About

Cedar Circle Farm and Education Center is a non-profit educational organic farm located on conserved land along the Connecticut River in East Thetford, VT. Our farm is a community hub with a bustling farmstand, coffee shop, commercial kitchen, native plant nursery, retail greenhouses, cut flower garden, and diverse education programs.

We are a working farm—growing certified organic vegetables, berries, greens, herbs, native plants (not yet certified), and cut flowers on about 25 acres—with a deep commitment to developing regenerative agriculture systems for our annual vegetable and flower production.

Cedar Circle operates as an organic farm with a social mission, and we prioritize involving members of our community as we develop and share practices that promote regenerative agriculture, good health, and a resource-rich environment. Our educational programming for learners of all ages aims to build connections between our food, ecosystems, and community.

For over 25 years since its inception, the Farm’s practices have evolved to incorporate regenerative organic principles, and the Farm’s purpose and activities have evolved to include a thriving education program and opportunities for community engagement.

Cedar Circle Farm and Education Center is dedicated to agricultural scientific research in the public interest and providing agricultural education and training to children, parents, educators, farmers, consumers, students and other members of the public to promote organic, regenerative farming and the transition to a localized food economy, including by producing healthy, organic food for the local economy in a way that enhances resources for future generations.

From the late 1970s to 2000, Cedar Circle Farm was owned and operated by Robert and Marilyn Stone. Over their 22-year tenure, the farm’s main focus was growing annuals and perennials as bedding plants and operating a pick-your-own strawberry patch, blueberry patch and pumpkin patch. The Stones sold the development rights on the farm to the Vermont Land Trust in 1990. Prior to the Stones’ ownership, Cedar Circle Farm had been a horse farm and a dairy farm.

When Will Allen and Kate Duesterberg became the proprietors in 2000, they kept the essence of the Stones’ business while transitioning the farm to organic growing practices. Their goal was to become a farm and education center. They envisioned the farm as a place to raise public awareness about the benefits of local organic agriculture and to research and experiment with new organic growing practices.

TIMELINE

​1500 B.C.: Hunter-gatherers migrate into the Upper Valley

1500s: Native American inhabitants establish permanent agriculture practices along the Connecticut River. Read our land acknowledgment and about the Abenaki Nation’s historical presence on this land here.

1855-1978: The land passes through the hands of 7 different landowners

1979: Robert and Marilyn Stone purchase the property and bestow the name Cedar Circle Farm, inspired by the circle of cedar trees standing just north of the yellow farmhouse.

1990: The Stones sell the development rights of the farm to the Vermont Land Trust in order to preserve the agricultural landscape through future transfers in ownership.

2000: The farm is purchased from the Stones and Will Allen and Kate Duesterberg begin laying the groundwork for Cedar Circle Farm to be known as an organic farm with a social mission.

2001: The first growing season as we begin to transition the farm to organic practices

2004: We receive organic certification through NOFA-VT and start our CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program

2005: The Hello Café is built to the boon of maple latte lovers everywhere

2011: A brand new commercial kitchen allows us to capture the seasons’ harvests and offer seasonal prepared foods.

2013: We prepare bouquets for our very first wedding client and begin our wedding and event flower business.

2015: The first season of our Homeschool and Little Farmers programs

2016: The first year of summer day camp for 6 to 11 year olds and the establishment of our Research and Development department

2019: We begin our transition to a nonprofit organization and officially add “Education Center” to our name. We also purchase Sunny Fields Berry Farm, ½ mile south of the main farm on Pavillion Road, from Jack Lyons after 30+ years of leasing.

2020: The farm officially becomes a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in order to expand our education and research offerings

2023: Our Research & Development team begins a 5-year transition of half of our cut flower garden to perennial plants and flowers. At the same time, our Event & Wedding Flower program evolves into a DIY experience.

2024: Inaugural year of our Teen Farm Fellowship program with five fellows

2025: Renovation project at Sunny Fields Farm is completed. The new classroom space and teaching kitchen set us up for further expansion of our education programs.