This Christmas Farm in Springfield is an annual must-do

Visit the beautiful farm between Skitchewaug Mountain and the banks of the Connecticut River in Springfield. Christmas Trees of Vermont is the picture perfect spot to find your holiday tree.

A family cider mill

This past weekend, this reporter stopped at Willis Wood’s Cider Mill to learn the cider making process. Wood’s cider mill is located on the Weathersfield Center Road.

U ready? Orchards prepare for Labor Day crowds

“It’s not like going to Disneyland,” said Linda Mark, walking down the dirt road between her grape arbors and the big barn at Wellwood Orchards. “People are pleasant. And instead of the kids getting a bunch of plastic toys they’re going to break or forget about, when you go home you’ve got apples, and Mom’s going to make a pie.”

Wellwood Orchards baby goat yoga and upcoming Customer Appreciation Day

On Sunday, Aug. 26, yogis gathered on a sunny, warm morning at Wellwood Orchards for a restorative Vinyasa flow, complete with baby goats. The five baby goats were born in early July and had made weekly appearances in the yoga class since they were a couple weeks old.

Video: Nebraska retiree uses earth's heat to grow oranges in snow

No expensive heat pumps needed, system uses only enough electricity to blow air through a loop of underground plastic tubing. Also great for reducing high winter heating bills in homes to springtime levels and providing very energy efficient cooling in the summer.

It’s Yoga. And Goats.

Wellwood Orchards in Springfield now offers baby goat yoga with two more sessions scheduled this month. The class is taught by registered yoga teacher and co-owner of the farm Aggie Mark.

Vendors invited to take part in Market Family Day

The Springfield Farmers Market is accepting applications from vendors interested in joining an expanded Market Family Day, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18. This invitation goes out to farmers as well as crafters and artisans; for nonprofits this would be an opportunity to promote an organization or educate the public as to what they do.

4-H'ers judge cows at Blue Mountain Dairy

Vermont 4-H dairy members, including two youths from Springfield, Vermont, gathered at the Blue Mountain Dairy in Brookfield on June 26 for the annual state 4-H dairy judging contest.

Electric fencing offers protection against chicken predation

The Springfield office of the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department urges poultry owners to use electric fencing and follow other precautions to protect their birds from predation.

---

Video: What's Wrong With Eggs? The Truth About The Egg Industry – Erin Janus
Did you know the government's Humane Slaughter Act, Animal Welfare Act, and the Twenty-Eight Hour Law all exclude chickens from their protections? And the USDA warns egg producers that they may be violating labeling laws if they tout their foods as “nutritious” or “safe.”

Despite rain, Strawberry Festival draws steady crowd

Visitors of all ages picked and sampled fresh strawberries, ice cream, and strawberry shortcake, and visited the petting zoo, went on hayrides, and browsed the more than 40 food and artisan vendors at the annual Strawberry Festival on Saturday, June 23 at Wellwood Orchards.

Wellwood Orchards Strawberry Festival

Saturday June 23rd, 10am to 3pm. Free admission. They have an amazing group of music artists and vendors lined up, making sure you have a berry good time.

Farmers’ Market set to open for the season

The nonprofit Springfield Farmers’ Market will be opening for their ninth season from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 2 on Lower Clinton St. (Route 11) near the trailhead of the Toonerville Walk / Bike Path. There is plenty of room for parking at this location.

Video: Some dairy farms fold. Some keep going.

Farmers Clark Hinsdale III in Charlotte and Heidi and Mike Dolloff in Springfield see the future of dairy in VT differently.

Local sugar producers: Good season due to early warm weather, newer tech

Maple Knoll Farm owner Victor Jarvis in Springfield makes maple syrup as a hobby — a labor of love that started 10 years ago.

Farmers’ market customers eagerly return for high quality local ingredients

As happily as the robins chirping in the branches outside, loyal Springfield Farmers’ Market customers migrated back to their favorite vendors for the first indoor Spring Farmers’ Market of the year at the United Methodist Church on April 7.

Spring Farmer's Market announced

The Springfield Farmer’s Market will be holding two spring markets from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays April 7 and May 5, at The United Methodist Church, 10 Valley St. in Springfield, Vermont.

Writer who found a farmer’s calling dies at 84

Lydia Ratcliff, who died on February 14 at the Genesis Care Center in Springfield, fought chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for over a decade so she could remain involved in the life of her Andover farm, her friends, and the ideas and preoccupations which sustained her.

State leaders discuss agricultural economy at Vermont Packinghouse

Members of the Vermont General Assembly, representatives from the Agency of Agriculture and the Department of Commerce, and Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman joined Springfield officials, farmers, and community members at an educational event held Monday at Vermont Packinghouse.

Business Spotlight: Christmas Trees of Vermont

Christmas Trees of Vermont opened under new ownership for the season on Nov. 24 and will continue to run until Dec. 17. While the new owners, Matt and Maggie Kurek, plan to make some changes, beloved traditions will remain.

A New England dairy farmer gives thanks

It’s that time of year, when we all think about what we’re thankful for. As a New England dairy farmer, I certainly can appreciate my life and my calling, and I know many of my fellow dairy farmers feel the same. So, as a dairy farmer … what am I thankful for?