller.

Billings Farm is an operating Jersey dairy farm that continues a century-long tradition of agricultural excellence and offers farm programs and historical exhibits that explore Vermont’s rural heritage and values. Since opening to the public in 1983, the Farm & Museum has served as a gateway to Vermont’s rural heritage for over a million visitors and 100,000 of the region’s school children. Open daily May 1 through October 31, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and weekends, Nov.-Feb. Admission: adults: $11.00; over 62: $10.00; children 5-15: $6.00;3-4: $3.00; 2 & under : free.  The Farm & Museum is located one-half mile north of the Woodstock village green on Vermont Route 12.

For information: 802/457-2355 or www.billingsfarm.org.

Contact Information:
Susan Plump, Diane Konrady
Public Relations, Agritourism Coordinator
Billings Farm & Museum, Vermont Farms! Association
802-457-2355, 866-348-FARM (3276)
splump@billingsfarm.org,info@vtfarms.org

Check Out What’s Happening – babies, apple blossoms, more!!

Apple blossoms at Allenholm Farm. Photo: Chris Gordon

MONTPELIER, VT — Spring has sprung; the earth is coming alive. Nowhere are signs more evident than on the farm. Most of us know four Vermont seasons; some of us swear to seven or eight. Farmers know each day is a new season.
Vermont Farms! Association, working farms open to the public, invites you to enjoy the sights, sounds, and experience of Spring, and of all the great days of farm life.
Spring’s first season, maple sugaring, has just ended, but pure maple products are available all year, and maple creemee season has barely begun! Vermont’s singularly delightful maple syrup and other products now grace the shelves of farm stores, waiting for children, chefs and other maple lovers to take them home. About 35 Vermont Farms! members have farm stores where visitors can find pure maple, plus award-winning cow, goat and sheep cheeses; farm fresh meats and produce; maple, grape, blueberry, apple, cranberry and other wines; fiber and hand-woven creations, artwork, farm toys and books. Carman Brook Dairy and Maple Farm in Swanton, Robb Farm in Brattleboro and several others specialize in custom wedding favors made with their own pure maple syrup. Boyden Farm and Boyden Valley Winery have both a farm store and wine store on the family farm.  Sam Mazza’s Farm Market, Green houses and Bakery and Labour of Love in Glover are great sources plants for creating beautiful flower gardens and for feeding the family.
It’s time to welcome new babies to the farms. Calves, lambs, ducklings and chicks, new kids on the block, colts kicking up their heels, all are part of the work and fun on farms in spring. Falkenbury Farm has 27 baby goats so far; Billings Farm invites visitors to marvel at the sheep triplets, from Allenholm in the northern Vermont islands, to Adams Farm just off Route 9 in the south, there are lots of baby bunnies to cuddle. And, farms are great places to see wild bird babies; working with nature every moment of every day brings farmers a familiarity with wild creatures, their habitats and life cycles, too. Farms provide nesting spots and nesting materials, food sources and ideal bird habitat. Spring warblers will keep ones head spinning to catch sight of them. Farmers know what trails are best, what to wear to be comfortable and to take care of the earth in each season. Many are along the Long Trail, near the Green Mountain National Forest, and have fishing access, too. Bring camera, binoculars, hiking boots, a sense of wonder and fun. Boisterous babies and delicate bird mating dances are a great way to spend days.
Don’t forget the spring foliage season. While not as publicly touted as its bright autumn counterpart, it’s equally beautiful and enthralling. Like much of life on a farm, spring foliage is better if one stops and takes time to look around. It changes daily, often in subtly delicate lacy steps, from the first rosy, green and silvery hues glistening at branch ends, catkins and other flower buds, to the fully developed leaves that burst into summer canopies. In mid-to late May, orchards, lilac and other fragrance gardens, produce beautiful flowers and aromas that seem to wrap one in a feeling of well-being.

Vermont farm experiences are as natural as can be, yet as varied as bird or tree species. Enjoy Lake Champlain views: wander a country road and enjoy the antique tractors at the Parent Farmhouse; look through and wander orchards while at Allenholm’s b&b; walk fields and enjoy sunset over the lake at Champlain Valley Alpacas. The long driveway offers a panoramic view of Apple Ridge Farms bison, orchards, Clydesdales, and a private view from their secluded ridge overlooking the valley and Lake Champlain. Elegance along the lake, stewardship of lands, cheese making and lots of animals and education programs are Shelburne Farms specialties. Hike into the hills; wander the valleys: Learn the history of Shetland Sheep at Bryn Meadow; plant a Christmas tree with Rich and Steph at Redrock Farm, then return to watch it grow. Gather the eggs at Falkenbury Farm; hold a reunion in their quiet 100-acre setting. Learn farm history at Billings Farm. Explore cow to cone at Ben & Jerry’s and water buffalo to Mozzarella di bufala at Vermont Water Buffalo Company. Help gather your own food as farmers share daily chores; then enjoy meals provided by excellent cooks. Enjoy one or more of the 20 Vermont farm lodgings featured in our brochure or website, www.vtfarms.org  Just Delicious Catering, our fine pie makers and bakers will be happy to feed body and soul as well.

Vermont Farms! Association, a statewide agritourism organization founded in 1998, provides educational opportunities about agriculture to the public, to sustain and support the working landscape that characterizes Vermont and to provide opportunities for Vermont farmers.

Contact Information:
Diane Konrady
Agritourism Coordinator
Vermont Farms!
866-348-FARM(3276)
info@vtfarms.org

Hyde Park, VT – JDC’s Just Delicious Catering is hosting another localvore dinner at Applecheek Farm. Those of you familiar with Chef Jason’s culinary skills may already be drooling in anticipation. First timers and repeat diners – come and enjoy!

This dinner will be held May 31, 6 to 9 p.m. at Applecheek Farm.
Our definition of a localvore is a person committed to eating and learning about food grown within a 100 mile radius.

In addition to supporting Vermont’s local farm food producers, we support the local arts. Part of the festivities will be live piano music and contra dancing with musicians Rich Atkinson, Noah Book, John Mallory, Fran Mallory, and John Mullet.

The evening’s menu includes organic roast beef, homemade bread, Artisan cheese, local vegetables, mixed greens, soup, plus rhubarb pie and ice cream.

Price per person is $24.00 adults, $12.00 12 and under. No charge – 5 and under

RSVP by May 28th -Receive a discount and be included in a prize drawing.

For tickets contact Jason Clark: Phone – 802 888 -9407, jdccatering@yahoo.com Bring your family and friends!

Contact Information:
Diane Konrady
Agritourism Coordinator
Vermont farms! Association
866-348-FARM(3276)
info@vtfarms.org