Photo via Adam's Berry Farm's Facebook Page

While driving on Vermont country roads, it is common to see a sign stating "U-Pick," meaning you can pick your own seasonal produce at that location.  This time of year is perfect for blueberry picking.  Here at Vermont Woods Studios, we eat, breath, and live all things Vermont 365 days a year, and we want you to experience a Vermont tradition too! We've done our research, and have picked out four farms through out Vermont where you can visit and pick your own blueberries.

The Apple Barn & Country Bake Shop located in Bennington, Vermont.  This is the definition of a one-stop shop to experience Vermont agriculture.  Right now you can pick your own blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries.  Additionally, they have a Complimentary Tour of their 300 acre Apple Orchard, giving you quintessential Vermont photo opportunities. After your tour, you can stop by their bakery, to try a maple creeme (or soft serve ice cream, if you will), one of their 40 homemade treats (including cider donuts) or to grab a cup of Vermont's Green Mountain Coffee.  This memory-making experience at The Apple Barn & Country Bake Shop will leave you yearning to come back in the fall to visit and pick your own apples. 

Boyd Family Farm in Wilmington, Vermont.  The Boyd family has been in the farming business for over 80 years, so you know they're doing it right! They focus on horticulture, and have become experts in wedding flower designs. Additionally, guests are welcome to the farm to pick your own blueberries!  The Boyd Family Farm is a sponsor of the Deerfield Valley Blueberry Festival (Friday, July 30- Sunday, August 8) this year, which is also located in Wilmington, Vermont.

Adam's Berry Farm at the Intervale in Burlington, Vermont. When you hear Burlington, Vermont, you think probably think of Lake Champlain and Church Street Marketplace; so you're probably thinking, "there's a farm in the city of Burlington?" Yes! The Intervale Center is a nonprofit organization that has a mission to "strengthen community food systems."  They have 350 acres along the Winooski River, and Adam's Berry Farm is on that land! They have been "cultivating berries in a unique urban agricultural environment" for 10 years.  Adam's Berry Farm invites you to pick your own berries from June to mid-October, the berries depending on the season.  Right now is the perfect time to pick your own blueberries right in the city of Burlington!  While you're there, you can also bike and hike along a variety of trails at the Intervale.

Cedar Circle Farm located in East Thetford, Vermont.  This is a certified organic vegetable and berry farm and education center close to Norwich, Vermont and Lebanon New Hampshire. In their education center their mission is "to raise public awareness about the importance of local organic agriculture, increase access to quality organic produce for low-income people, and establish models for farm-appropriate alternative energy strategies, and train next-generation farmers."  In addition to the education center, they also open their farm to the public for berry picking.  You can pick your own certified organic blueberries this month, and head back in October to pick your own pumpkins!

A list of farms, including theses ones, who offer "U-Pick" can be found on the Vermont Agriculture website.  Do you have a favorite place to pick berries? Let us know on our Facebook page!

Heather Barrett is a Marketing Assistant at Vermont Woods Studios, an online furniture gallery which showcases Vermont's finest wood furniture. Follow our blog to learn about Vermont fine furniture, Vermont happenings, our mission, and our team.

The post 4 Places To Pick Your Own Blueberries In Vermont appeared first on Vermont Woods Studios.

By Dennis Shanoff

So I ran across an interesting Vermont statistic the other day, interesting but not surprising.  According to the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, Vermont has the most “Farmers Markets” per capita. And not only are there dozens of great farmers markets but also hundreds of roadside farm stands as well. With nearly a million and a half acres of Vermont’s land being of agricultural use it’s easy to see why farm fresh products are so accessible. And what’s fresher than a farm truck that just loaded up their goodies that morning and headed straight to their space at the market!

You can make a quick stop at a market to grab some fresh  ingredients for that night’s dinner, or make a day out of it by hitting up a few of them. (plus getting in a pleasant country drive in as well)  What would you typically find at a Vermont Farmers Market? Well you will certainly find your Vermont staple products such as cheese, breads, pies, maple syrup, fruits, vegetables and wine but you are certain to find the unexpected as well. I think this is the best part of a farmers market, discovering new foods, arts, crafts and other unique products you just don’t run into in a typical market place.

For a complete directory of Vermont farmers markets visit the “Vermont Agency of Agriculture” website. Below is a list of the larger, more popular “Saturday” farmers markets:

Brattleboro Farmers Market:  May – October / Saturday 9 am – 2 pm             

Burlington Farmers Market:    May – October / Saturday 8:30 am – 2 pm

Middlebury Farmers Market:  May – October / Saturday 9am – 12:30 pm

Rutland Farmers Market:         May – October / Saturday 9 am – 2 pm

Montpelier Farmers Market:    May – October / Saturday 9 am – 1 pm

So Vermont’s Farmers Market season is in full swing, so go early, go hungry and go often to get the most out of this summer’s market season! 

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