Farm, Food & Fiber Tour

Our Farm, Food & Fiber Tour is available year-round, subject to seasonal closings and hours of the partipating farms. Use our comprehensive map and listings to guide yourself to farms and food enterprises throughout our region. Please note that the days and hours when participating establishments are open vary widely, and that some request advance appointments. Enjoy your tour!

For map and details: Farmers, food and fiber producers/crafters in Windham County: If you wish to be included in this tour, or to update your listings, please use the Farm/Food/Fiber Tour registration page, or submit information in the format of the listings below to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

(SEE LISTINGS BELOW MAP. Click lower-right corner for larger view.)

1. Boyd Family Farm

125 East Dover Road, Wilmington, VT 05363

Janet Boyd — (802) 464-5618 — This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it — www.boydfamilyfarm.com

We are a family farm that has a diverse four-season list of farm products and services. Open 7 days a week; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. normally. We do have some extended hours on specific days during the year for special programs or products.

Directions: Take Route 9 west to Wilmington VT. At the junction of Routes 9 and 100 take a right. Travel 4 miles north on Route 100. Turn right onto East Dover Road; go 6/10's of a mile and the farm is on the right!

2. Deer Ridge Farm and Farm Camp

4057 Hinesburg Road, Guilford, VT 05301

Lisa Holderness — (802) 254-3540 — This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it — www.deerridgefarmVT.com

Farm; NOFA-VT Farm-to-Community Mentor

Directions: From Brattleboro, head west on Route 9/Western Avenue. In the center of West Brattleboro turn left onto Greenleaf Street at the 7-Eleven. Follow signs for 4.8 miles to our driveway on the left.

3. Elysian Hills Tree Farm

209 Knapp Road, Dummerston, VT 05301

Bill and Mary Lou Schmidt — (802) 257-0233 — This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it — www.elysianhillsfarm.com

We are the largest Christmas tree farm in Windham County. We are working with a young couple to learn the tree business, but they are also growing organic veggies, flowers, and taking over our one acre of heirloom variety rhubarb for sale to local wineries. Summer hours: By appointment — Fall foliage Christmas tree tag weekends: October 8-9, 15-16, 22-23; 12 noon to 4 p.m. — Wagon rides, dog stories, refreshments — Retail trees 11/26 through 12/24.

Directions: From Brattleboro, take Putney Road (Route 5) north to round-about. Go half-way around and exit onto Route 5 north. Go 1.5 mile to left fork—Middle Road. Go 1 mile to Tucker Reed Road. Turn right. Go to top of hill. Elysian Hills is on the left.

4. The Franklin Farm

4708 Weatherhead Hollow Road, Guilford, VT 05301

Maryellen Franklin — (802) 254-2228 — This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it — www.franklinfarmstore.com

The Franklin Farm is a certified organic family farm located in the southern Vermont town of Guilford. Franklins have farmed in Guilford for eight generations. Farming is a way of life our family loves and is very proud of. Our goals are to enjoy what we do, to produce food of the highest quality, and to leave this farm better than when we first started here. We work together as a family to keep our 50 milk cows and their offspring healthy and happy, to increase the fertility of our soils, and to make the highest quality, best tasting Vermont maple syrup. The Farm Store is open year-round, seven days a week; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Directions: From Brattleboro, follow Route 5 south; Turn right onto Guilford Center Road (just after Guilford Country Store); Turn left onto Weatherhead Hollow Road (about 1.75 miles from Route 5); Turn right into Franklin Farm (about 5 miles from Guilford Center Road).

5. Grafton Village Cheese Company

Two locations:

Brattleboro: 400 Linden Street / Route 30, Brattleboro, VT 05301 — Hours: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily

Directions: From downtown Brattleboro, north on Route 5, then West on Route 30; Grafton Cheese is on left just past the Brattleboro Retreat

Grafton Retail: 56 Townshend Road, Grafton, VT 05146; Grafton Production: 533 Townshend Road, Grafton, VT — Hours: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily

Directions: From Brattleboro, north on Route 30, take a Right onto Route 35, Bear Left onto Townshend Road, Grafton Cheese Plant on Right, 30 minutes from Brattleboro (Retail Store just past plant on Left)

Phone: 800-472-3866 — www.graftonvillagecheese.com

Grafton Village Cheese Company is dedicated to preserving the cheddar making tradition started in Grafton in 1892. When a fire destroyed the original factory, it was rebuilt with the help of the Windham Foundation. Today, Grafton Cheese handcrafts artisanal cheddar cheese aged up to four years. Farms throughout Vermont supply the milk that goes into making these award-winning cheeses. At both its locations, Grafton Village Cheese Company offers a viewing window into their facility and daily cheese tasting. Visit the specialty cheese and wine shops in Grafton or Brattleboro, or visit them online. The retail store houses many Vermont products, including, maple syrup, fine wines and various cheeses from Vermont. A Windham Foundation business.

