Burlington, VT | September 10-13, 2006

Agritourism and Sustainable Forestry at Shelburne Farms...

Shelburne Farms, a 3,800-acre farm, was created in 1886 by William Seward and Lila Vanderbilt Webb as a model agricultural estate. Today it is a non-profit environmental education center and National Historic Landmark on the shores of Lake Champlain. The farm serves as an educational resource by practicing rural land use that is environmentally, economically and culturally sustainable. The 400 acres of sustainably-managed woodlands received Green Certification from the Forest Stewardship Council in 1998. A grass-based dairy supports a herd of 125 purebred, registered Brown Swiss cows. Their milk is transformed into award-winning farmhouse cheddar cheese on the property. The property also includes the market garden, children’s barnyard, furniture shop, breeding barn, inn, gardens and coach barn. Numerous site based educational programs are available for youths and adults.

You will travel to Shelburne Farms on a biodiesel bus that is part of Extension’s Green Bus Initiative. After arriving at Shelburne Farms, you will be able to choose a tour track of either agritourism or sustainable forestry. Both groups will tour the Beeken Parsons Furniture Shop. If choosing the forestry tour, wear comfortable walking shoes for the woodlands tour.

This field trip is fully accessible by people with physical disabilities. For additional information on Shelburne Farms, visit their Web site at http://www.shelburnefarms.org/. To learn more about the Beeken Parsons Furniture Shop, visit http://www.beekenparsons.com/.

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