During Open Farm Week, farms open their doors for the public to explore. It's a chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at Vermont's working landscape and meet the hard working people who make our food. Not all Open Farm Week farms are open during the whole year - some of them let people in just for their event! If you want a better idea of how farms work, want to connect with local agriculture, or are simply looking for a nice walk in nature, Open Farm Week's Farm Tours are the way to go. Explore pastures, forests and livestock on foot, from the seat of a carriage or even from a four-wheeler! Open Farm Week has it all. So take a gander at what's out there and go explore!
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Farm Tours in Northern Vermont
Butterworks Farm Westfield
Farm Tours and Smoothie Stand | Sun, Aug 11, 11:00am-2:00pm
Butterworks Farm milks a small herd of Jersey cows and produces premium quality cultured dairy products in their farm creamery. Come tour the farm and fields and meet the farmers and Jersey cows. While you're there, sample and purchase custom-made smoothies and farm products. You are encouraged to RSVP HERE.
Chamberlin's Farm Underhill
Tour and Farm Store Grand Re-Opening | Fri, Aug 9, 5:00-7:00pm
Chamberlin's Farm is a third-generation family farm growing sweet corn, pumpkins, hay, and flowers. Come get a tour of the farm, see equipment (TRACTORS!), give a demo with a mini hay baler, and pick your own flowers! Also check out the re-opening of their farm store after being closed for nearly 10 years.
Chandler Pond Farm Wheelock
Hay Wagon Tours and Family Fun | Sun, Aug 4, 10:00am-1:00pm
Chandler Pond is a diversified farm offering raised strawberries, blueberries, grass-fed beef, hay, maple and more throughout the year. Come for a guided tour from the comfort of a hay wagon! Hay wagon tours leave at 10:00am and 11:00am. The farm yard will also have family activities such as touch a tractor, meet the animals, and yard games. The farmstand and blueberry u-pick is open 8:00am-8:00pm.
Walking Farm Tour | Sun, Aug 4, 4:00-5:30pm
Chandler Pond's walking tour is well suited for those looking for a deeper dive into the behind the scenes on the farm. You'll learn in more detail about production methods, conservation practices and projects, and what the folks at Chandler Pond have learned building and evolving their business over the last 9 years. Must be willing to walk on all types of surfaces. Bring questions, curiosity and walking shoes!
Adam's Berry Farm Charlotte
Charlotte Farms by Bike | Mon, Aug 5, All Day
Stop at the farm stand at Adam's Berry Farm to get a map for a bike fide around Charlotte. The route will take you on a ramble on dirt and paved roads to the many farms ofCharlotte. Stop by 5 of the listed farms and get a free popsicle or strawberry lemonade!
Elmore Roots Elmore
Exploring the Food Forest | Aug 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 3:00-5:00pm
Elmore Roots is a food forest over forty years old, and it a sanctuary for birds and wildlife. They have a variety of native shrubs and trees growing nuts, fruits and berries. Come walk through their beautiful groves of black walnut and pears, kiwi vines and currant patches. Donations are happily accepted and will go towards local community food-growing projects.
Native Plant Walks | Aug 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 10:00am-5:00pm
Also check out the trails at Elmore Roots and discover the many native trees and shrubs that grow there. Enjoy a little nature walk and listen to the birds and squirrels singing in the trees.
The Farm at VYCC Richmond
Lunch and Farm Tour | Thu, Aug 8, 1:00-3:00pm
Join the Farm at VYCC for lunch and farm tour! Lunch is at 1:00 with a farm-fresh vegetarian lunch, made from food grown and prepared by Corps Members, in the restored historic West Monitor Barn. The tour starts at 1:30, and you will hear from Corps Members along the way. You will check out 11 acres of organic vegetable, poultry, and egg production, and hear about how the Health Care Share connects over 400 families with a CS. You'll then enter the active construction site of the East Monitor Barn being restored. The farm store will also be open. Registration required and lunch spots are limited to 10 guests. Register here!
Foote Brook Organic Farm Johnson
Guided Garden Flower Path Tours | Aug 7 & 10, 1:00-2:00pm
Foote Brook farm produces more than 145 different varieties of organic produce, as well as 25 acres of sod grass on its 100-acre expanse. They also have a seasonal farm store and sunflower garden. Come to the farm for a beautiful, education, guided tour on their maintained garden path that strolls by their market garden, sunflower fields, flora dn fauna and much more.
Self Guided Farm and Flower Walks | Aug 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 11:00am-5:00pm
Also enjoy self-guided walks along the garden path, from Wednesday through Sunday during Open Farm Week. Cost is $12, and free for kids 5 and under.
Golden Apple Family Farm Charlotte
Self-Guided Farm Tours | Aug 7, 9, 10, 10:00am-4:00pm
Join Golden Apple Family Farm at your leisure to walk their farm and perennial gardens. Illustrated maps will be provided to help visitors on their self-guided tour. While you walk down the aisles of the apple orchard, you will see hives of pollinators, heritage chicken layers and their many-colored eggs. Cooling down in the mud, the Mangalitsa pigs will welcome everyone with snorts. The Finnsheep and lambs will be in the fields helping to regenerate the soil and clearing the grasses. In the perennial beds, there will be new colors at every turn. Chicken, fruit, honey, eggs, flowers and other organic products will be available for purchase at the farm stand.
