Tours
2012 Tours
Join us monthly, for a guided tour of the area's farms and agri-businesses or contact us for a group tour for your organization or company!
Beginning and ending at the Center for an Agricultural Economy, join an all day caravan tour on the third Thursday of each month from May to September. Hear the stories, tour the facilities and meet the people that help make this area so rich in community-based agricultural enterprises as well as the subject of countless news articles and even a book.
What happens on the tour?
Each tour will be unique. Keeping in mind that summer and fall are very busy agricultural seasons, we can not guarantee a specific site or farm will be on our itinerary.
Annie Gaillard, our CAE Board member and co-owner of Surfing Veggie Farm in Walden or Elena Gustavson, Program Director of CAE, will lead a group of up to 25 people, caravan-style, to several different farms and/or businesses in Hardwick, Craftsbury, Albany, Greensboro and East Hardwick. The tours will be informative, fast paced, fascinating and a fun way to experience the area.
The tours will start at the Center for an Agricultural Economy (CAE) where one of our staff members will give you an overview of our mission and goals, setting the stage for the day's experiences. You will then hop into your cars, vans and trucks, carpooling with the rest of the tour guests, for a caravan-style tour through the Northeast Kingdom's gateway towns.
Common Stops Include:
You can also visit many other local farms and agricultural businesses outside of this tour. Check out this Brochure of Area Farms & Businesses (PDF) for a list of businesses who are willing to have visitors stop by and see what they do (see below for a map). Many people on these working farms are busy, however, so be sure to call in advance to make sure someone is there to greet you!
What is the Cost?
We charge $50 per person, with no charge for children under 12 years of age. That cost covers overhead, planning and implementing the tours and does not cover food or beverages. We encourage you to bring a lunch or enjoy snacks from the farmstands that open in June and July. All children 17 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
If you are interested in a group tour for your organization or company, please contact Elena Gustavson directly at elena@hardwickagriculture.org or 802-472-5840. The rates vary and group discounts are available.
What about the physically challenged or young children?
The tours are not as rugged as say...a hike up a mountain, but there will be plenty of driving and walking where wheelchairs or walkers may not be able to access. We trust that you will know your needs best.
Young children are absolutely welcome, but keep in mind it's a long day and plan accordingly for your child's needs. We want them to have fun too!
How do I sign up?
Download our registration form and mail in with a check for the appropriate amount, SEVEN DAYS before the requested tour date. We expect these tours to fill up quickly.
Please make check payable to:
The Center for an Agricultural Economy
Mail to:
The Center for an Agricultural Economy
c/o Tours
PO BOX 451
Hardwick, VT 05843
Oher Questions?
Contact Elena Gustavson at elena@hardwickagriculture.org or 802-472-5840
2012 Tour Dates:
All tours start promptly at 10am and end somewhere around 4pm or 5pm. Because each tour is different and we want people to savor the experience, we cannot guarantee when the tour will end.
May 17 - FULL
June 21
July 19
August 16
September 20
If you have other questions or need clarification, please contact Elena Gustavson at elena@hardwickagriculture.org or call us at 802-472-5840
More Information:
• Click here for the REGISTRATION FORM
• Click here for DIRECTIONS and a MAP to our office at 21 Mill St, Hardwick, VT.
• Click here for WEATHER INFORMATION.
And if you are one who has decided to tour some of our farms and agri-business on your own, here is a map of all of those that are willing to have visitors. Just be sure to call in advance of your visit to ensure that someone will be there to greet you!
View Farms and Agricultural Businesses You Can Visit in a larger map
If you are looking for more things to do while you are in the Hardwick Area, including places to eat and stay, check out our List of Things To Do (PDF).
And please visit these area websites for even more things to do, places to go, eat and stay:
• Town of Hardwick
• Town of Wolcott
• Town of Craftsbury
• Town of Greensboro
• Town of Cabot
• Town of Woodbury
• Northeast Kingdom Geotourism
