About Four Springs Farm
Photo by Will Cleland
Photo by Will Cleland
Photo by Will Cleland
Photo by Orah Moore
Photo by Orah Moore
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:
Greenhouses • The central emphasis of the farm is the raising of plants. 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 also grows flowers, vegetables and herb plants to sell to neighbors and friends as well as plant on the farm.
Vegetables • A wide variety of vegetables are grown organically in the farm gardens. They are available for purchase by guests to the farm who “pick their own dinner” with one of the farmers. WildBerry Catering uses the produce for meals prepared for guests and an ever expanding line of value-added products. Fresh and dried veggies can be purchased at the farm booth at the Norwich Farmers' Market.
Herbs • Both perennial and annual herbs are grown at Four Springs Farm. Mid-summer there is a wide selection available fresh from the garden. Most are also dried on the farm for sale all year.
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 were planted in 2010 including blueberries and blackberries. Young plum, cherry, apple and pear trees are just beginning to produce.
Poultry • Four Springs Farm sells top quality pasture-raised chicken and turkey to local customers. A laying flock is 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 winter, there are lots more cookies and sweet rolls to sell in a couple of nearby stores. 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. An extensive line of jams and jellies has evolved using the exciting variety of Four Springs Farm fruits.
Farm Vacations • Guests are invited to come to the farm for 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 for 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.
Four Springs Farm School • The farm is an ideal environment for learning. Our farm school is now offering structured Immersion Experiences for high school students and adults, who come to the farm as a group to work and learn in the intimate atmosphere of a working farm.
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. Recently planted crops including grapes, northern kiwis and blueberries need protecting and trellising as they grow. 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. An Immersion Experience Program for High School students began in 2010. As this activity grows there is an increasing need to expand the Farm School facilities, beginning with a second guest cabin which we hope to construct in 2014. There are longer range plans to add a classroom building as well.
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
