Stories from the Farm

On the Move

Most weeks things are on the move at the farm…We move goat herds daily, pigs and chickens at least twice a week, veggies in, weeds out, and farmers all around the farm.  But this week seemed to have some extra moves on hand. The goat kids that have eaten all the grass at our neighbor […]

Growing & Ripening

While we are happy to not have drought conditions like the western US, all the live beings on the farm have been happy to see a bit more sun this past week.   It is July and we are in a season of growing and ripening.   And growing is happening.  The ridged hoophouse is […]

Inspiration!

Good. Clean. Fair.               Slow Food Vermont  boils what is important down to these simple words. And when they teamed up with Humaneitarian.org to host a “Heritage Breed Supper” at Half Pint Farm at the Intervale, that sounded like an event we wanted to be a part of.  The […]

Pick Your Own Herbs & Enjoy

This week we open the pick-your-own herb garden!  Most of the garden is on the near side (West side) of the main garden,  just follow the signs past the pond.   The herbs & edible flowers currently ready include Anise (licorice flavor), Chamomile, Lovage (celery flavor), Mint, Oregano, Thyme, Summer Savory (mix of rosemary & […]

Dry to Wet

The season has turned from too dry to good and wet! The heirloom tomatoes are growing like crazy and have had their first pruning. A large kale harvest has made way for sweet potatoes. The goats are moving through grass quickly and the 24 piglets, still unnamed have taken on that half tank and half […]

Now That is a Village!

The Floating Bridge opening and celebration was amazing!       As we arrived in Hippo Park, Sandy Schmitt, VTrans Bridge engineer and Brookfield resident was scooting around with a wheel barrow tidying up final bits, green volunteer shirted folks and balloon arches were visible and the air was full of excitement and a good dose […]

Celebrating Community & the Floating Bridge

The Floating Bridge is a notable landmark and a special gathering spot.  So special that it is the namesake for our cooperative of local businesses that offer people the opportunity to experience small farm living, locally raised farm products, and the seasonal beauty of Central Vermont’s working agricultural landscape, the Floating Bridge Food & Farms Cooperative. […]

May Days

Thursday… volunteers bolstered our reserve and helped us gain more road frontage back from chervil and more progress was made on Saturday. Thanks Liz, Martha and Molly! More folks are coming this Thursday, do join if you can (for any sliver or chunk of time from 3:30-6:30. Spring abundance brought a bright array of greens […]

Swarms in the Making

As last week’s newsletter indicated, it is chervil season. Unfortunately this intimidating invasive plant (See the Vermont Invasives.org website for an overview), is marching toward early flowering and seeding — on the same timeline as planting out annual vegetables, getting animals out on pasture, amending the orchards, etc. So if anyone wants an excuse to […]

Farm Talents

Three new talented individuals are joining our team as the Spring flurry approaches. What would an orientation week in Spring be if we didn’t do some team bonding by cherviling? (More on that in coming weeks!).  Here is a bit on the new farmers we are excited to have on the team. Soliz Mayer grew […]