This farm is a unique place...and it all starts with the farmer. David Houde grew up on this farm and helped his father milk 100 cows three times a day (along with some of his ten brothers and sisters)! When we bought the farm from David's father in October, 2001, it had been derelict for about three years. All the kids had dispersed into their other fields of interest. But David had only gotten as far as across the road where he was raising his own family and working as a carpenter for a local builder.
The farm was up and running in early 2002 and was soon thereafter certified organic. Over the last 22 years David has won many annual quality awards. In 2016 and 2018 he won "Highest Quality Milk in Vermont". Around 2019 he transitioned to 100% grass-fed organic. It was also just about that same time in 2019 that David was able to put most of the immediate neighbors' fields under his care. There are about 200 acres of neighbors' fields that have been cropped for feed and certified organic. All the neighbors love the farm and are willing to let their fields be maintained organically at no cost to David. Everyone hopes that the same arrangement can be made with a new farmer.
Organic Valley has been the buyer of the farm's milk for these past 22 years. It is certain that Organic Valley is willing to continue picking up either regular organic milk or grass-fed organic milk. Stoneyfield is another buyer in the area. There is a strong likelihood that they would also be interested in organic milk from this farm.
So, the land has been well cared for, it can support a grass-fed organic dairy, the neighbors have certified organic fields that they would love to contribute to the success of the farm. Greg Jackmauh has been contributing kiln dried, mostly hardwood sawdust for bedding the cows for 22 years. The sawdust is obtained from Greg's millwork contacts through his construction business (www.reconstructionsinc.com). Greg is willing to continue to provide sawdust because he understands how much it contributes to the cows' health!
Another great feature of the farm is that the Town of Barnet maintains the "driveway" into the farm as a Town road! That means that the driveway is maintained year round just like any other Class III road. This includes continuous snow plowing, sanding, and salting throughout the winter as well as providing crushed stone and re-grading during mud season.
The 150 acres of woods offers a nice diversion from the rigors of farming. Deer hunting has been a generational interest of the Houde family resulting in many a proud success! The woods are managed with an emphasis on promoting deer stands. Turkey hunting is also a popular pastime. Also the areas on the Forest Management Map marked as #2 make a fine sugarbush. There are also many logging trails and other paths that had once been part of the VAST snowmobiling network that are available for year round enjoyment.
More generally, but NOT less importantly, is the quality of life in the immediate area of the farm. The K-8 Barnet School is regarded as one of the best anywhere in Vermont. Barnet is in a "school choice" area when it comes to high school. Nearby St. Johnsbury Academy in St. Johnsbury offers an exceptional range of very high quality educational and athletic experiences at no cost to Barnet residents. The same "free" education is also offered at Lyndon Institute and Danville Highschool, each offering exceptional and unique opportunities. There are also Community Colleges and Vermont University branches nearby.
The Northeast Kingdom is well known for its skiing, mountain biking, canoeing, fishing, hiking, and camping. Also the Arts of all sorts are made available through Catamount Arts in St. Johnsbury as well as other galleries and venues. St. Johnsbury is also home to the Fairbanks Museum, a natural history museum and planetarium that sponsors educational experiences for all ages. The St. Johnsbury Athenaeum is the town's public library and it houses a collection of famous American painters as well as offering all types of lectures, exhibits, and events! Food is also an essential part of the Northeast Kingdom experience. There are many unique farms and fantastic places to eat local food.
So farming here would be a pretty great experience!