Maple Wind Farm Richmond / Bolton
Free Farmer Led Pasture Walk | Fri, Aug 9, 5:30-7:00pm
Paul-Lin Dairy Bakersfield
Farm Tour and Paisley Scoops Gelato Tasting | Fri, Aug 9, 1:00-2:00pm
Paul-Lin Dairy is home to Jersey cows who graze daily during summer months and provide the milk used in Paisley Scoops Gelato! All are welcome for a farm tour to visit the Jersey brown cows and sample gelato.
Snug Valley Farm Hardwick
Pasture Walk and Hog BBQ Potluck with Music | Sat, Aug 10, 4:00-9:00pm
Make your way to Snug Valley Farm while you'll be shown around to see grass-fed beef grazing on pasture and heritage breed pigs romping about. Farmer Ben Nottermann will talk about the true meaning of regenerative agriculture and how their animals help sequester carbon and rebuild a soil health. Then, share a meal of whole hog BBQ and potluck side dishes with live music from local farmers. Bring a potluck dish if you'd like and bring your own drinks. Please register here ahead of time.
Farm Tours in Central Vermont
Champlain Valley Hops Starksboro
Hop Farm Tour | Wed, Aug 7, 5:30-7:30pm
Enjoy a guided tour of Champlain Valley Hops, the largest hop farm in New England. First time visiting a commercial hop farm? You’re in for a treat! Hops grow vertically up strings to the top of a massive 18 ft. trellis. Walking through the yard is like entering a different world, surrounded by walls of living plants. You'll gather in the yard for an overview of the farm's history, the hop industry, the fundamentals and challenges of hop growing, CVH’s unique VT growing practices, variety selection, and so much more. Next, you'll visit the processing barn to see some of the specialized equipment that is used to turn fresh hop cones into dried pellets for use in the brewing industry. Registration is suggested - register here.
Fledgling Farmstead Tunbridge
Farm Tour | Sat, Aug 10, 1:30-3:00pm
Join the farmers of Fledgling Farmstead for a tour of the gardens, pasture, and woodland trails on the farm. Meet the chickens, sheep and cows, and diverse gardens as you meander the rolling terrain of the hilltop farm. After the tour, consider staying for an evening of music and local food trucks at our on-farm event, Fledge Fest! Please wear sturdy shoes and come dressed for the weather! Please do not bring dogs to the tour due to the hazards of electric fencing and farm animals. The farm tour group will gather at the farm's pasture parking lot. Please park and follow signs for "tour."
Green Mountain Girls Farm Northfield
Regenerative Farm Tours | Sun, Aug 4, 2:00pm & 3:30pm
Come plug into the Green Mountain Girls Farm ecosystem! Linger with the lambs. Simply be and belong. Or probe the pasture with a penetrometer and take the temperature of the compost pile, advancing last winter’s livestock waste towards future fertility for the fields. Explore how decompacted soils rapidly cycle carbon and nutrients to contribute to clean fresh water, increase pollinator habitat and reverse climate change. Pick wild flowers or an edible bouquet to bring home! You may have a hunch or firmly believe that how farmers farm and eaters eat matters – for climate change, biodiversity, human health, pollinators, rural vitality. This tour will fortify you and enhance your readiness to both eat well and help heal our planet. RSVPs to [email protected] are helpful.
Pastured Poultry Farm Tour & Turkey Pick-up | Thu, Aug 8, 4:00-6:00pm
Come see how the farm raises turkeys & chickens on pasture with a short farm tour – see what your holiday meal ate. Fresh turkeys will be available for pick-up for summer meals or to pop in your freezer for the holidays. Green Mountain Girls Farm likes to finish their turkeys in the summer when the grass is lush & plentiful as while turkeys are omnivores they LOVE pasture! Then they are frozen & all set for the holidays. To reserve a turkey, email [email protected].
Silloway Maple Randolph Center
Sugarwoods Tour | Fri, Aug 9, 10:00am-5:00pm
Climb aboard the "Muley" (a UTV!) with Marilyn, Silloway Maple's chief boiler, for an expert guided tour of the sugarbush and sugarhouse. Ride through the sugarwoods and see the majestic maples, miles of saplines, and learn about the sustainability of the family sugaring operation. Learn about the reverse osmosis and filtration, and sample the four grades of maple syrup. Tours are ongoing throughout the day and last about 1 hour. Reservations required for this special woods tour. Email sillowaymaple@hotmail to reserve a spot.
Sugar Feather Farm Berlin
Bird Tour and Farm Store Opening | Sat, Aug 10, 11:00am-4:00pm
Head over to Sugar Feather Farm for its farm store grand opening and get an outside guided tour of their rare and unique birds. With over 2000 birds ranging from Emus, and chickens to tiny button quail, they have lots of fun things to see. Meet the Fowl Guru Nicolle where she can give you some tips and tricks regarding birds and how to incorporate many of these into your home ecosystem. There is also a lovely picnic table and swing out front for you to enjoy, and there will be birds for sale to purchase! Assorted baby chicks, quail, ducks, heritage turkeys and more. Bring something to put your feathered friends in just in case you find that perfect one. Sugar Feather Farm is accepting donations for flood relief.
