The Center for an Agricultural Economy (CAE) is hosting a series of 3 on-farm events featuring pasture-based livestock and dairy production in the Northeast Kingdom. The hilly terrain and short growing season in this part of the state does not lend itself to easy farming or much annual cropland, but it does grow grass well. In northern Vermont, perennial grasses provide many small farms with their livelihood and we wish to celebrate and educate about this conversion of sunlight to grass to food. 
 

Join us for any or all of these three events on July 16, 23, and 30 on three farms that use pasture to produce meat and milk. These events are an opportunity for the general public to learn about pastured livestock, perennial pasture management, and engage in conversation with neighbors and local farmers. All events will take place in the late afternoon. The July 16 and 23 events will be followed by a casual meal and conversation. The July 30th event will be followed by a locally raised and catered feast and conversation. 

Events and meals are FREE; registration is required. Read more about each farm and register for the pasture walks below.

Pasture walks are family-friendly events. If you are bringing kids, please tell us how many will be in your party so we can plan accordingly for food, etc. (Free) tickets should be chosen only for the adults in your group.
 

Chandler Pond Farm
July 16, 4:30pm
528 Burroughs Rd, Wheelock, Vermont 05851

Pasture walk focusing on grassfed beef production followed by a casual burger and sides gathering.

Register Here.

Chandler Pond Farm is a diversified farm in Wheelock, Vermont, owned and operated by the Dill Family since 2016. The vast majority of the conserved 260 acre farm is a grass-based system, raising a 100% grass fed beef herd, rotationally grazed on pasture May-October, and the farm’s own stored forages for the winter months. The herd of Belted Galloways is mainly born and raised on the farm, and beef is sold as individual cuts, bundles, quarters, and custom cut sides, year round, direct to the consumer through on-farm sales and online orders.

The farm also produces hay for sale, strawberries and blueberries, cut flowers, seasonal products, hosts workshops and events, and has a bustling on-site farm store featuring their own products, and a wide variety from other local farms and small businesses. Farm stays in a newly added off-grid cabin will open in summer 2026, offering guests the opportunity to more closely connect with the land and experience the rhythms of life on a working Vermont farm. Guided by the belief that "good things grow here," the Dill family is committed to stewarding the land, raising quality food, and creating meaningful connections between people, agriculture, and their local community.

July 23, 4:30pm
Northwind Farm
497 Olney Hill Road, Walden, VT 05647

Pasture walk focusing on rotationally grazed dairy production followed by a casual burger and sides gathering.

Register Here.

Northwind Farm is an organic dairy in South Walden, Vermont run by Geordie Lynd and Silene DeCiucies. Their herd of 80 cows calve in March and April, graze most of their diet on 100 hilly acres from May to October, eat bales on the pastures in the late fall, and take the winter off–the whole herd is dry together in January and February. The farm strives to produce a high quality product and run a profitable business by focusing on pasture ecology and the cow’s ability to harvest their own feed and distribute nutrients.

Hillside Farm
July 30, 4:30pm
919 Barton Rd, East Albany, VT 05875

Pasture walk focusing on pastured poultry followed by by a locally raised and catered feast (by Shepherd's Hearth featuring Hillside Farm chicken) and conversation.

Register Here.

Hillside Farm's Bill and Hannah Pearce, a father/daughter team, grow poultry and pork on pasture in East Albany. Their chickens and turkeys are raised on daily fresh pasture, and processed on-farm by growers who care deeply about the health of their livestock, consumers, and the greater community.