6. Green Mountain Orchards

130 West Hill Road, Putney, VT 05346

Andrea Darrow — (254) 387-5851 — This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it — www.greenmtorchards.com

The Darrow family has been growing apples since 1914. We offer already picked or pick your own apples, blueberries, peaches, pumpkins, and more. During the season you can make your own cider on our demonstration press, or, if you come on a cider-making day you can watch us grind and squeeze our special blends of tree picked fruit on the big press. Because we use fine quality fruit, we make our cider in the traditional way without pasteurizing.

Directions: Exit 4 off I-91. Head north on Route 5 for 1/2 mile, left at Putney General Store, left after 1 mile on West Hill Road, 3/4 mile on right.

7. Green Mountain Spinnery

Brickyard Lane, Putney, VT 05346

Margaret Atkinson — (800) 321-9665 — This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it — www.spinnery.com

Wool and natural fiber yarn producer; knitting patterns, books and supplies.

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Directions: Take I-91 north to Exit 4. Turn right at the stop and take the first right into the driveway.

8. Honora Winery and Vineyard, Inc.

201 VT Route 112, Jacksonville, VT 05342

Brad York — (802) 368-2226 — This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it — www.honorawinery.com

We are a grower of grapes and a producer and bottler of wine. We have a tasting room and retail store in Jacksonville, VT. We sell our Honora wine, gourmet foods, local and international products and we consider ourselves to be the area’s local cheese monger for Vermont Artisan cheeses, all hand-cut from the wheels as you wait. Our hours are: Monday thru Thursday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Events scheduled: July 2^nd Annual Independence Weekend Celebration. Live music by George Adair singing and playing his upbeat and energetic accordion from 12 – 4; kids’ crafts, bring a picnic relax in the orchard with a glass of wine. Free admission, wine tastings all day. We are your Vermont Artisan Cheese connection. September 3rd Annual Labor Day Weekend Event. Live music by Chris Jenkins, an acoustic singer/songwriter featuring songs for all ages from 12-4, kids’ crafts relax with a glass of wine and enjoy the music. Free admission, wine tastings all day. We are your Vermont Artisan Cheese connection. October 8^th Annual Grape Stomp. A great time for all featuring CK Acoustics live music from 12-4, grape stomping, pumpkin carving, hay play, hot apple cider for the kids, wine tastings all day, free admission, we’re your Vermont Artisan Cheese Monger with local cheeses cut from the wheels while you wait. November 26^thAnnual Winter Wonderland at the Vineyard from 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. Free admission, live carolers, visit Santa and get a picture with him, cookie decorating and crafts, a grown-up lounge, discounts to the store, tastings and specials all day, enjoy the beauty of the vineyard in its crystal winter beauty.

Directions: From Brattleboro, take Route 9 west. Follow straight for 18 miles. Make a left onto Route 100 towards Jacksonville. Follow straight for 5½ miles to end. Make a right onto Gates Pond Road. Bear left onto Route 112. Honora Tasting Room and Retail Shop will be on your left, 201 VT Route 112. Travel time from West Brattleboro is approximately 25 minutes.

9. Lilac Ridge Farm

30 Covey Road, Brattleboro, VT 05301

Amanda and Ross Thurber — (802) 257-0985 — This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Lilac Ridge Farm: 2002 VT Sustainable Farm of the Year. Diversified family operation. Amanda, Ross, Stuart and Beverly work 600 acres in total. Organic production of vegetables and cut flowers. Our Farm stand is open early June through October from 9:00 a.m. till 5 p.m.

Directions: Go west from downtown Brattleboro on Route 9 (2.4 miles). In West Brattleboro Village, turn left onto Greenleaf Street (0.8 mile). Turn slight left onto Hinesburg Road (0.7 mile). Stay straight on Ames Hill Road and follow signs (about 0.8 mile) to parking on Abbott Road.