Sugarbush Farm Woodstock
Guided Sugarbush Hikes | Aug 6 & 8, 1:00-2:30pm / Aug 10, 10:00am-12:30pm
Take a guided hike through Sugarbush Farm's Pipeline trail (considered a moderately hard trail given its steep incline), where you will get a better understanding of how the intricate system of sugaring tubes, lines and taps work. You will also get to learn more about the forest and how to maintain a healthy ecosystem. Ending the tour in the sugarhouse, you will get an in-depth explanation of the Sugarbush Farm's equipment, how they make maple syrup, and get to taste all 4 grades of maple syrup to experience the different flavors. Please register before Aug 4 by emailing [email protected] with the names of participants, their contact info and your preferred event date.
von Trapp Farmstead Waitsfield
Farm Tours and Artisan Cheese Tasting | Aug 9, 11:00am-12:30pm / Aug 10, 3:00-4:30pm
Trace the path of the von Trapp Farmstead cheeses on a guided farm tour: from pasture + cows to creamery + cheese plate! Beginning at the farm store, you'll walk out on pasture and learn about how we manage soil health and cultivate a diverse diet for our cows. From there, you'll go find the cows - either on pasture or in the covered barnyard taking a mid-day break in the shade!. You'll then take a peek in the creamery (where all the magic happens) and learn a little about cheesemaking. Finally, you'll return to the farm store where you’ll get to sample all of our cheeses and check out the many local products in our farm store! Please register for this event here.
Farm Tours in Southern Vermont
Milkweed Farm Westminster
No-till Tour | Sun, Aug 4, 10:00-11:00am
Join Farmer/Owner Jonah Mossberg on a walking tour where he'll explain the big picture and the nitty gritty of how Milkweed does no-till. They've been at it for eight years and have learned a lot along the way (and continue to learn as they go). They farm on just about 2 acres. There will be lots of opportunities for Q&A. The ground is uneven. Please leave pets at home. Children are welcome as long as they keep their feet on the paths and are well-supervised. The tour will happen rain or shine. Register by July 31st by emailing Emily at [email protected].
Plew Farm Mt Holly
Guided Farm Tours | Aug 4 - 11, 11:00am-12:30pm
Take a guided walking tour of Plew Farm, with views of pastures, sugar bush and homestead. Easy to moderate walking, with some steep areas through the woods and fields. Enjoy a refreshing maple soda in the farm stand at the end of the hike. All hikes are weather permitting. Tours last approximately 60-90 minutes. Appropriate footwear required. We welcome families, children and pets. All pets must be leashed.
Smokey House Center Danby
Yoder Farm Tour | 11:00am-12:30pm
Join Ryan and Rachel Yoder for a full tour of their 90 acre diversified farm operation. Learn about their approach to low-till vegetable production, raising meat chickens, perennial crop systems, cider vinegar production, and much more! You'll meet at the Smokey House Center headquarters and then head to our partner farmers farm from there. Please RSVP for this event here.
Dorset Peak Sheep & Cattle Co. Farm Tour | Tue, Aug 6, 3:00pm-4:30pm
Join Caleb Smith for a full tour of his 350 acre farm and sheep pastures. Learn about Caleb's approach to rotational grazing, his transition from dairy to sheep, his interest in rip sowing to increase pasture health and production, and much more! You'll meet at the Smokey House Center headquarters and then head to our partner farmers farm from there. Please register for this event here!
Scott Farm Dummerston
Historic Farmstead Stroll | Sat, Aug 10, 11:00am-12:00pm
Scott Farm isn't just any apple orchard. It's a historic treasure that has been in active cultivation since 1791 and is keeping Vermont's rural agricultural traditions alive. Come for an hour long stroll through the historic core of the farm to learn more about the history of this beautiful and significant landscape. From its early days as an all purpose farm, to the construction of the oldest buildings in the 1840s, to the farm's current role as Vermont's premiere heirloom apple orchard, you'll see how Scott Farm has developed over the years while maintaining its irreplaceable sense of place. The 571 acre farm has been owned since 1995 by The Landmark Trust USA, a non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve historic properties through creative sustainable uses for public enjoyment and education.
Scott Farm Orchard Stroll | Sun, Aug 11, 11:00am-12:00pm
Scott Farm's world-class apple orchard is keeping alive the heritage and flavor of 130+ varieties of ecologically grown heirloom apples, as well as many other fruits. You may have shopped in the Farm Market or enjoyed fresh apples right from the tree in their Pick-Your-Own areas, but today you'll see the larger heirloom orchard. Join Orchardist Erin Robinson for a stroll in the orchard and learn a bit about the history of these unique and historic fruits. You'll discuss orchard ecology, what it takes to manage the farm, and why preserving these heritage varieties is so important.
