2008 Conservation Farmers of the Year

We were so pleased to be recognized for our efforts this year by the LCNRCD at their annual Harvest Dinner on Oct. 12th. Here's what they said about us...

Honoring Valley Dream Farm for their commitment to agricultural security in the Lamoille Valley.

The Tisbert family purchased the farm known now as Valley Dream Farm from Fred Trask in 1992 and preserved the land with the American Farmland Trust. The Tisberts began milking 90 head of registered Holsteins. Falling milk prices, the importance of family and a strong desire to be good land stewards were all motivating factors behind their transition to organic vegetable production.

To protect soil and water quality, the Tisberts utilize a nutrient and pest management plan and implement practices such as diversified crops, cover crops and crop rotation. In 2008, with assistance from USDA NRCS, a section of streambank was stabilized and over 8,000 feet of irrigation pipe installed to water plants, protect against frost and eliminate the need to draw water from a small brook.



Valley Dream now includes a 200 member CSA (Community supported Agriculture), three weekly farmers markets, a vibrant farm store and a relationship with Salvation Farms of the Vermont Foodbank. The farm works with Salvation Farms and volunteers to harvest produce and make it available via the Vermont Foodbank and community food shelves; furthermore, the farm has developed a program with Laraway School to have their students work in the fields and help harvest produce of their community supported lunch program. In only two years the farm has donated over 22,000 pounds of fresh, local produce to those in need.

Valley Dream is a member of NOFA (Northeast Organic Farmers Association), an organization that regulates and certifies organic farms, and distributes produce from Maine to Florida with Deep Root Organic Co-op, a local vegetable cooperative.

Many thanks to Anne, Joe, Jay, Jen, Ashley and Becky for thier commitment to agriculture, good water and soil health and the well-being of Vermonters,

The Harvest Dinner was coordinated by LCNRCD (Lamoille County Natural Resources Conservation District & Nature Center in partnership with NOFA-Vermont's Farm to Community Mentor Program, with financial support from Lamoille County Farm Bureau. A delicious buffet of local foods was catered by Black Diamond Barbeque, Elmore, and hosted Boyden Farm in their beautiful newly renovated barn.

PHOTOS and links to these wonderful folks.