10. Margie’s Muse

P.O. Box 274, Jamaica, VT 05343

Margaret Miller Silvia — (802) 874-7201 — This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it — www.margiesmuse.com

Weaver-Spinner-Knitter; Home Studio housing two floor looms, spinning wheels and spindles, as well as finished knitted items and knitting needles and lots of yarn for sale. Taking orders for custom hand-woven adornments for body and home. By Appointment

Directions: Please call (802) 874-7201

11. Maybelle Farm

14 Melbourne Road, Wardsboro, VT 05355

Kathleen and Jonathan Meeks — (802) 896-6218 — (802) 896-6013 — This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

We are a sheep farm that raises registered Shetland sheep for breeding stock and fiber. We have been raising sheep since 1999 on our family farm. My little grandchildren that live on the farm are the 7^th generation to be there. We sell the registered Shetland sheep for breeding stock, raw wool, roving, dyed wool, yarn, needlefelting supplies and handmade items in our fiber studio. We have ongoing classes and Fiber Fun Camps for children. Sundays 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. or by appointment.

We will have fiber demonstrations and lots of information about classes happening during the summer and fall at the farm.

Directions: From Brattleboro, take Route 30 north through Newfane, Townshend and West Townshend to East Jamaica. Take a left turn onto Route 100 to Wardsboro. We are one mile past the Wardsboro General Store/Post Office. You will see a V-plow BILLS LUMBER on your right. This is Bills Road and you come to the top of the hill to the farm.

12. Morning Star Perennials and Nursery

221 Darby Hill, Rockingham, VT

Laurie and Scott Bolotin — (802) 463-3433 — (802) 289-3135 — cell (802) 376-9968 — This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it — www.mornstarflowers.com

At Morning Star Farm, a family owned and operated business in Rockingham, Vermont, we are passionate about growing and tending both herbaceous and woody plants. Since 1986, we have been cultivating more than 500 varieties of Vermont-hardy perennials, shrubs & trees, including many uncommon and hard-to-find varieties. Because our seedlings are planted directly into our own incredibly healthy soil and not sold until the following spring, our plants are hardy enough to withstand Vermont's harsh winters and will settle into your gardens as mature, rather than first year, plants. In addition to the plants we sell, Scott raises an orchard with organic pear trees and more than 250 varieties of organic apples, including many heirlooms. We also grow hardy kiwi vines. All of this fruit is available to purchase, in season. Morning Star Perennials is open 7 days/week, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. After-hours groups are always welcome, with a group discount on all sales.

Directions: Take I-91 north to Exit 6. Turn right onto Route 5 south. Go 0.7 mile, and then turn right at Acrebrook Realty onto Darby Hill. Follow signs 1.7 miles to Morning Star Farm on the right. Park in front of the barn.

13. Newell Farm

378 Newell Hill Road, West Wardsboro, VT 05360

Brent and Lorraine Newell — (802) 896-6264 — This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

A 200 year-old, 6^th generation farm, selling Vermont maple products, grass-fed beef, Gilfeather turnips, veal, and organic eggs. Weekends and by chance or call ahead (802) 896-6264. Directions: From Brattleboro, take Route 30 north to Route 100 south. Go 8 miles to West Wardsboro. Before the bridge, turn right on Newell Hill Road. Go 1/3rd mile and you’re there.

14. Olallie Daylily Gardens

129 Auger Hill Road, South Newfane, VT 05351

Chris Darrow — (802) 348-6614 — This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it — www.daylilygarden.com

We are longtime organic growers who are continuing the work of Dr. George Darrow. We offer a large selection of daylilies that provides a complete palette of daylily possibilities in an easy-to-use framework. Our approach simplifies your search for the right daylily for your garden. We also supply a wealth of information to educate you the grower as to how best select and grow daylilies. We grow well over 2500 varieties of daylilies and are breeding new possibilities by the hundreds every year. We select plants based on their hardiness, vigor and performance. We also maintain over four hundred high bush blueberries. Pick your own from mid July through August. They're organic and delicious. Visitors are welcome to stroll the fields, pick blueberries, and explore. The main six-acre field brims with daylilies. Grass paths meander through the beds of flowers. Here, the children run and play with our three Border Collies and visitors can wander. Bring a picnic, there are picnic tables and benches and tables with market umbrellas for your use. May 30: Gardens open —Pre-season hours: Thurs-Sun 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. — July 4: Closed. — July 11: Peak Season Begins. Peak-season hours: Open 7 days 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Peak Blueberry Season begins: Organic PYO — July 16th-17: Rock River Studio Artist Tour

July 30th-July 31: Daylily Sale Weekend 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. — August 17: Peak season ends. Post-season hours: Thurs-Sun 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. — September 5: Gardens closed; open by appointment or by chance.

