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Cooking up a new School Cookbook
VT-FEED is working collaboratively on a new cookbook for school kitchens that will offer great, healthy recipes that kids will eat, and conforms with school food guidelines. Recently, we gathered some chefs to do some recipe testing. WCAX covered the story here. The cookbook is due out this fall.
Vermont FEED is a partnership of NOFA-VT, Shelburne Farms, and Food Works at Two Rivers Center.
Spearheading new effort in Agricultural Tourism
Vera Simon-Nobes recently joined our staff to create an agritourism "best practices" resource for Vermonters who are considering
or already offering hospitality on their farms. The
three-year research project will tackle business planning, liability
issues, and education programs. Agritourism is
growing in Vermont and is recognized as a way to
strengthen the farm economy and working landscape. We'll be developing the resource with many partners, including: VT FARMS!, VT Agriculture and Culinary Tourism Council, VT Agency of Agriculture, University of Vermont Extension, Farm to Plate Network, Vermont Housing and Conservation
Board, NOFA-VT, and Farm Based
Education Network.
 Spring in the Market Garden!
Josh Carter just uncovered the garlic in the Market Garden ("always a rite of spring" he says). Next week he'll start transplanting grafted tomatoes into the high tunnel, or "hoop house." He's cut his first salad greens, planted new strawberry plants, and had 10 piglets delivered, which he'll raise for the inn restaurant for mid-July. For the first time, he'll integrate all the winter manure and bedding straw from the dairy barns into his compost system. You can enjoy the "fruits" of his (and his staff's) labor at the Inn restaurant beginning May 11, or at Shelburne Farmers Market starting May 25.
Photo: Josh Carter in a rare moment of idleness in late March.
 How it all sugared out
Dana Bishop and Marshall Webb made just over 200 gallons of syrup from our sugarbush this year. That shatters our previous record of 149 gallons! We're even going to offer some for sale. (Get updates on availability schedule on Facebook or Twitter.)
 Hidden Travelers
By Bailey Willett
On rainy spring nights when the temperature is above 40°F, salamanders and frogs cross roads, hills, and forests to get to their breeding grounds. I help lots of these amphibious friends cross my road in Huntington, VT. Helping them is fun and gratifying (but you have to be patient because they are at their peak around 9 pm). By gently lifting them off the road and to the bank near the water, it’s one less death from a passing car. The more we protect these spring treasures by helping them complete their journey, the more diverse we make our special Vermont ecosystem. So on rainy nights, slow down on dirt roads near water, and look for these little marathon runners trying to get to the finish line.
 Bailey is a participant in Shelburne Farms' Aspiring Naturalist Teen program (and many other Farm programs). These young naturalists will periodically share a phenology tidbit with you. Phenology is the study of the timing of natural events and cycles.
Find out more about helping spring salamanders here.
PHOTO ABOVE: Three spotted salamanders that Bailey found on Sherman Hollow Road in Huntington, Vermont. |
Inn opens May 11
Of the four massive Mosler safes that secured Webb family valuables at Shelburne House, only one—the "Silver Vault"—lies still unopened in the basement. We can't get inside! Last spring, Eric Dion of Dion Locksmiths in Burlington began a "three-day" job to open the vault's inner safe. Many drill bits, saw blades and hours later, he can taste victory! By the time you visit, we should have the answer to "What's inside the safe?" 
The Inn gardens: What's happening this year?
Shelburne Farms cultivates a conservation ethic for a sustainable future.
We are a nonprofit
education center, 1,400-acre working farm, and National Historic Landmark.
1611 Harbor Road • Shelburne, Vermont • 05482 •