Arbor Farmstead

Arbor Farmstead Diversified farm on the VT Lake Champlain Islands veganically growing fruit, veg, herbs, & flowers đŸŒ±

Daffodils (aka daffodowndillies) are in full swing at and being mightily enjoyed by the bees. You can enjoy them too if...
05/02/2026

Daffodils (aka daffodowndillies) are in full swing at and being mightily enjoyed by the bees. You can enjoy them too if you stop by in South Hero where they are adorning each table this weekend!

The first bouquets of the season landed at for opening day
and that landed me first in line to snag a pair of v. cute ...
05/02/2026

The first bouquets of the season landed at for opening day
and that landed me first in line to snag a pair of v. cute earrings (and after deliveries, a wonderful haul of groceries).

Note that I’m not on my ‘usual’ side of the counter. Brandi Samson (pictured) is the new proprietor! After 5 wonderful years, Brandi is continuing the vision of AFM with a lovely assortment of local food and Vermont products, including harvests! đŸŒ±

Branch Manager, reporting for duty**albeit late on all counts; grateful for this slow start to spring stick season
03/31/2026

Branch Manager, reporting for duty*

*albeit late on all counts; grateful for this slow start to spring stick season

The exact details of the very beginning are uncertain - but suggestively bad. The documented part starts with her found ...
02/18/2026

The exact details of the very beginning are uncertain - but suggestively bad. The documented part starts with her found tied to a fence as a stray in Harlem and then being brought to the Manhattan shelter. There, she was quick to be added to that week’s euthanasia list given a bad case of kennel cough.

At the time, I had a bad case of browsing the NYC shelter listings for a companion for Fay. We reserved ‘Stray #39082’ minutes before she was set to ‘expire’ having never met her.

I retrieved her from NYC and brought her back to the farm here in VT. In animal rescue, we often talk about the mythical ‘childless home in the countryside for dogs who need a lifetime of decompression and rehabilitation’. We happened to be just that.

Here she became ‘Mable’.

Mable was the most complex dog I’ve ever encountered. A creature of many superlatives, one of the four trainers we worked with deemed her ‘the most abused dog they ever worked with in their decades long career’.

Trauma is a beastly thing - often manifesting as unpredictability and aggression when safety becomes distorted as threats from festering fear. Especially under these circumstances, it is a thing of wonder to gain the trust of another being and be chosen as their person.

Truth be told, it was mutual: Mable was my best friend.
It was impossible not to feel the contagious joy of her frequent zoomies or excitement during our daily walks in the woods or delight when she snatched a snack out in the field (apples, berries, carrots, cucumbers, peas, and bumblebees were amongst her favorites). Her sleep often radiated contentment through deep, deep snores and wag-provoking dreams.

But her omnipresent scars made aging hard. She could never have a true vet exam (alas, sedatives tended to have an inverse effect on her) and she began to regress this winter.

While we could not undo her beginning, we did our best to offer a peaceful end. Stray #39082 passed at her home as ‘Mable’ surrounded by her family (Fay, Kyle, Adam, and me) who loved her for all that she was.

The vet and Kyle gave Mable one last belly rub, remarking it was also their first time ever really being able to do so.

In that moment, I realized just how precious our bond was: she and I shared nearly 8 years of daily belly rubs and affection. Today, much of my understanding of love and suffering has been shaped by Mable - and continues to be in her absence as I navigate the depths of grief.

In honor of Mable, please give the companion(s) in your life some extra love. And if you ever have the opportunity to help a creature in need navigate the world: do it.

They just may be doing the same for you all the while.

Thanks to for bringing pawpaws to the people!The pawpaw efforts still continue at - the trees in the high tunnel are g...
10/31/2025

Thanks to for bringing pawpaws to the people!

The pawpaw efforts still continue at - the trees in the high tunnel are growing nicely; perhaps fruit will come next year (and yes, this is the mantra I say every season because growing obscure fruit requires patience, optimism, and a good deal of future fruit phantasms).

📾:

Current culinary niche: fresh tomatoes x cozy fall recipes 🍂Here in the Vermont banana belt, we remain untouched by fros...
10/26/2025

Current culinary niche: fresh tomatoes x cozy fall recipes 🍂

Here in the Vermont banana belt, we remain untouched by frost. The surrounding woodlands’ autumn glow has faded into the forest floor but some summer crops persist against a backdrop of sticks.

Part innovation in high tunnel growing, part climate change, and a good part botanical perseverance (plants’ commitment to fruit is really something, y’all) brings us a shoulder season bountiful in tomatoes.

So here we be eating our bowls of October tomatoes nestled alongside fall harvests: tomato soup, more tomato soup (thank you for the ‘Brothy Tomato Rice Soup’ recipe that called for the whole damn vine) and spaghetti squash roasted with cherry tomatoes. All easy to make vegan/vegetarian and if you need some tomatoes, we’ve got you covered at

If you have cozy tomato recipes, send ‘em over; we just might be celebrating November tomatoes next.

Never underestimate the novelty of leaving the farm to visit other farms
Special thanks to Andy of for the all access t...
10/24/2025

Never underestimate the novelty of leaving the farm to visit other farms


Special thanks to Andy of for the all access tour! We were there on other official business but in the process verified they have gorgeous winter squash/pumpkins, potent catnip (finicky cat approved), and very cute resident goats. Give them a visit the next time you’re in Underhill!

🍎:
🎃:

Amongst the autumn bounty, you’ll find some lingering morsels of summer
There’s still time to enjoy a bouquet of local b...
10/10/2025

Amongst the autumn bounty, you’ll find some lingering morsels of summer


There’s still time to enjoy a bouquet of local blooms and vine-ripened tomatoes before the inevitable frosts pause the tender goodness until springtime. Stock up on harvests and more, only at

OPEN 11 am-6 pm

Snag a bunch of Chinese Lanterns, only at in South Hero - your neighborhood headquarters for fall magic ✹
10/05/2025

Snag a bunch of Chinese Lanterns, only at in South Hero - your neighborhood headquarters for fall magic ✹

Finding some solace in dahlias still dahlia-ing (despite VT’s severe drought and the world in varying states of disrepai...
09/28/2025

Finding some solace in dahlias still dahlia-ing (despite VT’s severe drought and the world in varying states of disrepair and despair).

Today’s blooms went to the mighty volunteers of the Champlain Islands Food Shelf who embody the perseverance of dahlias every week of the year to keep our community nourished. Demand for food/essentials is presently high and anticipated to grow in the months ahead. If you’d like to support the CIFS as a donor or volunteer, get in touch!

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Grand Isle, VT
05458

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