Directions: From Brattleboro, take Route 30 north; go left onto Depot Road to end; left onto Dover Road; then left onto Auger Hole Road.

15. Putney Mountain Winery

8 Bellows Falls Road, Putney, VT 05346

Charles and Katherine Dodge — (802) 387-4610 — This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it — www.putneywine.com

Putney Mountain Winery specializes in fresh fruit wines, made with fruit grown and harvested at local farms, and hand-crushed, pressed and bottled at the winery. Putney Winery is consistent medal winner at the regional Big E competition and recently won gold and bronze medals at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition as well as a Double Gold for its Vermont Cassis at the Tasters Guild International Wine Tasting Competition. Stop by Putney Mountain Winery where you can “try and buy” their wide array of seasonal fruit wines. Tastings & sales at Putney Mountain Winery (where we make all our wines)8 Bellows Falls Road Route 5 in the Basketville store in Putney, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Directions: From Brattleboro, take I-91 to Exit 4; Turn left, crossing over the interstate. At stop, go right on Route 5 through Putney Village; the winery is inside Basketville.

16. Saxtons River Distillery

485 West River Road, Brattleboro, VT 05301

Christian Stromberg — (802) 659-4903 — This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it — www.saplingliqueur.com

My family fled Czarist-controlled Lithuania in 1906. They strongly desired to assimilate into American society, but kept alive familiar Lithuanian traditions and customs, including making flavorful liqueurs. The tradition of crafting fine liqueurs has been passed from generation to generation, and we are pleased to share our unique liqueur with you. Sapling Vermont maple liqueur combines old-word heritage with the flavor of Vermont. I gained appreciation for maple syrup while living in Vermont and visiting the sugar houses of friends in spring. Understanding the amount of work required to produce quality maple syrup has given me profound respect for the final product. With a nod to family tradition and the tradition of Vermont, I offer you the unique taste of Sapling Vermont maple liqueur.

Directions: From Brattleboro, take Route 30 north. We are ¼ mile north of the I-91 bridge over the West River.

17. Sweet Maple Alpacas

154 River Road, Westminster, VT 05158

Brenda and Tom Lawrence — (802) 376-9846 — This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it — www.sweetmaplealpacas.com

Our family is a sixth generation Vermont farm family. We have concentrated our farming efforts into alpacas and maple sugaring. Five months after seeing alpacas for the first time, we purchased our first one, UMA Lady Jazzmin! The date was July 16, 2002. Currently we own 19 alpacas. Eleven females and eight males! We are also consigning and agisting alpacas for three other farms. We have opened a farm store on the premises. You will find sweaters, scarves, hats, mittens, teddy bears, maple syrup and a whole lot more! In addition to the alpacas, we have a sugarhouse on the farm. We have been making our own Vermont maple syrup for over twenty years. You can contact us to set up an appointment, 802-722-9846 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or take a chance and stop by. If we're here, we're happy to have you stop!

Directions: From Brattleboro, take I-91 north to Exit 4. Take Route 5 North for approximately 7 miles. Turn right onto River Road. Ours is the second place on the left.

18. Taft Hill Farm

1657 Back Windham Road, West Townshend, VT 05353

Robert and Kathy DuGrenier — (802) 874-4341 — This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Taft Hill Farm is a 38-acre family farm. We have 5 mini-horses, 2 donkeys, 2 emu, llama, sheep, 100 chickens, 4 peacocks, pheasant, turkeys, etc. Fruit orchards, wood lot, pond for raising fish. We sell a variety of our farm products. We are avid mushroom hunters. We do bi-weekly treks to collect wild mushroom to sell at the farmers market. We have started to inoculate mushroom spore into logs and hope to be able to harvest our own cultivated mushrooms this spring, summer and fall. The farm sits up the side of a mountain with spectacular views. We have open pastures with great hiking, cross country skiing and mountain biking out the back door.

