On-Farm Summer Events

2025 On-Farm Workshops

Learn on-farm alongside other farmers, gardeners, environmentalists, and food enthusiasts!

Please pre-register! Workshops prices vary.

We aim to keep our event prices low, but if registration is a barrier, please reach out about scholarships. NOFA-VT offers the option of free registration to anyone who identifies as Black, Indigenous, or a person of color (BIPOC) in an effort to actively work toward dismantling systems of racism that have historically disadvantaged BIPOC and continue to do so today. Learn more.

A variety of culinary mushrooms packaged into pints and displayed on a farmers market table

Sat., 7/19 | Incorporating Mushrooms Into Your Garden: A Hands-On Tutorial (Arlington)

Join us for a fun day at the mushroom farm and learn how to install your very own mushroom bed in your garden! This class has no prerequisite knowledge of farming or gardening, and will leave you feeling very confident in completing this project for yourself at home. We will start with a tour of the farm, answer any questions you have about fungi, and move outdoors for a hands-on, interactive tutorial. You'll even go home with instructions and a bag of spawn to inoculate your own garden bed!

Diverse plantings as part of a mycoremediation buffer strip

Thurs., 7/24 | Forested Riparian Buffer Repair in Action (Shelburne)

Explore a previously degraded riparian buffer that has been transformed through a restoration study that uses plants and fungi (myco-phytoremediation) to mitigate phosphorus, increase pollinator habitat, offer medicine, food, and tools for the Abenaki Peoples and nurture eco-literacy in the bioregional community. Together, we’ll cover the site history, ecological reconciliation principles, methodology, results from the pilot and Year 1 of this study, and discuss how to replicate these results elsewhere.

A bumble bee pollinating an echinacea flower

Mon., 7/28 | Designing Perennial Plantings for Pollinator Health and Farm Profitability (Warren)

Pollinators are essential to healthy agroecosystems. Join Joe Bossen of Cloud Water Farm and Spencer Hardy from the Vermont Center for Ecostudies for a hands-on exploration of farm landscapes that both produce food and support healthy, diverse pollinator populations. Together, evaluate Cloud Water Farm’s existing habitat, inventory pollinators, and discuss what is working, what could be improved, and the role recently established pollinator hedgerows will play in supporting the farm’s pollinator populations. Learn how pollinators interact with market crops and how intentional, well-designed perennial plantings can strengthen ecological resilience and long-term farm viability. This workshop earns one RAP Agricultural Water Quality education credit and is supported by the Transition to Organic Partnership Program.

A group of beginning and aspiring farmers gathers on the patio at Union Brook Farm while listing to Megan Browning and Em Virzi share insights into starting a farm

Wed., 7/30 and Tues., 8/5 | Farm Dreams (Putney & Virtual)

Do you have a dream of starting a farm? Join us this summer at Milkweed Farm for Farm Dreams to explore your farm vision, connect with other aspiring farmers, learn about resources for beginning farmers in Vermont, and grow your understanding of farm business management and land access. This two-part series will cover the basics and provide structured activities for you to develop your vision. Part one will take place in person at Milkweed Farm. Part two will take place virtually, via Zoom. You will leave with an action plan to support you in making your farm dream a reality.

A historic white barn with an apple tree in full bloom at Scott Farm

Tues., 8/19 | Climate Adaptation Field Walk at Scott Farm Orchard (Dummerston)

Adapting to climate change looks different on every farm. This field walk will explore the range of climate risks impacting orchards and diversified farms, from changing rainfall patterns to extreme temperature fluctuations. Scott Farm manager Simon Renault and orchardist Erin Robinson will share insights into the diverse strategies they're using to adapt to these challenges, with a focus on business planning and preventative management. This workshop is offered in partnership with the American Farmland Trust and is generously supported by the Conservation Innovation Grants program at USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service Vermont State Office.

Heike Meyer of Brot Bakehouse stands before her baking table and earthen oven holding sourdough bread

Mon., 8/25 | Baking With Local Grain Varieties (Fairfax)

In this workshop, participants are encouraged to explore the unique flavors and endless baking possibilities using local grain varieties from Vermont, Quebec, and New England growers. Baking instructor and certified bread sommelier Heiki Meyer of Brot Bakehouse School and Kitchen will demo several different sourdough preparation methods and share other unique ideas on how to prepare them. This will give participants not only a chance to learn how to prepare new grain varieties but also about how they differ and, most importantly, have fun tasting, exploring flavors, and discovering unique food pairing ideas for sourdough bread. In the workshop, every participant will bake their own local grain flatbread in the wood-fired oven. The workshop will feature gluten-free varieties, and food pairings will be vegan or vegetarian.

