Farm to Table....tour and dinner at Valley Dream Farm

Tuesday started off a bit gloomy, but worked its way into a fairly nice day. Using my 4G Verizon hotspot I was able to work just fine. There is a nice workout room in the bldg I'm in, so I got in a routine of doing 30-45 min in the workout room then a brisk walk around the grounds. At least I got some fresh air and outside time. The farm tour started at 515p sharp I was told so it was my intention to be there by 5p. I needed to make a quick stop at Hanley's Market for a few things then I was headed to the farm. The farm was only 6-7mi away and Hanley's was on the way. The "grocery" stores in the area, and perhaps all of Vermont I don't know, are scarce. You can find plenty of small markets, but not many large stores with good prices. And the closest Wal-Mart was not worth it. Thankfully, I didn't need much cause I was surely paying plenty for it!!!

When I arrived at Valley Dream the porch was set up on the outside for drinks and appetizers and the table was set on the inside....we hadn't done anything yet and I already LOVED it.

                                                       
                             Appetizers were fresh cream cheese with homemade pepper jelly and crackers and some fresh veggies...drinks were water hot or cold cider , or coffee. You could bring your own wine, but they didn't sell any...but they did have glasses out for those that did....how nice.

The inside table was set, family style and we were sitting on hay bales with old blue jeans sewn together as covers.....too cool, this was going to be awesome.

But first we went on a tour.

Valley Dream Farms is an Organic Farm owned by Joe & Anne Tisbert since 1992. It was a dairy farm with 90 cows in the beginning, but they was not profitable so they sold the herd and became vegetable and fruit farmers....they are doing just fine now. The idea for these dinners was posed to Anne by a friend and when Smuggs ask her about including the farm on an agriculture tour she decided now was the time to put this into action. She has local chefs come each week and they use all fresh meats and vegetables from the farm. And tonite a chef from my favorite 158 Main was the chef...Kasey Longe. 

They were harvesting potatoes right now so we walked into the field for some "show & tell".

The green machine (can't remember what it's called) is pulling the potatoes up and shooting them in the red cart....it was moving fairly slow, but it all seemed to go fairly quickly to me.

Anne explained the process...Joe was driving one of the pieces of machinery here....

Next we went to see some more equipment and learn how they plant the farm. Different things are planted at different times and different years.

The yellow tubs hold fish water, being organic they fertilize with fish water and crab shells, and  put into the holes that are created by the "nubby" green wheels at the bottom of the equipment. The size of the seed determines the size of the hole and they can change the equipment to create bigger or smaller holes. A person walks behind and puts the seeds in the holes. 

The load of potatoes was now going to the barn to be seperated

Different plows they use

Now it was time to go around to the green house, but first we were "stopped in our tracks" by the view we had and the sun setting on the mountains....not a bad view they have everyday!!

Once into the green house Anne explained that they sell flowers, they don't have any right now, from the greenhouse as well as many other things. Right now onions were drying

Then we went into the barn/building where they were separating the potatoes....small/med/large.

They also grow red/whit/blue (or purple).....we were promised we'd be eating some for dinner!!

Then into the wash room and the chiller......

This room was built with special insulation so it would remain at a certain temp...they even have generator back-up...just in case.

We were being summoned to dinner....we'd had a 1.5hr tour and I was ready.

After appetizers....came a wonderful fresh salad with blu cheese, candied pecans, lost of fresh raw veggies and a Raspberry Maple dressing....with fresh bread and butter....we were off to a great start. Notice the mason jar of water with my name tag on it....too cute.

Then came chicken with maple caramelized onions, pork chops and 3 bowls of all different types of vegetables. One bowl was their roasted potatoes, one was a bowl that had bacon mixed in and one was a vegetarian bowl...they were all AMAZING...

and just when you know you can't hold anymore here comes homemade ice cream, made with the biggest freezer I'd ever seen, with Apple Crisp.....

It was a delightful evening. We all chatted and learned more about the farm and each other...and had a great time. In all my travels I have never done anything like this before....it was truly unique. If your travels take you near to Jeffersonville, VT. you MUST sign up for this.

Thanks Joe and Anne this was wonderful