On June 5: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Directions: From Brattleboro, take Route 100 north, past Townshend Common. Continue 4 miles on Route 30 north, past Dam Diner on the left. See large wooden barrier fence about ½ mile on right. Turn right onto Back Windham Road. (If you go past the West Townshend Post Office, you have gone too far.) After the second house, turn left, staying on Back Windham Road. Go up hill for approximately 1.5 miles. The farm is on the left.

19. Vermont Weaving School

4 Signal Pine Road, Putney, VT 05346

Dena Gartenstein — (802) 387-2656 — This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it — www.vermontweaver.com

Created by Dena Gartenstein, Master Weaver, The Vermont Weaving School is located in the old Putney Elementary School in Putney, Vermont. Our specialty is working one-on-one wit students, fostering proficiency and a love of weaving. Daytime and evening classes and also weekend retreats for beginning and intermediate weavers are offered. Many different fibers are used, including wool, cotton, rayon, rags and chenille. Looms and all equipment are provided.

Directions: from I91 head North through Putney on Rt 5. Take a left onto Kimball Hill/Westminster Road. Go 1/3 m and look for the big white brick building on the left. Turn left onto Signal Pine Road. Entrance is in rear.

20. Wild Carrot Farm

842 Grassy Brook Road, Brookline, VT 05345

Jesse Kayan — (802) 365-4075 — This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

We are a new diversified organic farm. We are raising three acres of vegetables, laying hens, heritage turkeys and chickens and sheep. We sell our food to a CSA in Brookline and Brattleboro as well as the neighborhood on Elliot Street, an affordable CSA program run by Post Oil Solutions. We also serve restaurants and customers from our farmstands. Our farm is always open for people who want to drop by. We have two self-service farmstands, one at the farm and one on the corner of South Wardsboro and Grout Roads in Newfane.

Directions: From Brattleboro, take Route 30 north for 11 miles. Turn right at Radway Hill Road (the corner of the Flea Market). The road turns into Grassy Brook Road when you cross the iron bridge. Follow Grassy Brook Road, bearing left at the “T” intersection, 4 miles. Windmill Hill Alpaca Farm and Wild Carrot Farm are both on the right.

21. Windmill Hill Alpaca Farm and Artisanry

842 Grassy Brook Road, Brookline, VT 05345

Laura Solomon — (802) 348-9300, — (802) 365-9874 — This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it — www.fireandfiber.com

100% alpaca knit products. Our artisans handspin the fleece from our alpacas. Using natural plants as the source, they augment the existing color variations through a natural dyeing process. Products are hand knit at the farm, producing warm, cozy, and uniquely elegant creations from alpaca, a natural, renewable resource.

22. Retreat Petting Farm

350 Linden Street/Route 30, Brattleboro, VT 05301

Alan Smith — Tel: 802-257-2240

Hours: Wed – Sat, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Sun, Noon - 4 p.m. Visit this 160 year old downtown farmstead to interact with farm animals including baby chicks, piglets, goats, lambs, horses, donkeys, llamas and a variety of other animals. Kids love to ride the kiddie tractors, and jump in the giant pile of feed corn in the silo play area. Entrance fee. Open from Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day weekend. The Retreat Petting Farm is located next to the Grafton Village Cheese Brattleboro store and is also an entrance to the Retreat Trails, a nine-mile recreational trail network open to the community. A Windham Foundation business.

Directions: From downtown Brattleboro, north on Route 5, then West on Route 30; Retreat Petting Farm is on left just past the Brattleboro Retreat.

23. Mystic Meadow Alpacas

210 Olson Drive, West Brattleboro, VT 05301

Michael Olson and Marlene Souligny – (802) ALPACAS or (802) 257-4421

www.mysticmeadowalpacas.com – email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

We are a small farm located in West Brattleboro, Vermont, on the historic Molly Stark Trail. At the present time, our ever-growing family includes 19 alpacas with 5 crias due this year. As alpaca breeders, we strive to educate the community about alpaca farming. If you’re searching for a rewarding farming experience, alpaca farming is ideal for those interested in producing a natural, green, renewable, in-demand fiber, while raising hearty animals with great personalities. We offer alpaca sales, raw fiber, alpaca products, breeding, and boarding to meet all of your alpaca needs. We welcome individuals, families and groups to come and visit. Tours are welcome year round, but please call first for an appointment.

Directions: From Brattleboro at I-91, take Rt-9 west for 4.3 miles. Turn right onto Olson Drive and continue to the end of the road. Please park in designated parking areas.

Last Updated on Thursday, 10 November 2011 15:53