Charlotte farms celebrate Open Farm Week
This summer is the ninth time that Open Farm Week has been celebrated in Vermont. It’s a great opportunity to not only enjoy our state’s agricultural treasures but this year it’s also a chance to give some love to a part of the economy that’s suffered some big hits this year.
Open Farm Week runs from this Sunday, Aug. 6, through Saturday, Aug. 13, and some Charlotte farmers plan to observe the agricultural festivities.
One of those is Adam’s Berry Farm which has scheduled different events for every day during the week.
The farm at 985 Bingham Brook Road plans to kick things off with an event to help farms impacted by flooding and other weather-related calamities this year. On Sunday, Adam’s Berry Farm is sponsoring Pick Blueberries for a Cause. For every pound picked, the farm will donate a portion to the Northeast Organic Farming Association’s Farmer Emergency Fund.
The next day, Monday, Aug. 7, the farm owners are encouraging people to see Charlotte farms by bike. Stop by Adam’s Berry Farm for a map of a bike ride around some of the town’s farms. Stop by five of the eight farms listed on the map and get a free popsicle or strawberry lemonade.
Show up at the farm at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 8, for story hour. “The Watermelon Story” will be read. This story takes listeners “on a journey through the Vermont farm season through the eyes of a watermelon — from seed to table,” according to a release from Adam’s Berry Farm. And, naturally, there will be watermelon samples from the farm’s fields.
Wednesday will feature Emma Cook with music and movement inspired by the farm at 10:30 a.m. She’s supposed to be a “berry” good entertainer. This event is $12 a child or $18 for a family.
On Thursday, 10 a.m.-noon, the farm will have Art for Kids with fun art projects inspired by the wonders of the farm, bees and — you guessed it — berries.
Come by the farm on Friday evening, 5-7 p.m., for S’mores Night with s’mores, drinks and food.
“We will have for s’mores for roasting, berry-inspired cocktails from Adventure Dinner and barbacoa beef sandwiches from Grass Cattle Company,” the release said. “There will also be art projects for kids and adults alike. So, bring a picnic and come celebrate local farms with us.”
Saturday is Pie Day at Adam’s Berry Farm. It will run all day or until the pie runs out. Of course, there will be ice cream, too. The only cost is the price of pie and ice cream, featuring blueberry and raspberry pie made by Sam LaCroix of Pastry Party and the Kitchen Table restaurant in Richmond.
The farm will close out Open Farm Week with GROW Kids Yoga at 10 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 13. A teacher from GROW Prenatal and Family Center will teach “fun-filled postures inspired by everything on the farm.”
On Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 12-13, Head Over Fields is opening its beloved walking trail to the public for the last weekend of Open Farm Week.
Owner Katie Rose Seward said the trail is behind its farm stand at 6035 Ethan Allen Highway, south of State Park Road. Please park behind the farm stand and leave parking at the farm stand to people who’ve come to shop. Signs will point the way to parking for the walk.
As you walk through the fields you will be able to see the farm’s new greenhouse and continue through hayfields almost to Philo Road. It’s about a 10-minute walk. From the top of the farm, you will have a great view of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains.
Feel free to bring a picnic or buy some snacks at the farm stand and hang out for a while.
On Wednesday, Aug. 9, Friday, Aug. 11, and Saturday, Aug. 12, Golden Apple Family Farm at 1052 Whalley Road is inviting people to take a self-guided tour of their farm and perennial gardens. Maps will be provided.
“While guests walk down the aisles of the apple orchard, they 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,” according to Dig In Vermont.
Dig In Vermont’s website has information about Open Farm Week events at farms in Charlotte and all over the state.
On Sunday, Aug. 13, Philo Ridge Farm is sponsoring farm activities from 2-4 p.m. This free event is an opportunity to meet some farm animals, learn about the farm, play some games and tour a vegetable garden.
Afterward, 4-7 p.m. stay for Butcher’s Grill Night. This dinner is a ticketed event where farm staff will fire up the grill and cook burgers and sausages. There will be salads and sides. And live music.
Butcher’s Grill Night requires registering. The cost is $45 for adults, $25 for teens (13-17 years old), $12 for children (12-3 years old) and children under 3 are free.