No matter what time of the year that you visit, Vermont is a state that has truly mastered the art of coziness. One way to embody that feeling of snug, wholesomeness is to visit one of Vermont’s many farms. My favorite one is Billings Farm and Museum! In addition to bread baking class and sheep shearing demonstrations, Billings has an entire day’s worth of activities for just about anyone. Grab your favorite flannel and find out what there is to do at this delightful dairy farm. (Hint — it involves cheese.)
Farm Manager’s House.
This farmer’s house was built in 1890 and considered ‘state of the art’ and looking at the painstaking recreation of its interior, one can absolutely see how it earned such a distinction. Things like running water and indoor bathrooms were apparently not commonplace during this time period, but at the Billing’s Farm…they were. It’s surprisingly interesting to see how the family of a farmer lived. To see sections of the homestead (such as a creamery and ice house) is particularly fascinating.
Museum Farm Life Exhibits.
Explore what life was like for the owner of a Vermont farm over a hundred years ago. Check out what a farmer’s home looked like, peek inside to see what would be available in the general store, learn how farmers did ‘maple sugaring’, and learn about life for farmer’s families who attended one-room schoolhouses. Be grateful that most of us don’t have to worry about ‘ice cutting’ an old-fashioned way of preserving food!
The Animals.
Most importantly, you’ll want to see the show stoppers of the Billings Farm…the animals! Say hello (and don’t inhale too closely) to oxen, goats, sheep, steers, chickens, and pigs. There is also a pair of draft horses who work throughout the year to keep the farm running by pulling equipment, wagons, and getting to know the people in town.
Most importantly… COWS!
You can’t have a dairy farm without cows!
The Learning Kitchen.
You might have been to a farm before, but you probably haven’t been to one that hosts cooking classes! Taste and cook with farm-fresh ingredients as you’re lead by an expert chef or food demonstrator who walks you through how to make your own butter, ricotta cheese, baked brie, garden veggie hummus, and more.
Sunflower House and Garden.
Billings Farm wins the award for some of the most interestingly themed farms in America. It’s home to the ‘pizza garden’ where all of the ingredients within that area are used to make, you guessed it…pizza. Peppers, spices, wheat, tomatoes — they’re all grown in the pizza garden. In the pollinator garden, guests can learn about the crucial role of hummingbirds, bees, and Monarch butterflies while learning how to build a bee house and grow plants that attract pollinator creatures. Billings is also home to a historic ‘Victory Garden’ which was an initiative during World War Two. It encouraged people to grow their own produce to take the pressure off farmers whose metal for cans went to the war effort. And, of course, you can take in the beauty of the sunflowers and grab a few photos as well.
The Dairy Bar.
Does the thought of meandering around a dairy farm have you dreaming of creamy, flavorful, products to bring home (or eat in the car like a savage?) Check out the ice cream here and go for either their classic or seasonal flavors. It’s also pretty much paramount that you grab a block of the farm’s artisan cheese. You may have trouble deciding between butter cheddar, smoked cheddar, and Woodstock reserve…so get all three.
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