the farm
At RadFarm we farm with respect, care and dignity as guiding principles. We recognize the responsibility we have as farmers. We approach each and every decision we make on the farm with intention and care. Since our formation, we have focused on sequestering carbon in our soil, cultivating healthy microbial life, creating management systems that support the holistic wellbeing of our animals and plants, and generally creating a beautiful, welcoming and diverse place for people, animals, plants and all living things. We are relentless in refining our approach to animal welfare and have a deep appreciation for the relationships we hold with the living things that are in our care, and that are part of our ecosystem.
We acknowledge that our farm sits on the traditional, unceded homeland of the Abenaki (Winooski/Wintegok watershed) people. For over ten thousand years, Indigenous stewards cared for and cultivated this land. We honor their past, present, and future generations, and we commit to sustainable land stewardship.
the birds
We raise a mixed colony of heritage breed ducks and chickens, primarily for eggs but also for meat. Our birds are housed in hoop houses with deep bedding year round and forage in three paddocks on a rotation during the growing season. Their diet is a diverse combination of sprouted grains, fermented grains, insects and forage. They eat chemical free food scraps from our kitchen. All grains and feed are soy free, corn free, seed oil free, and certified organic. We use our beautiful eggs in our famous brownies, sell them in our farm store, and as part of breakfasts for our farm stay guests. If you stay with us you will also find them in our Communal Kitchen space to use in your own recipes.
The majority of our flock has been hatched right on our land. We select for good mothering characteristics and believe that our birds are the happiest and healthiest when they are able to grow up with the care and support of a mama hen. Fertile hatching eggs are available for purchase.
the rabbits
Our Rex rabbits are raised in colonies, or communities, in large hoop houses with deep bedding year round. Our colony approach means our rabbits live in social groups, with ample space, that allow them to express their natural instincts and behaviors. They choose where to breed, when to breed, where to nest and have privacy and protection when birthing and raising their kits. Typically, does choose to nest or kindle under ground, in their rabbit made burrow system, and our first glimpse of kits is at approximately four weeks age. Our rabbits are raised for delicious meat, velvet soft hides, and superior manure.
Our rabbits eat a diverse diet of sprouted grains, fresh forage, organic vegetables and soy free, seed oil free, certified organic feed. They have access to a variety of branches, leaves and grasses including willow, beech, berry canes, larch, spruce and maple. Rabbits are typically raised until about 16 weeks and are harvested right on the farm. We work to create an environment that is supportive and low stress for each rabbit’s entire life cycle. Our rabbit meat can be found in our farm store.
the food forest
In 2021 we began planting. Since then we have added hundreds of herbs, plants, trees and shrubs to our 3 acre plot. The plants are beginning to support a transformation of our soil, provide wildlife habitat, shade and produce edible fruit and nuts. We currently have apple, pear, plum, raspberry, blackberry, strawberry, heartnut, butternut, blueberry, gooseberry, thimbleberry, blackberry, apricot, peach, cherry, larch, maple, beech, willow and mulberry as well as native roses and many herbs and perennial wildflowers. These plants are an integral part of our farming strategy and live alongside our animals, our guests and our family.
When available, edible plant foods from our farm are available in our farm store and used for breakfast dishes for our farm stay guests.