Local Food & Agriculture

A Town That Knows How to Feed Itself

Like so many old New England towns, Barnard recalls its historical roots in agriculture. Unlike some modern towns, Barnard never left those agrarian roots behind. Today, locals grow in countless backyard gardens, keep chickens and dairy cows and pigs, and have tapped thousands of maples for the annual gift of sap every spring. Then there are the farmers who sell and share their bounties with the rest of us. And, of course, the local markets and restaurants that help put food on our plates.

The Farms of Barnard

There are many food producers in Barnard. Below are some of the larger farm operations, listed in alphabetical order:

Bowman Road Farm

Bowman Road Farm is a NOFA certified 200-acre farm producing Hereford beef cattle and hay. It was the first farm settled in the town of Barnard in 1776 by Thomas Freeman. They raise 100% grass-fed and grass-finished cattle and also feature a 500 tap sugar bush. Their cattle are born and raised on the farm, rotationally grazed in the summer and fed the farm’s own hay in the winter. Bowman Road Farm is proud to have 25 years of NOFA organic certification for their excellent beef and hay.

Doton Farm

Doton Farm is a fourth generation dairy farm on 400 acres in the south side of Barnard. Doton Farm is a proud member of the Cabot Cooperative and was named a Dairy of Distinction by the Northeast Dairy Farm Beautification Program. Besides the milk they sell to Cabot, Doton Farm has a sugarhouse where they boil sap down to some of Vermont’s finest maple syrup. In the summer, the Dotons also grow vegetables and their corn is a favorite among locals.

Eastman Farm

Eastman Farm is a classic hill farm offering grass-fed beef from Belted Galloway cattle and pastured pork from heritage breed Mangalitsa pigs, all raised with an intense commitment to the local landscape, soil, and sustainability.

Fable Farm Fermentory

Fable Farm Fermentory is a farm-winery growing and producing aged wines, ciders, vinegars, non-alcoholic elixirs and prepared farm-to-table offerings. The fermentory is part of a larger family of organizations working together to steward farmland, develop rural businesses, and promote community experiences.

Edmunds Maple Hill Farm

Producing maple syrup and maple cream at 1141 Mt. Hunger Road.

Heartwood Farm

Heartwood Farm is a diversified family farm dedicated to natural farming by their nature and mission.

Hambsch Family Farms

Kiss the Cow Farm

Kiss the Cow Farm is an organic, grass-based dairy selling raw and pasteurized A2/A2 milk as well as ice cream from a small herd of Jersey and Normande cows. The farm also raises organic layer chickens and flowers. Products are sold through a farm store, seasonal CSAs, weekly farmers’ markets and area co-ops.

La Garagista Farm & Winery

La Garagista is located on Mount Hunger at the edge of the Chateauguay and in the Piedmont chain of hills where natural alpine wine and ciders are grown. La Garagista’s mission is to care for the land in creative and natural ways, make way for the honest narrative told by the wines and ciders that express the unique landscape and each vintage year, and share in and support the spirited food and agriculture of our community.

Van Alstyne Family Farm

The Van Alstyne Family Farm raises Angus beef and produces maple syrup from about 4,500 taps, available for sale at the farm or for bulk purchase at the South Royalton Market. Located at 330 Walker Hill Road in East Barnard.

Ward Brothers & Sons Maple Syrup

The Ward family has been producing some of the finest quality maple syrup for decades.