Visit and Support Diversified Farms
As the foundation of the state’s rural economy, agriculture has supported families in Vermont for centuries. However, increased production costs and a trend toward large monocultures has made it increasingly difficult for Vermont family farms to compete. In order to diversify and expand their sources of income, many farmers sell products such as maple syrup, specialty foods and crafts. Others offer "pick your own" fruits and vegetables as well as education and recreation opportunities for farm visitors, including bed and breakfast facilities, guided tours of farm operations, horseback riding, and hiking and cross-country ski trails. Using new marketing strategies, these businesses are augmenting traditional farming operations, educating visitors about Vermont's agricultural history and sharing a slice of rural life.
What You Can Do
- Become an agri-tourist! Stay at a Farm Bed & Breakfast on your next vacation.
- Enjoy an afternoon with family and friends at apple or berry pick-your-own farms around the state.
- Support family farms by purchasing locally made products and foods at farmers' markets and grocery stores, and encourage your favorite store to offer more local products.
Vermonter's Taking Action
- "Eating local means we support our landscape by keeping small
The Jeffries family at Sugar Mountain Farm in West Topsham is building an on-farm, small-scale slaughterhouse and butcher shop to process the pigs they raise for local consumption. Due to the dwindling number of butchers, many farmers- including the Jeffries- have been forced to bring their animals out of state for processing. By constructing a facility that allows the family to process their animals directly on the farm, the Jeffries will drastically reduce their carbon emissions. The facility will also keep the money that is generated from their sales in Vermont, contributing to the health of the local economy.
- “Diversifying our farm to offer organic and value-added products has made an important difference in the goals we’ve set forth for our family and business. Vermonters are great supporters of local food and this is what has enabled our farm to prosper." -Linda Dimmick, Neighborly Farms
Established as a family dairy farm in the 1960’s, the Dimmick Family is committed to continuing this tradition because of their love for the Vermont landscape and for animals. In 1998, the family chose to convert to an organic operation, specializing in award-winning cheese production. Visitors are welcome on the farm for special events and tours of the cheese factory and sugarhouse are available.
- "Diversified farmland helps preserve our special places that have been farms for centuries." -Julie Lane, Crescent Bay Farm and Bed & Breakfast
Originally built in the 1820s, the Crescent Bay Farm House sits on 121 acres of preserved land in South Hero, Vermont. Complete with flower beds, llamas, maple sugaring, and a popular B&B, this family has found many ways to work their land.
Resources You Can Use
- Vermont Farms!: Provides a comprehensive list of farm offerings throughout Vermont, with everything from Christmas trees to alpacas to sleigh rides.
- Vermont Agency of Agriculture: Explore agriculture in Vermont in all its diversity with information on harvest festivals, destination farms, breweries, and much more.