Giant Journey Farm sits on 2 acres in the West River Valley of Newfane, Vermont, where Rick Burke and Seren Dias started this diversified family farmstead in 2017. Rick brought over 20 years of commercial farming know-how in greenhouse crops, animal husbandry, and sustainable agriculture. This regenerative flower and vegetable farm doesn't use tractors, pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic inputs. Instead they rely on predatory insects, cover cropping, companion planting, and rotational grazing to build soil health. It's genuinely impressive to watch in action. Seasonal cut flower bouquets come through a weekly flower share at just $7 per week ($35 per share period), alongside vegetables, herbs, chicken and duck eggs, pasture-raised poultry, and rabbit meat through their CSA program and NOFA-VT Farm Share. The farm offers hands-on experiences including a children's Farmschool/Farm Camp on Tuesdays and Thursdays, garden workshops covering no-till preparation and soil science ($35 each or $250 for full series), and chainsaw and animal processing workshops. As a 2023 NOFA-VT Resilience Grant recipient, Giant Journey Farm built community infrastructure including a shared tool shed and outdoor workshop space to support their innovative Garden Kit Program that teaches participants to grow their own food. Here's what I really like: sliding-scale pricing based on ability to pay. They accept cash, check, Venmo, PayPal, and SNAP/EBT benefits, with work-trade and barter options also available. Contact them at giantjourneyfarm@gmail.com for Vermont farm experiences, flower subscriptions, farm-fresh eggs, or educational workshops.
Lavender Hill VT runs a 70-acre regenerative agriculture operation in Winhall, Vermont, tucked near Manchester in southern Vermont's ski country. Their whole approach centers on self-sustainable farming that aims to add more to the land than it takes out. They grow lavender and seasonal produce while raising heritage Mangalitsa pigs, Nigerian Dwarf goats, and Black Australorp chickens as working parts of their ecosystem. The handcrafted products are really nice. They make soaps and a Lavender Lemon Verbena Lotion (approximately 2 oz) using lavender and lemon verbena oils, local heritage lard, shea butter, and coconut oil, all available through their seasonal farm stand that reopens each summer. The farm is listed among Vermont's best lavender farms to visit, though I'd contact them directly for specifics on visitor hours, tours, u-pick lavender experiences, or admission fees since details seem to shift seasonally. Reach Matt at Matt@lavenderhillvt.com or stop by 217 VT-30, Winhall, VT 05340 for current visiting information, seasonal farm stand hours, and details about this regenerative agriculture spot. Perfect for Vermont lavender farm visits, farm-to-bath lavender products, and Southern Vermont agritourism.
Lavender Hill operates as a 70-acre regenerative agriculture farm in Winhall, southern Vermont near Manchester and Stratton Mountain, making it an accessible stop for ski-country road trips and Southern Vermont flower enthusiasts. The farm emphasizes self-sustainability through the philosophy of "adding more to the land than we remove," using regenerative practices to grow high-quality produce and botanicals. Unlike visitor-focused lavender destinations, Lavender Hill appears oriented toward artisan product creation—their online shop features small-batch Lavender Lemon Verbena Lotion crafted with farm-grown lavender, heritage lard, shea butter, and coconut oil. The farm is home to rare heritage and specialty breed animals selected for their ecosystem contributions: Mangalitsa pigs (Hungarian woolly heritage breed), Nigerian dwarf goats, and Black Australorp chickens. A seasonal farm stand at 217 VT-30 sells items like bakery treats, produce, and flowers, frequently promoted on social media when it reopens each summer. The business appears to lean more toward a farm-stand and product-shopping experience than a large ticketed lavender festival, making it ideal for a quick, scenic stop to browse local lavender goods, snap photos of the working farm, and support a small Vermont regenerative agriculture operation. Contact: Matt@lavenderhillvt.com.
Walker Farm in East Dummerston represents Vermont's deepest agricultural roots—a 255-year legacy that began when Captain Isaac Miller built the first frame house in Dummerston in 1770. The Walker family has owned the property since 1835, and current operators Jack and Karen Manix (Boston University alumni) celebrated 50 years of farming in 2023. Colonel Ethan Allen famously slept on the property in 1784, and that room is still called "Ethan Allen's Room." This certified organic farmstand and destination garden center consistently ranks among New England's top nurseries (Yankee Magazine 2012). The operation spans 30 acres of cultivated organic farmland with 25 greenhouse structures, offering a staggering selection: 1,200+ annual and perennial varieties started from seed, 125 heirloom tomato varieties, 98 hot pepper types (including Carolina Reaper), and 20 eggplant varieties. The business rates 4.8/5 stars on TripAdvisor (Travelers' Choice award) with reviewers praising the exceptional peaches, knowledgeable staff, and unique color-coded plant organization system. The Farmstand CSA runs $250–$1,000 per season (5% early-bird discount); Winter CSA shares cost $240–$300 for six weeks. No admission fees—visitors browse freely April through Thanksgiving (10 AM–6 PM daily), perfectly timed for spring pansy runs, summer hanging baskets, fall mums, and foliage-season farm-stand shopping in the scenic Dummerston countryside. Their Elysian Hills Tree Farm extends the season through Christmas Eve with organic Canaan and Balsam firs. Contact: walkerfarmvt@gmail.com | Instagram: @walkerfarmvt (2,540 followers).