An aerial view of Ananda Gardens farm fields

Wed., 8/27 | Digging Deeper into Organic No-till System Management (Montpelier)

No-till vegetable production is growing in popularity on small to mid-scale Vermont farms, but long-term success requires different strategies than traditional tillage systems. Join Patrick Sullivan of Ananda Gardens for an in-depth look at their evolving no-till system, including deep composting, nutrient management, cover cropping, and the financial impacts of this approach. Building on this past winter’s no-till intensive, this workshop is ideal for both new and experienced growers looking to refine their no-till practices. This workshop earns 1 RAP Agricultural Water Quality education credit and is supported by the Transition to Organic Partnership Program.

two hands cupping a handful of rich dark compost

Tues., 10/7 | High-impact Backyard Composting (Craftsbury Common)

Join us for a hands-on workshop at Sterling College where we'll set up compact Johnson-Su bioreactors—perfect for small-scale farms or backyard gardens. Johnson-Su compost is a high-fungal, static vermicompost known for enhancing soil biology, improving soil health, and boosting crop productivity. Learn how to build and use these bioreactors, and dive into the science behind why this method works so well. Each participant will bring home materials to create their own small Johnson-Su bioreactor.

The farm fields and high tunnels at Cedar Mountain Farm in Hartland, VT

Sun., 9/16 | Cultivating Biodiversity and Resilience at Cedar Mountain Farm (Hartland)

Tour Cedar Mountain Farm, a micro-dairy and no-till market garden in Hartland, to explore how regenerative practices can build climate resilience. For over thirty years, Stephen Leslie and Kerry Gawalt have applied soil health principles to support biodiversity and mitigate the impacts of heat, drought, and heavy rainfall. Their efforts include developing silvopasture and alley cropping systems, installing a gravity-fed hillside pasture water pipeline, and fostering native riparian zones. Specific resilience-building efforts include developing silvopasture and alley cropping systems, installation of a gravity hillside pasture water pipeline project, and fostering native riparian pockets. Join us to learn from the farmers how restoring the carbon cycle and biodiversity are key to increasing farm and community resilience.

Astragalus in full bloom in a food forest in Weybridge

Tues., 10/7 | Forest Farming with Botanicals (Danby)

Utilizing forests and woodlots to grow non-timber products can diversify your enterprise and build ecological resilience. Join us at the Smokey House Center to explore the nuances of successfully establishing production-scale forest botanical polycultures. This workshop will cover the role forest farming can play within forest management plans, how to identify and evaluate sites for forest farming potential, and approaches for establishing perennial polycultures to meet existing markets. Together, participants will identify, prepare, and plant a ¼ acre site with botanicals, including ginseng and ramps.

Elderberries nearing ripeness in a food forest in Weybridge

Wed., 10/8 | Forest Farming with Botanicals (Jericho)

Utilizing forests and woodlots to grow non-timber products can diversify your enterprise and build ecological resilience. Join us at the UVM Research Forest to explore the nuances of successfully establishing production-scale forest botanical polycultures. This workshop will cover the role forest farming can play within forest management plans, how to identify and evaluate sites for forest farming potential, and approaches for establishing perennial polycultures to meet existing markets. Together, participants will identify, prepare, and plant a ¼ acre site with botanicals, including ginseng and ramps.

Join us for a wood-fired pizza dinner at an incredible local farm. Everyone is welcome for an evening of delicious food and joyful connection!

Gluten-free and dairy-free pizza available onsite upon request.

Please get your tickets in advance! Pizza socials are sliding scale, $15-$30

We aim to keep our event prices low, but if registration is a barrier, please reach out about scholarships. NOFA-VT offers the option of free registration to anyone who identifies as Black, Indigenous, or a person of color (BIPOC) in an effort to actively work toward dismantling systems of racism that have historically disadvantaged BIPOC and continue to do so today. Learn more.

Questions about Pizza Socials? Please contact Katie Robinson, NOFA-VT Database & Member Events Manager, at (802) 419-0082 or [email protected]

Farmers Gabrielle Tuite and Henry Webb of Old Road Farm stand smiling with their lush organic farm fields and high tunnels in the background

Wed., 7/16 | Old Road Farm (Granville)

Farmers Gabrielle Tuite and Henry Webb grow high-quality vegetables and salad greens on their farm, with over 18,000 sq ft of protected growing space throughout their greenhouses and high tunnels. With a commitment to ecologically sound, regenerative, and innovative farming practices, Old Road Farm is a model of resilience and care for the land. In 2024, Gabrielle and Henry received a NOFA-VT Resilience Grant to support their farmstand and continue to provide fresh produce for their community. RSVP and enjoy dinner baked in NOFA-VT’s wood-fired pizza oven, followed by a farm tour.

Farmers Angus and Holly Baldwin of The Farm Between pictured with their young child.

Thurs., 7/31 |The Farm Between (Jeffersonville)

Get to know The Farm Between, an ecological fruit nursery and farm stand nestled along Route 15 in Jeffersonville, Vermont! Since 2023, Angus Baldwin and Holly Simpson—also the farmers behind West Farm—have been stewarding this unique farm, blending their love for food, biodiversity, and community. The Farm Between specializes in hardy fruit trees, berry bushes, and native and pollinator plants, while their year-round farm stand features fresh, organic produce from West Farm. RSVP and enjoy dinner baked in NOFA-VT’s wood-fired pizza oven, followed by a farm tour.

