Northeast Kingdom farmers and food businesses will host Kingdom Farm and Food Days on August 14, 15, and 16.
Free events over the weekend include Draft Animal Power Network demonstrations at Atkins Field in Hardwick on Friday, August 14; a tour and workshop at Eden Ice Cider apple orchards in Charleston on Sunday, August 16; and a free localvore meal prepared by the New England Culinary Institute at trial fields for High Mowing Organic Seeds in Wolcott that evening. Farms opening their doors to the public that weekend include Log Cabin Alpacas in Albany and Pete’s Greens in Craftsbury where people will be able to take tours and get hay rides Saturday.
Caledonia Spirits distillery in Hardwick will be open for tours, and Sterling College in Craftsbury will offer tours of livestock, solar electricity production, and gardens, ending with a light meal of local foods.
New partners this year include Valerie Desmarais of 802 Fresh and Neal and Bekah Perry of the Draft Animal Power Network. The 802 Fresh local food truck will have local meals for sale during the draft animal demonstration by the Perrys of Brownington on Friday. Kingdom Brewing of Newport Center is another new partner. Beef cattle at this farm and brewery enjoy spent grains from the brewing process for their meals. Visitors can see the family’s geothermal cooled and wood fired energy system.
Hardwick and Craftsbury farmers markets are participating partners on Friday, August 14, and Saturday, August 15.
Sponsors include the Center for an Agricultural Economy and Northeast Kingdom Travel and Tourism Association. For more information and a full schedule, check out: www.kingdomfarmandfood.org. --from the Center for an Agricultural Economy