Full Moon Blooms is a woman-owned micro flower farm and farmer-florist operation in Londonderry, Vermont, founded by Erin Clements approximately in 2021 and now in its fifth season of growing chemical-free, sustainably cultivated cut flowers in the heart of Southern Vermont. Specializing in Vermont wedding florals and event floral design, this farm-to-vase business offers full-service arrangements, a la carte options, venue consultations, day-of delivery and setup, container rentals, and creative custom pieces including flower crowns, cake flowers, and unique items like floral dog leashes. Their pricing starts with a $3,000 minimum spend for weddings, with bridal bouquets beginning at $300 and centerpieces at $150—rates that customers describe as fair for the exceptional quality and personalized service. Full Moon Blooms has earned a perfect 5.0-star rating on Zola from verified wedding reviews and received the prestigious Best of Zola 2025 award, with couples praising Erin's responsiveness, creativity, and calm professionalism even during challenging weather. Beyond weddings, flower lovers can subscribe to their Flower CSA for weekly seasonal bouquets, purchase fresh-cut blooms at local farmers markets, or order DIY flower buckets for self-arranging. As a NOFA Vermont member committed to organic practices, the farm uses no pesticides or floral foam, and Erin's horticultural expertise is further sharpened through her off-season work at High Mowing Organic Seeds, where she even has a namesake "Erin's Favorite Flowers" seed collection. Reach Full Moon Blooms at fullmoonbloomsvt@gmail.com for Vermont flower farm experiences, sustainable wedding flowers, or seasonal flower subscriptions.
Tapalou Guilds represents Vermont's new generation of mission-driven flower farming. Founded in 2015 by Hanna Jenkins and Andy Loughney, this women-owned L3c (Low-profit LLC) operates on approximately one acre in Guilford, growing 150+ flower varieties using organic and regenerative practices. The quirky name combines nicknames of the founders' dogs—"Tapfoot" (Chispa) and "Lou" (Penny)—while "Guilds" references both community associations and companion planting. What distinguishes Tapalou is its integration of flowers into life's most profound transitions. Hanna, a trained End of Life Doula, offers the unique "Labor of Love" birth bundle program ($200–$250) providing three arrangements: one during pregnancy, one during labor, and one post-birth, plus a handwoven wreath one year later with dried flowers from baby's first year. The "Blooms for Beings" initiative donates flowers to Women's Freedom Center, Turning Point, and Brattleboro Area Hospice. The farm also runs Camp Tapalou for youth ($300–$450/week, sliding scale). The Tapalou Tree Tent offers a distinctive overnight experience—a 10'x12' canvas tent suspended eight feet above the forest floor with queen bed, outdoor kitchen, and hot shower. The tree tent consistently earns nearly perfect 4.99 out of 5 ratings from more than 150 reviews on Hipcamp and Airbnb, with guests raving about waking up surrounded by flowers and forest. Flower CSA costs $160 for six months (May–October) with sliding scale available; individual deluxe bouquets run $25 with $15 local delivery. Weddings and funerals quoted individually. Contact: tapalouguilds@gmail.com | Instagram: @tapaloupollinators.
Equinox Valley Nursery has been Southern Vermont's go-to landscape and garden center since Penny and Roger Preuss founded it back in 1979. That's over 45 years of multi-generational family business serving the Manchester, Vermont community. You'll find them at 1158 Main St on Historic Route 7A, basically right in the shadow of Mount Equinox (the mountain kind of looms over the place in the best way). They stock an exceptional selection of trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, hanging baskets, roses including David Austin, Romantica, and Endless Summer varieties, orchids, and unique houseplants all carefully picked for Vermont's climate. Here's a fun bit of plant history: the Equinox Valley Lilac is their claim to horticultural fame, a signature variety discovered by founder Roger Preuss on a local golf course and now recognized worldwide. Their seasonal pumpkin patch and fall festival (mid-August through November) is honestly worth the trip alone. We're talking thousands of pumpkins, over 300 whimsical scarecrows, a corn maze, hayrides with stunning Green Mountains foliage views, and those legendary fresh-made apple cider donuts visitors can't stop talking about. The smell of those things frying? Unforgettable. Staff includes graduate landscape designers, master gardeners, and three generations of horticulture professionals, plus they offer full landscaping services including design, bulk topsoil, compost, and natural mulches. Google reviews sit around 4.4 to 4.5 stars from approximately 60 reviews, with customers praising the knowledgeable staff, vibrant plant selection, and immersive seasonal experiences. TripAdvisor reviewers have given them a perfect 5.0 stars, ranking them among the top things to do in Manchester. Contact them for Vermont garden tours, nursery visits, pick-your-own pumpkins, or holiday shopping including fresh Christmas trees and wreaths.
