The @vtharvestofthemonth for April is WHOLE GRAINS! We’re proud to work with Morningstar Farm to provide high-quality whole grain products to our customers, including a variety of grains, beans, cold-pressed sunflower oil, and stone-ground flour that they mill on site. They also produce seed crops, which they sell at locations across northern Vermont, including Healthy Living, @morrisvillecoop and Green Mountain Natural Foods.

Morningstar Farm is based in Glover, Vermont. Owners Seth and Jeannette take pride in the health of their soil, which they attribute to their regenerative farming practices, including running a certified organic and GMO-free operation. Healthy soil makes healthy crops… makes healthy food… makes healthy people.

The husband and wife team started Morningstar Farm in 2004 with the belief that “organic farming is more than just a method — it’s a responsibility to our land, our community, and future generations.”

Maple season is under way and we love meeting local sugar makers who open up their sugarhouses to students. 🍁 Huge thank you to Fradette’s Maple Syrup, in East Hardwick for welcoming Craftsbury Elementary students! Mario showed us around the evaporator and canning station, Bob took us on a tour of the sugar bush, and Mary Jane taught us about the origins of syrup through a story and a special treat. Before we said goodbye, we enjoyed sugar on snow with a special song to let it harden. Farm field trips are a great way to connect our students with their community and learn something new. We are so thankful for our sugar makers! 💛

This month at Troy School, kindergarten students prepared switchel for the Harvest of the Month taste test, highlighting maple syrup. The traditional beverage, known as “Nature’s Gatorade,” received mixed reviews. One student said she could “drink it every day,” while another shared that although the taste wasn’t her favorite, she would drink it again “for the health benefits.” Even though it sounded unfamiliar at first, curiosity helped students step outside their comfort zones and try something new!

Vermonters have no shortage of cheese options. 🧀 We want to take a moment to celebrate one of the state’s best: Creek Valley Farm. Located in Irasburg, Creek Valley Farm treats its cows like family. The cows always have access to the outdoors, even in the winter. The farm practices rotational grazing and does not use chemical fertilizers on pastures. Creek Valley operates a small cheese plant complete with a cave right on the farm. With their happy cows and sustainable farming practices, they proudly offer FOUR different kinds of incredible-tasting cheeses (🚨Creek Valley Gruyere available now)

Find Creek Valley’s incredible options at local stores like EO Randall General Store, @thegennyvt , @therootsfarmmarket

This week, 3rd grade students at Newport City Elementary School wrapped up their unit on Vermont Agricultural History! 🌱🧩

They worked together to build a timeline puzzle, explored dairy traditions from around the world, and tasted a variety of local Vermont foods. It’s been such a fun and engaging way to learn about our region’s roots—we’ve loved discovering this history together!