MONTPELIER — For the third consecutive year, farmers across Vermont will once again open their barn doors and garden gates to welcome the public for a behind-the-scenes look at Vermont’s vibrant working landscapes. Vermont Open Farm Week 2017 will be held Monday, August 14, through Sunday, August 20, and features 102 events at almost 50 farms across the state. Events are live and sorted by day and location on DigInVT.com.
Open Farm Week is a celebration of Vermont farms offering visitors a backstage pass to learn more about local food origins, authentic agritourism experiences, and the chance to build relationships with farmers. Activities vary and include opportunities to milk cows and goats, harvest vegetables, learn to make pickles, go on a scavenger hunt, enjoy an on-farm dinner with live music and more.
Media members interested in arranging Open Farm Week visits this year can submit their media trip requests through the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing. Overnight stays for journalists are possible in some locations.
Each Open Farm Week event is created by a farmer and focused on highlighting the unique character of the host farm. Below are a few highlights of the 2017 schedule:
Breakfast for Dinner at Silloway Maple Farm: It’s breakfast for dinner. Join Silloway Maple sugarmakers for a pancake supper in their Randolph sugarhouse. Come early for a maple candy making demonstration. Friday, August 18th at Silloway Maple Farm, Randolph, Vermont.
Shat Acres Farm Visit: Picnic with the majestic Highland cattle of Greenfield Highland Beef. Take in the sweeping mountain and valley views while learning how Janet and Ray respectfully provide customers with healthy, locally and humanely raised meat. Sunday, August 20th at Shat Acres Farm, Plainfield, Vermont.
Cheesemaking with Rebop Farm: Take a tour of the milking parlor and bring fresh milk to the kitchen to learn the art of raw-milk cheesemaking. Wednesday, August 16th at Rebop Farm, Brattleboro, Vermont.
Many events are free and some require pre-registration. Not all farms are open every day, so be sure to visit DigInVT.com to explore the diverse event schedule and plan a visit. Everyone is invited to join the Open Farm Week conversation on social media using the hashtag #VTOpenFarm.
Open Farm Week is a collaborative statewide agritourism project organized by members of the Vermont Farm to Plate Network including City Market, DigInVT.com, Shelburne Farms and Farm‐Based Education, NOFA‐VT, University of Vermont Extension, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Vermont Fresh Network and the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing. DigInVT.com is an online agritourism platform, run by a partnership of local nonprofit organizations, and virtual home to Open Farm Week.
Vermont Open Farm Week is made possible by the generous support of its Premiere Sponsor, City Market/Onion River Coop, and Media Sponsor, Front Porch Forum.
—Vermont Fresh Network & DigInVT.com
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