The Gift Garden™ Florist and Gifts brings nearly 50 years of floristry expertise to downtown Bennington—one of the region's most established flower shops. Founded in 1976, the business was purchased by current owners Beth and Dwain Wilwol in 2015, who moved to a larger location at 431 Main Street in 2016 and purchased the building outright for $259,000 in 2021. Named one of the Top Ten Florists in Vermont by Best Things Vermont, the shop has expanded to include the Holiday Cottage, a year-round Christmas store at 101 South Street. Customer reviews tell a compelling story of wedding excellence and emergency service. The Gift Garden holds a perfect 5.0/5 stars on The Knot across all reviews, with couples praising Beth's ability to work within budgets and execute vision even from remote planning. One reviewer noted "They saved the wedding!!" after another florist failed. The shop specializes in custom wedding floristry, same-day delivery, and monthly flower subscriptions (3-month, 6-month, and year-long options). Designer's Choice arrangements with roses start at $89; local delivery costs $10 per address. The shop delivers throughout Bennington County and into Hoosick Falls, NY—orders before 2 PM qualify for same-day delivery. The business accepts credit cards, Apple Pay, and cryptocurrency. Hours: Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM, Sat 9 AM–2 PM. Contact: garden33@myfairpoint.net.
True Bloom Farm exemplifies Vermont's farmer-florist movement, with founder Christine transitioning from vegetable farming in 2016 to cultivating specialty cut flowers on just half an acre in the quiet village of Cambridgeport (between Grafton and Saxtons River), where she and partner Zac grow nearly every bloom from seed using gentle, restorative farming practices on their 3-acre property. This sustainable Vermont flower farm specializes in wedding florals and special events, earning perfect 5-star ratings on WeddingWire (3 reviews) and the Chamber of Commerce (9 reviews), with brides praising Christine's ability to translate vague visions into "lush," "whimsical," and "wildflower-esque" arrangements that photographers call "among the best they've seen." Wedding packages typically range from about $300 to $6,000 for a la carte options like bouquets, centerpieces, and boutonnieres, while full-service design with custom installations and vendor coordination starts at $6,000 and up. The farm offers a self-serve Flower Truck stand on Route 121 (accepting cash or check only due to no cell service), cut flower plant collections available for pickup in mid-to-late May that sell out extremely quickly, and pre-order farm bouquets for next-day pickup when ordered before 4 PM. True Bloom Farm grows a diverse medley including specialty narcissus, tulips, peonies, foxgloves, roses, zinnias, dahlias, cosmos, ranunculus, lisianthus, and various wildflowers, providing full-service wedding consultations from mood boards through day-of delivery and setup for couples seeking locally-grown Vermont wedding flowers as a sustainable alternative to imported blooms. Customer testimonials consistently highlight the exceptional freshness and uniqueness of flowers (many varieties customers "didn't even know existed"), with arrangements lasting up to two weeks and the farm's commitment to supporting local agriculture and land stewardship honoring the Abenaki and Wabanaki tribes who originally inhabited the land. This seasonal flower farm operates as essentially a one-woman operation with Zac's full support, making it ideal for Vermont brides seeking romantic garden-style florals, visitors looking for pick-your-own flower experiences at the roadside stand, and home gardeners wanting cut flower plant starts in spring. Contact info@truebloomfarm.com or call (802) 869-4638 to plan your Vermont flower farm visit, order wedding florals, or inquire about seasonal availability at 998 Saxtons River Road (also listed as 9 Schoolhouse Rd), Cambridgeport, VT 05141.
True Love Farm is a beloved 30-acre flower and vegetable farm in Shaftsbury, Vermont, established in 2003 by Karen and Steven Trubitt, making it one of the region's most experienced specialty cut flower growers with over 20 years of cultivation expertise in Bennington County. What began as a kitchen garden after the couple "accidentally" became farmers has grown into a thriving operation cultivating approximately 5 acres with 100+ varieties of vegetables, fruits, and flowers—including 33+ cut flower varieties such as dahlias, sunflowers, zinnias, lisianthus, sweet peas, and an emphasis on unusual specialty blooms. Their innovative Freestyle Summer CSA offers flexible farm credit accounts ranging from $100 to $700 with no weekly commitment, allowing members to pre-order produce and flowers for pickup in North Bennington, plus occasional pick-your-own flower experiences and farm visits with pond access. True Love Farm supplies fresh-cut flowers wholesale to regional florists including Tuscan Sunflower, Flowerworks, and Wildflowers Florist, with weekly deliveries reaching the Capital Region of New York and Saratoga Springs. While not certified organic by choice (the owners believe U.S. organic standards aren't rigorous enough), the farm uses exclusively OMRI-approved inputs with no synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, heats their greenhouse with wood, and sells everything within a 35-mile radius. The farm has earned "Highly Recommended" status on Alignable and glowing testimonials praising their exceptional baby ginger, beautiful blooms, and community focus, with local florists calling their flowers "a delight for the senses." Contact Karen and Steven at info@truelovefarm.com to experience Vermont farm-fresh flowers, join their year-round CSA, or find them at the Dorset and Bennington Farmers' Markets.
