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An exciting announcement!
"Shelburne Farms is such a treasure. It gives me tremendous joy to make this gift, which I hope will inspire others to join in assuring the Farm's vision and financial sustainability." — Lois McClure Lois' gift comes with a friendly challenge to grow the Farm's Stewardship Circle (people who include Shelburne Farms in their estate plans) to 500 founding members by our 50th anniversary in 2022. We hope everyone who cares about Shelburne Farms and its mission will consider becoming a member of the Stewardship Circle. If you have already included the Farm in your estate plan, please let us know so we can count your support towards the "500 by 50" challenge! For Stewardship Circle information contact: Sue Dixon, Special Gifts Coordinator: (802) 985-0322. Celebrating a milestone Friends and members – including all six children of Derick Webb & Elizabeth Smith (the generation that founded the nonprofit 40 years ago) – gathered at the Coach Barn on a beautiful July afternoon to recognize the service of Marilyn Neagley (president, 1976-1988) and to celebrate Shelburne Farms' 40th year as a nonprofit organization. We're so grateful to all of you who over the past 40 years, have helped make Shelburne Farms what it is today. At that event, we asked for reflections and here's what a few of you said: "Thank you for helping us raise our children with all the beauty, grace and wonderment that the Farm provides to the community." "Since our first family visit in 2002, this has become our favorite place in the world. The convergence of natural beauty, historic significance, public spirit, and progressive vision are unmatched as far as I can tell. Keep on keeping on, Shelburne Farms!" "I was so impressed by your education module. I modeled my education program after yours." Watch the video about Shelburne Farms that was shown that evening. (We're working on a slightly shorter version to post to our website.) We hope you'll consider making an extra gift this year, perhaps $40 in honor of the 40th (using the easy button on side bar), to support our education programs. We promise to put it to good work! Overheard in the farmyard and at camp this summer We've had great fun welcoming so many children to the Farm this summer. We love hearing their singular and magical responses to their experiences. Many thanks to our tremendous education staff who help create these indelible experiences. Kids discussing animal bones found in the forest: "I stuck my hand all the way under a chicken and out the other side — "I found an egg and I went . . CRAZY!"
Farmer: "When you finish milking the cow, what are you going to wash?" "If I was an octopus, I would hold all of the chickens in the world." New Forest to Furniture Program Friday-Sunday, SEPTEMBER 21-23 We're so excited to be partnering with the Shelburne Craft School on this great new program! Over three days, you'll build a rustic table or bench out of a slab of wood from a tree grown on the Farm! Naturalist Matt Kolan, Woodlands Manager Marshall Webb, and Craft School wood-working instructor Chris Ramos will be your guides. More details on our web site. FEE: $350, includes all meals & materials; optional accommodations additional: $60/person/night + tax (double occupancy) REGISTRATION: 802-985-8686. In August, we hosted a local foods reception for more than 800 food service, community organizers, farmers, and food pioneers attending the National Farm to Cafeteria Conference in Burlington. The Farm Barn courtyard was packed. Earlier in the day, we led a field trip to the Market Garden, where participants engaged in food, farming, and a little "Posy Poetry" (in photo). What's Posy Poetry? It's a great activity from Project Seasons. Check it out here. Watch a WCAX story and video on the conference, read this article from the Burlington Free Press, or visit farmtocafeteriaconference.org for great photos. The conference was hosted by National Farm to School Network and VT FEED, a partnership of Shelburne Farms, NOFA-VT and Food Works at Two Rivers Center.
Have you noticed the small building and fencing in the south field as you enter the Farm? It's part of a multi-year water quality research project funded by the VT Agency of Agriculture. We are one of six farms participating in the study to compare different strategies for reducing water run-off. This site and another site on the Farm will help evaluate the benefits of "aeration"--poking holes in the soil prior to spreading liquid manure. Dana Bishop, Natural Resources and Assistant Woodlands Manager, will regularly collect samples and submit them for analysis. Teachers starting school with fresh ideas Educators who attended our summer programs are starting the new school year inspired, recharged, and equipped to alter their teaching. That's what they're telling us. Whether they attended our Education for Sustainability Summer Institute, our Project Seasons Workshop for Educators, or the Community Works Service Learning Institute, these teachers are inspiring us with their fresh ideas and commitment to educate their students for a more sustainable future.
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"Seven Daysies" Award
A soon-to-be junior in high school, Courtney Banach has been coming to Shelburne Farms for much of her life. And it has changed her life. She recently shared her experiences and how the Farm has shaped her in an interview with Heritage Radio Network. Listen 
A highlight of our 40th year is the announcement of a $500,000 gift from Lois McClure, long-time friend and Honorary Steward of Shelburne Farms.
Hosting National 
Water quality research
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