About Four Springs Farm
Photo by Allison Cleland
Photo by Will Cleland
Photo by Will Cleland
The name Four Springs Farm was chosen for the site because of the year ’round springs on the property. Jinny began to build on the valuable work begun at Tanyard Farm — where she had served the Vermont and New Hampshire community for two decades — and reach even farther.
What Happens on the Farm • A lot of parts make up the whole on this small Vermont farm:
Vegetables · The central emphasis the farm is the raising of plants. A wide variety of vegetables and herbs are sold primarily to members through the Community Supported Agriculture program. They are also sold at the Norwich Farmers' Market on Saturdays and a small amount of vegetables are sold at a couple of local stores.
Fruit · Jinny has a special love of berries. The farm is now harvesting cultivated raspberries, black raspberries and strawberries. A variety of wild fruits are prevalent on the farm and some other small fruits will to be planted in 2010 including blueberries and blackberries. Young plum, cherry, apple and pear trees are just beginning to produce. Fruit is now part of the Community Supported Agriculture program.
Greenhouses · Pansies are the first crop of the season and do a great job to break the mud season blahs. They are sold through several local food co-ops beginning in April and also at the Norwich Farmers' Market in May. The farm grows flowers, vegetables and herb plants to sell and plant on the farm.
Poultry · Four Springs Farm sells top quality pasture-raised chicken and turkey to CSA members and local customers. A laying flock maintained for organic eggs as well. Started pullets are available for sale in late summer.
Buttermilk Bakery · The farm operates a small bakery year ’round in the farm kitchen but when outside work slows down in the winter, lots more cookies and sweet rolls to sell in a couple of nearby stores are produced. Special orders are welcome.
WildBerry Catering · More and more of the wide variety of excellent products raised on the farm are being used right on the farm. The new catering service is enabling the farm to produce value-added products and prepare meals for farm guests.
Farm Vacations · Guests are invited to plan a farm vacation and camp in the beautiful secluded tentsites or use the rustic cabin which overlooks the farm and valley. The Learning Center offers fun-filled educational programs for groups reserving the campground facilites. The campground is open seasonally and provides a unique opportunity to learn about life on a small family farm today. Visitors are welcome to do the farm Valley Quest at any time, or visit to hikes and picnics.
Events · You are invited to schedule small meetings, celebrations, parties and family gatherings at Four Springs Farm using the outdoor picnic pavilion or arrange for a large tent set-up. The camping facilities are all available for weekend or overnight events.
Future Plans · Work is never done on a farm. Young orchard trees are now planted which will require good care for several years before producing. The first of several kinds of small fruit are beginning to producing so the farm plans to plant blueberries, grapes and blackberries in 2010. The Farm Center was completed in 2009. It houses the new licensed kitchen as well as root cellar storage, young plant starting space and the farm office. An increasing need for educational experiences on the farm has resulted in a new direction to meet that need. Several folks connected with the farm are working to set up a Farm School in 2011 including adding a classroom building and eventually more guest cabins when possible.
Because of the good situation and size of the farm Jinny is looking for a young person(s), ready to start their own livestock business, to share the land and be involved in parts of the fruit and vegetable production. She looks forward to including at least a milk cow, a sow and her litter, and some other four-legged friends on the farm. A couple of friendly cats live on the farm already.
Links
- Norwich Farmers' Market
- Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) - Vermont
- Hanover Consumer Co-op
- South Royalton Market
- Valley Food and Farm