Abbie Corse of Corse Farm Dairy poses with her cows in the barn

Wed., 8/6 | Corse Farm Diary (Whitingham)

Come visit Corse Farm Dairy, home of “Corse’s Contented Cows” since 1868! Abbie Corse, along with her parents Leon & Linda Corse and a former Dairy Grazing Apprentice, now partner, MacKenzie Wallace, tend to a herd of 50-60 extensively grazed dairy cows and are committed to conservation and building a more sustainable food future through their farming practices. The farm has been organically certified since 2008, and the land has been a working dairy farm for over 150 years and has been farmed by six generations of the Corse family. RSVP and enjoy dinner baked in NOFA-VT’s wood-fired pizza oven, followed by a farm tour - the Corse’s cows look forward to seeing you!

Jess Purks and Connor Self of Stone's Throw Farmstead stand with their colorful array of organic veggies and flowers at the Vermont Farmers Market in Rutland

Thurs., 8/21 | Stone's Throw Farmstead (Shrewsbury)

Farmers Jess Purks and Connor Self operate a half-acre organic vegetable and flower farm in Shrewsbury, Vermont. Now in their third growing season, Jess and Connor are building a resilient food system from the ground up, using minimal tillage, human-powered tools, and regenerative land stewardship practices that prioritize soil health and biodiversity. With support from a 2024 NOFA-VT Resilience Grant, they continue to deepen their commitment to ecological farming on a small but mighty scale. RSVP and enjoy dinner baked in NOFA-VT’s wood-fired pizza oven, followed by a farm tour.

Farmers at Joe's Brook Farm peeking out of alternate rows of lush organic tomatoes plants in a high tunnel

Tues., 8/26 | Joe's Brook Farm (Barnet)

Certified organic since 2012, today farmers Eric and Mary Skovsted grow over 130 varieties of organic veggies, herbs, and berries that keep their farm stand stocked and their community fed. As stewards of the land, Eric and Mary, along with their farm crew, work hard at keeping their soils healthy while ensuring their food remains accessible to as many folks as possible. After back to back years of serious flooding, we want to come together to celebrate the resiliency of Joe’s Brook Farm and their community. RSVP and enjoy dinner baked in NOFA-VT’s wood-fired pizza oven, celebrate Joe’s Brook Farm, and learn about their resiliency strategies. This social is also in partnership with Green Mountain Farm-to-School—come and learn more about their work growing the farm-to-school movement in Vermont!

Farmers James and Sara of Trillium Hill farm standing between tall rows of lush organic bean vines in their high tunnel

Wed., 9/10 | Trillium Hill Farm (Hinesburg)

Get to know Trillium Hill Farm, a certified organic vegetable farm rooted in the heart of Hinesburg village! Run by farmer-owners James and Sara Donegan, Trillium Hill Farm is committed to nourishing both the land and community. The land has been in James’ family since 1801, and today, the farm’s focus is on feeding neighbors through their CSA and farm stand, where you can find their fresh organic produce as well as products from over 50 different local farms and producers. RSVP and enjoy dinner baked in NOFA-VT’s wood-fired pizza oven, followed by a farm tour.

2025 Farmer Olympics

Farmers and farmworkers wearing huge grins and matching tie-dye tees as they make a human pyramid at the 2024 Farmer Olympics

Tues., 8/12 | Farmer Olympics (Putney)

Farmer Olympics has become an annual tradition for NOFA-VT, and we’re excited to host our 10th year of the games at High Meadows Farm in the southeast part of the state. Farmers, start putting together a team today! This fun-filled event brings together farms from around the state for a silly mid-summer break from work. Join us for friendly competition, delicious pizza, and camaraderie. Farm teams come up with names and costumes or team t-shirts, and compete in both physical and brainy activities. Dinner from the NOFA-VT pizza oven closes out the night!

Summer Events Refund Policy:

If you are unable to attend a NOFA-VT on-farm workshop or social, refunds can be requested at least seven days in advance of the event date. NOFA-VT will refund the registration fee, minus a $10 administrative fee. Refunds will be processed within 30 days after the event takes place. Alternatively, if you can't make it but would like to continue to support NOFA-VT, you can convert your registration fee to a charitable gift. Please contact [email protected] or [email protected] to cancel your registration.

Have a question about workshops? Please reach out to NOFA-VT Events Coordinator Medina Korajkić at [email protected] or our office at 802-419-0097.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Funding for this summer's on-farm event series was made possible by Canaday Family Charitable Trust; Conservation Innovation Grants program at USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service Vermont State Office; Forrest and Frances Lattner Foundation; Mascoma Bank; One Hive Foundation; Stonyfield Farm, Inc; USDA Agricultural Marketing Service Farmers Market Promotion Program; USDA Risk Management Agency; USDA Agricultural Marketing Service Transition to Organic Partnership Program; Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets Clean Water Initiative Program; The WaterWheel Foundation; and the Windham Foundation.

If you'd like to become a sponsor of NOFA-VT's On-Farm Summer Event Series, please contact Erin Buckwalter, Deputy Director of Engagement and Development, at 802-419-0043 or email [email protected].

Check out the full calendar of events from NOFA-VT and our partners

All Events

Check Out the 2025 On-Farm Summer Event Lineup