Cedar Circle Farm & Education Center

225 Pavillion Rd., East Thetford, VT
(802) 785-4737
www.cedarcirclefarm.org
Art by Cecily Anderson

Products: Certified Organic produce, fruit, flowers and nursery

Where to buy: Farmstand and Cafe open April-December (hours online)

Gaining and sharing knowledge

Farming is a never-ending science experiment.

Like scientists, good farmers observe, record, and tweak the way they interact with soil, plants, animals and weather. Climate change is forcing farmers to ask new questions and test new hypotheses as growing conditions become less reliable and more extreme.

Research and education is at the heart of Cedar Circle Farm and Education Center. Director of Agriculture Stacey Cooper shared, “there is a lot of excitement and energy around our regenerative research and education. The curiosity is there at every level to really understand what the challenges are and what the possible solutions are. We all share responsibility to seek continuous improvement in our agricultural system.”

A number of years ago Cedar Circle made a formal commitment to research and development. This has resulted in new collaborations with researchers around the country to test regenerative farming methods.

Though the farm has always been organic, they have transitioned some fields to notill and low till, making use of mulch, cover crops, and a roller-crimper—a machine that facilitates flattening a cover crop so seeds can be sown into the residue. They also make use of Korean Natural Farming methods, in which soil microorganisms—bacteria, fungi, nematodes, and protozoa—are cultured and used to fertilize soil. They observe and keep records of the results of their practices.

“The results of our research will help guide our decision-making,” said Executive Director Eric Tadlock, “but will also provide data that we can share with other farmers as they examine the benefits of regenerative agriculture to their farms and to the planet.”

This commitment to sharing information about regenerative farming extends to the community. The farm store, cafe and nursery are a beloved place to shop, pick strawberries and pumpkins, and enjoy a snack beside the Connecticut River. The farm offers adult workshops, and Kids have access to educational programs throughout the year, including field trips, summer camp, and a fellowship program.

“Now is the time to invest in our youth—to inspire and support young leaders to create a dynamic and resilient food system.

“The next generation of producers will need to understand not only how to grow food, fuel, and fiber, but also how to face the challenges presented by climate change and a growing population.”