Farm Dreams, Part One

Do you have a dream of starting a farm? Join us this summer 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. 

Cultivating Biodiversity and Resilience at Cedar Mountain Farm

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. 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.

High-impact Backyard Composting

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.

Climate Adaptation Field Walk at Scott Farm Orchard

Adapting to climate change looks different on every farm. This field walk in the orchards at Scott Farm 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. ​