News from Shelburne Farms: Outdoor Learning Spaces, Farm Walks in Vermont, and a Beet Recipe

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Our walking trails have remained open through 2020, and it has been inspiring to welcome so many new and returning visitors on the Farm to stretch their legs, settle their minds, and safely connect with one another. Dig In Vermont has collected a list of farms open to walkers all over the state: visit Farm Walk Across Vermont for details and watch WCAX’s recent coverage of the project.

And, from September 26–October 11, we’re offering DIY orienteering courses during regular open trail hours. Challenge yourself to find a series of checkpoints with a map and a compass! Details here.


Harvesting & Drying Herbs in the Garden

Now that it is officially autumn, we’re harvesting lots of herbs in the Education Garden. Learn how we cut and dry them, and find family-friendly ideas for putting them to good use all winter long.

Start Harvesting


Marinated Beets with Pistachios

We grow five different types of beets at the Market Garden, and the Inn Kitchen team is putting them to good use! Try Chef John Patterson’s Marinated Beets recipe – a favorite side available at our Farm Store!

Get the recipe


Building Outdoor Learning Spaces: One School’s Experience

Discover how the Sustainability Academy transformed their school grounds into spaces for learning and how those spaces are currently being used within the reality of COVID-19.

Read more


Our Farm Food is Making News!

WCAX recently visited the Farm to learn more about our food system and the changes we’ve made this year to share our healthy, organic food with the community. Our Inn Restaurant was also one of two Vermont businesses to earn a Good Food 2020 Award!

Shop our Farm Store


Why We Give

“Shelburne Farms has been such a source of support since the pandemic began. We’re big walkers, and we’ve come out here to walk nearly every day. The Farm has done so much for the community to open its trails and be flexible during this time. Shelburne Farms is simply part of the fabric of our family.”
-Nancy & Lynn Pruitt

Make a gift


For You & Your Students

Inspiring stories, professional learning, and innovative teaching ideas for educators. Find more on a new section of our website devoted to educators.


This month would have marked the Farm’s 42nd Harvest Festival which has become such an important annual community gathering and celebration. It started and has continued as a volunteer inspired and supported event. We are so grateful to everyone who has helped bring this amazing event to life decade after decade! Now, more than ever, it is important to appreciate our community and support local farmers and producers. We missed seeing everyone at the Festival this year. We will see what 2021 brings and in the meantime, stay safe, stay healthy! [Photo from the 1982 Harvest Festival held at the Coach Barn.]


What We’re Following

It’s Global Goals Week! This event is designed to bring together people from leaders to citizens to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as COVID-19 threatens to reverse decades of progress.

Check out Naturally Curious with Mary Holland for inspiring glimpses into natural history from a Vermont naturalist, photographer, columnist, and author.

Explore Vermont’s landscape, history, and cheese by joining the Vermont Cheese Council’s Scavenger Hunt! Free to participate, get your clues here.

Farm to Plate is holding their 2020 Gathering virtually on November 12th and 13th. See the agenda and register.

Change Philanthropy has created a resource hub devoted to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion at your philanthropic institution.


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Shelburne Farms is a nonprofit education organization inspiring and cultivating learning for a sustainable future. Based on Abenaki land along the shores of Lake Champlain, our campus is a 1,400-acre working farm, forest, and National Historic Landmark.